So, your business has grown to the point where you realized you need outside help, and it’s time to make moves! You’re ready to hire a digital marketing agency to help tell your story.
If you’ve been reading our blog, you already understand the importance of professional website design and a smart marketing strategy. It can be pretty easy to get wrapped up in the enthusiasm and awe an agency can offer, especially if this is your first time.
However, if you aren’t careful when making your selection, you might find yourself disappointed by an agency that overpromises but underdelivers.
Answer These Questions Before Reaching Out to a Digital Marketing Agency
What Set of Skills Do We Need?
This is a good question to start with, because if the answer is “Nothing” then why are you even reading this blog, silly? If you’re considering hiring an agency, you’ve obviously come to the conclusion that your current set of skills isn’t cutting it for the goals you want to reach.
Consider your digital marketing strengths and weaknesses to determine which services you really need. As liberating as it might feel to shout out “EVERYTHING!” it’s not very practical or cost-effective to dive into everything right off the bat.
What Are Our Goals?
When determining your company’s goals, specificity is key. “Generating leads” is not a specific goal, but “generating 20 new leads a month through SEO and content marketing” is.
The more you specify your goals, the better chance you have of finding an agency that will deliver.
And if you don’t know what your goals are, that’s okay too. A good agency is essentially a good partner, and they’ll be able to help you elucidate your goals after initial meetings.
What Are Our Priorities?
Time to put on your thinking cap and brainstorm ALL THE THINGS! There are things that need to be done, no doubt, but what, when, and where? Get your team together and throw your magical ideas around like confetti!
Once you put these ideas in writing, you’ll likely start to notice themes. Grouping your goals into these themes will help you truly identify what needs to be done.
Maybe you have several goals related to social media marketing or a lot of goals related to website updates. Pull three to five themes out of your list, arrange them in order of importance, and start from there!
What Will Happen If We Don’t Make a Change?
Nothing changes if nothing changes!
Realizing that you need to do something different, then making a choice not to do it comes with consequences. Will you continue to drop in ranking if you’re not staying on top of your SEO? Will you continue to lose leads if you don’t optimize your website?
Consider the effect that inaction would cause your brand, and decide whether or not it’s feasible both short and long-term.
How Much Time Can We Spend with a Digital Marketing Agency?
This is a question full of questions that need to be answered in order to find the right agency.
Are you willing and able to communicate with your agency? Are you available for regular calls and meetings to ensure that your business and your agency are on the same page? Is your leadership team willing to be available if need be?
It’s vital to consider how much time you have to invest in your relationship with your agency so that you can be straight up with them about how much of your time they can have. Make sure you’re able to help them understand what is doable for you.
What Are Our Relationship Goals?
Each of our clients is unique. Some want steady communication, while some prefer monthly check-ins. Some clients want to give final approval on all decisions, and some simply want their agency to tell them what is happening and then go for it. Knowing where you are on that spectrum allows you to communicate that at the start of your new relationship. Help the agency help you!
Ready, Set, Go!
Seems easy enough, right? Answering these questions before you reach out to an agency can mean the difference between success and failure. Any agency is as helpful as you allow them to be. Arm yourself with the knowledge needed to attain your specific goals and your agency will help you get there in the most efficient way.
High Click Media is a full-service digital marketing and web design agency. We help grow businesses of all shapes and sizes by implementing comprehensive marketing solutions.
Whether you’re looking for a website redesign, social media marketing, or brand development, HighClick can help! Call us at 252.814.2150 or drop us a line today!