Branding agencies provide businesses with the support they need in developing brand identity, marketing strategies, and other tools that will allow them to take ownership of their success. However, agencies often have varying areas of expertise and specialize in particular services. You’ll want to be sure that the branding agency that you choose aligns with the exact needs of your business.
In this blog, we’ll provide you with 10 helpful questions to keep in mind on your search for the perfect branding agency.
Top Ten Questions to Ask a Branding Agency
1. How does your branding process align with our business goals?
Finding the best agency to partner with calls for shared goals and strategy. It’s important to team up with a creative agency that can envision your brand identity and help build one unique to your company’s specific needs. Every agency has a specific culture and takes a different approach to meet its goals. This is why it is important to know for certain that the agency you choose has the capability to go above and beyond your expectations. Become involved with the process an agency uses to ensure that you get the success you’re looking for.
2. What are your strengths and fields of expertise?
With so many options to choose from, take the time to understand the unique services these agencies offer and assess what skills you need most in your branding project. Working with a partner who has experience in your industry can be a great advantage because they can offer innovative techniques to meet relevant industry goals.
3. What role do we play as a team?
The right agency is open to your input and collaboration in the creative processes. You’ll want to find a partner who can work with you as a team player and who understands the value of communication and providing thorough project updates. To create the vision you have in mind for your brand’s identity, voice your needs and find a firm willing to hear you out.
4. What will my ROI look like based on your strategic process?
Determining what your marketing goals are is crucial when choosing the right firm for your business. The return on investment can’t be fully assessed without a thoroughly developed marketing strategy, but it’s still important to inquire about the branding agency’s expectations for the success of their chosen marketing strategy. Asking this question will engage a positive conversation about setting goals for the future and the possible steps your team can take to reach them.
5. What steps will you take to understand our company?
You’ve taken the time to learn about each agency’s beliefs and methods in their branding process, and likewise, it’s best to find a company that can do the same for your business. Your branding agency will shape your brand’s identity and convey its values and goals to your audience, so it is crucial that they have a thorough understanding of who you are and what makes your business unique. Search for a firm that will put in their best effort to understand what your organization stands for.
6. How does research fit into your strategic process?
In the same vein of learning about your agency’s approach to branding projects, it is equally important to ask about how research is conducted and prioritized within their agency. You want to be sure to look for an agency that places careful thought and research into its work.
7. How do you formulate project timelines in your rebranding process?
As you develop the foundations of your projects and plans, establish your expectations for your selected branding agency and be sure all parties understand expected timelines. Based on the agency’s skills and experience, their ability to deliver within your target deadlines may vary. Find an agency that can meet your needs and the timeline you have in mind.
8. Can you provide any case studies that reflect projects like ours?
Case studies are valuable tools in gaining more insight into a branding agency’s approach and methods. They are especially useful for providing comprehensive sample work, including information about creative work, graphic design, strategy for brand awareness, engagement with technology and digital marketing, and overall track records of success. You can gain a better understanding of the quality of work you can expect from this agency and determine if it has the experience and ideas to bring your vision to life.
9. What should my expectations be throughout and after a branding project?
Considering your time, goals, and how much assistance you need on your branding projects, think about how involved you’d like the branding agency to be in the process and ask what you can expect post-launch. Some branding agencies may only provide services up until the launch date of your project, and others may commit to ongoing maintenance of services provided. It’s helpful to work with a firm that functions with a long-term mindset because it can equip your organization with the tools it needs to maintain and protect your brand’s equity after its release.
10. What does your payment process look like?
The payment process may vary amongst the different branding agencies available to you. This can range between fixed price sheets for product services and graphic design packages based on the unique projects given. Generally, the branding agency will request a deposit to begin working on your project, and then recurring payments until the project’s end. It’s best to find an agency that presents a clear outline of the fees, the type of tasks that are and are not included in the contracted services. The branding agency that you select should provide payment due dates and be expressive about their own payment expectations to ensure your projects meet completion.
These questions are a great start to finding the right branding agency for your business, but there are still so many more questions to ask when looking to build a successful branding partnership! Versa Creative’s team is eager to hear more about your ideas and answer all of your questions about how you can make your next marketing project stand out. We specialize in providing strategic results, and are ready to help your business flourish!
Contact our team of creatives to learn more about choosing the best branding agency for your business!
