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What We Think

Your Top 20 Questions About Managed Marketing Services, Answered

Discover what managed marketing services are, how they benefit your organization, and what to consider when choosing a provider. Learn about the latest trends, costs, and how MMS can elevate your marketing efforts.
August 1, 2024
Insight
Your Top 20 Questions About Managed Marketing Services, Answered

Are you looking to elevate your organization's marketing but struggling with limited time and resources? Managed marketing services (MMS) could be the solution. Think of it as managed IT, but for your marketing needs – a dedicated team of experts who handle your campaigns, allowing you to focus on your core mission.

But what exactly are MMS? And how do you know if they're right for you? Let's dive into the top questions we often see:

1. What are managed marketing services?

MMS provides ongoing, strategic marketing support. This includes everything from content creation (videos, social media posts, etc.) to campaign development, analytics, and more. It's a comprehensive solution that allows organizations to offload their marketing needs to experts, ensuring consistent, high-quality output.

Given that we're video-first and can appear on production days with cinema-grade equipment (up to 8K) without costly rentals, our MMS offerings are unique. If you're looking for more generic approaches, we can point you towards these types of providers.

2. How do managed marketing services differ from traditional marketing approaches?

Traditional marketing often involves project-based work with external agencies or in-house teams with limited bandwidth. MMS, on the other hand, is a long-term partnership with continuous support and a holistic approach. You get a team that understands your organization's goals and works proactively to achieve them.

Providers may also have dedicated methodologies for solving the unique challenges associated with MMS.

3. What are the key benefits of using managed marketing services?

The benefits are many! MMS can streamline your marketing and video production efforts, provide expert insights, and drive cost-effective growth. This translates to stronger engagement with your audience, improved brand visibility, and, for nonprofits, increased fundraising success.

For healthcare organizations, this means deeper patient reach and engagement, which is linked to satisfaction and ultimately, revenue.

4. How can managed marketing services improve ROI for businesses?

MMS delivers expertly crafted campaigns and high-quality content that resonates with audiences who prefer episodic content. This leads to higher engagement, better brand recall, and ultimately, a significant return on investment.

5. What should you look for in a managed marketing service provider?

Choose a provider who understands your mission and values. They should have a proven track record in your sector (education, nonprofit, healthcare, public agency), offer a comprehensive skillset (content creation, strategy, analytics), and be able to align their campaign development with your organizational goals.

If they are thinking ambitiously 2-4 years into the future, this is a plus! This may also mean they have experience with longevity and marathon-style contracts where they grew alongside the client.

6. How do managed marketing services integrate with existing marketing strategies?

MMS seamlessly integrates with your current efforts. They can enhance your existing content, introduce new technologies and strategies, and provide valuable insights to ensure all your marketing initiatives are cohesive and aligned.

They can also augment team outputs and encourage internal A/V professionals to work smarter, more efficiently, etc., which drives cost savings in the long run.

7. What types of businesses or organizations benefit most from managed marketing services?

Organizations that need consistent, high-quality marketing outputs benefit the most. This includes those in the social sector (education, nonprofits, healthcare), where storytelling and audience engagement are paramount. But businesses across all sectors can leverage MMS to elevate their marketing efforts.

8. How are results measured in managed marketing services?

Results are tracked through key performance indicators (KPIs) tailored to your goals. These may include engagement metrics, brand recall, audience growth, website traffic, and fundraising success. Analytics tools are used to monitor progress and adapt strategies as needed.

9. What are common challenges faced when using managed marketing services?

Some challenges may include integrating an external team with your internal culture, aligning long-term strategies with short-term goals, and ensuring data security and compliance.

However, a good MMS provider will proactively address these issues through close collaboration and transparent communication.

10. How customizable are managed marketing services?

MMS is highly customizable. You can opt for episodic campaigns, ongoing content calendars, or a combination of both. Your provider can also tailor their approach to specific themes or focuses, such as sustainability or community engagement.

Too much customizability can be a deterrent, however, to true partnership and best-in-class creative output. It helps to strike a balance and remain cognizant that one is hiring an expert(s) to perform a job, and instead, focus on the achievable outcomes.

11. How do managed marketing services ensure brand consistency and protect our organization's reputation?

This is a crucial question for organizations, particularly those in the public sector or healthcare, where maintaining a positive brand image and adhering to strict communication guidelines is paramount.

A good MMS provider will have robust processes in place to ensure brand consistency across all channels and protect your organization's reputation.

12. How do managed marketing services handle data security and privacy?

Reputable providers adhere to strict standards and regulations, especially crucial for organizations dealing with sensitive information (e.g., healthcare). They ensure all marketing practices comply with legal requirements.

13. Can managed marketing services support both online and offline marketing efforts?

Yes! MMS providers can offer comprehensive support across both digital and traditional channels. This ensures a unified approach that maximizes your reach and impact.

Some video production companies even sell packages whereby they turn their high-quality digital stills into postcards.

14. How frequently should you review and adjust your managed marketing services strategy?

Regular strategic reviews are essential. Most organizations conduct these quarterly or bi-annually, allowing them to adapt to changing market conditions, audience responses, and organizational goals.

15. What are the latest trends in managed marketing services?

Trends include leveraging AI for content creation and transcriptions, focusing on sustainability and social responsibility, personalizing content for higher engagement, and increasing the use of video and dynamic content. A good MMS provider will keep you at the forefront of these trends.

They should also understand which trends are short-term curiosities and which have evergreen-like properties.

16. How can managed marketing services aid in customer retention?

By creating engaging, relevant content that resonates with your audience's values and needs, MMS fosters a deeper connection and loyalty to your brand.

17. What role do managed marketing services play in content creation and management?

They play a central role! MMS providers handle everything from video production and editing to social media management, ensuring your content is not only high-quality but also strategically aligned with your messaging.

B-roll archive management has been a popular request in 2024 and we expect to see this more in 2025.

18. How do managed marketing services adapt to changes in the market or industry?

They maintain flexibility and are quick to adopt new technologies and strategies. This ensures that your marketing efforts remain effective and relevant even as the landscape shifts.

19. Can managed marketing services help in crisis management?

Absolutely. In times of crisis, MMS providers can swiftly develop and deploy effective communication strategies, helping you navigate challenges while maintaining stakeholder trust and confidence.

It is important, though, to establish the rules of urgent requests early. Some providers may charge a premium for quick turnarounds, while others may charge for scope adjustments, etc.

20. How do you transition from an in-house marketing team to a managed marketing service?

Transitions that are disruptive are rare, since most MMS operate like any other vendor or video production contractor.

A full transition involves a detailed planning phase. The MMS provider assesses your current strategy, integrates with your team, and gradually takes over specific tasks. This ensures a smooth handover and continuity in your branding.

A hybrid transition is recommended, as this saves time and tends to not displace FTEs. Hybrid contracts are more fluid and can be more creative in the long run (by leveraging the strengths of all parties).

Bonus Question: How do managed marketing service costs vary, and what factors into the pricing?

Costs can vary widely depending on your organization's specific needs and the scope of services. Factors influencing pricing include your target audience, the level of management required (hybrid or full-service), and the type of content desired (e.g., frequent social media updates vs. documentaries).

At Goodsides, we understand that each client is unique. Our pricing model is flexible and tailored to your specific context.

We assess each partnership individually, considering the benefits it brings to both parties and the volume commitments made by the client. Our goal is to provide impactful, cost-effective video production services backed by a value promise.

Contact us today to learn more!