How to appoint the right creative partner

A graphic depecting design

So, it’s time for a rebrand within your company, and you need some specialist help to get this done. It can be tough to choose who to work with. So we have put together the top 5 tips to help you in decision-making.

  1. Know what service you need. 

Choosing the type of service you require is the initial step. For instance, if your website requires compelling design or videography, you’ll search for a creative firm with numerous examples of these on its website.

If you are unsure of what service you need, an excellent creative partner should work with you to find out what you are looking to accomplish and suggest what will work best for you.

You can also consider creative agencies that are relevant to your industry. For instance, Studio Duo works with charities, CICs and non-profits to increase their impact with creative services such as engaging videos and converting websites.

  1. Trust and chemistry 

The second piece of advice focuses on building trust. To do this, check out the creative agency’s reputation by watching testimonial videos and reading reviews on their website or even on Google. You may even ask to speak with a current/previous client for a quick call about their experience with the creative agency.

You need to get to know one another when establishing a relationship with an agency, so you might consider asking if you will have a dedicated account manager. A dedicated account manager will get to know you, your company and your objectives over time, which will come with many long-term benefits saving you time and money in the long run. 

  1. Location

The world has never been more connected! You can now speak to anyone anywhere in the world. So it’s worth considering if it’s important to work with someone local to you.

Working with a local company offers its perks. You will be able to meet with the agency regularly face to face, have more interactive workshops, participate in photo and video shoots, and have a coffee together whilst providing advice on how you want your business or nonprofit to appear. They may also have a better understanding of the world that you are operating in too. In my opinion, if you live nearby, the agency and you will get along better. Location isn’t always critical, but some tips I have found helpful!

You may also choose to work with someone remotely. Living in a more digital era has made this possible, with great tools online to help the process. It also opens the door to a lot more talent.

  1. Size 

When searching for a creative agency, size matters; whether you need a big or small agency depends on your demands, so it’s best to do some research beforehand. In smaller creative agencies, you will be able to meet most of the team members, know exactly who you are working with, and have a more personalised experience.

Although occasionally, bigger agencies could take longer to respond to your inquiries because they are working on several projects simultaneously. When many people are involved, your recommendations and design ideas may be lost in translation between the many parties. Both, in my opinion, have advantages and disadvantages, but you should do what you find most comfortable. It’s up to you to choose which option best meets your needs; for example, you’ll need to confirm that the smaller creative studio has the in-house know-how for what you’ll need to showcase your business in the long run.

  1. Values

You might want to consider if your values align with the creative agency you are looking to work with. We believe that having clear values helps guide our work and how we want to be. It helps us to make the right decisions, and help us to achieve our vision; A world where people care, react and act.

Having similar values can really help when working with a partner. It can help make decisions, to be more purposeful, improve motivation and create synergy.

These are just a few tips which I think are important yet they’re a lot of other things you need to consider. Ultimately a good creative agency will listen to you and will offer a solution to help eliminate and pains, and will listen to you, your objectives and goals.

Other considerations

I have only spoken about the aspects which I feel are essential, yet there are more which I am going to list down below which you should consider when searching for a creative agency: 

Industry experience

Design style

Communication

Chemistry

Culture

Work ethic 

Using strategy to help define your next chapter, Studio Duo uses impactful photography, compelling videos, and innovative design to make a statement. We want to save you time and money, bring in sponsors, and open doors for you. We are simply a quick phone call or email away if you want to maximise your impact and revitalise your brand. We would love to hear from you.