10 Essential Questions to Ask a Marketing Firm Before Hiring Them to Promote Your Wedding Venue and Attract More Clients
Since the beginning of time, whoever started the first business, someone was lurking in the shadows thinking of ways to rip that small business owner off. Small business owners are an easy, valuable target for shady marketing firms and individuals who don’t know what they are doing but they are great at selling the dream, “I can help your wedding venue book more weddings”. Small business wedding venues are often serial entrepreneurs with more than one business and limited on the time and technical strategies required to manage an overwhelming small business schedule and manage their digital sales tools properly. This is where shady marketing firms come in, selling a dream, “you run your business, we will manage your SEO, website, blogging, social media and help you book more weddings.” In this article we will share, 10 Essential Questions to Ask a Wedding Marketing Firm Before Hiring!
Unfortunately, most small business owners have little to no understanding of what SEO actually does for your business and how to govern over those you outsource for this role. I myself was ripped off for $2500 a month about 10 years ago by someone I trusted in this role. I turned my tears & business heartbreak into angry motivation, dedicating myself to learn everything I could about SEO, wedding venue specific SEO, website strategies for success and social media marketing for wedding business success. It has been shocking to learn how many so called marketing experts are lurking in every corner of the internet preying on small business owners, especially small business wedding venue owners.
Choosing the right marketing firm is one of the most crucial decisions you’ll make for your wedding venue. The right team can help you attract more couples, rank higher on Google, and grow your business. But the wrong choice? It could lead to wasted money, poor results, and even penalties from search engines like Google.
Before you sign on the dotted line, make sure to ask these 10 essential questions to ensure you’re hiring a firm that’s truly the right fit for your wedding venue.
Before we dive in, I want to share a bit about my background. I run the Wedding Venue Owners & Management Community Group on Facebook, a thriving community of over 7,500 active members.
1. Do You Buy Backlinks?
It’s very likely that this week you have already received a few spam emails from marketing firms claiming they can help you build backlinks. Most often, they will sell you backlinks for $55 to $200 and these backlinks will most likely come from overseas referring domains with low domain authority. These links will come from websites that have nothing to do with the wedding industry and they are not local, therefor, they are useless. Some marketing firms will argue that buying backlinks is perfectly normal & acceptable and you can trick Google to gain a competitive advantage in your market.
Does Your Firm Buy Backlinks As Part Of Your Strategy? This is a make-or-break question. If the firm buys backlinks, walk away. Purchased backlinks are considered spammy and are against Google’s guidelines. Your site could be penalized, wiping out your rankings altogether. Instead, ensure they focus on earning high-quality, organic backlinks from reputable sources.
This opinion will very likely infuriate many marketing firms, they often don’t have the time to build back links naturally, so buying backlinks gives them a fast short cut to showing you positive numbers. A marketing firm that buys overseas and spam backlinks can show you an increase in backlinks quickly, the average small business owner does not understand that these backlinks come from overseas companies and how these backlinks will not provide long term support and can lead to your website losing leads, losing traffic, losing search result ranking and worse.
According to AHREFS– Buying backlinks in short:
- Buying backlinks to help rankings violates Google’s spam policies.
- Google may rank your site lower in results or not at all if it detects paid links.
- Most link builders are happy to take the risk, with 74.3% buying backlinks.
- Paid links cost $83 on average—but they can often cost much more.
- Due to how risky it is, our advice is not to buy backlinks.
PRO TIP: If you want to build backlinks naturally and in compliance with Google best practices, join the Blogging for SEO program for wedding niche specific backlink development and guidance. Use this form to get started, our program is FREE but we have a waiting list to join.
2. Will You Provide Competitor Analysis?
Your wedding venue doesn’t exist in a vacuum. A strong marketing firm will know that and offer to run a competitor analysis. This includes identifying what works for your competitors and where gaps exist that you can take advantage of. If a firm doesn’t offer this service, they might not be thinking strategically about your market.
3. Will You Help Us Develop a Keyword Strategy?
A great keyword strategy is the foundation of any successful SEO campaign. Ask the firm if they’ll help you research and refine the keywords most relevant to your venue. This might include terms like “rustic wedding venue in [city]” or “waterfront wedding locations.” Without this step, it’s hard to target the right audience effectively.
4. Will You Lock Me into a Long-Term Contract?
Be cautious of firms that insist on lengthy, rigid contracts. This could be a red flag if their services don’t meet your expectations. Look for flexibility. A good marketing firm will rely on results to build trust, not long contracts. Month-to-month agreements are often a sign that the firm is confident in what they deliver.
5. Do You Recommend Using Wedding Wire & The Knot?
If the answer is “yes,” consider that a deal breaker. Why? Firms that rely on platforms like Wedding Wire and The Knot often steer you toward paying extra for advertising rather than building your long-term SEO strategy. A great marketing firm will prioritize optimizing your site so you rank organically, avoiding the recurring costs and limited effectiveness of these platforms.
6. What’s Your Approach to Content Marketing?
Meaningful content is vital in attracting couples to your venue. Ask whether the firm will help you create blog posts, guides, or other resources tailored to your audience. For example, they can develop topics like “10 Things to Know When Touring a Wedding Venue” or “The Benefits of Hosting a Winter Wedding.”
7. How Will I Measure Success?
Performance metrics are key to understanding if your marketing strategy is working. Ask how the firm will share progress with you. Will they provide regular reports, metrics like keyword rankings, web traffic, or inquiries generated? A firm unwilling to offer transparency in results is one to avoid.
8. Do You Specialize in Wedding Venues?
Marketing a wedding venue is quite different from other businesses. Ideally, you’ll want a firm with experience in working with venues or related industries. They should understand seasonal considerations, the importance of visuals, and how couples choose their dream location.
9. Can You Provide Case Studies or References?
A reputable firm should be able to share examples of their past successes. Ask for case studies or references, particularly from similar businesses. Hearing directly from other wedding venue owners about their experience will give you peace of mind.
10. How Do You Stay Up to Date with SEO Changes?
SEO is constantly evolving. Google updates its algorithms regularly, and trends in search behavior shift over time. The firm you hire should stay on top of these changes to keep your website competitive. If they don’t have an answer to how they stay updated, they probably aren’t the right fit.
Marketing your wedding venue takes more than just pretty Instagram posts or outdated advertising platforms. By asking these 10 questions up front, you’ll be well-equipped to choose a firm that understands your needs, prioritizes results, and helps your venue shine online.
If you’re ready to grow your wedding venue’s presence but aren’t sure where to start, reach out for a consultation with our team today. With our tailored strategies and years of experience in the wedding industry, we’ll help you build a marketing plan that delivers couples to your door.
20 Questions to Ask a Marketing Firm BEFORE You Hire Them
Hiring a marketing firm is a big decision, especially for entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to ensure every dollar spent contributes to real results. Working with the right marketing firm can amplify your brand, attract more customers, and boost your bottom line. But with countless agencies vying for your attention, how do you ensure you’re making the best choice?
Ask the right questions.
Below, we’ve outlined 20 must-ask questions to help you evaluate and choose the perfect marketing firm for your business.
Getting to Know the Marketing Firm
- What is your firm’s specialty?
Some agencies focus on specific areas like SEO, social media, or email marketing, while others offer end-to-end solutions. Choose one that aligns with your goals.
- How long have you been in business?
Experience matters. A well-established firm is more likely to have refined processes and a proven track record.
- Who are some of your past or current clients?
Look for experience in your industry or with businesses of a size similar to yours. This can increase the likelihood of success.
- What results have you delivered for clients like me?
Ask for tangible examples or case studies to see if the firm delivers measurable ROI.
- Can you share testimonials or references?
Talking to past clients can give you insights into the firm’s professionalism, expertise, and ability to deliver.
Understanding Their Strategy and Process
- How do you approach developing a marketing strategy?
The firm should explain how they’ll understand your business, competitors, and target audience to create a customized plan.
- What tools or platforms do you use?
High-quality firms often use advanced tools like Google Analytics, SEMrush, HubSpot, or others to manage campaigns effectively.
- How do you integrate different marketing channels?
Successful campaigns often involve multiple channels—content, social media, email, PPC, etc. Ensure the firm can create a cohesive strategy.
- How do you measure success?
Make sure they focus on key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to your goals, such as lead generation, sales, or brand awareness.
- What is your process for reporting progress?
Transparency is key. Ask how often you’ll receive updates, what the reports will include, and how they track ROI.
Communication and Collaboration
- Who will be our main point of contact?
Ensure there’s a dedicated person responsible for managing your account and maintaining communication.
- How often will we communicate?
Establish regular check-ins to stay informed about the status of campaigns and evolving strategies.
- What role will I play in the process?
Understand the level of input and collaboration they expect from you to ensure a smooth working relationship.
- How do you handle disagreements or conflicts?
Knowing how they approach challenges will give you confidence in their ability to resolve issues professionally.
Budget and Deliverables
- What are your pricing models?
Find out if they charge hourly, per project, or a retainer fee, and ensure their pricing aligns with your budget.
- Are there extra fees I should know about?
Be clear on any potential hidden charges, like software subscriptions or ad spend that may not be included in their pricing.
- What deliverables can I expect?
Ask about specific outputs like monthly blog posts, ad creatives, or social media posts—and how often you’ll get them.
- What is the expected timeline for results?
Marketing takes time, but a professional firm should give you realistic benchmarks for seeing progress.
Ensuring a Long-Term Fit
- How do you stay updated with marketing trends?
Marketing evolves quickly. Choose a firm that’s proactive in adopting new strategies, tools, and trends.
- Why should we choose you over your competitors?
This open-ended question allows them to share unique selling points and benefits you may not have considered.
Hiring a marketing firm can transform your business—but only if you hire the right one. By asking the questions above, you’ll get a deeper understanding of their expertise, culture, and ability to deliver results.
Looking for a marketing firm that checks all the boxes? Contact us to kickstart your growth today!
