Establish your company's advertising budget before contacting advertising agencies in PA

Make sure you know what you can afford before you get too far into the promotions game. Your small business can do a lot with a little money, so don't think you have to shell out a fortune to a PA ad agency.

I recommend: Make a list the types of advertising you've done in the past and whether or not it was effective. Appoint a point of contact (POC) from your staff to do some preliminary research to find out what PA ad agencies in your area, such as Impact Advertising in Williamsport or Sire Advertising in Selinsgrove, charge for services.

Search for local advertising agencies in PA

Begin your search by asking colleagues for advice. Find out which agencies they've used in the past and whether they will recommend any to you now. Stay away from agencies your competitors have used and seek out PA advertising agencies close to your place of business.

I recommend: Start a list of possible Pennsylvania advertising agencies, concentrating on about 6-10 choices. Look at companies such as Fitzgerald Esplin Advertising in New Hope and Gallagher & Gallagher in Stroudsburg and Scranton, which offer services in advertising, marketing and public relations to give you full service under one roof.

Meet with full-service advertising agencies in Pennsylvania to discuss advertising ideas

Many Pennsylvania advertising companies give you access to a limited portion of their portfolios online so you can see what types of services they offer before you contact them. Take advantage of this, but also make sure to ask for complete and updated portfolios as well as service and price lists when you meet with the representatives.

I recommend: Set up meeting with only about 3-5 agencies you think best suit your business. Contact Ad agencies in Pennsylvania like AdAbility in Camp Hill and Pepperjam in Wilkes-Barre and ask as many questions as you need in order to narrow your list and meet with the agency staff.

Choose the best candidate and begin working with your top Pennsylvania advertising agency

Once you have met with your top choices, discuss the positive and negative qualities of the Pennsylvania ad agencies with your staff and choose the one who seems to best understand your business. Assign your POC to oversee the campaign process and report any changes or deviations from your original plan to you.

I recommend: Hire the agency and get to work, knowing that you have chosen from the best advertising companies PA has to offer. With an ad agency such as Harvest Graphics in Doylestown and Concept One, Inc. in Duncannon, you can add to your campaign as your budget grows, knowing you have talent from multiple areas of promotion working hard for your business. Find more Pennsylvania advertising agencies through the Philly Ad Club.