4 Tips to Selecting a Reno Marketing or Advertising Agency
There are many times in the career of a Reno/Tahoe business owner where this question will come up -Which agency should I use? Do I go out of state or use a local Reno ad agency? How do I hire a marketing/advertising agency? From the perspective of the advertising agency or the marketing agency, the answer is simple, “Use us!” So how do you really evaluate an agency, without the bias? Over the years, we have found that all of these boil down to just 4 key factors – The Team, The Proposal, the Strategy and The Cost.
The Team
This is probably the most important element in the selection process that is often overlooked. In today’s results-oriented business environment, we often forget a basic reality- the advertising world is made up of PEOPLE. You can work with the most creative minds, the strongest marketing teams, and the sharpest Account Executives. However, if you simply cannot “get along”, it is highly unlikely that you will come up with a winning strategy. The team element cannot be over-stressed. Even a mediocre team with great enthusiasm can produce amazing campaigns. The sense of belonging and ownership drives people to greater heights. At Belosic|ADG, everyone on the team is involved and has the client’s best interest at heart. When we are all responsible for a campaign, every person from the Intern to the Director will work that much harder to guarantee success.
In an field where emotions, values and vision play such important roles, it is the people who will win through, not the pretty portfolio. If you wouldn’t invite your agency over to a backyard BBQ, chances are that the relationship isn’t right.
We are always available for BBQs.
The Proposal
If the Team were the only considerations, then the business world will be filled with a bunch of your buddies all hanging out at BBQs having a good time. Unfortunately, true substance is still a very necessary ingredient in the success of any marketing campaign. The Proposal, the Big Idea, the Grand Creative are the tangible results and must not be overlooked. The client proposal should cover not just the creative vision, but all the elements that make the campaign successful. Some things to look out for in a good proposal would be:
- Clear vision and objectives
- Media plan (if applicable)
- Great creatives (usually mistaken to be the ONLY element for a winning proposal. )
- Project Planning and Timelines (project management elements)
The Strategy
A great proposal and a nice team of people might be present, however, to ensure the success of a marketing campaign the proper strategies must be in place. You must have a good understanding of the agency, their resources (one of the more important factors here in Reno) and the way the selected agency executes their objectives. In an advertising campaign, the number of elements could mean that different teams are involved in different aspects. Does the agency have the right team and talent to support the project? If they have the people, do they have an established, well rehearsed way of communications and coordination? This might seem trivial, but once you are in the middle of a campaign and the key Account Executive calls in sick (hungover), you will appreciate a rock solid strategy.
The Cost
Yes, price is indeed a consideration. While this is important, it is also the last piece that should be considered. Pay cheap prices, get cheap products. While it’s true that the most expensive is not necessarily the best; price is a poor gauge of the potential success of a marketing agency. Work out a realistic budget. Your agency should be willing to work within that budget and forecast results based on that budget. At Belosic ADG, we’ll work with just about any budget, but we always explain to the client what to expect if the budget won’t allow us to adequately fulfill the campaign goals.
This list should get you started in the right direction. In the end, be sure to chose an agency here in Reno that you are comfortable with, you’ll be developing a long-term relationship with them. We always view our clients as out partners. If our clients grow, we’ll grow right along with them.
Want to grow with us? Use the form below to contact us, or visit our main site at http://www.belosic.com
