5 Key Qualities to Look for In An Incredible Inbound Marketing Agency

Inbound marketing is a proven, effective way to set yourself apart from the competition in the 2020s. But, it's not always easy to implement on your own. It doesn't matter what industry you're in, unless you have a massive, dedicated marketing department, making the switch to inbound marketing can take a little help. That's where inbound marketing agencies come in. 

An inbound marketing agency functions as your partner in your inbound marketing endeavors. (That is, to draw in qualified leads with relevant marketing that pulls people in, rather than pushing people out. Learn more about the basics of  inbound marketing here.) 

They help you define your goals, and then they create and implement strategies to help you reach those goals. And if they're a good inbound marketing agency, they'll refine those strategies based on their results to ensure you're always optimizing and moving closer to your goals. 

But how do you find a great inbound marketing agency? We're here to help you out. Check out these key qualities to look for in an incredible inbound marketing agency to help you sort through the crowd and find the best partner for you:

Key Quality #1: They Walk the Walk

The first sign of a great inbound marketing agency? They do great marketing for themselves. 

If you can't find an inbound marketing agency online, if their website sucks, or if they're really just failing on the email marketing game, it's not a good sign. 

Quality inbound marketing agencies know that their own marketing is a direct reflection of the work they'll put in for their clients.

So? Use Google. 

Check out their website. 

Sign up for a content offer or for their monthly newsletter. 

If they're not popping up when you search "inbound marketing agency near me", or if their website is impossible to navigate, you might want to keep on looking. 

If, on the other hand, you find their marketing efforts to be engaging and worthwhile, that agency might just be a great fit for you. 

It's important to remember that working with an inbound marketing agency really is a partnership. Everyone has different styles and approaches to inbound marketing. If you're looking at an agency and you just don't like their style, it might be worth it to keep on looking.

Key Quality #2: Their Team Has Experience in Your Industry

There are some who will say that inbound marketing is really the same for everyone.

I'm here to tell you it's not. 

The marketing tactics we use for home builders are not the same tactics we use for industrial manufacturers.

It's important that the inbound marketing agency you partner with is experienced in your industry. They should be able to give you examples and show you case studies of how they've produced results for previous clients with similar challenges and goals. 

Key Quality #3: They Get Your Goals

If you've found an inbound marketing agency that has a great digital presence and that has experience in your industry, you're probably making the move to connect with them. 

When you do, clearly lay out your goals for partnering with an inbound marketing agency. 

It's okay if they give you a little pushback on things like timeframe or implementation, but the bottom line is that they should get your goals. 

If they don't understand why you want more of a certain type of client or haven't come prepared with a few strategies that could help you reach greater traffic, lead, or revenue goals, they're probably not a great fit. 

An incredible inbound marketing agency should at least have an idea of what you're looking for before you even sit down for a meeting.

Effective inbound marketing plans start with solid growth goals. If your team and theirs can't get aligned on what those goals are at the beginning, your partnership is going to struggle. 

You can help this part of the process run smoothly by being clear about what you want from this inbound marketing agency partnership. If they get your goals and have plans to help you reach them, then they're a great fit and probably an incredible inbound marketing agency.

Key Quality #4 You Get a Responsive, Dedicated Point of Contact

Incredible inbound marketing agencies know that communication is the key to a successful partnership.

They might be doing everything they need to do on your behalf, but if you don't get to see the numbers, or aren't hearing from them very often, you're not going to feel supported. 

On the other hand, if you're always talking to a different member of their team, it's easy to get lost in the process and lose sight of your goals. 

Choose an inbound marketing agency that sets you up with a responsive, dedicated point of contact. That person should be your go-to for any question you have about your inbound services, and they should be fairly quick to respond. 

If you get the feeling that the agency you're looking at isn't super responsive, ask them specifically how often you can expect to get updates. If you're not comfortable with the answer, say so, and feel free to keep on looking. 

Key Quality #5: They Believe in Continuous Improvement

There's no such thing as a set-it-and-forget-it inbound marketing plan. 

Digital marketing best practices and tactics are constantly changing, almost as fast as the internet, itself changes. That means you need an inbound marketing agency that works hard to stay ahead of those changes, ensuring your company is always seeing the results you need to meet your goals.

You're not going to reach growth goals with one, static inbound marketing plan. Effective inbound marketing makes use of constant revision and optimization. 

In an inbound marketing agency, continuous improvement is actualized in monthly reporting meetings. Your point of contact should be able to bring you a monthly report and show you exactly what's working, and what's not. 

They should explain how all of those reports come together, and tell you what changes or adjustments they'll be making to keep pushing you closer to your growth goals. 

With an agency that's working to continuously optimize your inbound marketing strategy, you'll see continuous improvements in your results. 

Choosing an inbound marketing agency is a big deal. They're your partner in lead generation, which means they're also your growth partner. If you're not sure where to start, or how to decide if an agency is right for you, we'd be happy to help.

Just give us a call or send us a message, and we'll answer your questions as best we can. No strings, I promise. We're just here to help you find the best fit for your company.