You need to advertise to get the word out about your business — whether advertising comes from word-of-mouth, printed text or through a company website. Choosing Arizona advertising agencies to represent your small business is often a necessary challenge. Many companies try to go at it alone, creating their own website and marketing materials with minimal design programs and printing capabilities.

Working with ad agencies allows you to spend more time on the normal day-to-day activity of your business and less time agonizing over whether your business card should be red or blue. By choosing the right professional company to promote your business, you stand to raise brand awareness and ultimately profits.

Before you set out to choose advertising companies in Arizona, you should:

1. Establish an advertising budget. Make a realistic observation of your expenses and follow the budget closely.

2. Make a list of your current advertising plan. Note what works and what doesn't.

3. Look closely at your competitors — and their advertising agencies — and the way they advertise their products. Note what works and what doesn't.

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

Identify your business needs before contacting marketing firms in Arizona

Make a list of your advertising needs--why you need to promote now and what your company would like to see. Prioritize the list, making note of the areas that need the most improvement.

I recommend: Look into the types of promotions a full-service advertising agency in Arizona offers you. Decide whether you require assistance on a small one-time project or many ongoing projects. Discuss marketing and advertising services such as media ads, website creation and brand awareness with companies like The Motta Company.

Research ad firms in Arizona to promote local business

Using local firms not only raises the local economy but also allows you to personally meet with representatives on a regular basis. Ask colleagues for suggestions, go through the Yellow Pages or search online to create a list of about 12-15 agencies you'd like to find out more about.

I recommend: Search AgencyFinder to find full-service advertising agencies in Arizona. Look for firms in your area through the ProductionHUB or search Pheonix, Tuscon and other large cities for quality talent. Barclay Communications is a full-service advertising agency in Arizona, and Papagalos is an Arizona ad agency that's won numerous local awards for achievement in advertising and marketing.

Contact only those that fit your qualifications

Pare your list down to six to eight qualified ad firms. In Arizona -- especially in the large cities -- you have many choices, so narrowing the search allows you to focus on only a handful of great agencies instead of an overwhelming number of okay ones.

I recommend: Contact those Arizona ad agencies on the list to get quotes. Get a free website review from an Arizona ad company like Thrive Marketing and get a better feel for the types of services they offer. Make sure the firms don't work with your direct competitors and feel free to ask difficult questions -- find out which agencies connect best with your staff and share your promotion vision.

Ask for examples from potential Arizona advertising agencies

Check portfolios, ask about previous and current clients and get any references from the marketing firms in Arizona local areas. See what the agency staff has done and what they can do for you. Once you choose an agency, make sure to work together to adhere to the timeline and budget you agree on.

I recommend: Meet the creative team if possible to discuss the various directions they could take your company in terms of printed and online promotion, such as services provided by Phoenix Synergy. Advertising companies in Arizona like Evolution employ highly creative people as well as highly motivated and business savvy people. Companies like Avenue 25 assist you with web hosting, graphics and other areas.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use full-service advertising agencies in Arizona to take on your entire promotion plan or hire an advertising graduate to work on some smaller projects, no matter what your budget.
• •  Note which ad firms in Arizona cities you have worked with in the past and have enjoyed. Pass the business onto a colleague friend who may benefit from using local companies to promote their products throughout the state.