It's important to find a digital agency partner you trust. So what exactly does a partner do and what should you look for in a marketing partner?
Have you ever noticed a company whose marketing seemed to be all over the place? Like their message will go any way the wind blows? We see this happen a lot in digital marketing. There are so many options and opportunities that the risk for clutter, distortion, and overload has never been higher. Without focused effort to keep your organization on point and moving in the right direction, it's easy to keep changing course.
A partner keeps you on course.
You probably hear the word "partner" every day. Everyone offering a service claims to operate based on partnerships. That word gets tossed around rather freely without much thought of the true meaning or intent. When it comes to your marketing, a less-well-known use of the word might be more helpful. The second definition of partner refers to a timber framework secured to and strengthening the deck of a wooden ship around a hole for a mast.
Establish Trust
In nautical terms, without a partner, you can literally end up with nothing to stand on. That happens all the time to businesses that don't make it a point to find a solid interactive marketing partner. A good partner supports your vision by providing deep insight into emerging technology options. They hold in place the framework from which you execute your objectives.
Get other people involved...when it's necessary.
Maybe you're resistant to having a new partner because it brings one more person into the mix. On a ship, your sails directly determine your direction. Your mast holds the sails, and the only thing supporting the mast is the partner. The job of your digital marketing partner is to keep you going in the right direction even when conditions get chaotic. They're not just an extra voice. They're always on call to help you anticipate new opportunities, minimize risk, and steer your company toward its ideal future. When done well, the synergy between you and your trusted partner keeps the foundation of your marketing from crumbling.
Leverage Your Partner's Expertise
As the head of your organization, your core competency is running your business. No matter how much of your marketing you take on or hand to your in-house team, new options will always emerge. Having an expert partner assessing opportunities gives you agility and confidence in your interactive decisions. It's especially valuable to find a generalist firm with a talented team of specialists who have deep knowledge of their individual niches.
Get Your Partner Behind Your Goals
If you're a sailor, it doesn't make sense to leave your partner on the beach. A genuine partner digs into the details and becomes part of your organization, working alongside you as you pursue your goals. It's important that you take the time to get them ingrained into your organization. The return you receive from investing time in your marketing partner will be clarity of vision and better decision-making.
Your primary point of contact should get on the same page with you about your trajectory, then deploy the in-house teams who will get the greatest results in the interest of your goals.
Enjoy Cohesive Planning
If you have a whole gaggle of marketing and technical people managing your publishing points a la carte, you could probably use a compass. A lot of people are out there selling things that are just re-purposed and repackaged stale ideas. They'll arbitrarily apply their platforms of expertise to your business, ignoring new areas of opportunity. When looking for a partner, you should seek someone with diverse knowledge of marketing and a genuine interest in your organization. Their job will be to help you steer clear of things that won't work and implement strategies that will get results.
enCOMPASS IMI Tip of the Week
Don't fall for the "whiz bang" smoke-and-mirror pitches that are becoming rampant these days. If you don't understand it or it sounds too good to be true, it probably is...even if it's "digital." Find a digital agency partner you trust to guide you through each new interactive decision. It will save you time, money, and frustration and guard you from making mistakes that could cost you dearly.
The winds of technology will always change. For commitment to your goals that never wavers, explore enCOMPASS Agency.
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