The whole process of choosing content marketing services is one many people have trouble with. But if you go through the five-point checklist, you should be able to find a good fit. The whole agency landscape changes too quickly, so it's important to revisit it every year
Spending in the sector has increased significantly over time as the skill set of content marketing is included in mainstream marketing budgets. Agencies have gotten a lot more aggressive lately, and we're starting to see budgets transferred away from those other agencies into our own business.
We've seen more mainstream agencies and more creative companies in general jump on board, so it can be difficult to figure out which agency is best suited to work with your content marketing efforts.

1. The Content Agency with the Strategy You Can Trust
Recent CMI across-the-market surveys show that many brands don't have a documented content strategy and this will be reflected in the return on their content marketing initiatives.
In order to find content marketing services that have strong strategic capabilities, you should be sure to look for an agency with a consistent approach, strong methodology, and proven track record.
Take a look at their case studies and get recommendations from clients about their success. You can find out what kind of content strategies they've developed for different brands or where they could be useful in your business. They approach it all the same way - through marketing. They remove potential obstacles and ways to help engage your audience, enhance your marketing strategy, and achieve your business goals.



2. Check on the tools and their tangible outcomes
How will a good agency measure the success of your marketing program and help boost your ROI? It's important to be data-driven as well.
Look specifically at the data and measurement tools they have to measure success and identify areas for improvement. As we all know, nothing works well all the time, so how do they identify problems and operate when they need to change course?

3. Check on the skills set and expertise
My No. 1 thing is people. Meeting the boss, meeting the head of "this" and "that," and then signing a deal happen quickly so I don't get to see those guys for dust!
Ask your team about their experience, knowledge, and delivery under pressure. Be sure to have at least a few people on your team who have worked with the type of customer you'll work with.
You need to make sure they understand your values, motivations, and business goals before going with them. Otherwise, it may not be a good fit for either party. Additionally, you need to ensure they have the skillset needed for success.
Before you put anyone on your team, make sure you meet them so that you can feel confident they are up to the task and will embody your company's values.

4. Learn about the marketing technology the agency uses and the interference
Technology is so important in marketing – it allows you to identify new audience segments, measure engagement, and attribute action and revenue to your marketing programs.
If you're using a piece of technology with the agency, take a good look at the UI (user interface). If your team is on it every day, you want to make sure it's simple to use and easy to understand the results.
If you have your own marketing technology platforms (such as an Instagram advertising tool or Google AdWords interface), it is a good idea to ask the agency if they have experience with it and how they are planning to plug into or complement that tech.
Technology vendors have been involved in the content marketing space for the last 12 months. There are now more platforms and marketing automation software available that are worth your time to consume. Point is, you want to make sure you're utilizing these tools effectively so your business isn't missing out on quality content opportunities.

5. Consistency and result is the key
Do they have a roster of customers that have gone the distance? They not only come up with a great pitch, but they can also execute over time – managing any bumps in the road and remaining agile to address any challenges.
Sometimes it can be hard to tell if an agency is going to work out or not so the best way is usually to check with existing clients. Get in touch with those that have renewed campaigns or signed on with new ones and find out what they think of the agency. It helps to play the devil’s advocate and contact some agencies that aren’t on there either as references, who could be potential clients.
So you may consider these points as you are looking for content marketing services. Good luck to you!