Ever wonder how a marketing firm works or if a marketing firm could help a business of your size? GRIT regularly receives questions like these from businesses of all sizes, community members and sometimes even our own families about what we do and how we do it. Keep reading to discover the answers to the seven most frequently asked questions our team hears.
What do you do?
As a full-service marketing agency, we offer many services. Our main services include marketing, branding, public relations, digital marketing and graphic design. More specifically, we combine market research with strategic planning, creative advertising and sharp execution to get our clients noticed and on the path to success.
We know the world has gone digital, and we are quick to adapt. We also know traditional efforts are still making an impact. So, we utilize all marketing opportunities and all media channels to maximize exposure and lead to greater success. We will handle any project from website development, to brand assessment, to crisis communications. We offer the services you need, when you need them and we’re flexible based on your ever-changing needs.
What does GRIT mean?
Originally founded as Moxie Design & Marketing, president, Julie Lando-Cross, decided to rename the agency in 2015 to better describe our dynamic team, the future of the agency and to avoid market confusion. Julie will tell you that Moxie was a name based on what characteristic it took her to open the office while GRIT is based on the team and the future. Our team consists of experts who dig deep and are the true definition of GRIT (courage and resolve, strength of character).
Do you work with small businesses?
At GRIT, we’ve worked with businesses of all sizes. For some, we serve as their full marketing department and for others, we only provide one or two services where support is needed. GRIT offers a small business flexibility in that we can offer as many or as few services that you need. We work well with others and can serve as an extension of your internal team. Working with GRIT means your small business has an outside expert to ensure your marketing strategy and tactics are effective.
How will I know if GRIT services were worth my investment?
Return on investment (ROI) is important to our clients. At GRIT, we take many steps to measure the success of our efforts. Before a new project kicks off, our team works with you to determine how success will be measured. Sometimes success means tracking website traffic, tracking the number of attendees at an event, how much earned media was gained, etc. And other times, success means something else specific to a client such as increasing their connections with key stakeholders. Our team works hand-in-hand with you to define your idea of success upfront so that our efforts can be measured throughout the process.
How much should my marketing budget be?
In general, the U.S. Small Business Administration recommends that a company’s marketing budget should be 7-8 percent of your gross revenue if the business is doing less than $5 million a year. However, it’s important to remember that your marketing budget may shift depending on your goals. As goals shift, the budget may need to adjust. For clients with many goals and limited budgets, we suggest a phased approach that will keep your budget at a percent that is comfortable while still achieving your business goals.
GRIT provides potential clients with a proposal that includes the costs associated with the project before the project starts. Thereafter, if you need a specific cost, reach out to us and we can provide a more detailed number after learning about your needs.
Marketing is the same thing as advertising, right?
Marketing and advertising are not the same concept. Marketing focuses on the systematic process and planning of an organization’s promotional efforts (think strategy), while advertising enhances the marketing effort by focusing on drawing attention to a product or service through paid placement and imagery (think tactics). In short, advertising falls under the marketing umbrella and is used to help visually promote a product or service.
At GRIT we offer both marketing and advertising services. To learn how we can help with your promotional efforts, contact us today!
What types of businesses and industries do you work with?
We work with a diverse clientele and are always open to exploring clients in new industries. Currently we work closely with businesses in the construction, healthcare, education, entertainment, professional services (legal and banking) and food industries.
Are you interested in learning more about how we can help your business grow? Then contact us today! Or, if you still have a question about who we are or what we do at GRIT, send an email to [email protected] and we might just feature it in our next FAQ blog.