--- title: Marketing Blog | selecting the best agency description: selecting the best agency | The FindGood marketing blog gives the agency perspective on marketing trends. --- # Our Blog ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Blog Topics - [inbound marketing (5)](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/b2b-marketing-blog/topic/inbound-marketing) - [B2B marketing (2)](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/b2b-marketing-blog/topic/b2b-marketing) - [LinkedIn (2)](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/b2b-marketing-blog/topic/linkedin) - [Social Media Strategy (2)](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/b2b-marketing-blog/topic/social-media-strategy) - [Blogging (1)](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/b2b-marketing-blog/topic/blogging) - [GDPR (1)](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/b2b-marketing-blog/topic/gdpr) - [Thought Leadership (1)](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/b2b-marketing-blog/topic/thought-leadership) - [growth (1)](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/b2b-marketing-blog/topic/growth) - [inbound (1)](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/b2b-marketing-blog/topic/inbound) - [organic growth (1)](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/b2b-marketing-blog/topic/organic-growth) - [webinars (1)](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/b2b-marketing-blog/topic/webinars) [see all](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/selecting-the-best-agency#) ## [ FindGood: We’re Agency Search Consultants](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226481/FindGood-We-re-Agency-Search-Consultants) By [Danielle Stagg](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/author/danielle-stagg) on 11 December 2012 Like most firms, every day, we answer the question ‘Who are you; what do you do; what makes you different?’ And, of course, we have our elevator pitch prepped and ready to go. But, it always comes out slightly differently depending on who is speaking, whom they’re speaking to and what else is our minds. I suppose we have this in common with most other companies around. So, just in case you were wondering and have landed on this page: Topics: [selecting the best agency](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/selecting-the-best-agency) [agency pitch process](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/agency-pitch-process) [Ad agency selection](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/ad-agency-selection) [Continue Reading ](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226481/FindGood-We-re-Agency-Search-Consultants) ## [ Agency Pitch Process: Is Asking Questions A Good Move?](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226472/Agency-Pitch-Process-Is-Asking-Questions-A-Good-Move) By [Danielle Stagg](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/author/danielle-stagg) on 6 November 2012 There’s an old, trite saying which goes ‘there’s no such thing as a silly question’. However, in the case of the agency pitch process, I beg to differ. Questions, which drive a discussion forward are well appreciated by everyone, of course, but other questions which show ignorance are obviously best avoided. As an agency intermediary, we chat with clients and marketing agencies daily in an effort to properly match firms to appropriate briefs. So, it’s not at all strange for us to be the conduit for questions and answers. Many of those questions are worthwhile and important. But, sadly, others are time-wasters and hurt rather than help the agency’s impression in the eyes of the client contact. Topics: [selecting the best agency](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/selecting-the-best-agency) [agency pitch process](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/agency-pitch-process) [Ad agency selection](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/ad-agency-selection) [client/agency relationship tips](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/clientagency-relationship-tips) [agency pitch tips](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/agency-pitch-tips) [Continue Reading ](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226472/Agency-Pitch-Process-Is-Asking-Questions-A-Good-Move) ## [ Marketing Advice for Start-ups](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226450/Marketing-Advice-for-Start-ups) By [Danielle Stagg](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/author/danielle-stagg) on 14 August 2012 A friend makes the [best cupcakes in the world](http://www.acup4mycake.com/). Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating…but I’ve certainly sampled my share of these golden and delicious pillows of goodness and consider myself of discerning taste. Hers are incredible cupcakes. And they’re just as beautiful as they are delicious. So, chatting with her a few days ago, I was surprised to learn that she’s struggling to sell her covetable cakes. This conversation with my friend made me again realise a lesson I’ve learned over and over again (though sometimes, even I, choose to ignore). Start-ups must be brave in asking for help when they need it. Topics: [selecting the best agency](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/selecting-the-best-agency) [Ad agency selection](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/ad-agency-selection) [selecting a social agency](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/selecting-a-social-agency) [marketing advice for start-ups](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/marketing-advice-for-start-ups) [Continue Reading ](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226450/Marketing-Advice-for-Start-ups) ## [ On-boarding Your New Marketing Agency: The Relationship Set-up](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226443/On-boarding-Your-New-Marketing-Agency-The-Relationship-Set-up) By [Danielle Stagg](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/author/danielle-stagg) on 17 July 2012 [![](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/hs-fs/file-21374930-jpg/images/istock_000005343965small-e1341933916436.jpg) ](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226443/On-boarding-Your-New-Marketing-Agency-The-Relationship-Set-up) Topics: [selecting the best agency](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/selecting-the-best-agency) [agency pitch process](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/agency-pitch-process) [Ad agency selection](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/ad-agency-selection) [social media agency selection](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/social-media-agency-selection) [client/agency relationship tips](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/clientagency-relationship-tips) [account health](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/account-health) [Continue Reading ](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226443/On-boarding-Your-New-Marketing-Agency-The-Relationship-Set-up) ## [ Relevant Prior Industry Experience: Is It Critical When Selecting a Marketing Firm?](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226429/Relevant-Prior-Industry-Experience-Is-It-Critical-When-Selecting-a-Marketing-Firm) By [Danielle Stagg](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/author/danielle-stagg) on 13 June 2012 Our view is that it’s best to take some measure of risk when selecting a marketing agency. In ~75% of cases, clients ask that the agencies we longlist for their brief: - Have prior industry experience - Be located within an hours’ drive or train ride Topics: [selecting the best agency](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/selecting-the-best-agency) [agency pitch process](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/agency-pitch-process) [Ad agency selection](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/ad-agency-selection) [Continue Reading ](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226429/Relevant-Prior-Industry-Experience-Is-It-Critical-When-Selecting-a-Marketing-Firm) ## [ But, do they have a neuroscientist on staff?](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226418/But-do-they-have-a-neuroscientist-on-staff) By [Danielle Stagg](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/author/danielle-stagg) on 25 April 2012 [![](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/hs-fs/file-21372934-jpg/images/istock_000017595377small-e1335793772733.jpg) ](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226418/But-do-they-have-a-neuroscientist-on-staff) Topics: [Marketing Trends](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/marketing-trends) [selecting the best agency](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/selecting-the-best-agency) [Ad agency selection](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/ad-agency-selection) [Continue Reading ](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226418/But-do-they-have-a-neuroscientist-on-staff) ## [ Pestering vs Passivity](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226415/Pestering-vs-Passivity) By [Danielle Stagg](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/author/danielle-stagg) on 19 April 2012 You’ve submitted your proposal (or RFP response, chemistry check, presentation, etc.) and you’re waiting to hear back from the client firm or intermediary on whether you’ll progress. Do you: A) Call or email the main contact 2-3 times a week Topics: [selecting the best agency](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/selecting-the-best-agency) [agency pitch process](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/agency-pitch-process) [Ad agency selection](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/ad-agency-selection) [Continue Reading ](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226415/Pestering-vs-Passivity) ## [ Words and Phrases to Avoid Within Your Creds Deck and Proposals](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226413/Words-and-Phrases-to-Avoid-Within-Your-Creds-Deck-and-Proposals) By [Kimberly Mears](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/author/kimberly-mears) on 13 April 2012 I’m not a copywriter. Though a voracious reader (or so I like to think) with an OK vocabulary, my first drafts are often cluttered with tired lines and clichés. And despite drastic editing, one or two trite phrases always seem to creep into my final drafts. Arguably however, it’s worse for time poor agency-side staff, who write pitch presentations and case studies while suffering from the same problem. Topics: [Marketing Trends](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/marketing-trends) [selecting the best agency](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/selecting-the-best-agency) [agency pitch process](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/agency-pitch-process) [Ad agency selection](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/ad-agency-selection) [client/agency relationship tips](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/clientagency-relationship-tips) [Continue Reading ](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226413/Words-and-Phrases-to-Avoid-Within-Your-Creds-Deck-and-Proposals) ## [ Selecting a Social Media Firm](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226410/Selecting-a-Social-Media-Firm) By [Danielle Stagg](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/author/danielle-stagg) on 5 April 2012 [![](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/hs-fs/file-21371945-jpg/images/istock_000019668905small-690x459.jpg) ](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226410/Selecting-a-Social-Media-Firm) Topics: [selecting the best agency](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/selecting-the-best-agency) [agency pitch process](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/agency-pitch-process) [Ad agency selection](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/ad-agency-selection) [social media agency selection](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/social-media-agency-selection) [social media firm selection](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/social-media-firm-selection) [Continue Reading ](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226410/Selecting-a-Social-Media-Firm) ## [ Understanding the agency pitch process](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226406/Understanding-the-agency-pitch-process) By [Danielle Stagg](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/author/danielle-stagg) on 4 April 2012 While some of our clients boast decades’ experience, some are new to the industry and unsure of the traditional agency pitch process, or what level of bespoke effort is appropriate to ask of agencies in responding to their brief. The traditional formal pitch process may look something like this: - **Request for Information (RFI) to Longlist Agencies:** We recommend limiting RFI’s to include clients’ 5 most pressing questions,. Limiting the number of questions will increase the chances that agencies will respond personally rather than providing templated responses. - **Credentials (creds) meeting:** Ideally a discussion of the client’s needs; agencies should avoid the temptation to speak too much about themselves and instead ask good questions, which demonstrate their ability to listen and truly understand their clients. - **Chemistry check:** Whether purely social, or a working session to explore an element of the brief together, this portion of the pitch is to test personality fit. As such, the people who will actually work together on the business (not execs and new biz folks) must attend. - **Briefing:** By this point, the number of agencies is trimmed to 3 (+ the incumbent in some cases). At a minimum, client briefs should include a clear statement of the business problem, measurable objectives, a clear budget and timeline. The best briefings will be done in person and allow adequate time for questions. - **Tissue meeting:** This is mid-way review of agencies’ progress in responding to the client brief. Ideas are rough, unpolished and are shared only to gain early feedback from the client - **The pitch:** Competing agencies present their final responses to the client brief face to face, allowing time for discussion thereafter. Topics: [mobile agency search and selection](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/mobile-agency-search-and-selection) [selecting the best agency](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/selecting-the-best-agency) [agency pitch process](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/agency-pitch-process) [Ad agency selection](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/ad-agency-selection) [Continue Reading ](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/bid/226406/Understanding-the-agency-pitch-process) [All posts](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/all) [Next **](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/marketing-blog/topic/selecting-the-best-agency/page/2) ![Incite Marketing](https://www.incitemarketing.co.uk/hubfs/INCITE%20IMAGES/logo/incite_logo_red.svg) The Factory, 2 Acre Road Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey. 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