It's true. A cat and an inbound marketing agency have a surprising amount in common.
That said ...
Cute is skin-deep. Cute can be misleading. Cute can mask the devil incarnate.
Here are some better ways to choose a cat AND an inbound marketing agency.
Sure, they seem like a good fit, but what's going to happen when you seal the deal and make the commitment? Here are some questions to ask yourself about a potential agency:
You'll be working with them for the foreseeable future, since inbound marketing is a long-term investment. If you can't get along, it'll be difficult to bring the best out of each other. Businesses grow faster when everyone is excited to work together!
P.S. - You might not make the right decision right off the bat. A good inbound marketing agency will understand if it's just not working for you.
Kittens are more work than adult cats. Period. Many people don't mind this - it makes them feel like they can mold it into the perfect partner. Others prefer something they can "set and forget." Something that won't die if they leave for a weekend. Something already experienced with rules and expectations.
For an inbound marketing agency, independence is based on a number of factors, including:
Some people won't mind if their agency is new to the industry, as long as they ultimately produce great results. Others want to hand over their marketing completely - this is easier if the agency already has industry experience.
Every agency is different. Some agencies will require more "babying" than others. Some will thrive with barely any attention at all. Choose what works best for you and your needs!
No matter how independent they might be, someone's going to have to check in on them. All partnerships take mutual understanding and hard work to be successful. Consider these things before making a commitment:
Someone should be dedicated to care and feeding. Otherwise you get the bystander effect: everyone thinks someone else is handling it. No one ends up handling it. Nothing gets done. Cat and agency are sad.
When you adopt a kitty or hire an inbound agency, you'll want to know their history. Ask about any special needs. Do they have any problems getting along with other critters? How do they handle conflict and emergencies?
Look into an inbound agency's past projects. Have they worked in your industry before? How have past clients felt about their services? Beyond that - does their style resonate with you?
After all, the best indicator of future results is past results.
No matter how perfect they might seem, take some time to explore all of your options and talk to different agencies. Some issues won't appear until you sign a contract. Others can be avoided through simple research and vetting.
Then again, sometimes you find true love at first sight. That's what happened to me:
I'd like to think there's a true love (in cat form or agency) out there for everybody.
Good luck on your search. ♥