Are you considering bringing on a marketing agency to support your business?  Maybe you realized that marketing isn’t your cup of tea.  Or that there are better things you can spend your precious time on instead of social media. 

If so, you’re making an excellent business decision. Marketing agencies can help you grow your clientele or sales and navigate the tricky terrain of sticking out from the crowd.

But how do you tell which company is right for you? What should you ask before hiring a marketing agency? 

Below, we’ve compiled six questions you should get answers to before you strike a deal with an agency. 

1. What Is Your Specialty?

Believe it or not, not all marketing agencies focus on the same thing!

Sure, it’s not uncommon to see some overlap in services, such as search engine optimization (SEO). But nowadays, marketing is a complicated landscape with a lot of different specialties. 

Some agencies specialize in Content Marketing, Social Media, Web Design, or Digital Advertising.  Others might specialize in supporting a specific industry or niche of clients.  Some agencies hang their hats on helping their clients with brand building and storytelling. In contrast, others excel at helping sell products or services. Finally, some agencies help support you with either B2B (business-to-business) or B2C (business-to-consumer).

So first, define what your goals are in hiring a company and look for agencies that specialize in that type of marketing support. 

2. With What Main Industries Do They Work?

Once you’ve found some companies you might think would work well for the type of marketing you need, ask them what kind of industries they support.

Why? 

You want to make sure they have experience working in your industry. A company could be excellent when it comes to helping a restaurant get people to the table.  But what if you’re in a different industry? Would they do well then, too?

Maybe or maybe not. Asking if the agency has experience in your industry or a similar area will let you know whether or not they’ve succeeded in your line of work before.

3. Do They Have Client References or Work Samples?

Next, ask them to send you some samples of work they’ve done and if they have any client references.

Once you get the samples, look them over and see if you find the work satisfactory. If you receive any client referrals, pay attention. Exuberant clients are the number 1 sign of good work.  

At Elle Marketing and Events, we have both a services deck and a content sample deck that we update regularly and can show to clients at any time.  After all, we’re proud of our work. 

4. Who Will be Executing the Work?

Before you hire a marketing agency, you’ll want to know who will be doing the work related to your account.

Is it a team of professionals or just a few people? Will you be working closely with one person in particular? What are their credentials?

For example, our team is made up of marketing strategists who can look at and plot the big picture, social media managers, content writers and editors, and specialists that focus on things like photography, graphic design, web design, and SEO. 

5. How Will They Measure the Metrics?

When you pay for a marketing company, you want to know if they’re giving you the results you need.

Because of this, you should ask how your results will be measured before hiring a marketing agency.

6. How Much Should I Be Involved?

You want a marketing agency that’s willing to make your vision a reality.  But that means you need to be involved and available to provide that vision, feedback, and input.  

Of course, you also want an agency who will make strategic reccomendations and come to the table with clear ideas about your marketing mix. But a good marketing company should ask for some level of commitement from the organization they are supporting to review and approve the marketing strategy and metrics. 

So don’t be afraid to ask about what your level of involvement will be!

Ready to Hire a Marketing Agency?

Are you looking to hire a marketing agency?

Incorporating marketing experts into your work can be a great way to get your brand out there.

Still not sure which company to choose?

Here at Elle Marketing & Events, we handle everything from strategy to content writing, social media management, and strategic marketing planning. Book a free virtual consultation today!