Is your marketing agency overpromising and under-delivering?
A successful marketing agency partnership is vital for any healthcare provider. Why? Because it helps ensure both your organization’s success and your community’s health. At Coffey, we consider ourselves to be a true consulting partner, helping you meet your marketing and communications goals within budget. But this isn’t true across the board. Some agencies may overpromise or try to sell you services you don’t need, just to secure your business.
So what should you look for when choosing a marketing agency? Here are some signs that your current partner may not be doing all they can to help your organization succeed.
You’re always being sold something new
Innovative marketing tools play an important role in integrated healthcare communications. But if your agency account manager is always upselling you on new services or products, it might be time to rethink that relationship. A true partner is not simply a vendor—they should work to meet your goals without straining your budget.
Your agency is absent at the planning stage
Is your marketing partner nowhere to be found until it’s time to run a campaign and send their invoice? Then you may want to reconsider your partnership. Great partners are with you from the start. They meet with you at least once or twice a year to discuss ongoing marketing strategy. This way, they can learn how your goals might have changed and adapt to new challenges.
You’re often over budget
A true consulting partner is also an ambassador for a client’s budget. If your agency bill is higher than expected, it may be because your agency is not paying enough attention to your needs. Try to find a partner who will collaborate with you from day one. Planning and cooperation are key to the success of any campaign. But they also ensure that you’re not overspending.
Your marketing needs aren’t being met
Overpromising and under-delivering do not make for a healthy agency-client relationship. If your partner is not delivering on their promises, this may be because they don’t have the requisite knowledge to help you succeed. At Coffey, we take a data-driven and customized approach to your marketing needs. We also have more than 35 years of experience in the healthcare arena.
Your agency doesn’t play well with others
Consulting partners should also be happy to collaborate with your other partners—even those they may consider competitors. Any great partner should be as invested in your success as you are. If your current agency doesn’t like working with other organizations, then they likely aren’t as committed to your success as they should be.
Whether you are a current Coffey client or not, our team can help you tackle your communications challenges and meet your goals. Let’s have a conversation about your organization’s needs. Email us or call 888.805.9101 to schedule a call with one of our business development consultants.