What to look for in an advertising agency? —

Portfolio

Before you hire an advertising agency, it is best to look at their portfolio. This will allow you to see if their creative work is up to the mark or not. It can also let you know if they have already worked with companies similar to yours. If you like their previous work and would want something similar for your company as they have already done in the past, it will give you surety that they can do what you are looking for.

Testimonials

Even if you have gone through the agency’s portfolio, you must still get testimonials from clients who hired the advertising agency in the past. Even if you think a specific advertising agency is good, that doesn’t mean they delivered according to the client’s requirements, and it also doesn’t mean that they completed their job on time and budget. Don’t just rely on written reviews. Get on the phone with the previous clients to confirm if the testimonials are real.

Pricing

Going for the cheapest advertising is not always the best thing to do. Different ad agencies have different levels of experience and skills, and that is often reflected in their pricing. However, choosing the most expensive agency also doesn’t always mean you are choosing the right agency for your business. If you have a strict budget, opt for an advertising agency that offers a fixed price structure. Choose wisely and do your homework before partnering with an agency.

Expertise & Experience

The experience of an ad agency shows how much they have grown over time. Some advertising agencies focus on one aspect of advertising while others have expertise in various departments. Opt for an agency that has the expertise and experience to market content relative to your business. When experience and expertise blend, it allows that agency to understand the client’s needs better.

Competencies

Always ask the short listed agencies what they are good at because advertising agencies are sometimes good at one thing than they are at others. For example, an agency that’s great at social media marketing might not be good at graphic designing.

Understanding Your Business

The ad agency you are working with must understand your business. Make sure they know about your business as much as possible, and that they appear to take an interest in what you do. If they are not even interested in what you do, then it’s a sign that you have not yet found the right advertising agency.