With all the agencies out there vying for your partnership, there’s a high chance that you’ll end up with one that’ll make marketing a nightmare rather than a dream. 

 

 

The stakes are incredibly high if you want a marketing agency for outbound campaigns, which include finding leads and customers through cold calling, emailing, and other forms of direct outreach.

 

 

Why? 

 

 

Well, outbound methods are pretty personal compared to inbound marketing and directly represent your brand. So if an agency doesn’t correctly manage outbound marketing tools, it can very quickly damage your brand’s reputation and leave a bad taste in potential customers’ mouths.

 

 

Moreover, since you’re in the B2B space, your target market is more challenging to reach and requires a higher level of expertise to convert. Unfortunately, this is where many agencies drop the ball, as they don’t have the specific experience or knowledge needed to succeed in B2B outbound marketing.

 

 

So, the question remains–are outbound marketing agencies worth your time and money? 

 

 

In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of working with an agency for outbound marketing and how you can vet for one to make the right decision for your business.

 

Pros of Working with an Outbound Marketing Agency

 

There are several reasons why working with an outbound marketing agency can be a good decision for your business. Here are 4 benefits you can expect to see:

 

 

#1 They Take on the Heavy Lifting

 

One advantage of working with an outbound marketing agency is that they’ll take on most of the work required to plan and carry out your campaigns. This includes everything from market research and target list creation to lead generation and appointment scheduling. 

 

 

In other words, you can focus on running your business while they handle the nitty-gritty details of your marketing. 

 

 

In addition, outsourcing your outbound marketing efforts to an agency frees up resources you can use elsewhere in your business, so you can focus on what you do best and have experts handle tasks outside your area of expertise or comfort.

 

 

#2 They Stay Updated on the Latest Trends and Tools

 

Outbound marketing is constantly evolving, with new trends and tools emerging constantly.

 

 

So, how do you keep up?

 

 

Well, working with an agency ensures that you’ll always be using the latest and best outbound methods, giving you a leg up on the competition—significantly as outbound methods interrupt prospects (compared to the permission-based techniques of inbound marketing).

 

 

Plus, agencies usually have a team of experts who work together to create successful campaigns. This means you’ll get access to a wealth of knowledge and experience that you wouldn’t have if you were handling things in-house. The right agency will have a team of experts who can create and execute successful outbound campaigns that generate results.

 

 

#3 They Bring Fresh Ideas to the Table

 

If you’re feeling stuck in a rut, an outbound marketing agency can help inject some fresh ideas into your campaigns. Their team will bring a new perspective to the table, which can help breathe new life into your outbound marketing efforts. 

 

 

Plus, they’ll take a strategic approach to your campaigns, looking at all aspects of your business before developing a tailored plan. This ensures that your campaigns are as effective as possible and that you’re not wasting time and money on methods that won’t work. 

 

 

#4 They Offer Flexibility and Scalability

 

Another benefit of working with an agency is that they offer flexibility and scalability. This means that you Another benefit of working with an agency is that they offer flexibility and scalability. 

 

 

In fact, one of the most significant advantages of working with an agency is that you’ll see a higher return on investment (ROI). This is because agencies have years of experience and know how to properly execute outbound campaigns, which leads to more leads and customers converted—more profits.

 

 

Cons of Working with an Outbound Marketing Agency

 

However, just as there are benefits, there are also disadvantages to working with an outbound marketing agency in the B2B space. Here are some of them to consider:

 

#1 You Might Not Be Ready for Their Services

 

Outsourcing might do more harm than good if you’re not ready for an outbound marketing campaign. 

 

 

For example, an outbound campaign could backfire if your website isn’t up to par or you don’t have solid buyer personas. And if you have a small business with a limited target market, you can get by with inbound marketing (e.g., content marketing and SEO) without outsourcing. 

 

 

You’re better off getting your ducks in a row before working with an agency—so ensure that you have everything figured out before onboarding third-party help into your business.

 

 

#2 They’re Not Cheaper Than In-House Staff

 

Despite what some people believe, outbound marketing agencies are not necessarily cheaper than hiring in-house staff. 

 

 

In fact, depending on the size of your business and your marketing goals, it might be more cost-effective to build an in-house team—one that you can develop and train to your standards.

 

 

#3 You Could Run Into Issues With Their Contract

 

Most outbound marketing agencies work on a contract basis, which can be a pro or a con, depending on your point of view. 

 

 

On the plus side, this means that you’re not locked into a long-term relationship and can cancel their services at any time. However, it also means that you could run into some issues if you don’t meet all of your contractual obligations.

 

 

#4 They Might Not Understand Your Business

 

Even the best outbound marketing agency might not understand your business as well as you do. This can lead to communication breakdowns and campaign misfires—detrimental to your reputation and might taint your outbound strategies in the long run. 

 

 

So it’s essential to take the time to explain your business in detail to any potential agency partners, so there are no misunderstandings.

 

 

8 Ways to Vet Your B2B Outbound Marketing Agency

 

So, you’ve decided to take the leap and hire an outbound marketing agency. Congratulations!  But before you sign on the dotted line, you should do a few things to vet your potential partner and ensure that they’re a good fit for your business. 

 

 

Here’s a checklist for you to use:

 

 

1. Do Your Research

 

Before you even start looking for an outbound marketing agency, it’s crucial to do your research and understand what you need. This means taking the time to understand your goals, target market, and ideal buyer persona. Once you understand these things well, you’ll be in a better position to find an agency that can help you achieve your desired results.

 

 

2. Service Agreement

 

When you’re ready to start shopping around for an outbound marketing agency, you should first ask for a service agreement. This document should outline the scope of work the agency will be performing and their rates and fees. Ensure you read the contract carefully and understand the terms before signing on the dotted line—there is no turning back once the deal is sealed.

 

 

3. Understand the Costs

 

One of the essential things to understand when working with an outbound marketing agency is the cost. Ask about their rates and fees upfront, so there are no surprises down the road. 

 

 

Moreover, ensure that you completely understand what’s included (and not included) in their services, as some agencies might charge extra for tasks like copywriting or graphic design.

 

 

4. Good Collaboration

 

Another vital thing to consider when vetting an outbound marketing agency is its ability to collaborate. This factor is critical for the two parties to work together towards a common goal. That way, they feel more like an in-house team than outsourced human resources—an added value team to your existing business. 

 

 

Ask about their collaborative process, how they handle communication between clients and team members, and see if it matches your expectations and current system.

5. Ask for References, Case Studies, and Testimonials

 

As with any interview, ask for references (and results) when choosing an outbound B2B marketing agency. Doing so is a great way to get first-hand insights into what it’s like to work with them. 

 

 

Moreover, ask for case studies and testimonials to see their work, check their success rates, and get unbiased feedback about their work. If their past work shows something you want, they’re the ideal agency for your business.

 

 

7. Security and Trust

 

You’ll want to consider an outbound marketing agency’s security and trustworthiness. After all, you’ll be sharing sensitive information about your business with them.

 

 

Be sure to ask about their privacy policy and how they protect client data. You should also ask about their experience working with businesses in your industry. Security also includes how projects like building a website would navigate country-specific protocols to ensure that your data stays secure.

 

 

8. Alignment with Goals

 

Last but not least, you’ll want to make sure there’s alignment between your goals and the outbound marketing agency’s services. 

 

 

Don’t fall for the generic sales pitch that isn’t based on your services, industry, and objectives. Instead, ask about their experience in helping other businesses achieve the marketing goals that you have, and see if they provide a strategy that aligns with your methodology and lines of action. 

 

 

This is crucial, as you want to ensure that the agency has the knowledge and expertise necessary to help you achieve your desired results. Else, why hire them in the first place?

 

 

Choose the Right B2B Outbound Agency to Make Them Worthwhile

 

Hiring an outbound agency is a big decision that should not be taken lightly. There are a lot of factors to consider, and it’s important to do your homework before making a final decision. However, if you take the time to find the right agency, they can be a valuable asset to your business. 

 

 

Use the tips above to help you find the right outbound marketing agency for your business, or get in touch with our team today at ScaleUpSales for expert guidance.

 

 

With ScaleUpSales, you’ll get an outbound marketing strategy that really does generate leads. Contact us today to see what we can do for you!