With 2016 right around the corner, what is your business doing to get the most out of marketing?
While some businesses handle their marketing needs in-house, many others will reach out to a search marketing agency and even self-employed marketing experts in order to meet and even surpass the needs to market their brands.
If you find yourself in the position of needing marketing help as 2015 turns into 2016, are you ready to know what exactly it is that you need?
Marketing is a Necessity
Giving your brand the right amount of marketing exposure can oftentimes be tricky, especially if you find yourself on a tight budget. With that said, it does not mean marketing should ever be avoided to promote your products and/or services to consumers.
For starters, follow these tips and look to others in finding the right marketing needs for your brand:
- Credibility – When looking at search marketing agencies, determine how credible they are. Do they have a track-record of delivering results? Do they provide stellar customer service? Are their fees comparable to what others in the market are charging? Have they been professionally engaged with clients online, especially when it comes to social media (see more below)? Credibility should never be sacrificed in order to save a few dollars for your marketing needs;
- Socializing – If you’re being told by “experts” that social media is just a fad and you really don’t need to be engaged on it, think again. While the exact future of social media may be up for debate, there is little to no doubt that its current offerings and what it can deliver to your brand are vital. You want people doing your marketing and SEO needs who understand and utilize social media. If they are slow to use or even non-existent on Facebook, Twitter and other such sites, think twice about using them. The “experts” in the field who get social media and the substantive value it brings are worth their weight in gold;
- Planning – Finally, only work with marketing folks who not only have a winning plan awaiting you, but are not afraid to tweak it when necessary. The plan should include solid content marketing (this can include in-house writing and contributions from guest posters), the ability to promote and deliver results, worthwhile social media interaction, and as noted a moment ago, the ability to change things up that are not working. Just as commanders in the military field have to adapt to and change their strategies at times, those overseeing your marketing needs must be willing to do likewise.
If marketing has not been at or near the top of your needs in recent times, make 2016 the year you get it right, starting with hiring the best marketing talent possible.