Content Marketing Firms: How to Choose the Right One for You
Hiring a content marketing agency can be a daunting task.
There are so many agencies out there, and each one claims to offer the best services for your business. But how do you know which ones will provide you with real value?
Well, don’t worry! Keep reading as this article aims to help businesses find the right fit by listing down key factors that all great content marketing firms have in common.
1. Do Your Research
It’s important to do your research before choosing a content marketing firm. Ask around and read online reviews to get a sense of what different firms are like. And don’t just focus on the positive reviews – be sure to read the negative ones too, as they can sometimes be more helpful.
Why are reading online reviews a good idea? Because you want to find a content marketing firm that is the right fit for your budget and your company’s needs.
If you’re looking for a high-quality content marketing firm, then it makes sense to spend more. But if you can’t afford a premium firm, don’t settle for a low-quality one just to save money – you’ll only end up paying more in the long run.
2. Consider Your Budget
Not all content marketing firms are created equal, and some will be more expensive than others. So be sure to consider your budget when choosing a firm.
3. Look at the Firm’s Portfolio
It’s important to look at the firm’s portfolio before making a decision. This will give you a sense of the firm’s style and what kind of content they create.
4. Ask Questions
Don’t be afraid to ask the firm questions about their services and how they can help you achieve your marketing goals. This is your chance to get all of your questions answered so you can make an informed decision.
Here are some questions you should ask:
- What type of content do you create?
- Do you have experience working with my industry?
- How does your pricing work?
- What kind of results have you achieved for your other clients?
Asking these types of questions will help you see whether or not the content marketing agency aligns itself with your want and needs.
5. Talk to Other Businesses That Have Worked with the Firm
If possible, try to talk to other businesses that have worked with the content marketing firm in question. This will give you a more complete picture of what it’s like to work with them.
6. Get a Free Consultation
Many content marketing firms offer free consultations, so take advantage of this opportunity and ask as many questions as you like. This is a great way to get to know the firm and see if they’re a good fit for you.
7. Meet With the Firm in Person
It’s always a good idea to meet with the firm in person before making a decision. This will give you a chance to get to know them better and see if you’re a good fit.
8. Make Sure the Firm is Compliant With Google Guidelines
One thing to keep in mind when choosing the best content marketing company is whether they are compliant with Google’s quality guidelines. Any firm that violates these guidelines can get their website penalized by Google, so it’s important to choose a firm that knows what they’re doing. Look here for more information.
9. Be Clear About What You Need
It helps to write down what exactly it is that you need from a content marketing professional ahead of time. For example, do you want help creating social media posts? More website traffic? An increased following on Instagram? When you’re putting together your list of requirements, be specific as possible about what it is that you want.
10. Get an Estimate of What it Will Cost
Before hiring a content marketing agency, get an estimate of how much it will cost to do the project in question. This is important so you know whether the price is within your budget or not.
11. Be Prepared to Negotiate Costs If Needed
If possible, try to negotiate costs if needed before signing a contract with a content marketing company. Don’t be afraid to ask for better rates – most firms are willing to negotiate when they understand why their services would be beneficial for your company. When negotiating with a firm, state your case clearly and don’t make any rash decisions based on emotion (just like you shouldn’t sign the contract right away, either).
12. Sign a Contract with the Firm
Make sure to sign a contract before starting a content marketing project with a firm. The contract should clearly lay out all of your responsibilities and what they will do for you. Be sure there are no loose ends when signing this contract.
13. Turn Over All Unused Material to the Firm
It’s important to turn over any unused material that you may have created to the firm at the end of your project if possible. This can include anything from images and videos to social media posts and blog posts, so be prepared ahead of time with whatever it is you’ll need them for.
14. Make Sure You Communicate Often During Your Project with the Firm
It’s important to communicate often with the firm during your project. This will help to ensure that everything is going smoothly and that you’re getting the results you want. You can communicate via email, phone, or in-person, depending on what works best for you.
15. Give the Firm Feedback After Your Project is Completed
Once your project is completed, be sure to give the firm feedback so they can improve their services in the future. This feedback can be anything from a rating (1-5 stars), to a detailed review, so make sure, to be honest, and accurate when providing this information.
Want More Help Finding Content Marketing Firms?
Because content marketing is relatively new, there are a lot of content marketing firms out there that don’t have experience or knowledge about best practices. So it’s important to choose carefully if you want to avoid working with an incompetent company that will do more harm than good.
To learn more about choosing the right content marketing firm for your business, check out our blog.
Samantha Gaines wrote this article on behalf of FreeUp. FreeUp is the fastest-growing freelance marketplace in the US. FreeUp only accepts the top 1% of freelance applicants. Click here to get access to the top freelancers in the world.
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