When it comes to choosing a marketing agency, it can tend to be overwhelming. Every business has its own unique vision, so it is crucial to find an agency comprised of the right group of people to get you where you want to go. So as you begin your search, here are some things to keep in mind:
Look for an agency with experience
A lot of the time when it comes to checking out what experience a certain agency has, it’s as easy as looking at their site and scrolling through some case studies. This will say a lot about a company, the type of clients they work with, and the type of results you can expect if you too choose to work with that agency. But don’t stop there! Word of mouth is big these days. Ask around. Check in with the organizations that those case studies may have been written about and see what their experience was like working with that marketing agency. Do some research on the individual team members to see what their past experience was. Gaining this knowledge before going in to meet with the marketing agency in person can give you some great insight as to what you can expect from them.
Look for an agency that takes a humanized approach
Have you ever left a meeting with either a single person or a group of individuals within a company and thought to yourself that they didn’t feel very…human? This is something that is key when looking for a long term marketing partner. Find a group of people that can not only work side by side with you to achieve your goals, but that you can sit down with and actually have an enjoyable conversation with.
Look for an agency that is curious
Why fix what isn’t broken? That is the mindset a lot of companies have these days. They have a decent brand, a good amount of site traffic, hit their minimum numbers each month, and are comfortable in their ways. While that’s great, finding a marketing agency that challenges those established beliefs is just what your company needs in order to not only keep up with competitors, but to stand out to potential new clients. Having a curious team of marketing professionals on your side who are constantly asking questions and pushing you to branch out is crucial.
Look for an agency where the leadership team is involved
With a lot of big name marketing agencies out there, you meet an enthusiastic team of executives during the pitch process. They all seem excited, eager to work with you, and have all this experience and knowledge to share. You decide to accept their proposal, and as you start getting into the weeds, you never see or hear from them again. Ensuring that at least one person from the leadership team is actively involved in your account is always a good idea, so you can ensure you are getting both a fresh perspective as well as a seasoned one.
Look for an agency that you feel you’ll be able to grow with
Make sure that the marketing agency you are considering has expertise in more than one area. In the short term, you may be looking for assistance with giving your website a refresh. But what other needs might your company have down the line? Ensure that the agency you go with will be able to assist with other areas in the long term so you aren’t back to square one as soon as that initial project comes to a close.
If you think you found an agency that checks all of the above boxes, you can be confident that this is a group that you can grow with. A team that has experience, curiosity, and a fun-loving approach to getting you where you need to go is exactly what you need to ensure a long term partnership. Check out our team page and see how we can help you achieve all of your marketing goals at OTM!