Considering there are over 600 million blogs on the internet today, it’s shocking that well under 50 percent of US companies have an in-house content marketing team. But that’s okay: that’s why selecting content marketing agencies is a thing!
Content is king in today’s digital world. If your company isn’t ranking on the first page of Google, you may as well be non-existent. And good content, whether it’s regular blog updates or a cleverly written, SEO-optimised website, gets you there.
If you’re considering your options for marketing agencies, read on to ensure you hire the right expertise.
1. Compare and Contrast
It might seem like a good idea to just go with the first content marketing company that pops up in your Google search.
And while a high rank goes some way to prove they have the goods to get you ranking, too, there’s more you need to consider. Take the results from the first page of your search and dig deeper into each agency’s website.
Browse customer testimonials and case studies. Read about their strategic process. Spend time reading online reviews.
2. How Quickly Do They Work
Original, quality content creation takes time—and it takes even longer to see results from content optimization.
So while you may need some patience when it comes to results, you should expect speed when it comes to communication. The time a company takes to reply to your request to work with them, put together a proposal, and answer your questions indicates how quickly their team works.
Slow responses belie a poor work ethic and disorganized workflow.
3. Do They Specialize in Your Sector?
If you’re in ed-tech, you should look for a company with content marketing experience in, you guessed it, ed-tech!
If you work with a company already knowledgeable about your industry, there’s less of a learning curve.
They’ll work faster and more accurately. You’ll spend less time correcting work. And this will save you money and time.
4. Do They Get Your Brand
Original content is vital when you want to stand out in a crowded marketplace. It ensures you build an emotional, memorable connection with your customers.
A good content marketing agency should either have the ability to understand your unique voice or be able to help you develop one. Ask for past work samples from various clients to see if the company can switch voices as needed.
5. Do They Use the Latest Tools?
A company that doesn’t use tools when creating content for marketing will cost you. They should be using tools for:
- Content management and planning
- Keyword research
- Content analysis
- Email marketing and CRM
- AI creation
- Influencer marketing
If they’re not using third-party tools, check to see if they have any they’ve developed in-house.
See Success Selecting Content Marketing Agencies
When selecting content marketing agencies, you need to consider more than just your content marketing budget.
The agency should take advantage of the latest tools, understand (or help you define) your brand personality, and already work in your niche or sector. Get this right, and you’ll be on your way to ranking first in search and converting more leads.
For more marketing advice guaranteed to boost your businesses, browse the other articles on our website.