You know the importance of marketing, but you don’t have the resources to do it yourself. After all, as a business owner, you have to divide your time between handling finances, managing distribution, developing innovative products, and more.

 

 

Suffice to say, you don’t have much time to spare.

 

 

That’s where marketing agencies come in. They’re supposed to take the burden of promotions off your shoulders and help you hit sales targets with clever and strategic advertising. Sounds great, right?

 

 

Well, the catch is… Not all of them are as good as they claim.

 

 

Hiring a marketing agency can lead you down a rabbit hole of ineffective advertising tactics, unrealistic promises, and unqualified staff. You may even spend thousands with very little to show for it—making you wish that you didn’t outsource your marketing in the first place.

 

 

So, how do you sift through the noise and choose a qualified marketing agency worth your money, time, and energy? We’ve curated a list of expert tips to avoid marketing agencies that will do more harm than good.

 

 

What are marketing agencies supposed to do?

 

At their core, marketing agencies are supposed to help businesses achieve their sales goals by planning and executing marketing campaigns. This task includes creating ad campaigns, handling social media accounts, developing website content, organizing promotional events, and more.

 

 

Ideally, a marketing agency has a team of professionals who are experts in various aspects of marketing (e.g., strategists, creatives, and writers). They should be able to work together to create an integrated marketing strategy tailored to your business goals. 

 

 

Most importantly, they should be able to deliver results that justify their fees.

 

 

Unfortunately, not all marketing agencies live up to these standards. Sometimes, you might even find that you can get better results by doing the marketing yourself or with freelance marketers. Everything depends on the quality of the agency you hire and how well they understand your business goals.

 

 

What types of marketing agencies are there?

 

 

There are all sorts of marketing agencies out there, from small boutiques to large conglomerates. Of course, the size of the agency is not necessarily a good indicator of quality, but it can give you an idea of their level of resources and expertise.

 

 

The 3 main types of marketing agencies are the following:

 

1. Full-service agencies: As the name suggests, these agencies offer a full range of marketing services. They generally have teams that specialize in different areas, such as website design, SEO, social media, email marketing, and so on. These types of agencies are ideal if you’re looking for an all-in-one solution.
2. Digital agencies: These agencies focus primarily on online marketing tactics, such as developing websites, creating digital ads, managing social media accounts, and conducting email marketing campaigns. Digital agencies are great if you’re seeking help with your online presence.
3. Advertising agencies: These agencies specialize in creating traditional advertising, such as TV commercials, print ads, and radio spots. You’ll do yourself a favor by hiring advertising agencies if your goals include raising brand awareness or increasing name recognition.

 

There are more than three types of marketing agencies out there, like public relations firms, event planning companies, and social media consultants. But the three types we mentioned already cover the majority of them. As always, the best way to choose an agency is to first identify your needs and then look for an agency that specializes in those areas.

 

 

For example, if you want an agency for lead generation, you’ll want to look for an agency that specializes in SEO or pay-per-click (PPC) advertising. On the other hand, if you need help with brand awareness, you might want to consider a social media agency.

 

 

How do you find a marketing agency?

 

There are a few different ways you can find a marketing agency, such as:

 

• Asking for referrals from other businesses in your industry
• Searching online directories, such as Clutch or The Manifest
• Checking out agency lists, such as the Ad Age Agency A-List or the AMA Gold Report
• Attending industry events and trade shows to network with agencies
• Scanning job boards, such as Indeed or Monster

 

Once you’ve compiled a list of potential agencies, reach out and set up initial consultations. Doing this will give you opportunities to learn more about the agency and see if they’re a good fit for your business.

 

 

What should you look for when finding a qualified marketing agency?

 

Don’t fall into the trap of interviewing agencies without knowing what you want. Doing so means opening yourself up to shallow-but-impressive sales pitches, causing you to hire based on gut feel instead of facts. 

 

 

To help you out, here are 4 key factors to look for when hiring a marketing agency:

 

1. A proven track record of success: The best way to gauge an agency’s effectiveness is to look at their past results. If they’ve been in business for a while, they should have a portfolio of clients that they’ve helped succeed. Ensure that you ask for case studies or testimonials from past clients to get a sense of the agency’s capabilities.
2. A clear understanding of your goals: An excellent marketing agency will take the time to understand your business goals before proposing a plan of action. They should be able to tailor their services to meet your specific needs. Otherwise, you might end up with a cookie-cutter approach that doesn’t produce the results you actually need.
3. Transparency and communication: A good marketing agency will keep you in the loop throughout the process. They should provide regular updates and be available to answer any of your questions. You want them to work with you instead of for you.
4. Competitive pricing: Marketing agencies typically charge a retainer or by the project. Ensure that you get a few quotes before hiring an agency so you can compare pricing. Keep in mind, however, that the cheapest option is not always the best option. Sometimes it’s worth paying more for an experienced and reputable agency.

 

With these 4 factors, you can weed out the mediocre marketing agencies that you shouldn’t waste your time on.

 

What are the signs that you’ve hired a good marketing agency?

 

 

You can evaluate how well your marketing agency is doing after a few months of working with them or post-evaluating a project you had them do. Here are ten signs that you’ve hired an excellent marketing agency to assure yourself that you’re working with the right promotions partner:

 

• They deliver on their promises: A great agency will always deliver on its promises. They’ll meet deadlines, stay within budget, and produce quality work. If an agency is consistently missing the mark (and sweet talking you during meetings), it might be time to find a new one.
• They’re proactive: An excellent agency will be proactive and think ahead. They should be able to anticipate your needs, stay updated on the specific market and industry, and make recommendations accordingly. Doing that shows that they’re invested in your success.
• They communicate well: Communication is key in any relationship, and that includes the relationship between you and your agency. A great agency will keep you updated on their progress and be available to answer any of your questions.
• They’re flexible: Things change (especially in dynamic markets), but a good marketing agency can adapt to any customer behavior shifts and unexpected trends. They’re flexible and can tweak campaigns and strategies when necessary, being willing to do whatever it takes to get results.
• They have a process: A great agency will have a process in place for developing and executing marketing campaigns. Doing so ensures that every campaign is well-planned and executed flawlessly—able to repeat successes without many trial-and-error tactics.

 

In a nutshell, working with the right agency should make a significant difference in the success of your business. You should see an increase in leads and sales, and your brand should be elevated to a whole new level. If you’re not seeing these results, it might be time to find a new agency.

 

 

Qualified Marketing Agencies Turn Pennies into Great Wealth

 

Marketing agencies can be a great investment for businesses looking to improve their marketing efforts. By evaluating your needs and goals, you can find the perfect agency that will help turn pennies into bills. Keep in mind that not all agencies are created equal, so do your research before making a decision. 

 

 

If you ask us, however, you’ve already found the marketing agency you need.

 

 

Our team in ScaleUpSales are experts in boosting sales through qualified leads. We have the experience and insider knowledge to help you achieve your desired results. Contact us today for a free consultation and we’ll take your business to the next level!