When it comes to effective digital marketing, having a solid content marketing strategy is non-negotiable. But, creating and tactfully distributing content can be a real pain. This is where content marketing agencies come in. A content marketing agency specialises in creating and managing high-quality content that drives inbound marketing success.
For managers and experts in industries like SaaS, digital education, and real estate, choosing the right agency can be a game-changer, helping you overcome challenges like inconsistent messaging and poor engagement. So, let’s explore the best agencies, what makes them the best, and how to choose one.
5 of the Best Content Strategy Agencies
There are so many good content marketing agencies out there but which ones are the best and why? While the “best” can be relative, there are some objective criteria that can indicate why some stand out more than others, which I’ll get into a bit later.
1. Siege Media
Best for fintech, e-commerce, and SaaS companies
I’d say Siege Media is awesome for SEO-focused content that really works. They’re great at creating content that ranks high on Google and brings in lots of visitors. What’s cool is that they don’t just write, they also make graphics and videos to make content pop.
Siege is known for helping big companies like Airbnb and Zillow grow a tonne, so if you’re in fintech, e-commerce, or SaaS, these folks could be your best bet. Rather than creating content, they dive deep into strategy to make sure everything they do helps you grow.
2. Seer Interactive
Best for data-driven businesses seeking innovation
Seer Interactive is all about using data to make smart decisions. They excel at combing through information and figuring out what it means for your business. But, the main reason why I included them on this list is because of how they mix data with creative ideas to come up with unique strategies.
They’re not just about SEO or content, they do it all and make sure everything works together. If you want a team that’s always trying new things and uses the latest tech, Seer might be your pick.
3. NP Digital
Best for companies of all sizes seeking comprehensive digital marketing
NP Digital, started by marketing thought leader Neil Patel, is known for being really good at all things digital marketing. They make strategies that cover everything from SEO to social media and what I really like about them is that they work all kinds of businesses, big and small.
Another thing they’re famous for is giving away lots of free advice, which shows they really know their stuff. For a team that can handle all your online marketing and has a proven track record, NP Digital could be a great choice.
4. Fractl
Best for brands aiming to create viral content campaigns
This is the go-to agency if you want content that gets people talking. A speciality of theirs is making content that goes viral and gets picked up by big news sites. They also focus on data-driven content and maintaining their strong relationships with media outlets to help with distribution. So, if you’re an e-commerce brand looking to make a splash, Fractl could be your answer.
5. Brafton
Best for end-to-end content marketing solutions
Brafton is the definition of a one-stop shop for all things content. They really do it all – writing, videos, graphics, you name it, they do it. But, what’s great about Brafton is that they can handle big projects and work with companies all over the world.
If you check their reviews, you’ll find that they do well when it comes to ensuring your content fits your brand and speaks to your audience. Go for Brafton if you need a lot of different types of content and want a team that can keep up with your needs as you grow.
Key Components of a Content Strategy Agency
Besides their actual content marketing services, here’s a quick summary of what components define a good content marketing agency:
Research
Research is the foundation of effective strategies. A content strategy agency will conduct thorough audience research, competitor analysis, and keyword research to understand what resonates with your target market. This helps tailor the content to meet audience needs and industry trends.
Planning
Agencies outline content calendars, set measurable objectives, and determine what the best channels for distribution are. This strategic planning can be a huge weight off your shoulders, ensuring every piece of content serves a specific purpose and has a good return on investment.
Creation
This is where ideas come to life. Agencies should focus on producing high-quality content, including blog posts, videos, and social media posts that engage and inform. To truly stand out and drive conversions, partnering with the best content creation services can take your content to the next level, ensuring it attracts attention, builds brand loyalty, and delivers measurable results.
Optimisation
Agencies use various SEO techniques, like keyword integration and technical SEO to improve search engine rankings. Continuous monitoring and tweaking of content ensures it stays relevant and effective, adapting to changing algorithms, audience behaviour, and now (if they’re competent) AI and Search Generative Experience.
Governance
Governance is about an agency maintaining standards and consistency across all content. Agencies establish clear guidelines for brand voice, style, and messaging so that all content lines up with your brand identity. Effective governance will keep you on target with your strategic objectives.
Benefits of Working with a Content Marketing Agency
Working with a content marketing agency offers loads of advantages for businesses across various industries. So, let’s dive into why leveraging content marketing services is a smart move for achieving your marketing goals.
- Increased content reach: A content marketing agency helps you expand your digital footprint, leveraging SEO, social media, and other channels to ensure your content reaches a wider audience.
- Expert content marketing skills: These agencies bring expert content marketing skills to the table, crafting engaging, high-quality content that resonates with your audience and drives them towards the desired action.
- Efficient content production: Agencies streamline the content production process, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality content while freeing up your internal resources to focus on more critical tasks.
- Data-driven content strategy: Using advanced analytics and tools, a content strategy develops data-driven content strategies that align with your business goals and effectively target your desired audience.
- Scalable content creation: With scalable content creation services, agencies can adjust their output to match your growing needs, ensuring you always have fresh content to share with your audience. For a deeper dive into effective strategies, check out our guide on how to scale content creation and learn how to grow your content output without sacrificing quality.
- Reduced marketing workload: By outsourcing to one of these agencies, you reduce your team’s workload and let them focus on core business activities.
- Consistent brand messaging: Maintaining a unified voice that strengthens your brand identity and builds trust with your audience isn’t easy. But, content strategy agencies can do this with relative ease.
- Cost-effective: It can be more cost-effective to go with an agency rather than hiring full-time employees and having to invest in tools like Semrush and Surfer SEO.
- Latest content tools: Agencies use the latest tools and technologies to optimise your strategy. This ensures you stay ahead of both the competition and artificial intelligence.
- Maximised content ROI: With enough context an agency can craft a strategy that drives conversions, increases revenue, and cuts out needless steps and expenses.
- Fresh content perspectives: If you want a fresh perspective on content it’s often best to ask an agency. They can bring new ideas and creative approaches.
Content Marketing Agency vs An In-House Team
Choosing a content marketing agency can benefit a lot of businesses. Agencies bring specialised experience and expertise that are key to successful content marketing campaigns. They typically offer a wide range of services and have a deep understanding of current trends and best practices.
Also, agencies give access to large teams of professionals, advanced tools, and analytics, ensuring your strategy is logical and data-driven. This is why I say that companies in SaaS and digital education can gain so much from these services, as staying ahead is crucial.
On the other hand, an in-house team offers more control and direct communication, which could lead to better alignment with your company’s vision and goals. Having an in-house team also ensures that team members are fully dedicated to and well-versed in your brand. This helps with making quick adjustments and more personalised content creation.
If you’re still stuck between the two, a good alternative is outsourcing specific functions. For example, only selecting their specific writing and SEO services like content editing and then doing the rest yourself.
Choosing the Right Content Marketing Agency
So, I’ve given you a rundown of the best agencies but the reality is that the “best” isn’t always the best for you and your operations. To help you, here’s a look at the criteria for finding the perfect match for your needs:
Expertise and experience
A top content marketing agency brings lots of experience and expertise. Look for agencies with a proven track record in your industry. For example, a real estate firm should partner with an agency experienced in property marketing. An easy way to discern this is by checking online reviews and their website to see who they’ve worked with before.
Even if they have negative reviews (which is kind of impossible to avoid), see how they respond to them, if at all. An agency dodging negative criticism is never a good sign.
Approach to content strategy
- Do they focus on data-driven insights?
- Do they customise strategies for each client?
- What are the steps in the process of working with them?
The above are the sorts of questions you should be asking yourself. This can be quite important if your industry changes quickly and thus needs an agency with a flexible business model.
Size and resources
A larger agency might offer more services, but a smaller agency could provide more personalised attention. So, what do you value more? Well, if you’re in SaaS, for example, the complex nature of your industry might mean needing an agency that can provide bespoke support and has a good understanding of your industry.
Client testimonials and references
Testimonials and references are the best way to gauge an agency’s performance. Reading about other client’s experiences can give you confidence in your choice. Be wary of fake testimonials though, as elementary as it sounds, always see if the person in the testimonial is actually real.
Communication and collaboration
Effective communication is another must-have. Choose an agency that values your input and keeps you in the loop, not one that just assumes things and doesn’t ask enough questions.
For example, our dedicated writer service lets you work directly with the writer crafting your content.
Budget constraints
Find an agency that can deliver quality services at a reasonable amount. Granted, sometimes working with a reliable agency can be quite a financial sting, so you also need to be realistic with yourself. This is why it’s smart to look for agencies that have money-back guarantees, as it shows that they’re confident in their abilities.
Services offered
Ideally, they should act as a one-stop shop, providing comprehensive solutions like technical SEO, social media marketing, influencer marketing, email marketing, web development, and, of course, the actual content marketing strategies.
FAQs
What should be included in a content strategy plan?
A good content strategy plan should always be as industry and niche-specific as possible. It should also include the following:
- Your goals – what you want to achieve with your content.
- Who you’re trying to reach – your target audience.
- The types of content you’ll create (like blog posts, videos, or social media posts).
- A schedule for when you’ll publish content.
- How you’ll measure if your content is working.
What are the three components of content strategy?
The three main components of a content strategy are:
- Content creation: Developing valuable, relevant, and engaging content.
- Distribution: Delivering the content to the right audience, using the right channels.
- Management: Organising, maintaining, and optimising content.
How do you measure the success of a content strategy?
Before you begin measuring the success of your content, have a good idea of what you were trying to achieve with it in the first place. Look at your website traffic – are more people visiting your site? Then check your engagement to see if people are liking, sharing, or commenting on your content.
After that, see if you’re getting more leads, if you’re ranking higher in search results, and look at how long people stay on your website.
What are the most common types of content created by strategy agencies?
Strategy agencies often create:
- Blog posts
- Social media content
- Videos
- Infographics
- Ebooks or whitepapers
- Podcasts
- Email newsletters
What are the typical costs associated with hiring a content strategy agency?
The cost of hiring a content strategy agency can vary a lot, but here’s a rough idea:
- Small projects might cost around £800 to £4,000 ($1,000 to $5,000).
- Bigger, ongoing projects could be £4,000 to £40,000 ($5,000 to $50,000) per month.
- Really big companies might spend £800,000 ($100,000) or more per month.
It’s like buying a car – you can get a basic model or a fancy sports car, depending on what you need and can afford. Also, remember that these are ballpark figures and can vary.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right content strategy agency can transform your business by helping you develop comprehensive marketing strategies that actually get results. They’re experts that can help you achieve your marketing goals with precision.
Don’t let the challenges of content creation hold you back – work with top marketing agencies to build your brand and boost your growth. If none of the ones I’ve mentioned seem like they can help you out with your written content or edits, then book a strategy call with me and start your journey towards success
