Feel like you need to up your Instagram game? But no earthly idea how you’ll find the time or bandwidth? Then an Instagram agency – filled with plenty of pinball machines — might be something worth considering.
But what exactly does an Instagram agency do? (Besides cash your checks.) And how do you find one that doesn’t rip you off and will help you get results?
In this column we’ll go over exactly what an Instagram agency can do and some strategies for finding one that will help you reach your marketing and moolah goals.
How to Find an Instagram Agency (That Doesn’t Suck)
What the @#$ Does an Instagram Agency Do?
An Instagram agency is a marketing agency that handles all your Instagram campaign needs. This includes ad campaigns, content creation, boosting follower counts, contests, removing stupid comments, etc.
In my experience the two most valuable things an agency can do for you, right out the gate, is to a) help you create a bunch of content and b) boost your follower count. (Agencies have a ton of tools to help you do that.)
After you’ve had a chance to see how things go with the first two, then I think you can ramp up to the ad campaigns and contest stuff.
What are the Benefits of an Instagram Agency?
Well… the biggest benefit is that you don’t have to handle all the stupid, annoying Instagram stuff that can take up so much of your day. There’s also the added benefit that these people live, eat and breathe Instagram – or should – and will have a much better idea of what will work and what won’t. (Not always the case, which is why you got to do your homework.)
Do I Have to Let Them Do Everything?
No. You don’t have to let them do everything.
If you like creating Instagram content – you just can’t stand all the promotional stuff that goes along with it – then feel free to hang onto the content keys. (One of the best Instagram blogging tips I ever got was: “If you like it, do it. If you don’t, have somebody else do it.”) But if churning out content isn’t something high on your list, or you just don’t feel you’re very good at it, then handing it over to an agency can be a great approach.
How Do I Know If I Need One?
Great question. This is actually the MOST important question, but probably one most people won’t ask upfront.
The short answer: if you have your funnel dialed-in, and know for a fact Instagram traffic leads to revenue, then it might be time for the old agency try.
But if not…if you just want to boost your profile on Instagram and aren’t sure how it affects your bottom line, wait. Wait until you have so tangible success with Instagram. That’s when it’s time to get an agency involved.
How Do I Find One That Doesn’t Suck?
Finding an Instagram agency isn’t the hard part. Finding a good one is.
I recommend you find an agency that can meet each of these criteria:
- They can show tangible growth with numbers for former and existing clients
- They’ve got clients you can talk with
- They don’t ask “how much is your budget?” (The question IS: what results do you want?)
- They DO work with clients who spend roughly what you’re looking to spend
- They give realistic projections on growth (not overnight success)
What Questions Do I Ask Their Clients?
First thing you want to do is look at the actual Instagram account itself. Does it have engagement? Are people responding? Do you like the verbiage of the content? And does the profile have a decent amount of followers? (At least 5k.)
Then when you do talk to them, ask them the following questions:
- How helpful was this agency in establishing strategic goals?
- Did the agency achieve those goals?
- What “new” marketing ideas – or Instagram marketing service – did the agency bring to the table?
- How often (and in what form) did the agency share data? (Was the data comprehensible or did it look like it was compiled by a physicist?)
- Did the agency talk to you like you were an idiot who didn’t know what all these terms meant?
What Kind of Metrics Should I Focus On?
Things like “engagement” and “reach” and “shares” are nice. But the big metrics you should worry about – and that the agency should worry about too – are:
- Website traffic
- Leads
- Conversions
- Conversion rate
Everything else is just Instagram frosting. Find an agency that helps you increase those four areas and you’ll worry less about what your ad budget will be…and more about how you’re gonna be able to keep up with customer demand.
What’s Your Take on the Whole ‘Instagram Agency’ Question?
Have you tried using an Instagram agency? Had a good/bad/indifferent experience? Or maybe you think hiring an Instagram marketing agency is the worst idea since casting Nicolas Cage as Superman, let us know in the comments below.
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