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Interviewing and Hiring a Digital Marketing Agency in Toronto: An Insider's Guide

Hey there! So you're looking to hire a digital marketing agency in Toronto? Smart move. But between all the options out there, how do you even know where to start or what to look for when interviewing potential agencies? Don't worry, I've been there and I can help make the process so much easier. Hiring the right digital marketing agency in Toronto can be a game changer for your business. But you need an agency that truly gets you and your goals. The interview is your chance to figure that out before making any commitments.

In this post, I'll give you an insider's guide to interviewing and hiring the perfect digital marketing agency in Toronto. From creating a shortlist of agencies to the questions you should ask during the interview, we'll cover everything you need to find the right partner to take your digital marketing to the next level. Alright, let's jump into the key steps for interviewing and hiring the best digital marketing agency in Toronto for your business.

Create a shortlist

Don't waste time interviewing every digital marketing agency in Toronto. Start by creating a shortlist of 5-7 agencies that seem to fit your needs on paper. Research agencies with proven expertise in your industry and experience achieving the types of results you're after. Look for client testimonials relevant to your goals. If possible, get referrals from business contacts. Initial online research gives you a good starting point for who to consider. Once you’ve identified promising contenders, take a closer look by reviewing their websites, case studies, and team bios. Develop a solid shortlist before scheduling calls. This allows you to zero in on the top agencies worth your time to interview.

Ask about experience

A key interview question is gauging the agency’s direct experience assisting clients like you. Ask about specific examples of past work in your industry, with companies of similar size/scale, or projects related to your goals. Get into the details of their capabilities and track record. An agency may market themselves a certain way, but you want proof they’ve actually achieved real results for clients in your shoes. Pushing for specifics on past experience validates whether the agency has the expertise to deliver what you need. Related successes should give you confidence in their abilities.

Discuss strategy and goals

The interview is a great time to discuss strategy and align on goals. Share your key objectives and get the agency’s thoughts on smart approaches to achieve them. Ask how they would tackle your unique needs and target audience. A quality agency will ask thoughtful questions to understand your business, challenges, and desired outcomes. Gauge if the agency offers ideas and insights that feel tailored to you vs generic Marketing 101. There should be an authentic strategic discussion, not a one-sided pitch. Discussing strategy sets the stage for a truly customized partnership.

Evaluate team and expertise

Take time during the interview process to understand who from the agency will be working on your business. Ask about the experience and expertise of your prospective account manager, strategists, designers, developers, writers etc. You want a team with the right skills and bandwidth to support you. Ask how senior staff would be involved. Also, consider chemistry. Do you feel like the agency team takes time to listen and connect? Strong team expertise and likability increases the chances of a successful partnership. Don't leave evaluations of the team until late in the hiring process - make it a priority from your first interactions.

Check out past work

Any agency can talk a big game, but you need to see what they've actually produced for clients. Ask for links to live sites and samples of past work relevant to your goals, whether that's websites, ads, emails, etc. Evaluating samples gives you a sense of their skills and capabilities. Look for strong UX, appealing designs, high-quality content, and overall professionalism. Judging past work can reassure you that the agency can deliver results and is a fit for your brand. If for any reason an agency is reluctant to provide examples, that's a major red flag. Quality agencies will be eager to showcase credentials through past work.