So, what should you look for in a potential partnership with a creative marketing agency, and equally as important, what should you look to avoid?
👀 What should you look for?
While it’s easy to stay within your comfort zone, it may be beneficial to opt for an agency that will recognise your success but push you further. An agency that skilfully treads the line between daring and over-the-top is invaluable to brands. Built by the relationship you develop, you should be able to trust that your marketing team knows what they’re talking about- they’ll likely have either a history of works that you wish to emanate from your brand or a reputation with which you could envisage your brand working.
As with any business partnership, you need an agency that will be upfront and honest with things like budget, your marketing campaign’s progress, and potential avenues for exploration. You should also feel comfortable that your communication goes both ways, and
Of course, your potential agency should meet your tangible requirements as well. Your budget will need to be able to account for their services, and these should be services that will benefit your brand. Consider whether you need strategy development, graphic design, web design, content development, social media services, or a bit of everything!
🚩 Red flags to watch out for
If you’re weighing up your options as to which agency to trust with your brand, but are running into a lack of transparency, it’s probably best to steer clear. This lack of transparency can manifest in several ways, including if they are unwilling to share their strategies or progress, if they can’t articulate a clear strategy tailored to your business, or if they don’t have a clear contract or agreement in place outlining deliverables, timelines, and expectations.
An agency may also be untrustworthy if they neglect to adapt to changes in technology or consumer behaviour, if they don’t use analytics and metrics to make informed decisions, or of course if the agency doesn’t have a strong online presence themselves.
Additionally, snake oil sales promises such as guaranteed results (especially within a short turnaround), or overemphasised low costs indicate a lack of expertise and a compromise on quality, leading to subpar results.
Defining your goals, conducting thorough research, and paying attention to red flags will help you find an agency that aligns with your objectives, and will deliver meaningful results. A successful partnership with a marketing agency is built on trust, transparency, and a shared commitment to achieving your marketing goals.
What can SOAK offer you?
SOAK Creative, we’re a strategy-first creative brand and marketing agency. We help define brands to help them mean something to your customers. No matter at what stage of your marketing journey you find yourself, we have a team of professionals who are equipped to take your business to the next level.
Our conventional services include:
- Brand strategy and design
- Digital marketing
- Digital campaigns
- Digital strategy
- Website design and development
- Graphic design
- Content and social media marketing
Our unconventional services include:
- Strategy-first creative approach to problem-solving
- No BS attitude
- Process-driven passion
- Results-focused expertise
- All-in collaboration
So, if you are looking for a creative brand and marketing agency that meets all the above criteria, get in touch with the team at SOAK Creative today.
