a guide to finding your marketing soulmate
Embarking on a new relationship with a marketing agency can be a big step. At Uprise, we think it’s comparable to a marriage. Allow us to explain…
Has your marketing life grown stagnant? Do you find yourself sighing longingly every time your competitor flaunts their fancy piece of content over Twitter to their thousands of adoring social media fans? Have you grown tired of seeing your competitors skip off into the sunset, holding the hands of the customers that were almost yours?
If you find yourself nodding along in answer to these questions, then it’s time to consider embarking on a life changing relationship with a marketing agency. However, don’t just have a cheap fling with the first marketing agency that you happen to stumble upon. Take your time and build a relationship with substance with an agency that shares your hopes and dream. At Uprise, we consider the successful agency-client relationship to be akin to that of a marriage. Let the congregation be seated whilst we explain how this fairytale should go…
The first encounter
You’ve taken your time; you’re a strong independent business that doesn’t need an agency to fulfill their life. But, you can’t help but wonder what it would be like to feel the supportive embrace of a marketing agency to guide you through the cold nights; somebody who can wipe away the tears when times are tough and you experience a day of no retweets. Then you see them across a crowded boardroom, and they have you instantly as they whisper those immortal words “let me help you with your creative strategy.”
Okay, so maybe your life isn’t a rom-com, but you get the gist of it. Your business is doing okay, but you feel as though you should be generating better results. It’s vital that you know exactly what you want from your marketing agency. Most agencies will offer different packages and will quote a price based around your exact needs. Sit down with your prospective agency and talk openly and honestly about what your realistic expectations.
The proposal
Picture the scene; an alfresco champagne dinner under a moonlit Parisian sky, you’re seduced with romantic promises that sound too good to be true. Granted, it’s far more likely that your marketing proposal will occur in a conference room over a pot of coffee, but the sentiment remains the same. It’s at this point that you really need to ascertain that this is the right marketing agency for you. Can they add significant value to your business? Do they understand the direction in which you wish to go? Are their promises too good to be true? A successful relationship is built on mutual understanding and trust, and this applies similarly to your relationship with your marketing agency.
Meeting the in-laws
Ah, meeting the in laws; make or break for any relationship. Thankfully, it’s not so nerve racking when it comes to meeting the “in laws” of your agency, by which we mean their connections. One of the many advantages of using a marketing agency is that you benefit from their extensive list of connections. From discounted external advertising fees and print marketing to local press connections, a good marketing agency will have a whole host of great connections to bring to the top table.
The exes
Of course, we don’t advise digging into the murky waters of your spouse’s past relationships, but it makes sense to look into the past of your marketing agency. Dig out their little black book, more commonly known as case studies, and see the type of clients they’ve previously worked with, the results they’ve achieved and any testimonials that their clients may have given.
Knowing your differences
We’ve all heard the saying that opposites attract; diverse opinions can add depth and interest to a relationship, and the same applies to your business relationship. You and your marketing agency will have different opinions and skills; this will always be a benefit. A lot of people assume that a marketing agency’s views should align perfectly with those of the client, but this isn’t always the case. A good marketing agency will listen to your opinions but will give you constructive feedback as to how realistic your dreams are.
Communication
Communication is key to all relationships; even the strongest of relationships will crumble if the communication barrier breaks down. After you’ve undertaken your vows of matrimony, it’s crucial that you continue to communicate with your agency. Your marketing agency will have all of the skills and tools needed to make a success of your business, but without your industry knowhow, they can do so much.
In a nutshell, a marketing agency can take the pressure off you, but like with any relationship, you need to work on it if you want to see results. An end-to-end marketing agency will assist you with a range of tasks such as creative strategy and direct marketing, to social media and SEO, but whilst they’re experts in their chosen fields, they’ll need your industry input in order for the relationship to truly blossom.
If you’re ready to take the plunge and want to embark on the beautiful journey of marketing marriage, then why not give us a call? We’d love to take you up the aisle.
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