When it comes to tackling franchise marketing, bringing on a team of experts in the form of a marketing agency can be a great idea. They bring in knowledge about all the latest trends in marketing, so you can focus on your own strengths in growing the business. But how do you find the best fit for your business? When it comes to selecting a marketing agency for your franchise, we recommend you ask the company, and yourself, the following questions.
Does their company culture fit yours?
You’ll be working closely with this marketing agency, likely for a long period of time. In order to create a good working relationship, it helps to find a partner that has a similar company culture to yours. Look through their website, and try to meet at their office to get a sense of their work style. They don’t have to be exactly like your business, but it should be a pleasant enough match.
Will you have a designated experienced account manager?
Some franchise marketing agencies might promise one expert team member, then actually assign a more junior manager to your account. Ensure you’re getting a partner who is experienced and prepared to help you grow. Always ask who will be responsible for your account, and inquire about their background or work with other clients.
Are they experienced with your industry?
Finding a franchise marketing agency with experience in your niche can be invaluable. While you might not be able to find a perfect fit, they should have knowledge with some aspect of your business. Their core strength should be in reaching the types of customers you want to gain. This should be considered for the agency as a whole, as well as the specific team members you’ll be working with directly.
Do they use innovative strategies?
You don’t want to settle for a franchise marketing agency that’s just going to do the same old, same old. Especially in the digital age, the platforms and best practices are constantly changing, so you need an agency that’s up-to-date. Ask them how they would help your business stand out, and what aspects of the latest technology they would adopt.
Are they trustworthy?
This is huge! If you can’t trust your marketing agency in the beginning, you can’t trust that you’ll have a good working relationship over the years. Make sure you have absolute confidence in their abilities and their strengths before you sign on.
Do they understand you and your goals?
Your ideal franchise marketing agency should understand what you are trying to accomplish, and have ideas of how to help you reach your goals. If they only have experience with online businesses, and you’re a franchise medical center, that’s probably not going to be a good fit. Ask to see case studies that prove they have experience growing similar businesses and making improvements in the areas you want to see change. You need to find an agency that really understands what you are trying to accomplish and is excited to join your journey. The best agency fit is one that gets you and wants to help your business grow – not just add another account for a quick buck.
At the end of the day, you should listen to your gut when it comes to partnering with a marketing agency. Armed with these questions and a willingness to take a chance on an agency that excites you, you should be ready to find an agency that will help you grow.