5 things to consider when choosing the best creative agency to brand your tech start-up

You did it! You started a company. You know that you are amazing at what you do- but now you need to hire a creative agency to do the things you maybe aren’t all that knowledgeable about doing. But how do you know who to hire? When you don’t know what you don’t know, this can feel like a daunting task. You know you’re going to invest a lot of time, money, and energy, and you are ready to do so, but want to make sure it’s an investment, not a very expensive learning lesson. Here are 5 things to consider before choosing an agency:

1. Do they understand you? Creatives are creative. It’s what they do. But there’s creative with ego, and there’s creative with empathy. When you’re talking to a prospective agency, pay attention to whether they ask more questions or make more promises. While many may wish that marketing was a magic button for growth, there is no such thing as magically knowing someone, or something for that matter. The only way to really know, is to ask. A good creative agency will ask you a lot of questions before giving you any answers. 
2. Do they understand technology? This is an important question to ask if you are a tech company looking to hire a creative agency, but the answer is not as simple as yes or no. You also have to know who you’re talking to. If you are a tech company who is primarily talking to a non-techy audience, it behooves you to hire an agency that doesn’t speak technologically, because they will be able to translate what it is you are selling in laymen’s terms. If you are a tech company that is selling to a tech audience, you need to hire an agency that understands the technology industry. They need to speak the vernacular and understand the industry trends. Remember, it’s not about the agency producing creative work that you like- it’s about producing creative work that your audience will love. 
3. Who is in their portfolio? Ask about the types of clientele an agency has served in the past. They don’t all need to look like you- but they need to resonate with you. You can find a lot of inspiration from other industries, so don’t be too quick to jump into that tunnel vision branding. But also be mindful to ask about the work process, the quality of work, and the design style. 
4. Do they have what you need? When it comes to technology, you are probably going to utilize technology. You want to work with an agency that has the capabilities to deliver in the platforms that you need to use. 
5. Are they easy to work with? This is one of the most important questions to ask. Think mindfully about whether you  enjoy talking to this person, or this team, because you’re going to be spending a lot of time with them. Work with someone you enjoy working with, and who reciprocates the feeling.
   
   

Wondering where to start? Schedule a complimentary call. We would be happy to answer any questions and help you launch your start-up, or refer you to someone who is a better fit. 

Brand Brag:

One of the most impressive tech startups is Quera, located in Boston, MA. Founded in 2019, they have already generated over $11 million in revenue. Possibly more impressively (at least to us, a creative design agency), they have impeccably clean design and a gift for taking super complicated concepts, and explaining them in very simple words. Check them out. {link: https://www.quera.com/}