Finding an ad agency that works for your business, your needs, and your budget is vital to your company’s success. You want to find an agency that authentically represents your brand and your vision while making the most of your budget. When looking at San Diego ad agencies, it’s important to know what to look for in order to find the best ad agency that will work for you. Here are five things you should consider when comparing ad agencies in order to help you better determine which agency will be the best for your business.
1. Robust Online Presence
When searching for ad agencies, one of the first things you’ll want to do is take a look at their online presence. What does their website look like? Are they active on social media? Are they hyping up their newest ad campaigns? Does their Facebook page have good reviews by former clients?
A particular ad agency’s online presence can be indicative of what kind of quality of work they will produce for you. If they can’t market themselves or design a well-thought-out website, then how will they create good advertising materials for you? Alternatively, if the ad agency has a well-designed website and a vibrant social media presence, chances are they know what they’re doing—which is exactly what you want.
2. Undeniable Expertise
Most ad agencies will have a section on their website that lists their current clients. Take a look at their client lists to see if they are working with any companies within a niche similar to yours. If they are, that’s a good thing. Finding an ad agency with industry expertise means they’ll best know how to reach your target audience, especially if they have a proven track record of being successful with other similar companies. You will, however, also want to know if the ad agency is working with any of your competitors or if there are any conflicts of interest that would negatively influence your company so be sure to ask.
Make sure to review previous ad campaigns created by the ad agency to see what draws you in. There will likely be a portfolio section on their website highlighting some of their campaigns. Look for aspects of the campaigns that you like or that may be something you’d like to see done for your company. This is one great way to get a sense of the quality of work each agency produces.
While expertise is essential, ensuring the ad agency is a good fit for you and your company is equally as important. Holding a meeting with the agency’s team members can help you determine if they’ll be a good fit. Do their ideas match up with your vision? Do you feel heard and understood when conveying the basis of your brand? Have they done their research on your company? Will you feel comfortable asking for revisions if need be?
You can even organize a pitch and have them put their expertise to the test by giving you a sample product in return. Ultimately, the partnership between an ad agency and a company is a relationship built on trust. You need to be able to trust that the agency you choose will authentically represent your business.
3. Prime Location
It’s important to consider the location of your ad agency. If you are located in the San Diego area, working with a San Diego ad agency can prove to be quite beneficial considering they will already know the lay of the land.
If you intend to reach a local audience, collaborating with a local agency means they are already familiar with your target audience. They know the best ways to capture your audience’s attention. Plus, in the event you do need to travel to the agency rather than hop on a conference call, travel time will be minimal. Even better, holding face-to-face meetings can help you create a stronger relationship with the agency.
4. Well-Rounded, Budget-Friendly Services
As you are looking at ad agencies, take an inventory of what type of advertising you want and need. Some ad agencies, like InnoVision, are well-rounded and offer a variety of advertising services rather than specializing in a select few. Checking to make sure the ad agency offers everything you want is vital unless you intend to outsource your advertising to multiple agencies. Not only should you make sure an ad agency offers the types of services you want, but you should also make sure they have a proven track record of being successful with each element of advertising they offer.
Similarly, it’s good to have an idea of your budget and the timeline you’d like to see for your advertising campaigns. Find an agency that is best suited to support your budget, whether it’s over numerous campaigns or just one. Be mindful of an agency’s minimum media budget. Some agencies are better suited to support smaller budgets, and some are better suited to support larger budgets. Additionally, don’t forget to factor the fees an agency will charge into your budget.
5. Uncompromisingly Innovative
Relevance is key in today’s market. Finding an ad agency that is innovative, proactive, and always in the know is key. There are new ways to reach consumers every day, so working with an ad agency that prioritizes innovation means your company will always remain relevant and ahead of the curve. You want your company to stand out, and standing out requires new, engaging ideas. You are hiring an ad agency for their creativity. They are the experts on engaging consumers so their ideas should reflect that.
As one of the many San Diego ad agencies—and the only agency boldly claiming the title anti-agency—at InnoVision, we prioritize growing your business long-term and working with you to forge a new path. We will partner with you to create content that sells your product, whether it’s via print ads, web design, video production, digital advertising, or another method. With a wide array of capabilities, we can help bring your brand to the next level, the anti-agency way.
