Whether you have decided to dismantle an in-house marketing department and assemble a team of freelancers, or you have decided to engage a marketing agency, the success of your marketing campaign relies on your ability to communicate.
In fact, the initial proposal and contract process is likely a good barometer of future success. Are you able to outline your goals and needs in such a way that your new agency or team completely understands your expectations?
If not, take a step back in the process before you sign on the dotted line. It may be as simple as making sure you outline specific goals. Ask your team or agency what information they need from you before they feel comfortable outlining a plan.
Start with Goals and Measurement
As the marketing team works with you to develop or refine your strategy, find out how success will be measured. Learn what data will be collected, how often and how it will be analyzed and reported back to you. Help the team set realistic, specific goals and the outcomes that will be tested. Only when goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based will you and your team know what is working and why – and how to adjust strategies.
Be the Expert
As the owner of a small business, you are bringing more than money to the table. Any knowledge you have about marketing is useful, but not necessary. What your team or agency really needs from you is as much information as possible about your product, services, people and customers. Work together to develop buyer personas.
Meet Face-to-Face Whenever Possible
Email is great, but there is no substitute for hearing tone of voice and observing body language. Being able to see a person’s face enables you to gain insight into the team’s understanding and cohesiveness. Of course, Skype and Google Hangouts are great substitutes when geography gets in the way. Make yourself available; it will keep your team or agency involved, excited, and productive. Try to schedule one meeting per month with your agency, and meet more frequently with your outsourced team.
Leverage Your Team’s Networking Skills
Allow your outsourced team to be your advocates by making sure they have plenty of business cards or brochures ready at all times. Encourage them to share your company’s content on their own social networking profiles to the extent they feel comfortable. This is especially important if you’re just starting out. If you’re working with an agency, you may have to rely upon your own employees to give you a little jump-start by sharing.
via:http://scalablesocialmedia.com/2014/03/effectively-manage-outsourced-marketing-team/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+scalablesocialmedia%2FfgFn+%28Scalable+Social+Media%29
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