Identify your business needs, establish a budget and then contact ad agencies in Texas

Look closely at your current advertising plan and discuss options with your staff, deciding what aspects of marketing are important to your business. Take notes, focusing on what you like and don't like about your plan, so you'll know what to look for when searching for ad agencies in Texas.

I recommend: Browse industry websites to find out what sorts of services you can get from local advertising agencies. Austin, Texas, company Gary Davis Media gives you tips to find out if television advertising is right for your company. The Austin firm, MDS Advertising, works with brand identity, packaging, multimedia and print and online ads.

Find local full-service advertising agencies in Texas

Texas has many large cities and a large variety of creative talent within the state to assist you in advertising locally and nationally. When you're searching, consider the types of promotion you need: outdoor, print, broadcast, press releases or web design.

I recommend: Ask colleagues for suggestions and look in your area for full-service advertising agencies. Houston, Texas, agency MergingDesign uses integrated marketing to help your local or national company continue to grow. Smaller firms such as Briscoe Hall in Kerrville and Hadfield Communications in Cypress offer resources in copywriting, web design and digital marketing.

Contact potential Texas ad agencies and meet with their staff to evaluate the firm

Narrow your search to about 4 to 6 Texas advertising agencies and set up meetings with agency staff. Browse company websites before the meetings, looking at online portfolios and service listings. Ask for a complete list of services and updated portfolios to browse during the meeting.

I recommend: Meet with the creative staff to make sure you get along with the team. Advertising agencies in Dallas, Texas, like agencyHartwell, Bagwell Marketing and M/C/C do more than traditional print and broadcast advertising. Contact the teams to ask about services such as trade show marketing, media planning and crisis management.

Choose a Texas advertising agency and implement your new ad campaign

Once you have met with your top candidates, choose the advertising agency with the most potential to boost your product's brand awareness and company's profits. Appoint a point of contact, POC, to work directly with the agency and report any progress to you.

I recommend: Finalize a budget and promotions campaign with your chosen agency. Have your POC act as liaison between you and the agency, finalizing decisions and making sure your campaign is working. Start small with Texas ad agencies like Ad Cetera in Addison and McKinleyBrown in Waco and add more projects as your budget allows.