Have you ever watched the movie Catch Me If You Can? It is a brilliant movie that features big stars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. The film showcases the true-life story of Frank Abagnale. Before the age of 19, he made millions of dollars by posing as a doctor, pilot, and Parish prosecutor.
What point are we trying to make here? Well, every industry has its fair share of quacks. If you are lucky, you could get one that kind of knows what he is doing. In the worst-case scenario, you could lose tons of cash.
In an ironic twist, Frank is now a fraud and embezzlement consultant. Talk about putting your nefarious past to good use.
So, what does all this have to do with connecting with a digital marketer? Well, many marketers and marketing agencies position themselves as digital marketing experts. Yet, digital marketing is a niche area of specialization.
Think about it this way. It wasn’t until the 90s that people started to talk about digital marketing. So, someone with, say 35 years of marketing experience, can claim the expert title. But, it does not make them digital marketing experts.
You can hire such an individual, and not see ROI in your digital marketing efforts. For a small business or entrepreneur, you want to avoid money-wasting ventures.
So, how do you go about connecting with the right digital marketer? We will show you how.
Look at the Area of Specialization
We asked a marketing Milwaukee digital agency for advice on how to vet digital marketers. One critical factor they pointed out is the area of specialization.
Digital marketing is an expansive field. Some digital marketers focus on social media marketing. Others are web designers, online ad experts, content developers, and so on.
According to the agency, whoever you approach for digital marketing services must ask the right questions. They will take the time to understand your company and areas of need.
The digital marketing team should then suggest solutions that make sense to your line of business. A social media campaign for a B2B company may not make too much sense. For such, email marketing would generate more impact.
But, social media would work great for a B2C company. Blogging and content development would be ideal for a manufacturing company. They can use such distinction abilities to showcase their expertise in the industry.
Avoid any digital marketer who does not seem to have an area of specialization. You could find yourself spending a lot of money and not getting any ROI.
Who Have They Worked For?
As an entrepreneur or a small business owner, it is your right to ask for references. Your lack of industry knowledge makes you a likely candidate for quacks. They will come at you with all manner of promises. Yet, they may have nothing to show for their claims.
Many legitimate marketing companies have no problem showing you a portfolio of the work they have carried to successful fruition. But, remember all this is self-reporting. When looking for a digital marketer, ask for references.
Now, that should not be a scare tactic to weed out quacks. Rather, it is a third-party endorsement that the company or individual can perform. Do take the time to call up the references. You could save your company tons of cash with this simple step.
Take Your Due Diligence a Step Further
So you have called up the digital marketer’s references. But, you still have to dedicate a little more time to research. Find out all you can by checking out online reviews. If the firm is as good as they say they are, someone will have something positive to say about them.
Reputable companies also have licensing, and certification. They are also members of industry bodies.
Look out for their presence in the online space. If they claim to be content experts, are their blogs attributable to them? Are they present and active on social media? If they are not active, it is a sign of trouble.
Those who engage, interact, and post relevant content are a good bet. Also take time to check the kind of networks they have.
Ask for a Face-To-Face Meeting
The online space has made communicating so easy. You can do it via emails or chats, but nothing beats a face-to-face meeting. When you are looking for a digital marketing agency, a physical location is a sign of credibility.
But, this does not mean freelancers are less credible. You can also ask for video conferencing so you know who you will be working with. Such interactions allow for the formation of impressions around the service provider.
You may not be able to get the same understanding of who you’re working with if you’re simply reading written content about them. Also, take it as another opportunity to ask any lingering questions.
Focus on Their Key Attributes
The right digital marketer should have specific attributes. These include:-
- A hunger for knowledge. They are always up to date with the latest trends and industry occurrences.
- They are strategic thinkers who can come up with effective solutions for your digital advertising needs.
- Good communicators no matter who they are talking to.
- Fantastic time managers who can meet deadlines. You don’t want to stay up overnight with the digital marketing team, trying to rush work that was supposed to be completed days ago.
- Self-motivated individuals who are a spring of fresh ideas. They should also be proactive rather than wait for instructions all the time. As an entrepreneur or small business owner, your focus should be on growing the business. It helps to have a partner who handles his docket without input from you.
Final Thoughts
The reality facing most small business owners and entrepreneurs is the lack of huge marketing budgets. It helps to have the right teams on board who can deliver. And, they should do this without taking a huge chunk out of your budget.
Digital marketing provides a cost-effective, yet efficient way to build brand visibility. But, the only way to see ROI is by hiring individuals or agencies with the relevant skill.
We have shared ways you can connect with digital marketers above. Do not skip any of the steps, even if it requires some effort on your part. Good luck with your entrepreneurial endeavors.
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