If you own a small business, you know that sometimes it is the little things that make the most difference. This is especially true when it comes to advertising and promotion, sometimes to stand apart from the crowd you have to highlight the smaller difference in goods or services. Many small businesses are finding that hiring a marketing agency can help with their product promotion. A marketing agency can help to set you apart from your competitors, but before hiring an ad agency there are a few things to consider to make sure you get the most for your money.

Does the Agency Seem Interested in Your Business

When looking for the right marketing agency for you it is important to make a decision based on how response a company will be to your requests. Many times when working with bigger firms that serve several clients the small business owner can get pushed to the periphery. Rather than finding a big name company that will probably not be as accessible, look for marketing agencies that specialize in working with smaller local business. These independent advertising firms will ensure that you are receiving adequate communication and time, regardless of how big your account size. When looking for a marketing agency there are several resources that you may not be aware of. For a start, try talking to other local business owners about the marketing agencies that they have found success with. Next try contacting your local chamber of commerce for suggestions. Lastly embrace the digital age and do an online search. Not only will this help you find ad agencies, but you will also be able to see independent customer reviews as well as samples of past work. By employing all three search methods you should come up with a list of viable candidates.

Select an Ad Agency That Understands Your Business

Once you have a good pool of candidates from your preliminary screenings it is time to start setting up in face meetings to talk with potential advertising agencies. Before you walk into any meetings it is important to write down what is important to you. This may sound vague, but by defining your personal goals and values you can have a better idea of to articulate the goals and aims of your business. By having a clear road guide of where your business started and where you intend to take it in the future you will have an easier time articulating what type of advertising strategies that you would like to embark on to your potential marketing agency. It is always better to have a firm grasp on how you expect any type of ad campaign to positively affect your sales or overall business.

Stand Firm with Your Brand Identity


Once you have selected your marketing agency you are well on your way to having new creative content. It is important though to keep in mind that at the end of the you will have the best idea of what it is you are trying to accomplish with your brand as well as any subsequent advertising and promotion. The great thing about hiring a ad agency is that they are able to come up with all sorts of creative and innovative ideas that can breathe fresh life into your business, but sometimes these ideas do need to be reined in to fit the needs of the overall ideals and aesthetic of your company. For example if your company mostly targets males between the ages of 18-25 an add campaign that uses 1970?s slang and art may not be the best choice to get in touch with the target demographic the most efficiently. Many times the creative cycle can go back and forth with the company giving their expectations and the ad agency delivering work that is closer to their own ideas, be assertive and stand your ground. As is true in many negotiations, taking the first thing offered usually will not yield the best results. If you feel that your new marketing agency is consistently missing the mark or not taking your ideas into enough consideration, then it might be time to start searching for a new ad agency.