If you run a marketing agency, public relations or communications firm, you’re used to being an idea machine. Clients come to you all day long, looking for fresh ideas and help with their marketing challenges.
Clients expect you to stay on top of trends in media, digital marketing, mobile, creative–everything. As marketing, design, user experience, and public relations continue the trend of merging closer and closer together, you’ll need to stay on top of even more information.
So where do YOU turn for inspiration of your own?
We have a few suggestions. Here are 9 agency blogs that are sure to get your creative juices flowing, and help you stay on top of what’s happening in marketing and communications, so you can deliver more value to your clients.
1. Ogilvy
Even if you didn’t run a marketing agency, you’d probably have heard about Ogilvy, since they are one of the top agencies in the world. Their website offers a wealth of information. Read about topics like marketing strategy, PR, technology innovations, behavioral science, and more.
What to read first: Check out their latest report on key digital trends to watch in 2018. Start thinking now about how they will affect your business tomorrow.
2. Ketchum
Ketchum is a PR agency that works with major brands around the world and has won tons awards for their work. This blog is “where [Ketchum] colleagues from around the world share their thoughts and ideas on everything from public relations to social media to crisis communications to marketing.” It’s a fantastic source of industry info that always gets your brain churning.
What to read first: There is so much great stuff here, it’s hard to choose. Most recently, we liked this article about communications lessons learned from spending time in nature.
3. AMP: We have a blog
Young full-service agency AMP has a blog, and we like it. They cover topics like brand strategy, creative, search marketing, social marketing, content strategy, and more. Their blog has an accessible tone, and a focus on helping you keep up with the latest trends and tactics.
What to read first: For a highly actionable example, check out this guide to how brands are using Pinterest, with great impact.
4. Waggener Edstrom Blog (“WE”)
WE is a top global communications and public relations shop that touts itself as living “at the intersection of people, brands and technology” and understands “how to harness a brand’s potential.” WIth those bold ambitions noted, the WE communications blog is a great place to find commentary about brand communications and marketing campaigns.
What to read first: The WE blog also covers important ad industry news, like in this article about the implications of Facebook’s ad strategy.
5. HubSpot Marketing Blog
The Boston-based marketing automation giant, HubSpot, continues to impress us with their blog. It’s packed with bite-sized, actionable, easy-to-read marketing insights and tips. Search for nearly any topic related to modern marketing, from content curation to email templates to creating videos for your small business. You’re likely to find some help and inspiration here.
What to read first: Make use of a few helpful shortcuts with 10 templates that small businesses can use in 2018. Just download or bookmark, customize the templates for your business, and go.
6. SpinSucks
The blog of PR firm Arment Dietrich, SpinSucks is a lively destination for marketing, PR and communications professionals looking to learn new tactics, evaluate digital tools, and generally improve and discuss the craft of strategic communications.
What to read first: If you’re planning out the new year, don’t forget to set aside some time for yourself. Continuing education is important for everyone, but even more so if you run a business. PR and communications pros should read PR Professional Development: Four Things to Consider in 2018.
7. DIYMarketers Blog
Billed as “an online magazine for overwhelmed small business owners on a budget”, DIYMarketers blog commits to helping small business owners focus on only the marketing activities that bring the best results.
What to read first: For a taste of DIYMarketers thoughtful small-business-focused content, read this: The Human Workplace: Using People Power to Maximize Your Tech. The start of a new year is a great time to take a step back and consider the bigger picture of how you organize your business and engage your workforce.
Want to find time to DIY more for your small business? Try these 12 time tracking apps
8. RazorSocial Blog
RazorSocial is a content and social media marketing company that helps small businesses use content to grow and win new business. Their blog offers helpful tips on using technology tools, creating better content, and building partnerships to expand your reach. Their reviews of particular tools or strategies are especially helpful, whether you are a marketing consultant yourself already, or are trying to help a client learn.
What to read first: Recently, RazorSocial published an article on a topic that every single business owner needs to think about: How to manage your online reputation.
9. IDEO: The Octopus Blog
“Design thinking” has been a topic of conversation in a lot of industries lately, and we partially have global design agency IDEO to thank for that. Through a steady stream of engaging and inspiring content, the firm has helped popularize the term and spread the notion that we should design products and experiences with user experience at the center. This is definitely a blog about design, not marketing. It’s still a good read for marketers, though: the thoughtful discussion of product and service design will get you thinking in new ways about how to talk to your customers.
What to read first: Looking for ways to shake up your online routine and spark more creative ideas? Start with this article about how escaping your “filter bubble” can enhance creativity.
We hope these agency blogs give your RSS feed or bookmark list an inspiration boost. What are your favorite sources of marketing and communications agency inspiration?
