Full-service creative agencies in the United States exist to help your company bridge the gap between your target consumer and your product or service. The firms use a variety of strategies from advertising, marketing, public relations, graphic design and website development to make sure your brand name is in the market place.

Consider full-service ad agencies to plan, create and produce advertisements and commercials, PR pieces, trade show exhibits, sales training and promotion materials and anything else you need to get your message to the public. Use firms for 1 or 2 small projects or for a large national campaign.

Hire US full-service ad agencies to:

1. Increase your profits with brand awareness. Choose from top advertising agencies in the United States to promote your brand.

2. Allow a full-service ad agency professional to handle your promotions projects so you can get back to work.

3. Gain fresh creative perspective. Let full-service ad agencies share their experience and knowledge in your new campaign.

4. Fight your competitors for market share and profitability.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Identify what your small business needs from US advertising agencies

Establish a realistic budget before contacting advertising agencies. United States ad firms can be expensive so plan ahead to avoid funding issues. Look at your previous ad campaigns and list which strategies worked for your business and which need to be changed.

I recommend: Search for advertising agencies by state using online databases such as American Advertising Agencies and American Association of Advertising Agencies for national or local ad firms. Consider firms like Level Two in Dallas, TX, and Hayes Group in Williston, VT, for services in collateral, identity, packaging and direct marketing.

Search for full-service advertising agencies that meet your needs

Look in your area or around the country for the firms that work with all the services you require for local and national campaigns. Make a list of about 12--no more than 20--full service online advertising agencies near your business or in key market areas throughout the country.

I recommend: Use a US advertising agency directory like Google Directory to choose from the best business to business (B2B) agencies in the country. Ad Excellence in Hollywood, FL, and Fireant Studio in Denver, CO, offer services in magazine ads, sales kits, website design and online marketing.

Narrow your choices and contact the US advertising agencies from your list

Browse agency websites to see which firms post service lists and portfolios online. Firms often allow you to view a portion of their portfolio to get a feel for the types of promotions the agency can create. Narrow your choices to a more manageable 6 to 10 US full-service ad agencies and contact representatives to set up interviews or meetings.

I recommend: Ask to see complete portfolios and price lists from your top choice firms. If you work far from the companies you interview, communicate via email, fax and telephone as much as possible or fly a member of your company to visit the agencies. Consider national firms like Halogen Design in Tustin, CA, and Red Door Studio in Lincoln, NE for services in photography, illustration, trade show exhibits and print ads.

Choose a full-service advertising agency and implement your new plan

Consider all your options and pick the full-service ad agency that best understands and can work with your marketing goals and promotions budget. Finalize your new plan, including any special service such as website development, copywriting and editing and nationwide billboards, television ads and press releases.

I recommend: Find the best advertising agencies United States regions near your business have to offer and work immediately to put your campaign together. Use Facebook advertising, Bidvertiser and Pay Per Click Universe to find your consumers online, directing them to your website with strategic placement.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Continue to use other forms of free advertising along with that of the full-service ad firms. Consider word-of-mouth promotion, a MySpace or Facebook page and business partnerships.