Idea Sparks

Choosing the right advertising agency can make or break your company. Image is that important. It's not what you think of yourself but what your clients or potential clients think of you that matters.

With so much at stake, you must choose carefully the advertising agency that will develop your ad campaign. How do you choose the "right" agency? What criteria should you use? Here are some suggestions.

One, choose an advertising agency with a proven record of success. When you first contact an ad agency, ask for references and examples of campaigns the agency has done. Contact the references and ask questions. It is good to have your list of questions ready before you call.

Two, look for an ad agency that has worked with companies in your area. An agency that has experience working with your kind of business puts them a step ahead.

Three, give preference to an advertising agency that seeks to understand you and your business. Ever watch The Apprentice? On one particular episode, the two teams were given the task of developing an ad campaign for a luxury jet charter service. The contest was determined by the first decision made by each team. While the women quickly set out to meet with executives of the company, the leader of the men's group said there was no time for that.

What was the result? The women presented a campaign according to the expectations and goals of the company and gained another victory. Look for an ad agency that does the same, i.e. they begin by asking questions about the company´s mission, goals and plans.

After you narrow down the choices to three or four, ask each one to make a formal presentation. This will provide you with a better idea of how the agency works and if they are compatible with your interests.

By following these suggestions, you should be better prepared to choose the right advertising agency for your needs.

How to get a job at an Ad Agency?

The first and foremost criterion for getting a job at an ad agency is having tons of creativity. Advertising business is all about creativity; once the creative juices begin to flow the rewards are overwhelming. A good degree can take you places. Any course or a degree at a reputed university or an advertising school is a big advantage. People with fewer resources can utilize the Internet to maximum, as lots of material regarding advertising is available online, learning from the comfort of home. Having internship experience counts when trying in an ad agency. Internship provides ample exposure to the advertising industry and basic training can be skipped after getting a job. It is better to opt for an entry-level position as this makes your foundation in advertising very strong. Many successful people are known to have started from the bottom most position. This provides us with an opportunity to work outside the job zone assigned which helps to learn the tricks of the trade. Even if future doesn’t look bright enough in the present institution this experience will certainly count when looking for a job elsewhere.

The resume is an important part of the job search and should reflect the creativity of the applicant. It should be amusing and at the same time professional too. Addressing a letter to the Creative Director of the company can be of good help. Find out thoroughly about him before writing a letter, which might also help in creating an impression during the interview. If the response is taking time don’t hesitate to post another letter. Calls are usually not appreciated as most of the people at an ad agency are busy round the clock and professionals at a higher position have to deal with many projects at once.

Look out for people in your the network which can sometimes fetch opportunities through references. These networks can be a source of information about the seminars, educational workshops and local advertising clubs. Doing voluntary work for special events will be worth the effort because if the work is really eye catching it will be appreciated by the guests who visited the event and one of them can be a potential employer.

If the big break seems real far its better to start freelancing rather than wasting time. Try creating original work and approach ad agencies and small business with your work. This can spice up the on-going job hunt. A graphic designer and a copywriter will have an advantage in this approach. If it’s hard to get a start create spec ads. Spec ads are personal versions of a published ad. A little bit of twist can sometimes result in a better ad than the actual one. Even if it isn’t this sure will bring you opportunities in small local businesses.

Start with businesses residing in your locality like the grocery store or the butcher’s shop. Later on approach television and radio stations. They always have vacancies for commercial writers and need a helping hand to develop programs. Since the income is less in these type of jobs its easier for a beginner to get a job.

At the end of the day passion for work really counts. Sometime or the other there will be an employer who will have respect for true passion and creativity and all that energy will give you that much needed break and take you places.