Want to hire a Marketing agency? Read this.

A good agency doesn’t just do a “job”; they take responsibility for the results.

When you hire a marketing agency to work with your ecom brand, it’s hit or miss (but mostly it’s miss).

 

And the reason for that is because for every good marketing agency out there, there are at least 100 bad ones.

There’s a lot of trash out there. 

 

The low barrier to entry in the industry means that anyone can become their own sovereign “agency” overnight. 

Today we’re giving you all the information you need to separate the wheat from the chaff, so you don’t get burned when hiring an agency, because there are some VERY good ones out there if you know where to look.

What Do You want to hire a marketing agency for?

Before you decide on an agency, you need to know exactly what you’re looking for, because you might not even need an agency in the first place.

 

Here are some common scenarios.

Managing a Specific Role:

If you need someone to handle a single aspect of your business (like web design, technical support, writing text based emails for a personal brand), but you’re responsible for the success or failure of that role, hiring a single freelancer might be the best option. Then you can oversee their work, check in on them regularly, and redirect them whenever they stray of course.

 

Benefit: lower cost
Drawback: low expertise and accountability for results

A Complete Solution:

If you need a comprehensive solution that requires a variety of skill sets, Hire a Marketing Agency.

You don’t want a jack of all trades running your emails, ads, or anything that involves using both sides of the creative and analytical brain.

Typically people are either analytical or creative, rarely are people good at both, and the most likely outcome is that a single person managing it will be stretched too thin.

Benefit: you save time and stress by hiring a team of experts
Drawback: the good agencies are not cheap, and they’re hard to find.

Here’s what to expect from different types of agencies, as well as price ranges.

Price Ranges and Expectations When You Hire A Marketing Agency

High Price Agencies - Starting From $2,500/ Month

  • These agencies offer a comprehensive “done for you” service. They handle everything from strategy to execution, often guaranteeing quality and results.
  • They have a proven track record with good results and testimonials, and take full responsibility for the outcomes.
  • Ideal for businesses looking for a solution that will make them more money without having to micromanage.

Medium Price Agencies: Starting From $1,500/ Month

  • These agencies often provide a “done with you” approach. They offer a mix of strategic guidance and execution support.
  • Suitable for businesses that need some expertise but are willing to be relatively involved in the process and analysis of results.
  • They may not offer the same level of comprehensive service as high price agencies, but they still provide valuable support.

Low Price Options - From $500/ Month

  • These aren’t quite “agencies”, but more so freelancers or self-employed entities who have a particular focus on one skill like Liam Neeson in Taken.
  • You are responsible for managing them and ensuring the quality of work.
  • Best for businesses on a budget that need someone to fulfil a particular role or job but are prepared to oversee the entire process.

Skills of a Good Agency

A good agency is good at 3 things:

 

  1. Skillset Aggregation: Bringing together the right mix of talents to execute complex strategies.
  2. System Building: Creating efficient processes and systems to integrate these skill sets, and deliver consistent results.
  3. Strategy Development: Developing and analysing strategies that align with your business goals and drive growth.

 

These skills take time and expertise to develop. It’s simply not worth your time to try and find these qualities individually, which is why hiring a reputable agency is a better use of your time and money. 

Questions to Ask an Agency

To help you vet potential agencies you want to hire, we’ve put together a list of questions to ask them to see if they’re legit, including:

 

  1. What is your process for developing and executing a strategy?
  2. Can you provide case studies or examples of past successes?
  3. What metrics do you track to determine the success of your performance?
  4. Who will be the main point of contact on our account with you, and what are their qualifications?
  5. What software do you use to handle communication and project management?
  6. How often do you test  and optimise campaigns and flows?
  7. How do you ensure that your team stays up-to-date with industry trends and best practices?

Need To Hire A Marketing Agency? You’ve Found One

We offer a fully done-for-you service that allows you to focus on what you do best – growing your e-commerce brand. We handle everything from idea inception and implementation, to analysis and iteration.

Get in touch today to see how we can help.

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