Top 7 Questions to Ask in Your Search for the Right Marketing Agency
Chris Mulvaney is the CEO of CMDS. I make things... I’m the creative entrepreneur with passion for (re)making brands and inventing solutions to problems no one knows exist.
No matter what industry you’re in, investing in your online visibility is critical for building your brand. With so much riding on your website and digital marketing efforts, doing due diligence on the marketing agency you choose is critical. Read through the following to help you assess your next website design company and avoid potential common mistakes.
What Is a Marketing Agency?
Marketing agencies come in all shapes and sizes. Each one has its own approach, style and qualities. A full service marketing agency has the capabilities of handling all aspects of a business’ advertising strategy. From initial planning, developing creative into production, everything you need is in one place.
Now, you may be wondering, if size matters? Well, when it comes to your marketing agency; yes it does. The difference between a boutique agency (like us) and a big agency, comes down to flexibility and personalization. As a smaller agency, we give you the individualized attention you need and can adapt quickly since our chain of command is much more direct…plus, you actually get speak directly with the owner of the firm!
How is CMDS Different from the Rest?
CMDS is made up of a team of passionate individuals that live and breathe marketing and pride ourselves on being client-centered. Although we started as a traditional advertising agency in 2002, we are now a one-stop full service marketing agency offering creative online marketing campaigns and one-of-a-kind website design and development projects. Our focus is to deliver ever-evolving creative marketing solutions and drive measurable results for each one of our clients.
What Does a Marketing Agency Do?
No two marketing agencies are the same. Some focus on traditional advertising, some offer only public relations services. At CMDS, we pretty much do it all…because if all the pieces of your marketing efforts don’t work together, it kind of like shouting into an empty hole.
So what, exactly at CMDS do we do? Glad you asked!
We’re Brand Builders
At CMDS, we help small businesses build a killer brand identity. Whether it’s for a start-up or for a reputable company looking to refresh their image; we make it memorable. Strategy paired with innovation strengthens a company’s corporate identity that can be identified across all marketing campaigns that work together. But it requires consistency to gain the trust of your customers and help you stand out from your competition.
We Break Through Barriers
Every day, we challenge ourselves to take strategic creative risks and break through barriers through innovation, visuals, and content. Your brand is not just defined by your logo and web design, but also through SEO optimization, social media management, blogging, email marketing, remarketing and so much more.
We Build Relationships
Through blogging and social media management, we’ll generate articles and share industry news in a way that builds trust and encourages engagement with the consumer. Successful brands have a two-way conversation with their customers; we’ll help you do just that.
Old-School Still Works, Too
Although digital marketing continues to dominate in the marketing playing field, traditional marketing still has its place. When blended together, print design such as flyers, business cards and brochures, can yield great returns for a business. Building brand recognition across all mediums will build ultimate visibility and trust.
Why Use a Marketing Agency?
Thanks to the rise of the internet, social media and the importance of indexed search (aka Google), businesses have been forced to change the way that they communicate with their customers. Whether you’re a brand new business or you just need a brand new plan, CMDS can has the experience and enthusiasm to get your business to the next level.
Because, guess what? Your modern consumers (who are armed with mobile technology, by the way) expect modern results.
How To Choose a Marketing Agency?
First things first…do your research and ask plenty of questions. Look at the agency’s previous work and ask about their processes. Find out what they will be responsible for and what you are responsible for. Are they hands on or hands off? Will they address changes effectively? And finally, meet the people who will actually be working on your project.
How Does a Marketing Agency Work?
From website design to branding, we provide a wide variety of marketing services…and deliver results. So, the moment you pick up the phone or fill out an online inquiry form, you’re speaking with a real-live human.
As an example: when we talk with a client about a website project, first we meet with them to review their business and goals. During an in depth presentation, we learn even more about who they are: competition, challenges, ins and outs. We’ll get a good feel for the company’s vibes so we can nail their voice online! After a proposal is agreed upon, we’ll start designing the flat file homepage concepts and secondary page designs. Once those designs are approved, the flat files will then get “chopped” to become fully functional. Then it’s “GO LIVE” time!
What’s It Like Working with Us?
We’re a boutique agency headquartered in Colt’s Neck, NJ. Since 2002, CMDS has provided competitive level of marketing strategies by designing a simple creative solution for our clients that generates a positive response from their targeted consumers. We’ve implemented both creative and marketing for many industries, which enables us to know how people become engaged, and essentially buy.
So now that you know what a full service marketing agency does (well, at least ours), you might be curious to learn more. Don’t hesitate to give us a shout; we love questions!