Your first conversation with a content agency lays the groundwork for success. Here’s how to approach the
meeting with clarity and confidence.
Before the Meeting
As you gear up to meet with an agency, shift your mindset. Remember, outsourcing is about support,
not subtraction. Also, prepare for a productive conversation. A little prep goes a long way in helping
the agency understand your needs and provide value from day one.
Do this before your first call:
- Clarify your goals: What are you hoping to achieve? More content? Better quality? Faster
turnaround? - Identify content types: Know what collateral you need help with (e.g., blogs, white papers,
proposals, infographics). - Know your audience: Who are you creating content for? What matters to them?
- Bring examples: Provide one or two pieces of content you like. Examples can help illustrate your
style and tone preferences. - Estimate a budget range: You don’t need exact figures, but a general ballpark helps anchor the
discussion.
During the Meeting
While speaking with an agency, focus on the fit. Use the meeting to evaluate partnership potential, not
just capabilities. Additionally, ask specific questions. Prepared questions can keep the conversation
focused.
Here are some potential questions you might want to ask:
- Team structure: Who will you be working with directly?
- Cadence: How often do they check in, and through what channels?
- Editorial processes: How do they ensure accuracy, consistency, and quality?
- Experience: Have they worked in your industry or with similar content types?
- Flexibility: Can they scale with your needs or adapt to changing priorities? How do they handle
last-minute work?
After the Meeting
After the meeting, take time to reflect:
- Debrief internally: Talk with your team about what stood out to you. Did the agency ask
thoughtful questions? Did their expertise align with your unique needs? - Request a proposal or small pilot: If the fit feels right, ask for next steps that align with your
comfort level. - Keep an open mind: Even if you’re not ready now, stay in touch. A good agency will continuously publish helpful resources you can use in future projects.
