Mackenzie | January 21, 2019 | Content Marketing
Growth agency is a new term you might be hearing a lot lately. It's going to become more popular here in 2019, so if you're not quite sure what a growth agency is or does, you're in luck! We're about to break it all down for you.
A growth agency is a partner whose primary goal is to help your company grow. Like everything in 2019, most growth agencies are going to be digitally focused. Unlike digital marketing agencies of the past that would specialize in one aspect of digital marketing — anything from paid and social advertising to content marketing — growth agencies are beginning to emerge as jacks-of-all-trades that function on a higher, more holistic level.
A growth agency will look at and improve all aspects of your digital and traditional marketing methods, but through the lens of overall growth. They'll make every strategic marketing and sales move with the intent to grow each aspect of your company from the ground up.
Because a growth agency has such a big investment in their clients, the best ones tend to specialize in one or two industries that they know well, and have history delivering results for.
For us, that's industrial manufacturing and construction.
A modern growth agency will help you grow your business in every possible way. This includes — but is not limited to — support in the following areas:
In a nutshell, it's a growth agency's job to partner with your sales and marketing teams to generate more qualified leads, nurture those leads effectively, and help you close on the leads you want for strategic, targeted, holistic company growth.
An agency that's totally dedicated to your growth and success sounds pretty great. If you're considering hiring a growth agency to help you boost your marketing and sales efforts, and grow your company overall, here are a few things to keep in mind while you search:
Like we mentioned before, a growth agency's job is pretty big. They're focused on growing an entire company that's not even their own. There's a lot to keep track of and a lot to remember. You need someone who understands your industry, your target buyers, and the ins-and-outs of your processes.
Most quality growth agencies focus on just two or three industries, so they can offer the absolute best service possible. Look for a growth agency who has worked with companies like yours before, or at least in your industry before. This will give you a leg up as you start to work together and expand.
Growth agencies should function primarily on numbers. Once they know where your company is at, they should be able to offer up real, specific goals for your future together. They should set goals like:
Many inbound and growth agencies refer to these goals as SMART goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely.
For example, a goal to "grow your business" is not a SMART goal.
A SMART goal might sound something like: Generate 30 new qualified leads in the next two months.
This goal is specific: it identifies one specific metric, new leads.
It is measurable: the goal is to generate 30 new leads.
Attainable is a difficult one to explain generally, but let's say you had 15 leads in the last two months, but are now implementing calls-to-action and landing pages. 30 new leads would be an attainable goal based on your previous metrics, and the new actions you've implemented to boost that number.
This goal is relevant to your company growth, because more new, qualified leads means a greater number of potential deals closed.
Finally, this is a timely goal because it's been given a specific timeline of two months. Without a deadline, it's hard to say if you're improving or not.
If you're getting general goals that sound like, "Oh, we'll help you grow your company this year" you might want to keep on looking. A great growth agency will offer SMART goals that provide tangible, measurable results.
Every growth agency will say their strategy is the best — it just comes with the territory. You have to do the work of making sure their claims are true. First, you need to make sure the agencies you're looking at have actual, specific strategies that drive growth. Second, you need to make sure they work. Look for a growth agency with case studies, testimonials, or references from previous clients in your industry. There should be some proof that they actually walk the walk.
One great way to know in an instant if the agency you're looking at is legit? Their own business strategies. If they're not implementing all of the strategies they say they're experts in (website design, content marketing, pay-per-click advertising, case studies, etc.) you might want to keep looking.
Do your teams jive?
A growth agency is more a partner than a contractor. You'll be working closely with them to develop content and strategize ad campaigns that align with your message and boost your lead gen potential. You have to like them, or at least feel like you can work with them on a regular basis.
It's not uncommon for companies to talk to two or three growth agencies before settling on the best fit. If you're having trouble choosing between agencies, an initial meeting with each team might help you make the decision.
If you've been considering hiring a digital marketing, inbound marketing, or growth agency, let's talk. We deliver specific, measurable growth to clients in the industrial manufacturing and construction industries, and would love to chat about how we can help your company grow in 2019.
At Evenbound, we're all about helping our clients grow. We use inbound and outbound marketing strategies to deliver you the qualified traffic and leads you need for serious growth. And we have a lot of fun doing it.
hello@evenbound.com
(616) 215-0626
12 Washington Ave. #280
Grand Haven, MI 49417
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