No matter which state you live in, your business requires advertising to let consumers know that your product or service exists. When you also happen to do business in Maryland, you have a lot of choice when it comes to promotion. Hiring Maryland advertising firms fuels the local economy and also allows you to meet face to face with your agents as needed.

Look for full-service advertising agencies in Maryland to promote your business, create a website or fulfill specific needs in terms of advertising and marketing strategies. These agencies generally take care of everything in-house so you don’t have to run around dealing with multiple firms—they handle the creative and business side of marketing. Before choosing a Maryland advertising agency, you should:

1. Set limitations for yourself. Allow someone else to worry about your marketing plan so you can do your job.

2. Establish your marketing and advertising budget. MD advertising agencies are used to working with various budgets and will be willing to create a plan to accommodate your needs and means.

3. Think about your current promotion plan and make a list of what you like and don’t like about it. Look at your competitors’ promotions and list what you like and don’t like about their campaigns as well.

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

Identify your business's advertising needs

Discuss your marketing strategy with your staff and make notes to give to the prospective advertising agencies. In Maryland, and along the East coast, advertising is everywhere. Companies have many local outlets for print, broadcast and outdoor media advertisements.

I recommend: Decide if a full-service advertising agency in Maryland is right for your company. Maryland firms like Crosby Marketing Communications, Aduru and Sass Communications will take care of media planning if you lack the time and specific knowledge, and will suggest a variety of promotions that could include print media, such as magazines and newspapers, and broadcast advertising on the radio and television.

Research local Maryland advertising agencies

Ask colleagues about their experiences with Maryland marketing firms to get some suggestions. Look at your list of your business advertising needs and start to compile a list of about 10 to 12 agencies.

I recommend: Look for a firm that goes above being just a typical advertising agency, like Redhead Companies. Maryland full-service firms focus not only on advertising but also on product development and packaging and creating corporate videos for your business. The Bluewater Agency in Annapolis, Maryland provides a full-spectrum of marketing strategies for business.

Contact only the full-service advertising agencies in Maryland that you trust

Look at your list of 10 to 12 firms and cross out any that you know your competitors work with or that colleagues tell you they had problems with. Narrow the list to about 6 by visiting the agency websites and looking through the online samples.

I recommend: Browse websites and contact the Maryland advertising firms on your narrowed list. Speak to marketing agents and ask for a free consultation to discuss your plans and needs. Ask questions about specific audio, video and other creative services to see that the firm understands your business's vision, and get quotes from the representatives. If you need something specific like audio, make sure the firm has that specialization, like Order Productions.

Meet with the Maryland advertising agencies that made it to your final list

Make appointments with the agencies and ask to meet the creative team and anyone else you may work with to make sure you get along with the staff. Maryland ad agencies are competitive-if you sense a negative vibe, make note of it and choose the company you feel you will best communicate with on the project.

I recommend: Ask to see portfolios, like ones on Enten & Associates' site, and tell the agents what you like about the campaigns they have done in the past. Discuss the past projects, what challenges arose and how they solved any problems to finish the project.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Use full-service advertising agencies in Maryland to take on your entire promotion plan or to work one small project. Work with your budget to create the best possible plan.
• •  Note which ad agencies in Maryland cities you work with so you have a better reference for future projects. Advertising agencies, in Maryland and elsewhere, know you will talk to colleagues about your experiences with their agency. They'll work hard to earn your trust, repeat business and referrals.