Finding Your Marketing Match: How to Hire the Right Marketing Company

Guest post by: Michele Harris

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Finding Your Marketing Match: How to Hire the Right Marketing Company

Are you looking to hire a marketing company? Weeks and months can be wasted talking to firms that are not qualified. Do you love your current agency? If the passion has faded and you're feeling neglected, or you’re currently unattached and looking for agency love, don't despair. Marketing Agency Selection Firm's CEO and Chief Matchmaker shares the Top 10 Tips to findingyour ideal marketing company partner:

Finding Your Marketing Match:

First impressions.The First Email. The First Phone Call. Notice the details. What is the experience like? The First Meeting. How important do they make you feel? Is the proposal detailed-oriented or vague? Pay attention to the details.

Superficiality.Don’t get blinded by the easiest to find, “top 10 “hottest” agency labels or over-rated rankings. Awards may not be relevant to your company’s situation and challenges. Inner compatibility is key critical.

Looks count.Does the work have a signature look or cookie-cutter style? Range is power. What does their proposal look like? Is their style corporate or laid back? How do they look, act and present? Their style should jive with yours.

Size Matters. It’s easy to get sold on—and then lost in—a big shop. Will you be a valued, important priority client to the agency, or just another phone number? Get an idea of the size and scope of their typical engagements over the past 12-18 months and understand where you’ll fit into their world.

Chemistrymakes or breaks relationships. Do your personalities click? Meet the people you’ll be working with on a daily basis and know their backgrounds. Do you feel like just hired someone and can’t wait to work together? The connection should feel natural.

Expertise.Do you bring out their best qualities and strengths? Don’t assume “full-service” is a benefit: larger firms carry big overhead, while smaller firms may outsource and markup services. A specialty firm may offer the best value. Identify your needs and the agency’s core strengths to ensure it’s a match of heart and soul.

Experience. Do they have ideas that can drive your brand and your business? Do they have experience in your industry? Do they understand your business, challenges and budget, and have proven successes with clients in similar situations? You should be able to learn from them.

Establish Mutual Goals.Do your priorities align? What’s considered a successful relationship? Are you on the same page? Set a budget and metrics for success. Develop a scope of work, deliverables and a timeline. Reward good behavior: offer the agency a bonus if they surpass certain objectives.

Communication.They call the next day. There is a good exchange of talking and listening. You feel heard. They deliver proposal when they said they would. They keep their commitments. Look for Patterns. Do your part and be a good client: communicate your needs, budget, challenges and initiatives.

Culture.Do you share attitudes, values, goals, and practices? Do you agree on the end game and share a vision for the future? Could you bring them home and feel proud introducing them to your CEO or colleagues? They will be an extension of your corporate family

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Article Tags: Agency Selection, Marketing Agency Selection, Marketing Company, Marketing Company Selection

About the Author: Michele Harris RSS for Michele's articles - Visit Michele's website   Marketing expert Michele Harris has 20 years experience developing revenue-rich marketing programs for Fortune 500 companies and leading business development and client services for premier advertising agencies. As founder and Chief Matchmaker of Smarti Solutions–the leading marketing agency selection firm for the mid-size marketplace—Michele provides clients with sales and marketing consulting, an unparalleled, intimate knowledge of the boutique and mid-size agency landscape and an expert selection of qualified advertising agencies, PR firms, media and marketing companies across industries, capabilities and other criteria. Michele has been covered by The NY Times, NY Post, PR Week, Inc. Magazine, CNN’s Money Magazine and Crain's BtoB Magazine. To get sales and marketing guidance or assistance finding just the right advertising agency, PR firm or marketing company for your business’ needs, visit http://www.getsmarti.com        Click here to visit Michele's website More from Michele Harris Making Power Points Opportunity in a Down Economy Issuing an RFP Website is an Ad Primary Research Development

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