We’re often asked by prospective clients what it is like to work with a full-service public relations and marketing agency. Which is often followed by, “What happens once I sign on with an agency?” While the onboarding process is unique to each client and the scope of work for which they are contracted, the basics always apply.
It’s time to dig deep
Whether it’s your favorite company ad of all time or the news story that still makes you cringe five years later, we want to know about it. If you have an arsenal of blog post topics the team was excited about, but never got written, we’d like for you to share.
Client onboarding at Co-Communications starts with our team learning as much as we possibly can about your company or cause. Simply put, we do our homework. The more we learn about you on the front end, the sooner we can start executing the work plan.
We collaborate to devise a plan
Whether you hire Co-Communications to build a new website, refresh your brand, manage your inbound marketing program or implement a PR campaign, we work with you to put a roadmap in place. Collaborating throughout this process ensures everyone is on the same page and working towards the same end goals.
Establishing processes
Every client’s communication preferences are unique and we pride ourselves on tailoring our communications to meet your needs. During the client onboarding process, we’ll ask who the central point of contact is for feedback/approvals, if you prefer we contact you by phone or e-mail – especially when a deadline is looming or a time-sensitive opportunity arises – and how frequently you would like to be updated regarding the project’s status. Bottom line, we want to be sure we are getting you the information you need when you need it and that we’re communicating with you in the most effective way possible.
The thought of engaging a full-service PR/marketing agency can raise a lot of questions. Here are answers to a few of the most common, but if you have others, feel free to contact us or leave them in the comments below.
- – How long does onboarding with a PR/marketing agency take?
- – How much of my time will be needed during onboarding?
As we get up to speed and lay out a work plan, we will call on you a bit more often to provide background materials and information. We realize our clients often wear many hats and that their schedules are hectic. With both of these things in mind, we’ll collaborate with you to determine the best way to get the information we need without making the process burdensome.
- – Who will I be working with?
The answer to this question varies widely based on the scope of work. For retainer-based PR clients, the first 4-6 weeks are typically used to complete the discovery process and lay out a work plan. That said, we know that time-sensitive needs and opportunities come up and we’re nimble enough to be able to recalibrate in order to seize these opportunities.
At Co-Communications, we employ a team approach. This allows our clients to benefit from a deep range of skills and expertise. Within that team, you will have both a central point of contact and a support person available to you. We choose your account team carefully and work to pair you with the team that is best-suited to meet your PR/marketing needs. That said, you benefit from the collective expertise of our entire team when you work with Co-Communications thanks to our culture of collaboration.
Like what we have to say and think we could be a good fit for your PR/marketing needs? Contact us today.
