Does Your Marketing Agency Make the Grade?

With all the other aspects of business under your umbrella, sometimes you do not have the manpower or the expertise to take on all of your marketing responsibilities as well. Many successful businesses have taken to outsourcing their marketing tasks, but what should you look for in an outsourced company and if you have a marketing agency how do you know they are making the grade?
Outsourcing allows a company to put more focus on product development and overall operations, but you don't want to be taken. You want to be sure that you are getting what you are paying for, so it's important to know whether or not your marketing agency has your best interest at heart.
What are the signs that your agency is working for you?

• Your marketing budget has been discussed and the agency follows that budget closely, and can give you an itemized list of cost that appear on your invoice.
• They stay in touch with you, this can be either via email or a telephone call. If they are out of touch how are they aware of your needs or upcoming events?
• You know what your paying for. You don't just pay a retainer, but you can see where the effort is going and what the results are of those marketing initiatives.
• You never feel "in the dark" when it comes to what your marketing agency is doing, there is always open dialogue. You understand the rational behind the marketing efforts.

gautam gupta
pgdm
2nd year