enVisioning Success

Choosing Between Hiring Internally and Engaging an Agency [Ep. 37]

In this episode, Laura and Julia discuss the pros and cons organizations and professionals must weigh when deciding between internal marketing and an external agency. Our hosts name their top topics to consider when evaluating which option will help you best serve your clients and customers, including scalability, your control preferences and need for specialized skills, and the implications of cost and budget. Armed with these invaluable tips, you can be confident you’ll make the right choice for your marketing!
 
Takeaways: 
Evaluate you organization’s goals
Consider cost implications of marketing
Consider your managerial control preferences
Consider your scalability and flexibility preferences
Consider the necessity for specialized skills
 
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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
03:56 - Tip #1: Evaluate your goals before deciding
07:26 - Tip #2: Consider the cost implications
12:09 -Tip #3: Consider control preferences
14:34 - Tip #4: Consider Scalability
16:42 - Tip #5: Consider Specialized skills
21:43 - Conclusion

Spotting the Posers: Red Flags in Marketing Service Offers [Ep. 36]

In this episode, Laura and Julia dish on the terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad red flags you may encounter from potential marketing agencies (or, of course, “agencies”). They name their top five harbingers of marketing danger, so you can make sure your next partner is effective and legitimate. These dangers include when agencies guarantee specific results, avoid probing questions, use high pressure sales tactics, or suggest “cookie cutter” strategies. With you and your organization keeping a lookout for these serious red flags, you can rest easy knowing your next marketing partner is the real deal!
 
Takeaways: 
1 - A legit and trustworthy marketing agency does not guarantee specific results, statistics or outcomes.
2 - A legit and trustworthy marketing agency will be transparent about their work and experience.
3 - A legit and trustworthy marketing agency does not use “one-size-fits-all” approaches.
4 - A legit and trustworthy marketing agency does not use high pressure sales tactics.
5 - A legit and trustworthy marketing agency communicates clearly, and answers questions to the best of their ability.
 
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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
02:29 - Red Flag #1: Guaranteed Results
07:24 - Red Flag #2: Lack of Transparency
09:55 - Red Flag #3: “One-size-fits-all” Approaches
12:59 - Red Flag #4: High Pressure Sales Tactics
16:08 - Red Flag #5: Poor Communication
16:56 - Red Flag #5.5: Incomplete Communication
19:27 - Conclusion

Aligning with Marketing Services: Like, Fit and Budget [Ep. 35]

In this episode, Laura and Julia discuss valuable, logical tips and recommendations you can use when managing your organization’s marketing strategy. They lay out five actionable suggestions in order to ensure the marketing service you choose makes sense, and can do what you need it to do! These suggestions include directly discussing the proposal with the agency, establishing a personal connection, understanding if they understand your business, ensuring the agency is able to identify and connect with your ideal customer, and speaking frankly on money and budget. With these simple but effective suggestions, organizations and professionals can secure the marketing partnership of their dreams!
Takeaways: 1 - A marketing partner should understand your ideal client2 - You should enjoy working with a potential marketing partner3 - A marketing partner should understand your goals and strategies4 - You should discuss the upcoming strategy and details with a potential marketing partner5 - You and your marketing partner should be comfortable discussing budget and money
 
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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:34 - Tip #1: Do they know your ideal customer?
04:03 - Tip #2: Do you even like them?
 07:47 - Tip #3: Do they understand?
09:10  - Tip #4: Do you agree on strategy and proposal?
11:21   - Tip #5: Did you talk about the money?
14:51 - Conclusion

Identifying the Perfect Match: Aligning Services with Business Needs [Ep. 34]

Exploring how to ensure a marketing service is not just competent, but also a perfect fit for your specific business needs and culture.
 
Takeaways
1 - Match Services to Your Marketing Gaps: Clearly identify your internal capabilities and look for services that fill the gaps, rather than overlap with what you already do well.
2 - Consider the Scale: Ensure the agency or service can scale with you. A good partner will be able to support your growth, not hinder it.
3 - Evaluate Cultural Fit: The best collaborations come from shared values and understanding. Discuss their company culture and values to see if they align with yours.
4 - Seek Customization: Beware of cookie-cutter solutions. A good service provider should offer tailored strategies that fit your unique market position and goals.
5 - Ask About Their Learning Process: A dedicated service will want to learn about your product or service in-depth. Their commitment to understanding your business is a good sign of a match.
 
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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:57 - Tip #1: Match the gaps.
06:25 - Tip #1.5: Don’t do it all yourself.
10:15 - Tip #2: Changing with you
16:55 - Tip #3: Culture and value fit
21:45 - Tip #4: Seek customization
24:49 - Banter Break! Preach the word of good marketing!
25:54 - Tip #5: Ask after the learning process.
27:17 - Conclusion

Vetting Marketing Services: Essential Questions for a Solid Start [Ep. 33]

In this episode, Laura DiBenedetto and Julia Becker Collins offer valuable insights on how to select a marketing company that aligns with your business needs. They emphasize the importance of thorough vetting and knowing the right questions to ask. This guidance is crucial for making an informed decision about outsourcing your marketing efforts. 
Takeaways
Guaranteed Results: Be cautious of companies that promise guaranteed outcomes. Marketing is inherently unpredictable, and no result can be 100% assured.
Lack of Transparency: Avoid firms that hesitate to share their previous work, client references, or detailed strategies. Transparency is crucial.
One-Size-Fits-All Approach: Be wary of companies that offer solutions before understanding your specific challenges and goals. A tailored approach is essential.
Pressure Tactics: High-pressure sales tactics to lock you into long-term contracts without proven results should be a major concern.
Poor Communication: The quality of initial communication reflects future interactions. Delayed responses or vague answers early on are warning signs of potential issues down the road.
 
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Laura and Julia highlight the importance of finding a marketing company that not only fits well with your business but also operates with integrity and transparency.
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
02:19 - Tip #1: Taking an overall look
06:07 - Banter break: Red flags and swiping right
09:23 - Tip #2: Client retention rate
13:45 - Tip #3: Partner Communication
17:48 - Tip #4: Partner Relationship
19:34 - Tip #5: Changes in the Market
23:12 - Tip #5.5: Reaction to Failure
26:33 - Conclusion

Marketing Metrics: Measuring Success and Making Adjustments [Ep. 32]

In this episode, Laura and Julia discuss the importance of marketing metrics and how they can be leveraged to steer marketing strategies. They provide five actionable tips for using key marketing metrics effectively. The tips include focusing on KPIs, using analytics tools, implementing A-B testing, responding to data rather than hunches, and educating the team about the importance of metrics. By following these tips, marketers can make data-driven decisions and achieve greater success in their marketing efforts.
Takeaways
1 - Focus on key performance indicators (KPIs) that directly reflect your marketing goals.2 - Utilize analytics tools to gather data on your marketing performance.3 - Implement A-B testing to compare the performance of different marketing strategies.4 - Make decisions based on data rather than subjective hunches.5 - Educate your team about the importance of metrics and foster a data-driven culture.
 
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The Long Game: Strategic Marketing for Sustained Growth [Ep. 31]

In this episode, Laura DiBenedetto and Julia Becker Collins discuss the importance of playing the long game in marketing and business success. They provide five actionable tips for creating and executing marketing strategies that stand the test of time and adapt to the ever-changing marketplace. The tips include setting clear long-term goals, understanding the market deeply, building a flexible brand strategy, investing in relationships, and regularly reviewing and adjusting the marketing plan. By following these tips, businesses can achieve long-term success and stay ahead of the competition.
 
Takeaways
1 - Set clear long-term goals that align with your business objectives.
2 - Invest time in understanding your market's evolving needs and preferences.
3 - Build a flexible brand strategy that can adapt to changes in the marketplace.
4 - Invest in building and maintaining relationships with customers and stakeholders.
5 - Regularly review and adjust your marketing strategies based on data and insights.
 
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Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Purpose of the Show
01:29 - Setting Clear Long-Term Goals
06:09 - Understanding Your Market Deeply
11:23 - Building a Flexible Brand Strategy
15:35 - Investing in Relationships
20:07 - Regularly Reviewing and Adjusting

Everyday Marketing: Tactics for Daily Engagement [Ep. 30]

This episode of Envisioning Success focuses on everyday marketing tactics for daily engagement. The hosts emphasize the importance of consistent marketing efforts and the need for engagement with customers. They discuss the role of engagement in building brand loyalty and the impact of not responding to comments or questions from followers. The episode also covers the frequency of posting and the importance of planning and sustainability in marketing efforts. The hosts provide tips for keeping ideas fresh and balancing planning with spontaneity. They conclude by highlighting the importance of regularly assessing marketing performance.
 
Takeaways
1 - Marketing should be a daily activity that includes engagement with customers.
2 - Engagement is crucial for building brand loyalty and should involve responding to comments and questions.
3 - Posting frequency should be determined based on the platform and target audience.
4 - Balancing planning and spontaneity is important in marketing efforts.
 
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Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Overview
01:00 - The Importance of Everyday Marketing
03:18 - Engagement and Brand Loyalty
05:30 - Tactics for Daily Engagement
09:25 - Finding Time for Engagement
10:17 - Posting Frequency and Planning
13:11 - Sustainability in Marketing Efforts
15:59 - Keeping Ideas Fresh
18:41 - Balancing Planning and Spontaneity
20:54 - Regularly Assessing Marketing Performance
21:52 - Conclusion and Call to Action