Finding a Marketing Agency That’s Right for You
In the vast marketing agency marketplace, finding a marketing agency that aligns with your business needs can seem overwhelming. However, with a strategic approach, you can streamline your search process and find agencies that fit your requirements with confidence.
Before you develop a long list, before you conduct lengthy chemistry meetings and before you spend hours responding to potential partner agencies, it is important to know the channels through which you can find a successful pairing. This article is here to help you navigate this process, saving time and money, and ensuring that you have the knowledge to find the right marketing agencies which may be able to cater to your needs.
Start Narrow: Know the Marketplace
Rather than beginning your search with general keywords related to your needs, start narrow.
Don’t search on Google for trivial and loaded search terms like “top marketing agencies”, “best digital marketing agency UK,” or “marketing agencies for small businesses.” Doing so will yield a broad range of results, yes. But it’s likely the search results will show no tangible evidence of their quality nor relevance to your business.
The agency marketplace is complex. So by knowing the market, you can start your search narrow – avoiding the lengthy and inefficient processes of finding a new marketing agency.
Leverage Social Media Platforms
Social media platforms are excellent tools for finding marketing agencies and peeling back a few layers to discover more about potential partners before engaging with them.
Join LinkedIn conversations with top voices in their field to seek recommendations and discover agencies.
Follow the agency on Instagram to get a flavour of their work culture or see some of their current projects in real life.
Explore Industry-Specific Websites & Blogs
Industry-specific websites and blogs often feature lists and reviews of marketing agencies as well as thought leadership in specific marketing disciplines and industries
Websites like Marketing Week, Ad Age and HubSpot frequently publish articles highlighting top agencies and emerging firms in the marketing world. These sources provide curated lists based on various criteria, such as industry expertise, innovation and client satisfaction.
At Pimento, for example, we publish articles on our blog to share and spread the expertise of our independent agency network on a wide range of marketing and business topics. 4 times a year we produce a Thought Paper that amalgamates the knowledge of our expert agencies and consultancies in trending and pressing topics in Marketing. Our latest Thought Papers have covered AI, Digital Transformation and Influencer Marketing.
Check Industry Association Websites
Many industry associations maintain directories of member agencies. Organisations such as the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), British Interactive Media Association (BIMA), and the Alliance of Independent Agencies (Alliance) offer searchable databases of marketing agencies. At Pimento, we have recently launched our own agency search service to find your ideal marketing agency partner involving a comprehensive understanding of your brand, market position and aspirations.
Independent directories like these often include information about the agencies’ certifications and adherence to industry standards, providing an added layer of credibility.
Look for Awards & Recognitions
Awards and recognitions are another excellent way to identify top marketing agencies. Websites like The Drum and Don’t Panic recognise agencies for their exceptional work in various categories. Reviewing the winners and nominees can help you identify agencies that have demonstrated excellence and innovation in their field.
These awards offer exposure to leading agencies for hyper-specific work they have recently completed. For example, if an agency had just won an award for boosting ROAS using PPC in the construction industry, and you were looking for someone to complete a similar task, they would likely be a great fit. So awards and nominations can be a useful tool in streamlining your agency search, saving precious time and resources.
Networking & Events
Engage with your professional network to gather recommendations. Reach out to colleagues, industry peers and business contacts who have experience with marketing agencies. Personal recommendations can provide valuable insights and lead you to agencies that have delivered successful campaigns for businesses similar to yours.
Networking is an art of its own, but there are other ways in which to use events to narrow your search. Many marketing agencies participate in or host online and live events. These events provide a platform for agencies to showcase their expertise, present case studies and engage with potential clients. Attending these events can help you find marketing agencies and get a sense of their approach and capabilities.
Deciding on a marketing agency can be a time-consuming endeavour that you want to get right, and get right fast. The decision-making process can be burdened with inefficiencies at every stage so when it comes to finding the agencies that are right for you, it’s important you know where to look. With over 25,000 marketing agencies in the UK already and more forming every day, this decision is not an easy one to make.
Finding the right marketing agency involves leveraging a variety of resources to compile a list of potential partners. With over 19 years of experience, Pimento is perfectly placed to help your business navigate this complex process. Our network of 175 independent agencies and consultants means that we will be able to find a perfect partner for you. Or if your services exceed the capabilities of one single agency, we will build you a bespoke team to ensure all of your needs are met. By exploring industry-specific content such as the Pimento Blog and Thought Papers, attending events, including those hosted by Pimento and our members, following us on social to see the latest news, insights and events we and our members are talking about, and looking through our work and clients, Pimento can help ease the pain of finding a new marketing agency for your business. Just get in touch and we can help.
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