5 tips for hiring an outsourced marketing provider

Successful marketers know that it takes a lot of time, effort, and strategic thought to create high quality content marketing on a consistent basis. It's common for many marketers to realize they need help, so they research hiring a digital content marketing agency, freelancer, or other provider of done-for-you-content.

What does it mean to hire a marketing outsourcing company? What is white-label content marketing?

Outsourced marketing means outsourcing your company's marketing activities to an outside organization. White-label content marketing is the act of hiring a marketing firm or agency to create written or video content like blogs, social media posts, or email marketing on your company's behalf and in their name. Great content marketing providers are there to help you and your company increase online visibility, achieve your marketing goals, and make you look all-around awesome.

Contracting your company's marketing functions to a third party organization allows you to focus on your core business. Before you jump into hiring a content marketing agency, there are a few things you might want to consider.

Here are five tips that will make it easier to hire a white label content marketing provider:

1. Determine your marketing goals and objectives

Imagine going through a maze that can lead you in different directions.  When it comes to digital marketing, there are varieties of services that many agencies can offer. 

Be sure to have a clear vision of your marketing goals and objectives. Are you trying to get more leads, improve your social media presence, or update your website?

Make sure to tell the prospective digital content marketing agency or provider what services you need them to do for your company at your first meeting. That way, you can be sure you're meeting with a provider with the right expertise, and that they can commit to your requirements.

2. Get an understanding of a marketing provider's core capabilities

Some outsourced marketing companies specialize in one or two services, while others are full service marketing agencies who can provide all types of digital marketing needs.

Agencies or providers with integrity will tell you when they don't offer a specific service. Often, if you find a provider you like that can't offer all of the services you need, they'll be able to refer you to a trusted colleague who can assist you.

It can also be helpful to look for a marketing outsourcing company or provider that has experience working within your company's industry, or comparable industry experience. For example, a digital marketing agency that specializes in restaurant content might not be the best fit for a tech company.

3. Check references and reviews

Once you narrow down your list of possible outsourced marketing providers, it's time to see what their other clients say about them. Take a few minutes to view their online presence, reviews, and sample work.

You can often find a company's portfolio online, along with case studies and even client testimonials. Check out a prospective provider's website for this type of content. Sometimes, you can find ratings and reviews for a content marketing agency on a third party website like Google My Business or UpCity.

Feedback from other clients and companies they've worked with can attest to what an agency or freelancer can do. Seeing the projects they have completed will make it easier for you to decide if they can match the vision you've got in mind.

4. How would you like to be involved?

You are hiring an outsourced marketing firm to the content marketing you don't have time to do, or don't want to do. But, there are stages when you as the client will need to be involved in making sure your marketing is on the right path.

Do you love to be integral in the strategy and love to write the project briefs? Do you have a creative vision that you want to see brought to life? Or do you have a content marketing strategy that's been working for you, and you just need an extra set of hands to help you carry it out?

You can find a marketing provider willing and happy to help you in any of those scenarios, but you'll need to be clear about your expectations before you begin a project. Talk with your marketing agency about where you want to be involved, and where you'd prefer to be hands-off, so that you and your marketing provider are on the same page from the outset.

However you want to be involved, it is crucial to make it clear to your marketing partner. Let them know your availability and agree on a timeframe so they can be successful.

5. Review the terms of your contract

Some professional marketing companies provide a contract, project scope of work, or Master Services Agreement (MSA) that will include important details like the number of included rounds of revisions, late payment fees, and even cancellation policies. Be sure to read the agreement carefully and give feedback during the negotiation process.

For larger contracts, it's often helpful to obtain legal help so that you feel confident once it's time to sign a contract or MSA.

It’s a sigh of relief to find the right marketing partner

It's a fantastic feeling to find a marketing services provider that you can trust and that will truly help you achieve your marketing goals. Planning and research are essential to the process of finding that right partner.

Not sure what kind of marketing help you need? Let's hop on a call.