It’s simple to hire any content marketing company. And luckily, there are a plethora of solutions out there if you need to start publishing material immediately.
Finding that ideal firm, one that can assist you achieve your goals and genuinely comprehends your organization, is the challenge. And choosing the correct partner is crucial if you want the content marketing strategy to be successful.
As a result, it can take some time to hire a content marketing agency. This is where Seattle Digital Marketing comes into play to help you, and your brand, with the best possible strategy.
Having a clear idea of your goals and the important inquiries you should make during the vetting process can help ensure that no time is lost in conversations with the incorrect vendors. To help you choose a digital marketing agency in Seattle that will work well for your particular marketing team and company, we’ve compiled a list of crucial questions to ask.
- Do You Engage in SEO? If so, what standards do you adhere to?
Many companies tout themselves as SEO authorities. The unpleasant truth is that many people who profess to conduct SEO successfully are actually using out-of-date best practices, if any at all. This is true even while some people undoubtedly have excellent SEO skills.
It’s crucial to comprehend the SEO components and best practices that a content marketing business takes into account. Before beginning your search for a content marketing service, it is strongly advised to consult an SEO expert if you aren’t one yourself or performing some web study.
Thankfully, Seattle Digital Marketing has got this covered. As experts in all things SEO and with over 30 years of experience, these strategists are skilled in optimization tools. Thanks to their backgrounds in working with Google and Microsoft, and their ties to parent company Seattle Software Developers, this agency has advanced knowledge about algorithms in comparison to many other firms.
- How Can You Support Our Company?
Although asking this seems very simple, it is absolutely vital. The agency may initially give you a simple or standard content marketing approach that they use to all of their clients. This is OK; it serves as a starting point. But check back later to discover how it will be customized to your unique business requirements.
For instance, the agency might establish requirements for word count or publication frequency. However, you might work in a highly technical field and need more in-depth postings, or perhaps your company needs thought leadership-style material and needs to interview your subject matter experts (SMEs).
This will not only provide the agency a chance to demonstrate their skills and offer strategic advice, but it will also give you a clearer idea of how committed they are to your company and sector.
However, Seattle Digital Marketing operates differently. Rather than offering premade packages to clients, they formulate a personalized strategy for each potential client from the first meeting, which will ensure the absolute best results.
- What Results Should We Aim For?
Strategies for content marketing that are effective take time. By asking the agency for evidence of effective strategies in which they could share outcomes they have achieved for a company with a similar mission, could provide you with relief that the agency will indeed produce results.
You need to know precisely how the agency will gauge its success and what metrics it will use to support it since you want to ensure that they will be held accountable for generating the outcomes that your organization requires.
It seems far more reasonable to set targets for greater traffic and conversions, enhanced keyword visibility, and higher social shares. Establish goals that both you and they can live with and stick to them. At Seattle Digital Marketing, these goals are discussed at length during the first meeting.
- How Will Results Be Reported?
Reporting on performance is essential, especially as you work to earn the trust of your content marketing agency. Make sure to find out how often and how they usually track progress and report to clients.
In order to provide you additional context for how it’s all displayed, they might also have some debranded example reports they can share with you. It’s a good idea to find out whether and how they will customize their standard reporting framework for your company even though they may already use it for clients.
A top-notch content agency, such as Seattle Digital Marketing Agency, will provide a baseline report for you as part of the onboarding procedure. In this manner, you will be able to trace the development of your connection.
- In which sectors do you have expertise?
It’s crucial to take the agency’s experience into account while you search for an ideal candidate. Some agencies advertise that they can do it all, but in reality, fall short on their promises. Finding their strengths and sticking to them helps content marketing businesses deliver high-quality content to their clients more successfully than trying to excel at everything.
In the end, working with an agency that already has a firm grasp of your business will be simpler.
In order to create a content strategy that is specific to your target audiences, it is essential for them to be aware of the problems that your audience faces and what connects with them the most. They’ll have employed tried-and-true tactics in your sector and gained knowledge from prior successes and even failures, which will help you stay away from repeating the same errors.
Seattle Digital Marketing is up front with their tactics, and are not afraid to tell clients how it is. This ensures that there is a good connection between the agency and client, and therefore will collaborate well together.
- In what manner will the project be managed?
It is essential to pose this question regardless of the size of the agency. Many companies may give the program to an account manager or general project manager with little expertise after you sign a contract.
A top-notch organization will handle your program with a content marketing specialist. Before creating the contracts, you might want to reevaluate if that isn’t the case. Rest assured that the Seattle Digital Agency understands this importance, and will keep their most sought after project managers on your team throughout.
- What Sorts Of Content Produce Do You?
This is a bit of a trick question, to be honest. But asking is still necessary.
You should be able to get a ton of different kinds of services from a top-notch digital marketing company, including general blog posts, branding, social media management, web design, etc. Seattle Digital Marketing provides all of these services, along with more that will be beneficial to the marketing of your brand.
Even if you involve other people in the creation of your material, it’s somewhat alarming if the agency is unable to give you any of these kinds of assets.
Different forms of services can convey different things, therefore it’s important to know the agency can give you the content you need to accomplish your objectives
- What Equipment Do You Use?
This is one of my favorite queries to use when recruiting someone, not only in digital marketing discussions. It’s a terrific method to determine their level of competence and learn about new equipment available in the field.
Working with a digital agency has several advantages, one of which is access to the specific technologies that your company might not currently have in its stack. Additionally, it is essential for reporting needs.
You can help ensure that your investment is profitable by selecting a company that is utilizing the best tools for the job. Additionally, it’s a fantastic approach to make top firms stand out from the competition.
Seattle Digital Marketing uses the best metrics possible and are happy to show you and your team the effects they have in both impressions and exposure levels.
- What Will It Cost?
Without a doubt, you must comprehend the investment needed from your company.
Don’t forget the adage, “You get what you pay for.” A cheaper proposal does not necessarily imply that it is the best option for your company. In fact, if it is priced too low, you might want to reconsider your choice in agency. Making sure your marketing budget is not being wasted is crucial research to be done.
Final Reflections
Just keep in mind that you’ll need to follow your instincts and use your own judgment when making this choice. You might need to conduct your own research on these factors because you can’t question them directly during the screening process.
Do they practice what they preach? This is among the most crucial factors.
Looking at a marketing agency’s own content is a simple approach to determine whether they are “full of it” (for lack of a better expression). It’s reasonable to believe that they are giving their customers the same caliber of content that is on their own website.
Does it meet your expectations?
If you feel like you need more proof, ask them if they can give you a reference so you can hear it straight from a customer.
Seattle Digital Marketing is the ideal agency for any client looking for a dedicated team to take over their digital marketing needs. Feel free to contact them at:
Phone: 206.400.7054
Address: 4 102nd Ave NE Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98004
hello@seattledigitalmarketing.com