Hiring an agency for the first time
Feeling the need to engage a communications agency for the first time is an exciting step for your business. Whether you're looking for a breath of fresh air, a new perspective, or simply to stay focused on your core business and its development. But the idea of going for it can make you break out in a cold sweat. But don't panic! Here are a few tips to help you navigate this world with style and serenity.
Overcome your legitimate fears
You may be thinking: ‘It's not for me, we're too small, an agency won't be interested, we can't afford it, it's too expensive...’. These concerns are natural. But you should know that a good agency adapts to each brand, its style, its history and... its financial constraints. For an agency, there are no small brands (or small budgets). There are only brands to grow and support.
Defining what you're looking for
Communications agencies are like an all-you-can-eat buffet. You'll find everything. From those who manage all your communications like multi-tasking pros, to those who are the queens of a particular field: web, PR, graphic design, events, etc. Between these two extremes there's a wide sea of freelancers, consultants, all experts in their field. Before diving in, ask yourself: Why do we need an agency? What do we want it to do? How do we want to work with this partner?
Setting your selection criteria
There are many selection criteria. You may want an agency that already knows your sector like the back of its hand or, on the contrary, a new agency ready to discover your world with fresh eyes. And then there's the importance of the human relationship: do you want someone who really understands you, with whom every meeting is a breath of fresh air? An agency is more than a service provider. It's a partner who should give you a boost at every meeting.
Trusting and letting go
This is often the hardest part. When you hire an agency for the first time, it's crucial to be open to hearing new visions and ideas. Don't compete with the agency; if you already know what you want, communicate it clearly. The agency will then be able to enrich and develop your ideas and, who knows... maybe come up with new ones. It's like letting a Michelin-starred chef revisit your favourite recipe - sometimes you just have to let go to enjoy it.
Spend some time meeting several agencies, talking to their managers and understanding the way they work. Make sure you feel totally in harmony with their teams and their methodology. Follow these tips, and you'll be well on your way to choosing the agency that will help you take your business to the next level.
Ready to take the plunge? You won't regret it!
The artwork for this article was created with Midjourney.