Choosing the Right Marketing Partner for Your Business

There are few decisions concerning your business that are more important than choosing the right marketing partner.

Business-savvy professionals know that choosing a qualified marketing partner is the most efficient and effective way to create awareness of their products and services while building a strong, solid reputation among their target audience.

Most businesses are too busy handling the day-to-day operations to give marketing the attention it truly needs. And in an ever changing market, it’s tough to keep up with what’s in and whats out. That’s why choosing the right marketing partner is essential.

Selecting a marketing partner is a strategic process. Before you begin your search, it is important to consider what your marketing budget will be. You should also determine who from your business will be involved in the final selection and who will be responsible for the day-to-day communication with your marketing partner.

Think about what types of services you’re looking for currently and what potential services you may be interested in the future. It’s important to do your research and lay the groundwork for your expectations before you begin your search in order to save yourself time, hassle and money in the long run.

The right marketing partner will compliment your business and will ask questions to determine the areas of opportunities and challenges within your business. As with any relationship, clear expectations and a thorough understanding of what each party can offer the other will help establish specific guidelines for moving forward. It is important to select a marketing agency that will help you achieve your business objectives through implementing a marketing strategy that is tailored to your specific business needs.

What should you look for in a Marketing Partner?

As you interview and consult with agencies, the right marketing partner should easily stand out to you. You should make appointments to speak with a range of different types of marketing agencies to better understand what each one can provide for you. This will help you to determine the level of service and price point that are best for your business. Here are some things you should look for when choosing a marketing partner for your business.

• Experience and quality. Spend some time looking at the portfolios of each of the marketing companies that you’re considering. What does their work look like? How much experience do they have? These are some of the most important things to know before moving forward with hiring a marketing partner for your business.
• A wide range of services. The right marketing partner will be able to help you decide which advertising and marketing mediums will be most effective for your business and will be able to implement them strategically to help you reach your goals and objectives. Depending on your specific business needs, it is important to have a marketing partner that can help you integrate a comprehensive marketing plan using both digital and traditional marketing tactics.
• Understanding of your industry. It is important that your marketing partner be familiar with your industry. This will allow them to take their personal knowledge of current industry trends and thought leaders, in addition to a developed network related to your business, and put them to work for your business. This will also help them to create content and select the specific marketing mediums that are most suitable for your company’s needs. They should be able provide specific timeframes and set forth a clear understanding of what is possible and how your marketing efforts will compare to specific industry standards.
• An advocate for your brand. Since your business will be just one on a list of many, you need a marketing partner that views you and your business as a priority and not just another dollar sign. You deserve a partner that will be engaged in your business and will help you to evaluate the best marketing options to help you meet your specific goals and objectives. Your marketing partner should know your business and your brand inside and out and should be there to cheer you on, lead you in the right direction and help you succeed.
• Longevity and stability. You should develop a clear understanding of the history of any marketing company before selecting them as your partner. How long have they been in business? What is their employee turnover rate? Asking these questions can help you determine whether or not a potential marketing partner is consistent and stable. The last thing you want is a company that is unstable, erratic or inconsistent. It is important to choose a marketing partner that is trustworthy and dependable.
• Good communication. You do not want to waste your valuable time tracking down someone that can assist you with a question or lose out on a potential marketing opportunity. Find a partner that can quickly respond to your needs. If someone cannot respond quickly and efficiently to basic questions and initial communications, what will happen when an issue arises? Save yourself potential headaches by choosing a reputable agency that is agile and available to communicate with you about your business needs.
• A thought leader. Why hire a marketing partner that is stagnant and has no new, fresh ideas? You want a marketing partner that is a trailblazer who is willing to work with you to develop new ideas just for your business. A thought leader will help you to develop creative strategies and techniques that are unique and tailored just for you.

Choosing a marketing partner for your business is the place where gut instinct and informed research come together. It is important for you to feel heard, understood and respected. Whatever partner you choose, make sure that your business will be seen as a partner and a priority and not just another dollar sign.

The right partner is easy to work with, carries out agreed upon projects efficiently and effectively and produces expected results. Businesses that partner with Splash Omnimedia have the benefit of experienced marketing professionals that can identify the best channels and methods of engagement for their specific target audience.

Is Splash Omnimedia the right marketing partner for your business? We’d love to get to know you. Contact us today to find out if we’re a good fit for your business.