How to Select the Right Advertising Agency for Your Campaign

There are several benefits of online advertising. It is cost-effective and helps build targeted campaigns and increase reach. It is measurable and can help you engage your target audience. Once you have decided to invest in online advertising, one of the first things to do is choose an advertising agency in Atlanta. 

Whether you want to build a new online advertising agency from scratch or revamp an existing one, an advertising agency can help. Advertising agencies create new and optimize existing ads and plans for their clients. In addition, they help businesses choose the right advertising platforms. 

There are several ways an advertising agency can save you money. First, ad agencies get stuff done right the first time, helping their clients avoid mistakes that can have a huge domino effect. When you hire an advertising agency, you do not have to maintain an in-house team of experts. As a result, you successfully lower your employee benefits costs. 

Before you start your search, define your goals. Conduct a needs assessment. Do you want to hire an advertising agency to build your brand? Do you want to make your target audience aware of a new product or service? Would you like to raise awareness of an upcoming event? Or do you want to grow your social media following? 

Set SMART-specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals. If, for instance, you want to grow your social media following, determine the number of followers you want to gain. Also, set a time frame for gaining followers. 

An ad agency can manage your advertising campaigns from start to finish, so your employees can stay focused on their most important tasks. Unfortunately, all advertising agencies are not created equal. Some agencies make tall claims but fail to deliver on their promise. Steer clear of such agencies. 

Also, if a specific ad agency delivers stellar results for a fellow business owner, do not automatically assume it is the right agency for your business. Instead, look for an advertising firm with a proven track record of success and the ability to bring your vision to life. 

Follow these tips to find the perfect agency partner. 

Consider Sector-wise Experience 

Look for an agency that has experience in your sector. An agency that has worked in your industry will better understand your target market and the type of creatives your target audience prefers. In addition, the team will know what works and what doesn't in your industry. 

Conduct Online and Offline Research 

Visit the websites of the advertising agencies you are considering. First, check out their service pages to determine if they offer your needed services. Next, go to their profiles on social media sites and check what people are talking about them. Next, visit independent, reliable third-party sites to check out client reviews on them. Finally, check agencies with the BBB. 

Talk to other business owners about their experience working with ad agencies. Also, keep an eye on industry trade publications that publish articles featuring the work of ad agencies. 

Review Their Portfolio 

Every advertising agency has a page that they use to showcase their portfolio. Go through the portfolio page of the agency you are considering to determine their creative abilities, how they execute briefs and if their creative team has the expertise required to set the right tone for your campaigns. 

Look for an Agency That Understands Your Vision 

Once you have defined your goals, create a brief. A brief serve as a ready reference guide for advertising agencies. Your brief tells advertising agencies your requirements and explains the problems you are trying to solve. 

Once you have shortlisted agencies, schedule meetings with agencies. When the team from an agency pitches ideas, assess the thinking style of team members. Ask the agency owner/manager the right questions, such as

➢ How is your agency different from the competition?

➢ Can you outline a strategic plan to achieve my advertising goals?

➢ Are the advertising goals I have shared realistic? If not, why?

➢ Do you plan to coordinate with our other partners, such as PR agencies and creative agencies?

➢ Which tools do you use? Will our team own all our media accounts?

➢ How do your teams stay current with emerging technology and the latest trends?

➢ Can you outline your 30,60,90day plan for our account? How long does it take to see results?

➢ According to you, what elements of our advertising strategy are up to the mark? What are areas of improvement?

➢ What experience do you have in our industry? 

Go Through Case Studies 

Request agencies to provide case studies. Read and analyze case studies from advertising agencies to check if they can deliver on their promises. While evaluating a case study from an agency, identify the problem the agency solved. 

Make sure the units match. If, for instance, the client wanted to improve ad revenue, the results section should state revenue growth instead of the number of views or clicks generated. 

Determine the Types of Services you Need

There are different types of advertising agencies. Some agencies offer a full range of services, while others offer specialized services to their clients. When selecting an agency, consider your needs. For example, if you have a BTL campaign, look for a full-service agency. For individual collaterals or specialized campaigns, hire a creative boutique. 

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