If you’re reading this, you’re probably in the process of partnering with a digital marketing agency.

Maybe you’ve reached the end of what you can do on your own and need strategic help to take your business to the next level. Maybe you’re overwhelmed and need help managing your workload. Maybe you’ve been burned by a marketing agency in the past and are looking for guidance. (Sorry to hear that, by the way!)

Wherever you are in the process, you’re in the right spot! We want to help you properly assess potential digital marketing agencies so you can be confident that it’s a good fit.

Whether you are a civil engineering firm, a manufacturing company, or anything in between, the right digital marketing agency can take your investment and bring back dividends for years to come. Once you’re established as “the place to go” for your industry, your reputation can do the heavy lifting.

Congratulations on being proactive in your search.

Here are five questions that will help you determine if the potential marketing agency is the right fit for your business:

Ask Yourself: What Do I Need From An Agency?

You don’t need to know everything. You’re hiring them to be the marketing expert. Not you. But you should have a clear idea of the results you are looking for.

Are you looking for a cohesive online presence (website and social media channels)? Are you looking to reach a particular market in your industry that may require a conference booth or physical assets created?

Establishing expectations from the beginning prevent disappointment further down the line. You don’t want to think, “I thought they would do this for me,” but it was something that was never verbalized. Marketers may be good but we can’t read minds!

If you can express exactly what you want to be accomplished you will be able to determine if you need a full-service team (like SNR Creative) that can cover several aspects of marketing or if you need to find a specialist who focuses on one thing.

Can They Create A Personalized Plan For You?

One size does not fit all, especially when it comes to marketing. Even if services or products are similar, the approach by each company is different. You want to highlight what makes you different and stand out.

The last thing you need is a marketing agency that already has pre-set packages. Maybe their last client needed 20 social media posts a month, but does that mean you do too? Not every social media channel is a good fit depending on the company.

If you are a clothing line, you would have a better fit on visual platforms like Pinterest or Instagram instead of Twitter. If you’re in talks with a marketing agency who can’t create a personalized plan for you, stop the conversation immediately.

Your marketing agency should be able to create a marketing journey for you, considering where you currently are in your branding and exposure and what it will take to reach the goals you have in mind. It should be unique and aligned with your company’s values and style of operation.

Who Will You Be Working With On A Regular Basis?

When you hire a marketing agency, you’re essentially gaining new teammates. You want to make sure that you like them. They will have a huge impact on you and your business because you will collaborate and communicate often. You don’t want to add frustration to your life. The goal is to make your life easier. You want to be able to trust that your marketing team has it handled so you can go back to focusing on what you do best.

Remember, the typical minimum retainer for a new marketing plan to yield any concrete results is from 3 to 12 months. However, with unique service offerings like Marketing On Demand  by SNR Creative, a firm can step in to cover marketing needs, at any stage, to fill the void the of a marketing presence (hiring new marketing personnel for an organization or realigning your marketing).

If you’re partnering with an agency full-time, you must know who you’re going to be working with. You can start off by checking out the agency’s website and social media channels. Do they share what goes on behind the scenes? Do they seem approachable? Knowledgeable? When you go in for a visit, make sure to ask questions about the team members you’ll be working closely with. Trust your gut.

How Do They Measure Success?

Success can be measured in more than just numbers. It’s not just about followers and likes. How confident do you feel talking about your business? Do you want to share your website or business card? If the answer is no, that should be one of your success markers.

Marketing is not a straight line to success. There are periodic bumps and flows, but the key is being consistent. Together, you and the marketing agency need to be able to decide what success will look like in the long term and short term.

Sometimes being proud of your online presence for the first time can be a success. Sometimes it’s landing a new client. Sometimes it’s being featured in a magazine.

As long as your marketing agency is delivering some forward momentum, it’s a success. Beware of someone who promises you the world for $19.99 and just 30 days. There’s a healthy way to look at success. Make sure you and your marketing agency are on the same page.

Are They A Swiss Army Knife Or A One-Trick Pony?

What you need today is not what you’re going to need tomorrow. As your business grows in success, the strategy will need to change to accommodate. You want to be with a marketing agency that you can grow with.

Avoid hiring a one-trick pony. Seek out the Swiss army knife.

You want your marketing to be cohesive. That means your website, copy, collateral, marketing, and events all fit together seamlessly to establish a firm brand position. If you work with five different specialists, they will all bring something different to the table. It might look nice when it’s by itself, but what about as a whole? When it comes to your marketing, don’t be short-sighted – plan for your success by hiring someone who can go the distance with you.

Here are some important capabilities to consider when vetting agencies:

• Strategy & Business Development
• Graphic Design
• Web Design
• Web Development
• Social Media Management
• YouTube Management
• Photography/Videography
• Copywriting
• Email Newsletters
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Public Relations

Here’s a hint. At SNR Creative, we can do all that and more. If you’d like to learn more, you can schedule a consultation right here.

Even if you don’t choose us, make sure that you ask these five questions the next time you’re considering partnering with a digital marketing agency. You’ll save time and money. Here’s to your success!