If you're a business owner or manager with a real business you'll eventually get to the point where the question changes from, "Do I need marketing help?" to "How do I find the best marketing help?" Problem is, finding the best marketing help isn't so easy. This will help. 1) See the Work. Marketing "experts" tend to be great talkers. In fact, many are really more sales people than true marketing pros with the perspective, talent, and credentials to do what's truly best for your business. So, listen to the pitch, then look at the work. And, be sure to invest the necessary time to do that. It's the best starting point to finding the best help. But, that's just the first step. 2) Check out Credentials and Experience. Professional pedigree and experience provides a valuable perspective of who you're dealing with. Once again, talk is cheap, so there'd better be a kick-ass bio or two on the website. 3) Results. Ultimately, it comes down to this. So, on their website do they display great testimonials and case studies? Do they post a few, or many? Do they talk about results? No marketing resource should be seriously considered if they don't. 4) Be aware of The Hidden Agenda. Too many "experts" just aren't. Or, their expertise is limited to a specific niche which -- despite what they may claim -- means they can't give you the honest, objective help you need. It's kinda like your personal health. If you have a problem and aren't 110% sure what it is, it's best to start with a trusted doctor than a surgeon. 5) How well do they market themselves? It amazes me how many marketing "experts" shrug off their own lame marketing with "the shoemaker's shoes" excuse. If anyone should be great at their own marketing it should be the marketing firm you're considering. Which ties into ... 6) G-Cred. (Google Credibility) is what shows up when you "Google" a business, a name, or anything. It's an easy, valuable litmus test of any marketing service or person you're considering working with. Wanna test it? Google: "Follis marketing" 7) Do they know Social Media? And, more importantly, are they engaged it? Do they have a great blog, Facebook brand page, YouTube videos, Twitter account, podcast, etc? They'd better. 8) Awards. Some agencies put way too much emphasis on awards, but you'll want to work with one that's got some. 9) Press. Press-worthy work is a great, free, added benefit for you, the client. It's another key litmus test. So, have they gotten any? And, if so, are we talking the local Penny Saver or The New York Times? 10) Are they a respected Thought Leader? The more respected they are in their industry, the better the odds are that you can trust them and have a good working relationship. So, some things to find out: Have they been nationally published? Do they speak at high profile venues? Have they been interviewed? Are they profiled on Wikipedia? 11) Do they make it easy to work together? Investing in marketing help can be a scary proposition for any business owner. So, have they developed an easy way to start the process and test the waters? 12) Are they driven and passionate about their business? It's one of the most important, yet most overlooked, items on the list. If you're passionate about your business you'll want to work with someone equally passionate about theirs. It really does make a difference. (See: "The Power of Passion") (c) 2012 Follis LLC See more articles.