If you're wondering whether you should hire a local marketing agency, the answer is yes!

Don't think it's that simple? Let's consider the alternatives!

Option #1: you go without marketing. This isn't a viable course of action, and it will simply put your business on the fast track to failure. After all, if it worked, everyone would do it.

Option #2: you hire someone to take care of your marketing needs in-house. To an inexperienced entrepreneur, this may seem like the most cost-effective approach. In reality, it's anything but, and this article will explain why.

Option #3: you hire a big, out-of-town marketing conglomerate. Though they have an impressive list of clients, they won't have their hand on the pulse of your local area. And if that's the case, are they worth the money?

Still not sure hiring a local agency is your best bet? Read on for a list of key advantages of teaming up with a local marketer!

Local Marketing Is Cost-Effective

When you're starting out, the costs of outsourcing your marketing can seem high. As a result, many businesses try to manage their marketing in-house.

As we mentioned above, this may not be as profitable as you think. For starters, you'll need to invest in:

• Talent recruitment
• Software expenses
• Employee training
• Long-term scalability
• 
  

All these costs are non-negotiable and can add up quickly. On top of that, you'll still need to pay your employees their actual wages and benefits. Unless you already have marketing experts on your team, the math is unlikely to work out.

If you hire a local marketing agency, none of the above costs will apply. What's more, you can only pay for the services you need. For instance, you may hire a marketer for a particular function (such as SEO) or a specific campaign.

Another way to save money is to negotiate payment terms that fit your needs. Your local firm may allow you to pay by the hour or even in kind. Many of them also allow you to put your marketing on hold if you hit a slow period.

You'll Get More Attention

One of the biggest local marketing benefits is that you'll get personal attention. With national marketing firms, this is often not the case.

Why is this important? Simple: running a business is all about building relationships, and that includes marketing. When you have a close connection with a local marketer, it's much easier to let them know what you're looking for.

Smaller agencies are also better at pivoting when necessary. For example, if your clients don't like a recent ad campaign, you'll need to find a quick way to regroup. A local agency should be readily available and able to change things on the fly.

A smaller marketing agency also has less overhead. This gives them an opportunity to go with some bold and creative ideas. Oftentimes, that's exactly what you need to separate yourself from your local competitors.

In the ideal scenario, you and your business marketing partner would grow together. Instead of hiring a new agency for every campaign, you'll always have a reliable partner. This will make it easier to branch out into other markets.

Local Agencies Know Your Market

Are your local digital marketing campaigns failing to result in conversions? If so, you may need an expert to help you identify your target audience.

To an extent, defining an ideal customer is relatively simple. It involves factors like:

• Age
• Interests
• Profession
• Spending habits

A local agency can help you with this by doing market research. Since they're familiar with the area, they can identify holes in service that your business may fill. In doing so, they'll redefine your target audience to suit your needs.

Once you know what your ideal customer looks like, all that's left is to reach them. With digital marketing, creating the right brand guide can be a great starting point. You'll also need to use the right keywords and references for your area.

For instance, let's say you're running a sandwich shop in North Jersey. If so, your marketer should know to buy Google Ads for "grinders" and "subs." If they invest in keywords like "hoagies," they'd be marketing to South Jersey residents!

You'll Gain Access to a Local Network

When it comes to marketing agency pros and cons, networking is clearly in the first group. Marketers have other clients, and they all want a deal.

Let's say there's a local company that has a similar vision to yours. If so, your marketing team may suggest a sponsorship opportunity. If you're using social media for promotion (as you should), this is as simple as linking to their establishment.

Local marketing companies also likely have long-standing relationships with local vendors. This allows them to negotiate more reasonable packages for you. In the long run, this is another reason why local marketing helps you save money.

Another advantage of hiring a local marketer is their relationship with the media. These days, traditional PR isn't too effective since there are fewer reporters to write those stories. If you're going for nationwide coverage, the competition is fierce.

Instead of going down that route, you should focus on reaching local news outlets. Fortunately, local marketers tend to work with local reporters all the time. They'll be able to put your products or services in the news quickly and efficiently.

Partner With a Local Marketing Agency Today!

There's no denying it: small business marketing can be a tough nut to crack. Without a solid plan in place, you'll simply be treading water.

The best way to come up with that plan is to have a local marketing agency develop it. They can deliver results within your budget and on par with your vision. Of course, you'll also need to hire the right agency for your purposes.

At Bolt Marketing, we're committed to helping Kentucky entrepreneurs market their businesses at a rate they can afford. Schedule a call with our experts and we'll provide you with a custom marketing plan that will bring results!