There is a reason why perhaps the most iconic brand in the world, Apple, chooses to work exclusively with creative agencies. 

Creative agencies are often confused with advertising firms or marketing agencies. They are similar in some respects but serve a unique niche in the word of digital marketing.

Creative agencies focus on creating original ideas and concepts for clients. Marketing firms specialize in systems, data, and ROI. Advertising agencies, on the other hand, focus primarily on ads and brand campaigns.

So which option is right for you? Continue reading to see why hiring a creative agency could be the best kept secret for your digital marketing strategy in 2023

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5 Reasons You Need to Switch to a Creative Agency

1. You Work in a Creative Industry

Nothing, and I mean NOTHING can strip the DNA of a creative brand faster than a large marketing firm. A full-service inbound marketing agency may be a great asset in a variety of industries, but when your brand thrives on fresh ideas to serve your ideal clients, a creative agency is the way to go. 

If you are a photographer, wedding vendor, restauranteur, designer, or performer, your value lies in your unique ideas, vision, and brand. A creative agency will focus on what separates you from your competitors and create an online presence which emulates the same, unique qualities that make your products or services so valuable.

2. Your Ad Budget Can’t Compete With Your Competitors

Not everyone can afford a digital marketing strategy based solely on SEO and ad campaigns. 

Would it be nice to afford the privilege to buy your way into the top three search results on Google? Absolutely! But this just isn’t a reality for most small business owners so we need to be open to more creative solutions.

While we could sit here for hours and gripe about the fact that the rules of digital marketing were written by industry giants, it would serve little to help you find an alternative path. A creative agency, however, is uniquely qualified to help curate a custom strategy which relies on the strengths and assets that only you have available to you, regardless of what the industry giants are up to. 

3. You Aren’t Willing to Sacrifice Quality or Design

As a marketing writer who has worked for a number of large firms in my career, I have seen the content mills in action and I have to tell you, it’s not pretty. 

SEOs often charge thousands of dollars a month just to turn around and purchase a $35-per-month AI generator such as Jarvis so they can push out lifeless, regurgitated content. Many content strategists hire writers from 3rd-world countries to justify paying only $5-10 for a 1,500-word article. 

Creative agencies, on the other hand, understand the value that content writers, graphic designers, photographers, and videographers bring to their craft. The cost of their services may be higher, but their lifetime value can’t be matched. 

4. You See the Value of Long-Term Branding

Marketing trends will come and go, but a well-developed brand has the potential to live forever. Apple knew this early on and created a branded website full of branding photography, branded copy, and a branded visual story which has elevated its products into a lifestyle. 

Creative agencies understand the value a wholistic brand has to offer and filters every marketing decision through the lens of your brand rather than ROI. This is because time has proven to reward the businesses who choose not to take shortcuts and build an organic and authentic brand from the ground up. 

5. You Have a Talented In-House Team

This is where a creative agency truly shines. 

If you already have an in-house marketing team at your disposal but would like to invest in their continued growth and development to further promote your brand, a creative agency is the way to go. 

I’ve worked with several small businesses who couldn’t afford a full-time retainer with a marketing firm and therefore had to hire a family member or virtual assistant to oversee their marketing efforts. I was then brought on for 3-5 days to provide intensive coaching services and an effective marketing strategy so that the businesses could maintain their own marketing projects during the early stages of growth. This proved to be wildly successful and as the company grew, they were able to specialize their own in-house marketing efforts and outsource the projects they could afford to my team. 

Book a Free Consult With a Creative Agency in Fort Collins, Colorado

If you’re ready to launch or scale your business and feel it may be time to expand your marketing efforts, book a free consult with Amanda Doherty Press, LLC. We are a growing creative agency located in Fort Collins, CO that provides services to clients across the country. 

Click now to explore our available services or contact our team to request additional information. You can expect an email or phone response within 24 hours during regular business hours.