Looking for a Creative Agency? Here Are 5 Things You Should Expect

Looking for a creative agency in Leeds? As a hub for media outside London (sorry Manchester), Leeds offers a wealth of creative talent.

But with so many options, choosing the right agency for your business can feel overwhelming. 

You might find yourself wondering “What if it doesn’t work out?”, “will they truly get my brand?” These concerns are entirely normal, especially if this is your first foray into this space.

A great partnership with a creative agency should feel collaborative and rewarding. Knowing what to expect can help make the relationship smooth, productive, and enjoyable.

Here are five key elements to anticipate when working with a quality agency, setting the stage for successful collaboration.

1. Learning always comes first
   A good agency takes time to learn about your business and its unique challenges. 
   This discovery phase often involves a workshop or meeting to absorb as much information as possible before jumping into solutions or recommendations.
   They’ll dive into details that may seem trivial or obvious to you but are an essential first step in the creative process. 
   For example, a request for a website refresh might lead to a deeper conversation about branding and customer experience. 
   Rather than rushing to design, they’ll dig deeper and explore why you think a refresh is needed.
   The reality might be that an updated brand will lead to a website that not only looks great but aligns with your goals and the needs of your customers in ways you had never considered. 
   Like a good doctor, they focus on diagnosing the underlying needs before prescribing the perfect remedy.
2. They make decisions with you, not for you
   After a thorough discovery, any recommendations should feel like a natural progression.
   The proposal should tell a cohesive story of your current situation, challenges, and a proposed solution, usually backed by an insight.
   Insights can come from your customers, analytics, market trends, and anywhere that reveals a hidden truth about the current state of play.
   If the agency provides a creative concept at this stage, it should be grounded in these insights and not new for the sake of being different – you arrive at creative solutions together.
3. Nothing is set in stone
   One advantage of the digital age is that most ideas, designs, and strategies can be amended before they go live. And this option will of course be offered to you.
   You will ultimately sign off on everything that both parties agree on when you discuss how the relationship will work. 
   That said, good creative agencies will expect a level of autonomy that allows them to use their expertise to get the best result. Feedback is healthy and should be invited, but always best served from the perspective of the intended audience, as opposed to personal preference or group opinions.
   Trust is the cornerstone of an effective partnership. Remember, behind every piece of brilliant marketing, there is a brilliant client who trusts their agency to make it happen.
4. Flexibility 
   No two businesses are alike. A good agency recognises this by offering a degree of flexibility that benefits everyone. 
   For example, at Zeal, we work in the way that works for you, as an extension of your team, or as support when you need it.
   We replaced rigid agency retainers with flexible hours to use where they’ll have the most impact – be it your brand, marketing, app or website. 
   Crucially, this means we can adapt your tactics as you grow – so you can move faster, control spending, and focus more time doing your thing.
   Alternatively, if what you need is internal skills to deliver a project, we can help you build the team to do it.
   Our fee structure is flexible too, so if hourly billing isn’t right for you, an equity split or revenue share might be the better choice.
   You spend less and gain a team who are invested in your success.
5. Support to grow 
   A good agency partnership doesn’t end at project delivery.
   After launch, your agency should offer ongoing support, ensuring your brand continues to grow and evolve.
   They’ll monitor performance, collect data, and provide insights to highlight what’s working and where there’s room for improvement.
   Regular updates – whether weekly, monthly, or quarterly, help keep your project on track and ahead of the curve. 
   Whether it’s a campaign that needs tweaking or a design that requires updating in line with seasonal trends, expect the agency to be proactive in keeping your brand relevant and impactful. 

Are you in the market for a creative agency in Leeds to take your business to the next level? We might just be the perfect fit.
Get in touch to book a free discovery call.