Full-service advertising agencies in Iowa exist to help you plan and create your advertisements, promote new products and services to the public and produce special projects such as trade show exhibits, posters and brochures. These agencies become a one-stop shop for all your necessary promotions.

Pick an IA ad agency to work on sales training and promotion materials, write and edit copy and develop and design a more functional website for your small business. Use the agency for a couple small projects or an entire campaign with the agency's strategies in advertising, public relations, graphic design, photography and website development.

Consider an IA advertising firm to:

1. Increase profits with brand awareness. Advertising agencies in Iowa use these strategies to boost customer awareness and loyalty.

2. Allow a professional to handle your promotions so you can go back to your daily commitments.

3. Work with local companies to help local economy and business relationships.

4. Gain a fresh creative perspective for your campaign. Iowa advertising agencies use diverse staff and experience to give your promotions a facelift.

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

Identify your business needs before contacting an Iowa advertising company

Establish a reasonable budget for your project and begin searching for agencies that focus on the services you require. If your small business needs local broadcast commercials or newspaper articles, choose the best advertising agency IA has to offer to produce them.

I recommend: Start to think about what types of promotions you may want from local advertising and branding agencies. Iowa companies like Mission Creative in Dubuque, Insight in Urbandale, Flynn Wright in Des Moines and Adfinity in Cedar Rapids offer services in traditional print and broadcast advertisements, logo and naming assistance, collateral, public relations and direct mail.

Search locally for full-service advertising agencies in Iowa communities near your business

Work with advertising agencies in your area to save money on communication and travel and to take advantage of the agency's knowledge of Iowa communities. Choose an IA advertising company that knows how residents and visitors live, work and spend money in the state.

I recommend: Make a list of about 12 to 20 agencies in the state. Look at an Iowa ad agency like HRB Services and J.W. Morton Cedar Rapids and The Powers of Communication in Dubuque to give you services in point of sale and tradeshow exhibit design, company newsletters, event planning, press releases and media kits.

Contact your top IA full-service ad agency choices to set up meetings

Browse agency websites to view online portfolios, service lists and contact information. Narrow your list to about 6 to 10 local firms and contact representatives to set up meetings with an advertising agent. Consider firms in larger cities like Des Moines, Ames, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City when narrowing your list as you will have more choices in larger areas.

I recommend: Meet with representatives from each top choice advertising agency. Des Moines, Iowa, area agencies like REL Productions, Wesley Day Advertising and Cooper Smith & Company offer a variety of services in multimedia, corporate identity, strategic planning and video production.

Hire the best advertising agency Iowa has to offer and implement your new plan

Listen to presentations, view updated portfolios, discuss prices and finally choose an advertising agency. Iowa firms located all over the state work to promote your business within your small town, across the state or nationally using both traditional advertising methods and more modern strategies.

I recommend: Finalize your budget and timeline with your new advertising agency of Iowa and begin working on your new plan as soon as possible. Task agencies like Lessing Flynn and Sayles Graphic Design in Des Moines and Blackwood Media Group in Dubuque to work on audio/video production, packaging, company literature, special publications and custom gifts.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Continue to use other forms of free advertising along with the paid ads from Iowa advertising agencies. Consider word-of-mouth, a MySpace of Facebook profile and business partnerships to complement your paid promotions.
• •  Start with a small promotion plan with your choice advertising agency. IA firms, like any advertising firms, can be expensive. Make sure you trust the firm to work with your budget and deadlines before you commit to a large campaign.