Here in Boston, we are still riding high after an incredible World Series victory by our beloved Boston Red Sox.
Even for non-baseball fans, the accomplishments of this year’s team are something to be admired.
Last season, they were the worst team in baseball — with more losses than any other team and plenty of other troubles to go along with it. This season, they are World Series champions.
In the sports world, turnarounds like this are almost unheard of. But when it comes to small business marketing, turnarounds like this are more common than you may expect.
This is something Brandon Klayman, founder and CEO of Conscious Commerce, knows better than anyone.
Since 2004, Conscious Commerce has been helping small and mid-sized businesses overcome their biggest marketing challenges.
“We work closely with every client to understand the challenges they face and the results they want to achieve,” Brandon explains. “We put a plan in place to fit their needs and offer the coaching and support to help them get where they want to go.”
From email marketing to social media marketing, website design and business development — Brandon and his team are the perfect example of how working with the right people can improve any business’ marketing results.
The secret is finding the partner that’s right for your business.
If you’re interested in working with a partner, Brandon says there are a few questions you’ll want to ask first.
1. Do they have what you need?
“Before working with any consultant, you want to make sure that they really have the services and skill sets you need to be successful,” Brandon explains. “If not, you could be in a situation where you’re working with four or five different vendors.”
2. What is their specialty?
On the flipside, Brandon explains that on top of offering the services you really need, it’s also important to pick a partner that has a specialty as well.
“You also don’t want to end up in a situation where the person you’re working with is a jack of all trades, but a master of none,” Brandon explains. “Conscious Commerce has a strong, passionate eye on email marketing and we are always working to improve on the services we provide. But we also make sure we are able offer our clients the additional services they are looking for.”
3. What’s their track record?
“We hope that before any client decides to work with us, they have taken the time to find out what people have been saying about Conscious Commerce,” Brandon explains. “We have a track record of success, and know that our current and past clients are our best advocates.”
If you’re thinking of working with a marketing consultant, there are a few places you can look first:
- Offline recommendations: Because most marketing consultants work with a local clientele, it should be easy to find other business owners who are willing to share their experience.
- Online testimonials: Do some research. Most consultants will have testimonials readily available on their website. You may also be able to find recommendations from past clients on their LinkedIn profile or Facebook Page.
- Online directories: Most successful partners also have partners of their own. And those partners will likely have a directory where you can see reviews, ratings, and referrals from current and past clients. You can find listings for Constant Contact partners in the Constant Contact MarketPlace.
4. Are they as committed to your success as you are?
For Brandon and his staff, the success of their clients is the ultimate benchmark for the success of their company. And that starts with being available when their clients need them the most.
“Are they going to return your phone calls? Will they be available when you need them? These are the types of questions you need to ask before you start working with a partner,” Brandon explains.
That also means giving them what they need to be successful in the long term too.
“Make sure they are giving you the resources you need to be successful in the future. For us, that means providing our clients with the original design files so that they aren’t dependent on us to get things done,” Brandon explains. “We also offer complimentary services if they need us in the future.”
Get your marketing on the right track
If you’ve been struggling to get your marketing where it needs to be, it may be time to switch things up.
Whether you’re trying something new and need help getting started, or are finally ready to overcome the challenges that have been holding your marketing back — finding the right partner could be exactly what you need.
You may not get a trophy or a World Series ring, but you will have more opportunities to WOW! your fan base and achieve your marketing goals.
Ready to get started? Visit the Constant Contact Marketplace to find a partner in your area.
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