You’ve put in the blood, sweat, and tears. You’ve launched the business, done the thing, or at least come up with a solid game plan. And now it’s time to watch your big ideas fly out into the world. But where do you start? How do you find the right partners who will care and understand your vision as much as you do? Choosing the right marketing or creative agency can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to. Taking big steps – new steps – is an exciting place to be in, so let’s break it down and look at the top tips for choosing the best marketing agency for your next project!
5 Tips for Choosing the Right Marketing Agency
1. Define your needs.
Is it a one-off project you’re seeking help with or an entire rebrand? Do you need tactical execution or strategic expertise? Are you willing to follow a team or are you looking to lead with support? Defining exactly what you need (and how you need it) will not only bring authenticity to your goals but can also act as an easy go-to cheat sheet along the way. You’ll quickly find that agencies come in all different shapes and sizes. And you’re going to love that! But your goal is to find the agency that’s going to best fit alongside your vision and story – and that becomes a lot easier when you’ve first defined it on paper.
2. Find an agency whose work you admire.
The title for this point initially read, “review an agency’s expertise.” But the truth is that even when an agency has the expertise you’re looking for and the work to prove it, they still may not be the right fit. So don’t just look for an agency who can meet your needs, find an agency whose work you really admire! Comb through their website – does the copywriting draw you in? Review their social channels – are the posts engaging? Look at the work they showcase – does it stir an excitement in you for what could be? At the end of the day, the most successful partnerships are often rooted in mutual admiration: They love what you stand for and you love the ways in which they help you stand. When it comes to creative inspiration, don’t settle.
3. Dive into a team’s culture & values.
You know we’re big fans of a creative team who love to have fun, but you’ll admittedly want to dig a bit deeper than that. When reviewing a prospective agency, look for what they strive to bring out in their team. Does the agency value collaboration and work hard to create spaces for ideas to thrive? Do they offer team benefits that encourage their employees to maintain a work-life balance? What values does their business stand on and do they align with yours? A good agency website is going to highlight its team’s best attributes (marketing is what they do, after all). A great agency, however, will show you how they live these out. Our best ‘tell”: A good agency is one you can read about; a great agency is one you can feel.
4. Reach out and say hello!
You found a few agencies you’re excited about – now, what? Introduce yourself! Like dating (or sending a DM), there is no pressure to commit until you’re sure an agency is the right fit for you. So, reach out and schedule a zoom call, talk to an account manager, or meet for coffee. Despite everything you’ve seen or read, a personal interaction is likely going to be the step that seals the deal or breaks it. What to look for? Each conversation should be unique, but asking about an agency’s workflow, passions, team dynamic, and past challenges (and successes) will get you moving in the right direction.
5. Don’t let a spreadsheet define your choice.
Our last, potentially unpopular, tip: Create a “ranking system,” but don’t let it act as the be-all and end-all. Similar to defining your goals, it’s useful to narrow down agencies by stacking them up against each other on paper, but numbers and checklists rarely tell the whole story. So, don’t let them! Narrow down your top few agencies and then trust your gut to do the rest. It will. You are a visionary, after all!
Wondering if The Wendt Agency meets your needs? Us, too. Head this way to learn more about our services, insanely passionate team, and why we think we might just be the agency for you. 😉
