[Guest Blog] If Your Computer Says ‘No’…Find a Way to Say ‘Yes’

This is a guest blog written by Aalia Walker of I Spy Marketing, who are hosting Social Media Showcase: The Future of Social Search on 10th Feb.

Agencies of all disciplines have traditionally stuck to their core disciplines. You wouldn’t previously have found media buying, marketing, advertising, digital and PR agencies vying for the same business.

However, the social media land grab has changed that scene forever and the boundaries between online disciplines continue to blur.

Now more than ever a holistic approach is crucial to maximise your offering and servicing your client. If your computer says no to search, app build, or paid media than now more than ever is the time to find that expertise and either build alliances or bring it in-house.

I Spy is a good case in point, we’ve continued to evolve and expand our offering since joining the industry. Originating as a ‘search agency’ we’ve brought in the expertise and creative collaborations required to give the client what they need, without diluting the level of service we’ve come to be respected for. Our number crunching, link building days are now punctuated with creating Facebook apps, devising social media campaigns, developing mobile sites, building display campaigns and even partnering with experiential agencies in order to fulfil the client’s vision and getting the job done.

In fact just this week Justin Pearse, editor of NMA, in his leader piece asserts that the impact of social media on search “is only just starting to be felt and 2011 is sure to be a transformative year. Their increasingly entwined relationship needs to inform your marketing strategy. It’s why agencies such as iCrossing, TBG, iSpy and Tamar, with their heritage in search, have been so quick to integrate social media. It’s why you should be wary of social media specialists that don’t have expertise in search”.

If your computer currently says no to a service that a client needs to complete their package, consider diversifying outside of your traditional heritage through strategic partnerships and hires.

What do you get when you throw a creative lovey, number cruncher and geek in the same room to develop a super social media campaign? Speaking from experience you get an ROI driven, creatively executed campaign that not only looks good, but actually works and delivers results.

If you’d like to find out more about I Spy and our results focussed digital marketing approach come and say hello at Social Media Week. You can also join us at our Social Media Showcase: The Future of Social Search, along with Facebook and Microsoft on 10th Feb. Please contact kateispymarketing [dot] com to reserve a place.