When is a B2B Marketing Agency Partner Right for Your Growing Business?

Before coming on board at Keystone Click, I was part of a small in-house marketing team at a manufacturing company.

Between managing the website, developing and executing a social media strategy, producing video content, updating print collateral to support Sales, handling all the logistics for tradeshows, and serving as the primary source for internal communications, our 3-person team was overwhelmed. Maybe you’ve been there too. (If you’re a small business owner without any marketing support, no doubt you are.)

Let’s have a conversation about what I wish I had known then so you can learn from our mistakes: when an agency partner might be the perfect fit for your growing business.

Recognizing the Signs You Need a B2B Marketing Agency Partner

Whether you’re an owner managing your business’s marketing yourself or you have an in-house team, you can benefit from a marketing partner. Here are my top 4 signs you need the support of a marketing agency:

1. Overwhelming Marketing Demands are Distracting You from Core Business

Do you find yourself juggling social media posts, email campaigns and SEO strategies, all while trying to run your business? You’re not alone. Many business owners wear multiple hats, but marketing can quickly become a full-time job itself.

2. Lack of In-house Expertise in Specialized Marketing Areas

Digital marketing isn’t just about posting on social media anymore. It encompasses SEO, PPC advertising, content marketing, marketing automation and more. If your team lacks expertise in these areas, your marketing efforts might be less effective.

This was the case for the team I was on. We had big goals but not enough knowledge to formulate and execute a multi-channel marketing strategy.

3. Inconsistent Branding and Messaging Across Platforms

Consistency is key to building brand recognition and trust. (For a deeper dive, read our blog The Importance of Brand Consistency: Optimizing Channels and Social Listening.) If your messaging varies between platforms, it might confuse your audience and dilute your brand identity.

4. Stagnant Growth Despite Marketing Efforts

You’ve invested time and resources into marketing but the results aren’t there. It’s probably time to rethink your strategy.

Benefits of Partnering with a B2B Marketing Agency

When I reflect on my experience on that small in-house marketing team, I can’t help but think about all that we would have been able to accomplish, all the sales the company would have realized, had we tapped into the expertise of a marketing agency partner.

In addition to business growth, here are 4 other significant ways you and your business will benefit from partnering with a marketing agency:

1. Access to a Team of Digital Marketing Experts

By partnering with an agency, you gain access to a team of specialists in SEO, content marketing, paid advertising, and more. This collective expertise can elevate your marketing efforts.

2. Cost-effective Compared to Building an In-house Team

Hiring, training, and retaining an in-house marketing team can be costly and time-consuming. An agency provides all the expertise you need without the overhead.

It’s also a great way to supplement the knowledge of your existing team so your efforts can go further.

3. Scalability and Flexibility

Agencies can scale their services to match your business needs, providing flexibility as you grow or face market changes.

The in-house team I was on did pivot to grow in new areas…but that was often to the detriment of our other efforts because we were stretched too thin to do it all effectively.

4. Access to Advanced Tools and Technologies

Agencies have access to the latest marketing tools and technologies, giving you a competitive edge.

Though we investigated tools to streamline our work, “no” was almost always the answer. (Cue sticker shock at the cost of annual subscriptions.)

Steps to Choose the Right Digital Marketing Agency Partner

I won’t sugarcoat it or lie to you: partnering with a B2B marketing agency is a big decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Before you sign on the dotted line and hire the first marketing agency you find on Google, there are steps you should take so you not only find the best agency partner for your business but also set everyone up for marketing success.

1. Define Your Marketing Goals and Budget

Before searching for an agency, clearly outline what you hope to achieve and how much you’re willing to invest. This will give you a better sense of the types of marketing services an agency partner could fulfill for you.

Keep in mind that agencies make marketing more scalable – you can always start small and increase your investment over time or in response to business needs.

2. Research and Shortlist Potential Agencies

Not all agencies are created equal. Some specialize in serving specific industries; others may specialize in a limited number of marketing services.

Ideally, you want to find agencies with experience in your industry that offer the services you’re interested in and have a track record of success that you can shortlist for further evaluation.

3. Evaluate Their Experience and Case Studies

Case studies and client testimonials help you gauge a marketing agency’s expertise and results. They also give you a sense of the types of businesses the agency best serves and what their strengths and weaknesses are from the client’s perspective.

4. Assess Cultural Fit and Communication

You likely assess prospective employees based on culture fit and communication style; an agency partner should be no different. Any good business partnership relies on shared values and clear communication, which is why you should make sure the agency aligns with yours.

How Keystone Click Can Support Your Growth

From paid advertising to content marketing and marketing automation, Keystone Click offers a full suite of services tailored to your needs. We’ve helped businesses like yours achieve their marketing goals and would love to do the same for you.

Next Steps: Implementing a Successful Partnership

Interested in bringing on Keystone Click as your strategic marketing partner? Here are the steps to take to kick off a successful partnership.

Schedule a Free Consultation

First, schedule a free consultation. Our CEO Lori Highby will meet with you to discuss your goals and how the Keystone Click team can help you achieve them.

Develop a Customized Marketing Strategy

The Keystone Click team will work with you to create a marketing plan that aligns with your objectives and budget.

Launch and Optimize Your Campaigns

Your Keystone Click team will execute your marketing campaigns and continually optimize them for the best results.

Let’s Get Started

Recognizing when it’s time to partner with a digital marketing agency is a significant step toward accelerating your business growth. With the right partner, you can focus on what you do best while we handle the complexities of digital marketing.

I’m excited about the possibility of working with you to take your business to new heights. Let’s chat about how Keystone Click can be the right agency partner for you.