Working with full-service advertising agencies in Connecticut is a great way to enhance sales and profits of your business. As they create a strategy that covers multiple advertising platforms, you'll see the awareness of your product grow immeasurably if it is done correctly.

But before you go off and start meeting with Connecticut ad agencies, there are some things you should learn about working with them first so that you and your company get the most out of the experience. Here are some tips on how to successfully work with advertising firms in Connecticut so that your business, sales and career thrives.

1. Learn what to expect and how to interact with advertising firms in Connecticut to further your business.

2. Contact and attend association events held by full-service advertising agencies in Connecticut.

3. Educate yourself on what a comprehensive product portfolio looks like when designed by Connecticut Ad agencies.

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

Educate yourself on what it's like to work with Connecticut ad agencies

Before contacting an ad agency in Connecticut, do some cursory research as to what the experience might be like for you as a potential client. Many ad agencies in Connecticut offer comprehensive information on their websites in regard to their specialties and rates. A full service agency will typically provide solutions from print, to the Internet and even television and radio concepts.

I recommend: Check out the website for Image Path. They are a reputable full service advertising agency in Connecticut. On their website, they offer an education detailing what working with their agency will be like, inclusive of responsibilities and what you can expect from the experience. Also check out the website for Digital Surgeons. They are a full service online marketing firm with excellent educational tools on their website in regard to how to advertise over the Internet.

Go to events held by full-service advertising agencies in Connecticut

Another way to further your relationship when potentially working with Connecticut ad firms is to attend industry events where you can compare and contrast different firms. You'll get to see what marketing solutions they can provide to your company. Also you can meet other business owners and learn about what advertising solutions they employ.

I recommend: Check out one of the events hosted by the Ad Club of Connecticut. They hold "meet and greet" events from time to time where you can network with advertising agencies in Connecticut. There you'll be able to educate yourself on what working with one of those firms will be like for your business. Also check out the Connecticut Chapter of the American Marketing Association. They hold industry events for advertisers and potential clients as well.

Find out how advertising agencies in Connecticut put together portfolios

The biggest measure of success of a full service advertising agency is how they combine several forms of advertising into one campaign to sell your product. For instance a slogan and graphic is designed that is incorporated into advertisements online, inserted into a radio commercial, printed in a mailer and even made into a television commercial. Full service ad agencies brand their clients' products so that they are stuck in the zeitgeist of the consumer.

I recommend: Check out the website for DesignCom, as they provide a comprehensive look at portfolios offered by Connecticut advertising agencies. Also check out the website for Mediassociates. A large full service advertising firm, they too offer a look at various ways of marketing from gorilla to snail mail to the Internet.

Your business doesn’t promote itself, so whether you have one person or a team of people working on promotions, sometimes you need more help. Consider hiring professional ad agencies in Connecticut to advertise your product or service locally and nationally.

Use a full-service advertising agency in Connecticut for one small project or a whole campaign—and do it all with one team of creative and business oriented people. Full-service advertising agencies in Connecticut work on all aspects of promotion, from creative design and photography to press releases and media kits. Instead of trying to do it alone, trust Connecticut ad agencies to:

1. Help promote the business you work so hard to keep running. Advertising agencies in Connecticut take away the burden, allowing you to focus on your work.
2. Give you a fresh perspective on advertising and promotional techniques, using a team of creative and business-minded people.
3. Show your clients, consumers and colleagues how great your product or service is, using the latest technology while promoting local economy.

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

Use advertising firms in Connecticut to meet your promotional needs

Look at your current promotional schedule and plan and decide what you need from a full-service ad agency. In Connecticut, you have an opportunity to promote locally and in the surrounding states. Think about the specific ways you would like to advertise your business and how far you would like those advertisements to reach.

I recommend: Consider the right type of agency for your business. Many firms focus on technical advertising and market research while others focus more on entertainment or product marketing. Make a list of your business needs, including media planning, designing, placing and event marketing. Contact Barbeau-Hutchings Advertising, Inc. and Design Images in Connecticut.

Find Connecticut ad agencies in your area

Research promotion agencies in your local area to find the best fit for your business. Ask colleagues which firms they have used in the past and what they liked about them. Make a list of about 10 to 12 advertising agencies in Connecticut to begin your search.

I recommend: Search local Connecticut-based advertising agency listings. Narrow the search to specific towns or areas to find those agencies closest to your business. Use an agency match from Respond.com to connect to agencies that fit your specific criteria with regards to location and type of services offered.

Speak with the ad agencies in Connecticut that seem to meet your needs

Browse websites and ask colleagues about the firms on your list. Narrow your list to about 6-8 possibilities and contact a representative for more information. Set up appointments with the creative team to discuss the direction of your promotion plan.

I recommend: Contact firms online to ask specific questions or to set up a meeting. Most advertising firms in Connecticut have websites with location maps, contact information and portfolios from current and past client work. Ask about marketing coaching or online webinars to help you better understand the advertising game. Contact Maier Advertising or Tweedy & Company, ad agencies in Connecticut.

Make the most of your meeting with a Connecticut ad firm

Bring your list of needs, questions and a sample of your product to the interview meeting. If you are busy, ask that the agency representatives meet at your office-they're often flexible and willing to work with your busy schedule. Listen to the pitch and ask questions about the agency's experience and eagerness to succeed.

I recommend: Always ask for a portfolio of previous and current work. Make sure you point out pieces you like and campaigns that are similar to your own vision. Many full-service advertising agencies in Connecticut prefer to work directly with you on every piece of the project while others take note of what you need and present only a finished product for approval. For ideas, look at the portfolios of companies like Keiler & Company.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Start small and work your way into a larger campaign. With a small budget, you may be able to test a couple print ads or a radio spot before committing to a larger plan with a Connecticut ad firm.
• •  Establish your budget and timeframe and make sure the advertising agency in Connecticut adheres to it. Be realistic with your numbers and look for other free forms of advertising--like word of mouth, a MySpace page or business partnerships to compliment the paid ones.

The Connecticut-based advertising agency business is sophisticated enough to serve its clients much like a similar Manhattan agency would. Connecticut ad agencies south of Hartford tend to serve the New York market, while ad agencies in Connecticut north of Hartford, tend to serve the New England Market, primarily Boston. Full-Service advertising agencies in Connecticut advice and ratings will help you find a partner that can fulfill all of your marketing and advertising needs.

A full service advertising agency in Connecticut should have a media buying department, a creative department along with specialists in print media, electronic media, social media, collateral and online communications. Keep that in mind as you review full-service advertising agencies in Connecticut advice and ratings.

1. Obtain a list of advertising firms in Connecticut and determine which offer a full array of services and which are smaller, boutique firms.

2. Look at objective and subjective reviews of full-service Connecticut ad firms and determine which best meet your needs.

3. Read full-service advertising agencies in Connecticut advice and ratings about awards and honors won by firms in Connecticut.

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

Find a list of full-service advertising agencies in Connecticut

It makes sense to start with a list of all the advertising agencies in Connecticut to review what constitutes full service, see where they are in proximity to your location, and then narrow that down to firms you want to review.

I recommend: The About.com website provides an alphabetical list of all the advertising agencies in Connecticut. Links from that list will help you determine which services each offers. Visit the Salesvantage.com site to get a more specialized list by entering the services that interest you into the site's search engine. This site allows you to define full service for your own needs.

Review and evaluate articles that cover ratings and rankings of ad agencies in Connecticut

Like most competitive businesses, clients, academia and independent concerns review, rank and rate those in the Connecticut ad agency business. These reviews can help you decide which agencies to interview or contact. Simply match your needs with the ranking, rating, or reviewer comment.

I recommend: You can look at logical steps for selecting an ad agency in Connecticut by reviewing that subject at the DirectoryM website. They even offered a featured company they particularly like. At Production Hub, you can enter the criteria and they find an agency list with a subjective description for each to help you choose the best full service Connecticut ad agency for you.

Research full-service advertising agencies in Connecticut advice and ratings to learn agency culture

Find out about the culture at a full service ad agency in Connecticut. Often, culture information will help you determine its fitness for you as a client. Looking at the agency's current client list and portfolio of work will tell a lot about its specialties and its creative talent.

I recommend: Imagepath is one full service agency in Connecticut that offers services covering everything from strategic campaign planning to mail house and printer management. Digital Surgeons is another example of an agency in Connecticut that specializes in Internet advertising and marketing solutions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make a list of your needs and potential media outlets and previous advertising materials you've used prior to contacting a potential Connecticut ad firm. A focused search based on tested methods and knowledge of your expected outcome will simplify the task.

Full-service advertising agencies in Connecticut help promote and build awareness of companies within the state of Connecticut. Through multi-tiered advertising campaigns, these full-service agencies allow the public to learn about and become familiar with the products and services those companies offer.

Take the time to learn some of the terms regarding full-service advertising agencies in Connecticut so you'll be prepared to do business. Here are some of those terms along with resourceful links to help get you started.

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

Event marketing

Event marketing refers to promoting an upcoming event or product launch over a multitude of platforms. For instance, event marketing may include, but not be limited to radio commercials, television commercials, web advertisements, direct mailings and more, all promoting the event to be held.

I recommend: Visit the website for Design Images, a full-service advertising agency in Connecticut, for additional information regarding event marketing.

Branding

Branding refers to the act of associating an image, slogan, jingle, logo or other identifiable object with a business or company. An example would be the golden arches associated with the McDonald's fast food chain.

I recommend: Check out the website for Keiler and Company for additional information on what branding a product or company entails.

Graphic design

Graphic design in relation to advertising agencies relates to the physical aspect of creating images and logos for companies. These images and logos will be seen on everything from a company's website to their direct mailing literature and more.

I recommend: Peruse the Barker Specialty website. Another full-service Connecticut based advertising firm, they have additional information regarding graphic design and how it correlates with an ad campaign.

Copy writing

Copy writing is the text which appears in promotional materials associated with a company. For instance, a pharmaceutical manufacturer launching a new drug will have an advertising agency create 'copy' or text that is in turn used in pamphlets and informational materials handed to doctors and patients.

I recommend: Visit the website for VanAmburg Design Associates for additional information regarding copy writing and how it is integrated into the Connecticut advertising industry.

Web marketing

Web marketing refers to the act of promoting a product or service over the Internet. This includes, but is not limited to banner advertisements, direct email campaigns, website creating and more.

I recommend: Stop by the website for Exposure. A Connecticut based ad agency, they have additional information regarding web marketing and what it entails.

Media buying

Media buying refers to the act of purchasing advertising time or space in everything from radio, television, magazines, newspapers, websites and more. Once the media is bought, content such as commercials or advertisements are created to fill that time or space.

I recommend: Go to the website of Imagepath. Another Connecticut based advertising group, they offer more information on media buying.