TOP QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE HIRING A MARKETING AGENCY
When you’re looking for a Marketing Agency, asking them the right questions regarding what sets them apart from their competition is important. Interviewing the agency and getting to know how they operate, what makes them unique, how the deal with weekly tasks and scheduling are all important items to consider. Below are our top questions to consider when hiring a marketing agency.
1. How Are You Different?
We suggest you give the agency a chance to sell you on their services and see how well they do it. Listen to what they say, who they’ve worked with and critique it carefully. Learn about their specific methods, the type of services they offer and specialties, and what they’ve thought of that other agencies haven’t. Ask them where the succeed and other agencies fail. Keep in mind, a marketing agency needs to help your business think outside of the box and fulfill regular ongoing functions that not only create new business but keep your business’s brand and target audience in mind at all times.
2. How Do You Track Progress And Analyze Data?
If you’re actively trying to market your business, you know that staying static is the fastest way to ensure you stay in the red.
You need to find a marketing company that is constantly scrutinizing the methods they use when it comes to content, web design, social media, branding…the whole 9 yards. Ask how often they issue plain-English reports of the data they’re analyzing or provide updates on content and the meeting of business goals. Not sure what your business goals are, then consider marketing strategy first.
3. Can We Talk To Some Of Your Past Clients?
You likely know it from your own hiring process: the best way to find out how effective a Tacoma marketing company really is? Seeing a portfolio of past work, and asking for a references.
4. How Are You Handling Social Media?
In order to stand out online, drive traffic to your website, and increase the recognition of your brand, you need to have a branded social media strategy and presence. Make sure your agency has a plan to streamline your content across multiple platforms, and that they’re taking into account social media as a part of your larger customer service plan as well as marketing tool.
5. Are You Updating/Maintaining Our Site, Or Is That On Us?
Did you know that broken links, 404 error pages, and bad landing pages can make your website fall in Search Engine (SEO) rankings? When you’re meeting with potential companies, make sure you’ve asked if you’ll be the one responsible for the maintenance of your website or if they will be handling that.
6. How Do You Plan To Get To Know Us?
When you’re looking for the right agency, you want to make sure you find a company that cares as much about your brand as you do about your customers. Considering working with a local agency that has a presence locally and knows that marketplace can be very beneficial, but is not a critical piece of a successful marketing plan.
Many businesses create a brand guide and having such a document can really help an agency learn more about you. If they don’t ask for your brand guide or who your target audience is, they may not follow principles that would lead to success. Be cautious!
Of course, we’d love to answer all of these questions for you. If you’d like to schedule some time to discuss, feel free to schedule some time with us here.