If you’re about to start working with a marketing agency, there’s something you should know:
The fastest way to get results isn’t just hiring us. It’s being prepared.
Our account managers (the ones working with our clients day-in-and-day-out) have seen it all: smooth launches, slow starts, and everything in between.
One of the main differences between a smooth launch and a slow start is how prepared the client is on day one.
[Sidenote: It’s not the only difference between the two ends of the spectrum, but preparation helps speed up the process of getting started!]
We asked our account managers what they would love for clients to have ready during a kick-off call. Here’s their ultimate prep list:
Must-Haves
These are the non-negotiables.
- A Goal for Your Marketing
- Why: We can’t measure success if we don’t know what “winning” looks like. Are you after leads? Brand awareness? Sales? Something else? A clear goal keeps everyone rowing in the same direction. Sometimes you need to know what’s even possible. If that’s the case, we’ll help you figure out a goal.
- Why: We can’t measure success if we don’t know what “winning” looks like. Are you after leads? Brand awareness? Sales? Something else? A clear goal keeps everyone rowing in the same direction. Sometimes you need to know what’s even possible. If that’s the case, we’ll help you figure out a goal.
- Logos (In Multiple Formats)
- Why: A high-quality logo in formats like PNG, JPG, and vector (SVG, EPS, or AI) ensures your brand always looks professional—on social, in ads, on your website, anywhere. Our designer, Savannah, will sing your praises if you have these ready! And if you don’t, it might be time for a brand refresh. (We can help with that, too!)
- Why: A high-quality logo in formats like PNG, JPG, and vector (SVG, EPS, or AI) ensures your brand always looks professional—on social, in ads, on your website, anywhere. Our designer, Savannah, will sing your praises if you have these ready! And if you don’t, it might be time for a brand refresh. (We can help with that, too!)
- Brand Colors (Preferably Hex Codes)
- Why: Consistent color = brand recognition. Hex codes make sure your “navy blue” isn’t “almost navy” in different places. If your logo designer gave you brand guidelines, the hex codes should be listed in there.
- Why: Consistent color = brand recognition. Hex codes make sure your “navy blue” isn’t “almost navy” in different places. If your logo designer gave you brand guidelines, the hex codes should be listed in there.
- All the Above in an Organized File to Share
- Why: Hunting through emails or cloud drives for assets wastes time (and momentum). We’ll give you a Discovery Guide and a Google Drive folder where you can put it all. Bonus points if it’s labeled clearly.
- Why: Hunting through emails or cloud drives for assets wastes time (and momentum). We’ll give you a Discovery Guide and a Google Drive folder where you can put it all. Bonus points if it’s labeled clearly.
- Contact Info for Key People
- Why: If multiple people are involved (owners, managers, social media admins), we need to know who’s responsible for what to avoid delays. And if you tend to be a meddlesome CEO (I know you because I am you), make sure you’ve let us know if you want final approval.
- Why: If multiple people are involved (owners, managers, social media admins), we need to know who’s responsible for what to avoid delays. And if you tend to be a meddlesome CEO (I know you because I am you), make sure you’ve let us know if you want final approval.
- Account Logins
- Why: We can’t work magic without access. Have your website, social media, email platform, and ad accounts ready to go (securely shared, of course).
- Why: We can’t work magic without access. Have your website, social media, email platform, and ad accounts ready to go (securely shared, of course).
- An Understanding That There May Be Homework
- Why: Great marketing is a collaboration. Don’t be surprised when we need you to review deliverables, send us content, connect your accounts, or answer our questions quickly.
- Why: Great marketing is a collaboration. Don’t be surprised when we need you to review deliverables, send us content, connect your accounts, or answer our questions quickly.
- Photos/Videos (or the Ability to Get Them Quickly)
- Why: Real images and videos perform way better than stock, both on websites and in social media. If you don’t have any yet, be ready to capture them. We have resources we can share with you.
Nice-to-Haves
Not deal-breakers, but they’ll give us a running start.
- Brand Guidelines (Beyond a Logo)
- Why: This covers tone of voice, brand personality, do’s/don’ts. We want your messaging is consistent everywhere; this document helps us do that.
- Why: This covers tone of voice, brand personality, do’s/don’ts. We want your messaging is consistent everywhere; this document helps us do that.
- Access to Past Content
- Why: Knowing what’s been tried (and what’s worked) helps us avoid reinventing the wheel or doing things that didn’t work before.
- Why: Knowing what’s been tried (and what’s worked) helps us avoid reinventing the wheel or doing things that didn’t work before.
- Access to Past Designs/Images/Videos
- Why: Sometimes, repurposing or refreshing past content is the fastest way to get something live. That being said, if you hated the old stuff, don’t worry about sharing the old templates with us.
- Why: Sometimes, repurposing or refreshing past content is the fastest way to get something live. That being said, if you hated the old stuff, don’t worry about sharing the old templates with us.
The Bottom Line
The more prepared you are for our kick-off call (or shortly after), the faster we can move from “planning” to “implementation” to “results.” Think of it like hiring a moving crew—you’ll get the best experience if everything’s packed, labeled, and ready when they arrive.
Hiring us because you’re not prepared? We get it. Many of our clients don’t have everything in order before we kick off a project. We’ll do our best to help you organize everything, but you should know that you might have a little more homework during the first few weeks of getting started [see #7].
Want to get started? Schedule an appointment today.
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