Choose a marketing firm to help you reach your target market!
  • Choosing a Small Business Marketing Company in Toronto – Part 1

    May 31, 2014

    Choosing a Small Business Marketing Company in Toronto – Part 1

    Knowing which small business marketing company to choose is a real challenge for small business owners.

    By Maureen McCabe

    Knowing what to look for in a small business marketing company can be a struggle. Hiring the wrong firm can be an expensive mistake for a small business owner. You really need to take time to do your research and find the right partner that will help you grow your business.

    This decision is extremely important for small business owners, because they typically do not have anyone in-house who can create a marketing plan. The business owner takes on the role of marketing director, as well as a number of other positions to keep the business operating smoothly.

    While you may be an expert in your chosen field, you are likely not an expert in marketing. That’s why it is essential to choose a Toronto marketing company you trust to help you build your marketing plan — or as I have trademarked it, your Marketing Action Roadmap™ — and provide hands-on tactical execution.

    Here are the top 6 tips to keep in mind when you are searching for small business marketing in Toronto:

    1. Identify What Your Business Needs

    Do you simply need a small business marketing company to translate your existing marketing message into creative and effective campaigns to drive sales and leads? Or do you need the help of a marketing firm that can help your small business craft a unique value proposition, define your target market and refine your marketing message? Think about where your small business truly needs help and choose a Toronto marketing company that specializes in the types of services your business needs.

    2. Look For Relevant Experience

    The small business marketing company that you select should have experience with businesses similar in size to yours. As well, you should be looking for a marketing firm that has successfully handled marketing challenges similar to yours with great results.

    Ask for references that prove their achievements. Talk to past and current clients about their experience working with your potential firm. Read their online reviews on sites like LinkedIn, Google+ and on their own website. Remember, if you’re looking at testimonials on a company’s website, make sure they offer the name of the person giving the recommendation, and also state their job title and company name.

    3. Take a Look at Their Own Marketing

    Does your potential small business marketing company practice what it preaches? Many marketing firms struggle with their own marketing efforts. When choosing a company to work with, you should choose a company that is very effective at marketing their own business.

    Also consider how you found the company. Did the company’s website appear at the top of Google or another search engine? Did they use a creative marketing campaign to attract you or another customer who referred you? This is an excellent indicator of how effective the company will be in attracting new customers to your business.

    4. Make Sure They Use the Latest Marketing Trends & Tools

    Ask any potential small business marketing companies about what types of strategies they will employ to grow your business. If the company you decided to hire is stuck using out-dated marketing techniques, you could get left in the dust, behind your competitors.

    Ensure that your chosen small business marketing agency has the capability to explore the latest and most innovative marketing tactics, such as social media marketing, content marketing, internet marketing, mobile marketing and more.

    5. Do They Offer a Free Consultation?

    It’s wise to choose a small business marketing company that offers a free consultation with a marketing expert. Take them up on the offer so you can get a real feel for how the company works, and what they intend to do to help your small business. An initial meeting with a marketing expert is a great way to take a potential agency for a test run.

    6. Trust Your Gut!

    If what a company is offering sounds too good to be true, or if you don’t like their answers to your questions, trust your instincts. If you get a feeling that there is something shady going on or there’s something just not quite right with a company, just walk away and look elsewhere.

    Check out my other blogs related to small business marketing companies in Toronto:

    Choosing a Small Business Marketing Company — Part 2
    Choosing a Small Business Marketing Company — Part 3
    How to Evaluate SEO Company — Part 1
    What is “Marketing Branding” for Your Small Business?
    8 “How to” Tips to Avoid Money Burning Marketing Mistakes that Reduce Small Business Profits.

    Like what you've read? Please share this article, here:

  1. O.M.07:42pm,

    I agree with the majority of the points in this article and it’s great without any doubt. Really a WONDERFUL POST! I hope I will see this type of post again in your blog. Thanks…….

  2. Janesa05:18am,

    Unbelievable how well-written and informative this was post was. thx..

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.

Required Required Required