Deciding to hire an advertising agency is a big step for your company. The results that can come from a campaign crafted by industry experts can mean big growth for your business.
It’s an exciting proposition, but also a daunting one.
There are many advertising agencies in Tampa. The Tampa Bay Business Journal’s list of largest Tampa ad agencies included 31 names, and there’s plenty of others who didn’t make the list.
With so many options, it can be tough to narrow down your search. But maybe we can help. Here are some tips on how to find the best Tampa ad agency. The one that’s right for your company.
Know What Your Business Needs
Deciding to find an advertising and marketing agency isn’t as simple as waking up and realizing you need to work with one.
If you’re interested in working with an ad agency, it’s likely that there are specific reasons your company needs outside help.
Some small businesses don’t have their own marketing department, so they outsource the work. Larger businesses might have in-house staff but want to add help for a massive campaign. Sometimes a company needs a unique specialization, such as animation or search engine optimization.
In order to find the best Tampa ad agency for your business, you must evaluate your company, its goals, and the work you want to be done.
Evaluate Your Business
Smart business owners will frequently evaluate the state of the company.
What do you do well? Where are their deficiencies?
A common method of evaluation is to perform a SWOT analysis. This analysis looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the company, as well as the external opportunities and threats.
An analysis like this can reveal the source of hindrances to your success. With that knowledge, you can properly allocate resources to make effective, efficient changes.
Company Goals
After evaluation, you need to decide what exactly you hope a partnership with a Tampa ad agency would accomplish.
Do you want more people to know about your brand? Do you want to sell a specific product? Do you want to effect societal change over a particular issue?
It’s important to concentrate on your end goals before focusing on how to accomplish them. A common mistake businesses make is acting without considering what those actions will accomplish.
By having a focus on the end goals, it’s easier to realize which actions will be the most effective. This will help when deciding what services to seek from an agency.
Budget
Getting work done by an ad agency does come at a price.
It’s important to know how much your company can afford to spend to find a great fit. The top names in advertising will cost more than smaller, less experienced firms. And often, you get what you pay for.
That said, there are quality ad agencies of all sizes to fit any budget. The size of the agency isn’t as important as the size of their ideas.
Understand Agency Specialties and Strengths
Your search for a Tampa ad agency will likely start where most searches do: Your favorite search engine.
This process will present you with many options. Make a list of names and websites to check out, and begin the process of narrowing things down.
It can seem at first that they all mush together. But the reality is that each agency is unique and presents something different.
Services
This is where it’s valuable to know exactly what type of work your business is looking for.
If you have many different needs, you’ll want to find full-service agencies. These well-rounded agencies are typically larger and more expensive. But they can take care of everything from traditional advertising to marketing and public relations.
If you have a specific need, it might make more sense to go with a specialized firm. Some agencies are experts at video production, while others might be great at securing media coverage. Many focus on the digital aspects of marketing, such as social media, website management, and SEO.
Both full-service and niche agencies can get you great results, so find the one that best suits your needs and your budget.
Industry
Along with the services they offer, some agencies can be categorized by their industry.
These firms work exclusively on projects revolving around a certain field. The medical, real estate and automotive industries are among the areas that a Tampa ad agency might specialize in.
Industry-specific ad agencies are experts in those fields. They’re knowledgeable of the nuances, best practices, and legal issues unique to that area.
If you find an agency that works in your niche, they would be a good option to consider. And if they don’t fit your business, they’re an easy name to cross off.
Research Work
You’re not only looking for service options. You’re also looking for quality of work.
Luckily, most agency websites include a collection of past work. Don’t hesitate to browse through their work samples and see what they have to offer.
You should look at the general quality of the work, as well as the success of the projects. Also, pay attention to style and tone — You want the personality of the agency to sync up with your company’s.
Looking at past work also gives you an opportunity to see which businesses have contracted with the agency before. If large, successful companies are on the client list, it might be a good indication of quality and reliability.
Look for a Partner
Your relationship with the Tampa ad agency you choose should be an in-depth affair.
It isn’t as simple as running to Wal-Mart, grabbing a bag of chips, and checking out at the counter. You aren’t just buying a one-size-fits-all item.
The best agencies don’t look at the companies they work for as merely clients. They see them as partners.
Crafting a strong marketing message requires a deep understanding of your company. To do that, the agency and the company need to build a relationship.
A healthy marriage between the two parties will result in better work. It will also pave the way for additional projects and opportunities in the future.
When searching for a Tampa ad agency, look for one that is enthusiastic to build a meaningful, long-term relationship with your business.
Find a Tampa Ad Agency
If you’re looking for a Tampa ad agency, we invite you to check out EraserFarm.
At EraserFarm, we’re feverishly dedicated to research and strategy that leads us to the most innovative, emotionally charged, creative ideas. Want to start a project or just touch base with us? Contact us today.