Marketing is an ever-evolving landscape. This is due to technological developments, changes in consumer behaviors, access to data, and other advancements. For brands, marketing a product or service isn’t as straightforward as it once was. Newspaper advertisements and billboards are still used today, but the majority of brands are focusing on digital marketing efforts.
Digital marketing has changed consumers’ expectations of brands. They are looking for brands to provide personalized recommendations and respond to their queries ASAP. If a brand fails to do so, consumers are quick to take their business elsewhere.
This rising pressure on brands can be overwhelming, especially for those who lack marketing expertise. Marketing agencies are rising to the challenge, assisting businesses in campaign developments and launches, SEO, social media, and more. Here are some key signs that it is time to hire a marketing agency and tips on finding the best one.
Stagnant Growth
Stagnancy is one of the last words that a business leader wants to use to describe their growth. Brand stagnancy can occur when a business fails to evolve. A product launch may generate a lot of buzz, but that will only last so long. Another brand will lure your audience’s attention soon enough. If you’re seeing stagnancy in your business, it’s a good sign that you may need to bring in outside help.
Top marketing agencies can help with business growth by providing strategic guidance on how to best reach your intended audiences. Through past learnings and experiences with similar clients, they know what tactics will move the needle. They can work with you to develop a stronger digital presence, for example, or a more engaged social media following.
Small Marketing Team or Limited Knowledge
Another reason to hire a marketing agency is if your marketing team is feeling strapped or stretched thin. Small businesses may not have the resources to hire additional marketers. After all, the initial upfront cost of a new hire ranges from $4,000 to $20,000! Even if your team is stacked with top performers, they may not have the skills you need to get your brand to the next level.
Marketing agencies possess a deep understanding of their niche field. They are up-to-date on all the latest platforms and know what other brands are doing in the space. Agencies are well-versed in various marketing needs, ranging from SEO and content marketing to public relations and advertising. Before hiring an agency, ask them if they are experienced in the type of knowledge and background that you’re seeking.
Lack of Marketing Plan
Every company, no matter how big or small, needs a marketing plan. A marketing plan is crucial to reaching your business goals. It’s the roadmap on how to attract new customers and retain existing ones. Moreover, having a plan will keep everyone on track and ensure that you are utilizing cost-effective tactics.
If your team doesn’t have the time or foresight to develop a plan, hire a marketing agency. An agency will work with your team to develop short-term and long-term plans. These plans will align with your business’s overall goals. Each marketing tactic will ladder up to an overarching goal, ensuring that everyone is working towards the same objective.
Need for Market Research
The better you know your audience, the better you can serve them. Building personas and assuming who your audience is will only take you so far. To get to the next level of your audience development, you’ll need to conduct market research.
A marketing agency can assist with this, conducting comprehensive in-depth marketing analysis to understand your core demographics. This analysis will uncover consumer insights, such as their purchasing behaviors and habits. It will also likely reveal what they think about your competitors and if they have purchased from them in the past. This knowledge will allow you to create more effective marketing campaigns directed to your specific audience.
Conclusion: How to Find the Right Marketing Agency
If you’ve identified reasons why you need a marketing agency, you may be wondering how to find the right one for your business. Similar to hiring a new employee, finding the best agency may take some time. Asking others for recommendations is a great place to start. Look through your network of business leaders and managers and ask around for input.
From there, identify which agencies can assist you in your areas of priority. If you are lacking a marketing plan, ask them who they have worked with in the past to develop a comprehensive strategy. A top-tier agency should be able to share materials with you from past and current clients. You may even ask them to create a pitch for you, demonstrating how they will address your business needs.
When you’ve narrowed down your options to a few agencies, evaluate how your team will work with them. Ask about their communication style and how they expect to work alongside you. Some agencies may want to check in daily while others may come to you when their part of the project is complete. Ensuring the agency is a good culture fit will increase collaboration, boost productivity, and improve project outcomes overall.
