marketing-toolsThe marketing hiring industry has never had it so easy and so hard to find good talent. The Internet has made it possible to search through thousands of candidates and provides quickly, but that same feature has made it possible for tens of thousands to throw their hat into the same ring as well. That said a good online marketing agency or expert can do wonders for brand development, so going through the hiring process and the marketing hiring industry is a necessity. Here's five easy tools to use to make the work easier.

Avoid the Obvious Goofs

Clearly the tool every hiring party should start out with is a good search engine. Most will immediately think Google, as they are the "Xerox" of the search engine moment, but other engines like Yahoo will do as well. The goal is to quickly peruse the Internet and see what's posted by a provider, whether it be on social media or websites. If it has relevance, the posting will come up. This is a quick, free way to avoid some potential headaches or problematic providers before they ever set foot inside a company building.

See the Sights

Instagram is an interesting free resource as well that is starting to pick up in the marketing industry. Not everyone is on board with the tool, but those that are can really show their stuff sometimes. Since the format is essentially images, this tool is a good way to find up-and-coming image and photography talent for marketing purposes. The geniuses will stand out immediately simply by the quality of the work posted.

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Fish the Sea

LinkedIn is a good farming tool for marketing talent. The best feature about the resource is the fact that most members are quite willing to provide their information in a general format. This allows a hiring party to see a bit more of a firm or candidate versus the tailored prospectus or resume received in the mail just to the hiring party. Inconsistencies can be identified quickly just doing a side-by-side comparison with a received pitch versus what's posted online. In addition to the above, LinkedIn is also searchable by industry, talent and skill set, which provides the ability to filter down faster among viable providers.

Look for Referrals

Does the candidate have any online referrals? Good providers who have already established themselves should be able to point to online work and past clients who can be contacted independently. If not, chances are the candidate is a rookie trying to land his first big job.

Consider the Social Side

A number of social media sites are focused on businesses in particular, and a couple of quick searches might pop up some interesting, free information about a candidate. Yelp is one of the most commonly used for small businesses, but there are a few others as well, some being region-specific. A quick search will produce the services, and then it's just a matter of running a company or individual name through the query box.

Don't Forget to Read

For more information on how to bring in an online marketing provider, whether he be a sole practitioner or a small firm, consider visiting our website, "How to Hire an Inbound Agency." The tips and advice can be invaluable at clearing up the fog of the marketing hiring industry and how to find the better talent for your needs.

Ebook - Hiring An Inbound Marketing Agency - Download

photo credit: toolstop, Gauravonomics via photopin cc

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