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Step 1
Check out a marketing firm's portfolio of past clients to determine the quality of their work. These portfolios are typically available online and they feature details about marketing campaigns they have performed for a variety of businesses. You should expect a high level of detail from a portfolio that is similar to the samples provided by national marketing firms like The Marion Group (see Resources below).
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Step 2
Determine the connections that a marketing firm has to various media outlets in your community. One of the main reasons you select a firm is to expand your marketing efforts beyond the usual newspapers and websites. This information can be easily found by asking a marketing consultant what media they would use to market your products.
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Step 3
Request a price quote for a variety of services offered by each firm you meet with. You should attempt to compare the quotes of several marketing firms to find the right overlap of service and price.
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Step 4
Evaluate the resources that a marketing firm can mobilize on your behalf. Select a firm with good technological infrastructure and a design team that can distinguish your company from competitors. Do not assume that size equals quality as smaller marketing consultants often provide a high level of service for their clients.
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Step 5
Seek out a marketing firm that provides personalized service to your company. You need to have a consultant that knows everything about your company and can answer questions right away. Avoid firms that do not assign a specific consultant to you or have you work with a team of consultants.
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Step 6
Assess the multimedia capabilities of the marketing firm you select. Cutting edge firms are able to market your company using online videos, creative public displays and traditional print advertisements.
