How to Find the Right Creative Partner for Your Brand
learn how to find and work with a creative agency
I’ve been working as a creative marketer for nine years. I have 3 years of in-house experience, 4 years of agency experience, and 2 years of freelance experience. I’ve managed other creatives and worked with top executives to build brands and websites that people love. I’ve worked with over 15 marketing agencies, and have helped launch over 70 brands and websites. As someone who’s seen almost every side of marketing, I know that finding a creative partner is a challenge for most small businesses and startups.
You can’t build a strong brand and website alone. You need a professional creative who can help bring your vision to life while also following best practices in your field. In today's highly competitive marketplace, having a strong brand identity is essential for businesses to stand out and succeed.
But finding the right design partner can be harder than it looks. In this blog post, I’ve broken down my best advice on how to find the right creative partner for your brand.
Learn how to find the right creative partner for your business.
Figure ouT your Creative needs
It's important to identify your needs first before talking with a designer or creative partner. If you don’t know what you want, it’s going to be hard for a designer to help you.
Are you looking for a logo redesign and website redesign? Do you want a totally new brand or a modern iteration of your existing brand? Or do you just need a graphic designer to help you update parts of your brand and website?
Every creative agency has different skills so figure out what you need before hiring a creative firm. Here are some questions to ask yourself first:
What kind of design work do I need?
Do I need a full brand identity package or just a brand update?
Does my website need updates or a completely new look?
What platform do I want my website on?
What’s my timeline?
Do I also need help with marketing materials or social media graphics?
Will I need ongoing support?
To successfully work with a creative agency, you need to know what you need first.
Look for agencies with relevant experience
When searching for a designer, it's important to look for one that has relevant experience in your industry. This will ensure that the agency has a good understanding of your target audience and can create work that resonates with them.
Here are some questions to ask marketing agencies:
Can I see examples of your work?
What is your specialty and/or niche industry?
Have you worked with any other brands like mine?
Who are your favorite clients, and what industry are they in?
Check for A DESIGNER's expertise
A good designer should have expertise in various areas of design. They should be able to offer a wide range of services such as branding, logo design, web design, graphic design, social media, packaging design, and more.
But each designer will have their own specialties and style when it comes to creative projects. Some designers only work with specific industries. Other creatives focus primarily on UX design or video production. Figure out what type of experience and projects you want from a creative agency. Ask to see examples of their work and relevant case studies.
A creative agency is only as good as their last project. Ask to see case studies and quotes from past customers.
Consider the designer’s reputation
One of the best ways to find a reliable design agency is by checking their reputation. Look for reviews and testimonials from past clients to get a sense of the agency's strengths and weaknesses.
I’ve had a few clients request to speak with other clients of mine before they signed a contract with me. Don’t be afraid to ask a creative agency to contact one of their current or most recent clients for peace of mind. That is a very common ask.
You can also ask for referrals from your network, or search for agencies with a strong online presence and positive customer feedback. I have gotten my best leads as referrals from clients of mine. If you love a brand’s logo or website, ask them who designed it and get in touch.
I put case studies on my website so potential clients can see real examples of my work.
Assess their communication skills
Communication is key when working with a designer. A designer should be able to communicate ideas and processes clearly and be open to your feedback. It’s easy to find someone who knows how to use Adobe software, but hiring a professional designer means you're paying for someone who can guide you through the full creative process.
Look for a designer who is responsive, transparent, and willing to collaborate with you throughout the design process. You should always feel comfortable reaching out to the designer if you’re not sure they understand your vision. Executing your vision is an art, not a science.
To be clear, you shouldn’t expect a graphic designer to complete edits within 24 hours. I tell clients that I have 24 hours to respond to messages, but this doesn’t mean that I have 24 hours to incorporate edits on a design. It’s a sign of an experienced designer if they can communicate time constraints and set clear expectations for you.
Also, be sure to ask a designer how they like to be contacted. Some designers work best by text, while others prefer email or, even, Slack. Find out the best way to stay in touch with your designer. It’s important to know the best method to get in touch with a designer. For me, I mostly work through email and text with my clients. But communicating through Slack and project management software is getting more common.
Look for a creative partner who is responsive, transparent, and willing to collaborate with you throughout the design process.
Evaluate their pricing
Designers have different pricing structures, so it's important to evaluate their pricing before beginning your project. Some agencies may charge a flat fee, while others may charge by the hour or project. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the pricing structure and ensure that it fits within your budget.
Most designers will ask for a downpayment up front, then will bill you based on project milestones. This is a good way to keep things on schedule. Other designers will charge you at an hourly rate. If this is how an agency charges, be sure to ask them to quote hours for each project they complete for you.
Here are some questions to ask:
What is your hourly rate?
What are the deliverables?
How does your pricing work?
Do you ask for a downpayment up front?
Finding the right design partner can be challenging, but following these tips can help you find the perfect partner for your business. Remember to look for a partner with relevant experience, a strong reputation, a diverse range of design services, excellent communication skills, and fair pricing. Working with the right designer can help you create a powerful brand identity that resonates with your target audience and helps you achieve your business goals.
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