5 Questions to Ask Before Outsourcing Your Company's Marketing to an Agency

It’s a tale as old as time. You started a business because you wanted to bring your great ideas to the forefront. However, you didn’t sign up for all the backend, administrative work that feels like a necessary evil.

You’re getting steady clients, but not as many as you would like. So maybe it’s time to outsource your marketing and really put your product or service into the hands of more people.

But what does that entail when you are a small business? These are questions you must ask before outsourcing your marketing to an agency.

1) Why do I want to hire a marketing agency?

The first question you should ask yourself is, “Why do I want to hire a marketing agency?”

Although we believe in the power of marketing, if you are hiring because that’s what others have told you to do, then you may want to re-evaluate what that really means to you.

Just like you would be intentional in choosing the person you are dating, you should be intentional in knowing your motives behind signing with a marketing agency.

If you go in knowing that you need to market your business better to get ahead of trends and build connections, then you are in the right place to outsource.

2) Am I ready to give control over to an expert marketing professional?

Marketers have years of experience in analytics, trend forecasting, research, and best practices.

Thoroughness is part of the job description. When you bring in a marketing team, you are bringing in a fresh perspective of trained professionals.

Your business is their business and they want to see you succeed, but if you don’t think you can fully let go of your marketing routine, then you may want to hold off on outsourcing.

3) Will we need to spend additional money on every marketing strategy?

Although your marketer will have knowledge on what will be the best marketing plan to take action on, you make the final decision.

If you don’t want to use paid ads and prefer organic marketing, then that is your choice. If you want to use Facebook over Instagram, that is your choice. You don’t have to do what your marketer says, but they do know the best way to increase visibility and in turn, sales.

Your best bet is to communicate your fears by using a certain strategy to get an idea of why a certain tactic was suggested. Not only do the best marketers listen and take in consideration their client’s customers, but you as well.

4) Does the agency know our industry?

While there are agencies that are niched down into different industries, the key to great marketing is research, strategy, and testing.

Although your agency may not have worked within your industry before, they are going to do deep dives on industry trends, track KPIs, and implement sustainable strategies to deliver the best results, regardless of experience.

5) Are results guaranteed?

No agency can guarantee results. Just like you can’t offer a 100% guarantee that your products or services will always provide the results your customers want. That said, when you invest in marketing, you are setting yourself up for better success ahead rather than being stuck in the what-ifs of not outsourcing.

If you feel you can check off all these boxes, then your next step is to outsource your marketing to an agency that you can trust, like us! Contact Ranalli Marketing today.