What have you been doing all these years? Forty years with only three companies. Certainly not job-hopping. Years spent having a good time and making a difference. Accepting the challenges that came along, and making them work despite some formidable pressures.What do you know about my markets? We've seen just about everything in 40 years. And what we don't know, we'll learn quickly. At our expense. Why use a marketing support company? Moms Mabley said it best: "If you always do what you've always done. You'll always get what you always got." We'll watch you do what you've always done. Then we'll suggest ways of doing it better. Why The Marketing Collaborative instead of someone else? Ever hear the story of the $5.00 haircut? When I was in college, our only barber shop was a union shop that charged the scale $7.50 for a haricut. So, when a non-union barber hung out his shingle, offering $5.00 haircuts, a lot of us (tight money) went across the street. A few days, and a few bad haircuts, later the union barber put up a new sign:"We repair $5.00 haircuts - $7.50." We all went back to him. Give someone else a try. Then call us later to repair your marketing communications program for a fair price.What's the difference between you and other marketing support firms?
Unfortunately, the differences only show up when you've tried almost everybody. Anyone can make a good pitch. Ask around. All marketing support firms do basically the same thing, but some are better at it than others.
Can you be more specific?
We're smarter than most everyone else.
We're more creative than most everyone else.
Budgets are flexible.
We won't accept your challenge if we cannot appreciably improve things for you.
What's the benefit of working with you instead of a big firm or using my own staff?
We already covered why you shouldn't rely on your own staff. When you partner with The Marketing Collaborative, you receive full attention from start to finish. When you work with a large firm, one of two things happen: 1. If you're small, you'll be assigned to interns or trainees. 2. If you're large, there will be a team assigned to you. And good luck finding a decision maker.
How much is it going to cost to hire The Marketing Collaborative? How much is it costing you not to hire The Marketing Collaborative? How many growth opportunities have gotten away from you lately?How long will it take to see results? Positive results should be immediately apparent, if you've defined your expectations well. It should quickly become apparent that progress is being made.How do I get the results I expect? Begin by defining your expectations. Be as specific as you wish, and we will tell you if they are realistic before proceeding.When I sign on with The Marketing Collaborative, do I have to turn my entire marketing communications program over to you?Sure. Why not? Just kidding. The reality is that money is tight, and there are a lot of places other than marketing that need attention. So, let's start slowly and deliberately, with a project. Once we've impressed you with our work, then we can discuss giving up your freedom to choose.How much do you charge? Right now - we don't know. Every challenge is different. In all these years, we've learned what it takes to get a job done. So we'll agree on a budget with you before beginning. Then we'll measure the mid-term results against your expectations. That way we'll know if there's a "billing problem" long before it happens.Can I view samples of your work? There are snippets on our site. I can show you anything you wish to know more about. Just call or write.Where are you located? Most of us are in the Detroit tri-county area. Because of the current economy, it's an area rich in under-utilized marketing talent. As you can see by scanning the site, our assignments have taken us all over the world.
Why should we consider working with you?
We have experience that relates directly to your businesses and are exclusively B2B - there is no retail business to distract us.
How important will we be?
Your company would probably be in the middle of our client list. Some clients will be larger than you, some smaller.
Can you handle our account?
We are populated by talented people. Supported by the latest hardware and software, contacts and networks.
Are your clients happy?
BrassCraft has been a client for over 10 years (twice). MSC has been a client for 8 years. We have a comfortable mix of old and new clients.
Will you be around in five years?
We've been around for 40 years already. Some of us have another 40 years in us.
Are you financially sound?
We operate relatively debt-free, have a comfortable line of credit and have earned good references from vendors.
Are you easy to work with?
We are staffed for a high level of attention and service. We're also conveniently located. Ask our clients.
Is your work any good?
Ask for proof that our work works. Look at examples, and ask about our continuous improvement program.
How will you get our work done?
It begins and ends with project management. And that includes fiscal management, status reporting, invoicing and budget/cost review.
Who will do the work?
An account service team represents your interests at The Marketing Collaborative. You will have access to inside staff and outside staff, all kept in check by a matrix management process.
