There are factors that make the two modalities quite different. One is presented as a partnership that can last months or even years, while the other is a service with a beginning, middle and end, aiming at a specific result. Even so, there is a lot of confusion and many managers do not know which is the best option for their business.
With that in mind, we’ve put together everything you need to know to understand the difference between a communications agency and consulting services. Keep reading and check it out!
The communications agency and the development of strategies
Communication is the basis for the survival and development of companies. Without effective and continuous dialogue with internal and external audiences, it is very difficult to build a solid business.
Good communication depends on analysis, strategy, planning and well-constructed pieces. In these areas, the agency can help a lot.
What is a communications agency?
A communications agency is responsible for analyzing, planning vp engineering email lists and creating strategies or pieces to improve dialogue with the target audience. It can be hired for a specific service or for an indefinite period. Services offered by a company of this type include:
press office ;
digital communication;
internal communication ;
design;
audiovisual production;
editorial production.
Therefore, the manager or entrepreneur must identify the needs of their business and look for a communications agency to solve them. If the “gap” is due to the lack of digital communication, for example, the agency can help the client stay on top of digital trends and be present on the main social media platforms.
In short, a specialized company facilitates the entire brand communication process, making it more objective, strategic and effective in engaging the target audience.
What benefits does the agency provide?
Some time ago, communication was only thought of with an emphasis on external audiences. The goal was to establish a connection with the customer. Today, there is also a strong concern for the internal audience, such as the company's employees.
In this sense, an agency helps to strengthen the company's internal and external ties . With it, it is possible to get closer to customers and encourage purchasing decisions, in addition to motivating professionals in the search for specific results.
The great advantage is that the agency has solid experience, after all, it has already performed the same service in other companies and knows the best way to go. Therefore, the chances of success are greater and it will be possible to save resources.
Another benefit is the reduction in expenses. Creating a communications team within the company would be much more expensive, as it would be necessary to pay salaries and a series of labor taxes, in addition to setting aside a budget for the new team .
Consulting services and fault diagnosis
The consulting model has become increasingly present in organizations. In short, it involves an individual or legal entity with extensive knowledge in a certain subject, capable of diagnosing problems and formulating strategies that lead to solutions.
Therefore, it is a process with a beginning, middle and end. Understand better in the following topics.
What are consulting services?
Unlike a communications agency, consultancy has a well-established period. There is no continuous delivery of services, but rather the identification and resolution of problems. In addition, it is common for the consultant to work in partnership with the company's team and not do all the work alone.
The consulting process can vary greatly, but some of the main steps are:
problem identification;
analysis of current results;
definition of new objectives ;
creation of strategy;
implementation.
In this sense, the consultant becomes responsible for resolving certain “gaps”, but is not part of the team nor does he/she answer to the immediate superior. He/she can be seen as an outsider, that is, someone who comes from outside and helps to improve what is being done.
What benefit does the consulting service generate?
Consulting can be a great option if you don't know where to start or don't understand the root cause of the problem . After all, the consultant will be responsible for making the initial diagnosis.
In this sense, it is important to remember that many failures involve causes that are difficult to identify. Team demotivation, for example, can originate from a lack of communication. Therefore, it is crucial to have someone with the know-how to uncover the problems.
Furthermore, the consulting service will be very important to create a step-by-step process to achieve the desired result. This way, it is possible to abandon the status quo and design a much more competitive business.
The differences between the two modalities
As you can see, there is a big difference between a consulting service and a communications agency. The former should be used in the event of a more specific problem, the cause of which is not clear and the aim is to solve it.
There are several types of consultancy, such as in marketing, communications or people management. To define which one best suits your company, you need to analyze the existing “gaps”.
A communications agency, on the other hand, has a broader scope. It can be responsible for the company's communication with internal and external audiences for an indefinite period of time, creating pieces and strategies to improve communication. Hiring a communications agency can even replace an entire team , which generates savings.
