What should I know about my new agency?

[Bojon]

Part of my new job requires me to work with an ad agency that manages our SEM and banner ad campaigns. I have never worked with an ad agency regarding this matter before. I want as much relevant information as I can get.

What are some direct questions that I need to ask about the services they provide and methods of operations?

What sorts of questions will they be reluctant to answer? (Trade secret)

Any etiquette tips? I don’t want to rub them the wrong way or they might become evasive.

Thank you.

[Daria_Goetsch]

Part of my new job requires me to work with an ad agency that manages our SEM and banner ad campaigns. I have never worked with an ad agency regarding this matter before. I want as much relevant information as I can get.

What are some direct questions that I need to ask about the services they provide and methods of operations?

What sorts of questions will they be reluctant to answer? (Trade secret)

Any etiquette tips? I don’t want to rub them the wrong way or they might become evasive.

Thank you.

Bumping this thread up. Any ad agency/SEO info anyone can share here?

[NFFC]

>What are some direct questions that I need to ask about the services they provide and methods of operations?

Well it seems you are in a very difficult situation, those things should have been sorted well before they were even contracted to do the work.

If it were me I would look at what was agreed before you drew the short straw and ensure that they impliment it.

>I don’t want to rub them the wrong way or they might become evasive.

That shouldn't happen, they will look for your co-operation much more than you will look for theirs. They need you to ensure that the stratagy that they have proposed will be implimented, the whole team needs to be on message.

If by a million to one chance it happens to be me you are dealing with just remember this...do exactly what I say when I say it and everything will be allright ;)

[Mikkel deMib Svendsen]

What are some direct questions that I need to ask about the services they provide and methods of operations?

I agree with NFFC that you will first of all have to focus on making sure they are delivering what was originally agreed on. Next I would look closer into just that. What does the contract say now? What kind of services or products do they deliver etc? Carefully evaluate if what you get is what you think is the best deal for the company. If not, you may be able to change things for the better.


What sorts of questions will they be reluctant to answer? (Trade secret)

The only questions I would accept them not to answer is private things about their business, what they pay their employees and how much their profit is etc. (I actually once saw a RFP where they requested that sort of information!). Everything about what they do to optimize your site should be completely transparent, in my oppinion. I would not let anyone do anyithing to my website unless they told me exactly what they do.


Any etiquette tips? I don’t want to rub them the wrong way or they might become evasive.

Don't worry too much about that. As NFFC say they are likley to be more concerned right now than you are. They are most likely going to do their best to service you in order to keep the contract. If you generally act professionally and reasonably you are doing perfect. :)

[Bojon]

Thanks,

It’s a bit difficult jumping into the middle. Right now I’m just trying to establish a good relationship with everyone and trying to learn as much as I can about how and why they do what they do. They seem to do a good job but I’m looking to trim some of the fat and get a better ROI.