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Get scholarships to train for advertising companies in California

The advertising industry was among the first to go online, especially ad agencies in CA. As a result, a lot of information is available on the Internet, particularly listings of agencies' clients, capabilities and scholarships available. Educate yourself on various agencies' employment requirements, then apply for scholarships that will help meet the standards.

I recommend: Production hub lists every advertising agency in California with links to their official websites. You can perform your own agency search and never leave your computer. Learn about the annual Paul Barth / Orange Label Scholarship available to California State University advertising students.

Review education and training opportunities for marketing agencies in California

There are dozens of online training opportunities for those who want to learn more about how the advertising business works. You can take these courses in your own home and apply them to almost any full-service California advertising agency.

I recommend: The pro skills courses at EdRef offer a full curriculum for aspiring account executives and continuing education for seasoned pros concentrating in California. The Institute of Advanced Advertising Studies (IAAS) offers annual training by more than one California American Association of Advertising Agencies (AAAA) council.

Find internships at a California full service ad agency

Getting hands-on experience while attending school is the best way to get training for work with California ad agencies.

I recommend: The San Diego Internship Program offers internships for advertising majors in many states across the country, including California. Consider applying for the thinkLA Summer Internship Program that matches applicants with full-service ad agencies in the Los Angeles area.

Guide to Full-Service Advertising Agencies in California

How to get the most from California advertising agencies

By Shannon Ambroson, Writer

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Discuss with staff what your company needs from a California full-service ad agency

Whether you have a small advertising or marketing staff or do it all yourself, meet with your creative staff to discuss your past and future promotion needs. Make a list to take with you when meeting with California advertising companies - identify your preferences for a new ad campaign. Let the ad agency know what appeals to you and also advertising promotions that you don't like.

I recommend: Ask colleagues which agencies they have used in the past and whether they recommend them. Make a list of about 6-10 California advertising agencies to research. Consider Vivid Candi in the Malibu area and BrainBlaze in Fairfax, which both incorporate advertising design and marketing.

Consider possibilities focusing on the California advertising firms' online portfolios and services

Browse agency websites to see which give access to online portfolios. Search through the samples and look at the services the California marketing agencies offer clients. Make note of what you like from each website.

I recommend: Look at professional marketing agencies in California like Executive Marketing Consultants and Star Marketing, which show portfolios including television spots, brochures, print ads and website designs. Dawson Barnett offers assistance with branding, identity and electronic media.

Contact representatives from California ad agencies to set up meetings

Narrow your list to about 3-5 possible media agencies in California and contact the agencies online or by phone to schedule meetings. Ask to see portfolios and price lists for your specific industry and business needs, to get the most from the meeting

I recommend: Schedule meetings with firms like Fernandes Advertising & Design to discuss services like logo and business card design, postcards, print ads and outdoor advertising. Look at Benham Advertising for custom publishing and promotion events assistance.

Hire the best of the advertising agencies in CA to start your new campaign

Once you meet with your top choice agencies and go over the services and creative styles with the staff in charge of your account, choose the full-service advertising agencies in California that best suits your company. Make sure you get along with the staff and share a creative vision.

I recommend: Look for ad agencies in California that focus on the services you really need. Halogen offers assistance in packaging, trade show design and a variety of other advertising and marketing services. Ashford in Fresno also helps you with illustration, public relations and bus advertising to give you more options.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Give ad agencies in CA a small test project to see how the staff does with your small budget and timeline. If they pass your test, hire them for a larger campaign.

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Determine a budget before hiring advertising agencies in CA

It can be easy to get in over your head budge wise, since marketing agencies in California offer so many different services. That's why it's essential that you determine at least an estimated budget beforehand. Then you can give this budget to the agency you pick and tell a representative you do not want to exceed that number.

I recommend: Check out the marketing budget templates available through Microsoft Office Online. Determine what you'd like to do and complete the forms accordingly. Then give them to the accounting department and see if the numbers work. If you find yourself with a budget that is too small to realistically work with, read the ideas the Philanthropy Journal offers on how you can sensibly increase it.

Contact full-service advertising agencies in California to see what they can do

All California advertising firms are different. They have different specialties, costs and years of experience. One way to determine the best agency for your company is to visit the websites of agencies in California.

I recommend: Start with Studio Three Sixty Marketing, which is located in Lake Forest. It gets its name because it does pretty much everything: special events, broadcast media, print and even grassroots marketing. Another agency to check out is Star Marketing in Los Angeles. This agency focuses more on the business development side, such as strategic planning and branding.

Interview California advertising agencies to ensure a good fit

Once you decide on two or three California advertising companies that may be just what you need, the next step is the informational interview. This is where you tell the agency about your goals and brainstorm some initial ideas. Most agencies will not charge for this service as long as you don't take up too much of their time. Full-service advertising agencies in California, for beginners, want to encourage future business.

I recommend: Read Evan Carmichael's article on finding the PR firm that's right for you. It has some very solid advice to get you started. If you find yourself completely stuck, even after you've interviewed a few agencies, you can try the Marketing Matchup service. You enter your specific project and agencies bid on it. Specify that you are looking for California marketing agencies only. Remember, you don't have to use the same firm for all of your tasks, although that does make accounting easier.

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Get prices for advertising companies in California that offer advertising for print media

Print media often refers to newspaper and magazines but also includes brochures, posters and presentation folders. Agencies must design this type of campaign carefully since this media tends to be highly saturated with advertisements. You have to contact the companies for rates and estimates because every customer has different needs.

I recommend: JSC Marketing in Ferndale specializes in cost-effective, results-driven advertising solutions for companies on a budget. Star Marketing provides affordable magazine advertising campaigns and also negotiates media ad rates. Contact them for rates as the company specializes in out-thinking competition when you can't afford to out-spend them.

Find prices on California ad agencies that make radio and television ads

The advertising rate comprises a large portion of the cost for these types of campaigns. The best radio and television advertising agencies will be able to negotiate a competitive ad rate for their clients. Contact companies for rates, since fees aren't usually posted online. Take advantage of free consultations.

I recommend: Young Company provides affordable broadcast advertising solutions for its clients by negotiating effective media buys and other cost-efficient solutions. B Scene Advertising Agency provides cost-effective services by negotiating ad rates from local broadcasters during regular business hours and offers a free initial consultation at your business.

Research prices on a California advertising agency that provides its services on the Internet

Internet advertising agencies may provide websites, web banners and Search Engine Optimization services. They may also provide specific pricing for their services.

I recommend: 3rd Street Marketing specializes in Internet marketing and includes costs such as concept development, copyrighting and design in its package price. Determine your budget for a marketing plan with the free 3rd Street Budget Analysis Tool. Innovate Media provides Pay Per Click (PPC) campaigns that start at $2,500.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  PPC is one of the newer forms of advertising for California marketing agencies. This advertising method costs the advertiser each time a user clicks on a link which redirects the user to the advertiser's website. PPC differs from Cost Per View (CPV) advertising in that the advertiser pays for the click whether or not the user actually views the target website.