20 Best Content Marketing Agencies in Chicago
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Content marketing has become one of the most popular strategies for small and large businesses to increase online visibility and engagement with their target audience.
Content marketing involves posting engaging and relevant content on different digital and social media platforms, including websites, to attract audiences from different parts of the world.
Chicago boasts not only a picturesque array of bridges but also high-quality content marketing agencies that provide the best strategies to help businesses stay ahead of competition and attract target customers.
In this article, you can find a list of the top content marketing agencies in Chicago that have experienced content marketing specialists who can develop mind-blowing content through emails, blogs, social media posts, infographics, white papers, and press releases to strengthen relationships with your customers and increase your sales and revenue.
A content marketing agency specializes in creating, distributing, and managing content that attracts and engages target audiences. They help businesses build brand awareness, generate leads, and drive sales through various types of content, including blogs, videos, social media posts, and more. Their goal is to provide valuable, relevant content that resonates with the audience and supports overall marketing objectives.
A content marketing agency provides a range of services to help businesses effectively reach and engage their target audience through high-quality content. Here are the key activities they undertake:
- Content Strategy Development:
- Create a comprehensive content strategy aligned with business goals.
- Conduct audience research to understand the needs and preferences of the target market.
- Content Creation:
- Produce various types of content, including blog posts, articles, videos, infographics, eBooks, and social media posts.
- Ensure all content is high-quality, engaging, and optimized for search engines (SEO).
- Content Distribution:
- Develop a distribution plan to share content across multiple channels, such as websites, social media platforms, email newsletters, and third-party sites.
- Utilize content promotion strategies to increase reach and engagement.
- SEO and Keyword Research:
- Conduct keyword research to identify relevant search terms and topics.
- Optimize content to improve search engine rankings and drive organic traffic.
- Social Media Management:
- Create and manage social media content to build brand presence and engage with followers.
- Monitor social media channels and respond to audience interactions.
- Performance Analytics and Reporting:
- Track the performance of content using analytics tools.
- Provide regular reports on key metrics such as traffic, engagement, and conversions.
- Use data insights to refine and improve content strategies.
- Content Audits and Optimization:
- Conduct content audits to assess the effectiveness of existing content.
- Optimize and update content to ensure it remains relevant and valuable over time.
By offering these services, a content marketing agency helps businesses attract, engage, and convert their target audience through strategic and compelling content.
To better understand the distinction between a content marketing agency and a digital marketing agency, here’s a side-by-side comparison:
| Services | Content Marketing Agencies | Digital Marketing Agencies |
|---|---|---|
| Content Strategy Development | ✔ | ✔ |
| Content Creation (blogs, videos) | ✔ | ✔ |
| SEO and Keyword Research | ✔ | ✔ |
| Social Media Management | ✔ | ✔ |
| Email Marketing | ✔ | |
| PPC & Native Advertising | ✔ | |
| Web Design & Development | ✔ | |
| Conversion Rate Optimization | ✔ | |
| Analytics and Reporting | ✔ | ✔ |
In summary, while both agencies focus on digital strategies to engage audiences, a content marketing agency specializes in creating and distributing high-quality content to attract and retain customers. On the other hand, a digital marketing agency offers a broader range of online marketing services, including email marketing, PPC, web development, and conversion optimization, alongside content creation and SEO.
Content marketing agencies offer a variety of services that cater to different aspects of online marketing. Each service comes with its own set of costs, reflecting the expertise and resources required to deliver high-quality results. Here is an overview of these services and their costs.
Content Marketing Campaign Costs:
- Monthly cost for medium-sized business: $10,000 – $20,000
- Monthly cost for high competition verticals: $30,000 – $60,000
Blog Design:
- Cost range: $8,000 – $15,000
Blog Post:
- Cost per post: $1,500 – $6,000
Infographic Research + Design:
- Cost: $3,000 – $4,000
Animated Infographic Research + Design:
- Cost: $7,200
Videos:
- Cost per minute: $3,500
- Two-minute video: $6,000 – $8,000
Content with Original Photography:
- Cost per post: $4,000 – $6,000
Interactives:
- Cost: $10,000+
Content Outreach Costs:
- Hourly rate: $90 – $110/hour
- Total cost per post: $3,200 – $5,500 (for 20 to 60 hours of outreach)
Now lets go through more details in each service:
Campaign Costs
Content marketing campaigns for medium-sized businesses cost between $10,000 and $20,000 per month. In competitive industries, this can rise to $30,000 – $60,000 per month. These campaigns include a mix of services to create a comprehensive strategy.
Blog Design
An engaging blog design costs between $8,000 and $15,000. A well-designed blog can significantly impact your content’s effectiveness, improving user experience and increasing reader engagement. Good design can improve outcomes by up to 50%.
Blog Posts
High-quality blog posts cost between $1,500 and $6,000. This cost covers expert writing by subject matter experts, thorough editing, and the inclusion of rich visuals. Quality content creation involves multiple roles working together to ensure the final product is engaging and effective.
Infographics
Creating infographics involves significant research and design effort, costing between $3,000 and $4,000. This investment covers the work of skilled designers and researchers to produce visually appealing content. Animated infographics cost around $7,200 due to the additional time and expertise required for animation.
Video Production
Videos are a powerful content format, with basic videos costing about $3,500 per minute. More complex productions, like a two-minute video, range from $6,000 to $8,000. These costs include casting, videography, scripting, and other production elements.
Original Photography
Adding original photography to your content costs between $4,000 and $6,000 per post. This includes expenses for professional photo shoots, studio time, and editing. Original photography helps create unique and visually appealing content that stands out.
Interactive Content
Creating interactive content starts at $10,000. This includes work by experienced UX designers and developers. Interactive content provides a differentiated user experience, making it a valuable investment for enhancing engagement.
Content Outreach
Effective content outreach costs between $3,200 and $5,500 per post. This is based on 20 to 60 hours of work at $90 – $110 per hour. Outreach activities include cold outreach, additional distribution on platforms like Reddit, and engagement within social communities.
By understanding these costs, businesses can make informed decisions about their content marketing investments.
Hiring a content marketing agency can be a game-changer for your business. Here’s why it’s worth considering.
First off, expertise. Agencies bring a team of professionals who specialize in different areas like writing, design, SEO, and social media. They know what works and what doesn’t, so you’re not wasting time and money on trial and error.
Next, quality. High-quality content isn’t just about writing well—it’s about strategy, research, and knowing how to engage your audience. Agencies have the tools and experience to create content that stands out and drives results.
Then there’s consistency. Keeping up with a regular posting schedule is tough when you’re juggling other business tasks. An agency ensures your content calendar is always full, keeping your audience engaged and coming back for more.
Let’s not forget about time. Creating great content takes a lot of it. By outsourcing to an agency, you free up your schedule to focus on what you do best—running your business.
Lastly, results. A good agency tracks the performance of your content, making data-driven adjustments to ensure you’re getting the best return on your investment. They aim for real, measurable results like increased traffic, leads, and sales.
In a nutshell, hiring a content marketing agency brings expertise, quality, consistency, time savings, and measurable results to your marketing efforts. It’s an investment that can pay off big time.
Choosing the right content marketing agency can make a significant difference in your business’s success. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you find the best one for your needs.
- Identify Your Marketing Goals:
- Clearly outline what you aim to achieve with your content marketing. Whether it's increasing website traffic, generating leads, improving SEO, or building brand awareness, having specific goals will help you find an agency that specializes in those areas.
- Assess Your Budget:
- Determine how much you can afford to spend on content marketing. Knowing your budget will help you narrow down your options and focus on agencies within your financial range.
- Research Potential Agencies:
- Create a list of potential agencies by searching online, asking for recommendations, and checking industry directories. Look for agencies with good reviews and a strong online presence.
- Review Their Portfolio:
- Examine the portfolios of shortlisted agencies to see their previous work. Look for case studies and examples of content they've created for clients in your industry or with similar goals.
- Check Client Testimonials:
- Read client testimonials and reviews on the agency’s website and third-party sites like Google and Clutch. Pay attention to feedback about their communication, expertise, and results.
- Verify Industry Experience:
- Ensure the agency has experience in your specific industry. Agencies with industry-specific knowledge will better understand your target audience and how to engage them effectively.
- Evaluate Their Content Quality:
- Review the quality of the agency’s own content, including blog posts, social media, and website. High-quality, engaging content on their own platforms indicates their capability to deliver the same for you.
- Understand Their Process:
- Ask the agency to explain their content creation process. Understand how they develop content strategies, conduct research, create content, and measure success. Ensure their process aligns with your expectations.
- Meet the Team:
- Request to meet the team members who will be working on your account. This can include writers, designers, strategists, and account managers. Assess their expertise and how well you communicate with them.
- Discuss SEO Strategies:
- Inquire about their approach to SEO. Ensure they perform comprehensive keyword research, optimize on-page elements, and have a strategy for building high-quality backlinks.
- Explore Content Distribution Methods:
- Understand how they plan to distribute your content. Effective distribution methods include social media, email marketing, guest blogging, and influencer outreach.
- Check Their Reporting and Analytics:
- Ask how they measure and report on the success of their content. Ensure they provide regular, detailed reports on key performance indicators (KPIs) like traffic, engagement, leads, and ROI.
- Review Their Tools and Technologies:
- Find out what tools and technologies the agency uses for content creation, SEO, analytics, and project management. Ensure they use reputable and effective platforms.
- Understand Their Pricing Structure:
- Get a clear understanding of their pricing. Ask for a detailed breakdown of costs and what is included in their services. Be wary of hidden fees and ensure their pricing fits your budget.
- Assess Communication and Collaboration:
- Ensure the agency is responsive and willing to collaborate with your team. Establish how often you will have meetings, who your main point of contact will be, and their preferred communication methods.
- Request a Proposal:
- Ask the agency to provide a proposal outlining their recommended strategy, services, timelines, and costs. Review this proposal in detail to ensure it aligns with your goals and budget.
- Ask for References:
- Request references from current or past clients. Contact these references to get an honest assessment of the agency’s performance, reliability, and results.
- Evaluate Long-Term Potential:
- Consider the agency’s potential for a long-term partnership. Content marketing is a continuous effort, and you’ll want an agency that can evolve with your business and continue to deliver results.
- Check for Cultural Fit:
- Ensure the agency’s culture aligns with your company’s values and working style. A good cultural fit can lead to a more productive and enjoyable partnership.
- Make a Decision:
- After thorough evaluation, compare your findings and choose the agency that best meets your criteria. Trust your instincts and select the agency you believe will help you achieve your content marketing goals most effectively.
By following these detailed steps, you can confidently choose the best content marketing agency for your business.
Agency Background and Experience
- Do you have experience working in our industry?
- Can you provide case studies or examples of your work with similar clients?
Services and Processes
- What specific content marketing services do you offer?
- How do you develop content strategies?
- What tools and platforms do you use for content creation, SEO, and analytics?
Content Quality and Expertise
- Can you provide examples of high-quality content you have produced?
- Who will be responsible for creating our content (writers, editors, designers)?
SEO and Content Distribution
- What is your approach to SEO and keyword research?
- What are your strategies for content distribution and promotion?
Reporting and Analytics
- How do you measure the success of your content marketing efforts?
- What key performance indicators (KPIs) do you track?
- How often will we receive performance reports?
Communication and Collaboration
- How often will we have meetings to discuss progress and strategy?
- Who will be our main point of contact?
Pricing and Contracts
- What is your pricing structure?
- Are there any additional costs we should be aware of?
By asking these key questions, you can ensure that you choose a content marketing agency that aligns with your goals, has a proven track record, and can deliver the results you’re looking for.
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Our Rating Guidelines
Ranked: The Best Content Marketing Agencies In Chicago
We've shortlisted the best ones for you and made it easy to only contact AAA or AA-rated agencies.
However, before you decide to go with anyone I recommend 2 things:
Either use our agency finder above. Use our expertise and let us help you find the ideal agency for you, from our worldwide contact database.
Or, if you are sure you'd like a local agency, set up meetings with the highly-rated agencies on this list, and test them for clear expectations from you/clear customer qualifications, clear onboarding process, clear long-term focused objectives, and clear communication.
And most important, don't fall for short-term hacks some poor quality agencies try to sell you on.
Look for long-term strategy, protecting your brand and clear timelines.
1. Wpromote
Founded Year: 2001
Website: wpromote.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: Wpromote is a top content marketing agency in Chicago that engages customers with meaningful and informative content about your brand to increase their customer engagement.
Their team of content strategists accelerates brand recognition and brand loyalty through discovery, planning, and execution. They build customized campaigns to align with client objectives and content requirements.
Case Studies: Pending submission
2. Comrade
Founded Year: 2008
Website: comradeweb.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: Comrade is a leading content marketing agency in Chicago that establishes brand awareness and customer engagement by developing meaningful content to effectively promote your products and services to the target audience.
They can communicate your brand value to customers through emails, social media content, blog posts, and newsletters. The company provides a customized content marketing package based on the type and amount of content you need each month.
Case Studies: Pending submission
3. VisualFizz
Founded Year: 2017
Website: visualfizz.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: VisualFizz is a reputed content marketing agency in Chicago offering content marketing strategies to establish expertise, promote brand awareness, and increase sales.
They develop branded content calendars, blog content, ebooks, white papers, newsletters, and updates to boost customer engagement. The company can customize content according to your requirements at cost-effective prices to boost your content strategy methods.
Case Studies: Pending submission
4. 222 Digital Marketing
Founded Year: 2017
Website: 222digitalmarketing.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: 222 Digital Marketing is a prominent content marketing agency in Chicago that provides content marketing strategies to improve your brand profile and online reputation.
They have a team of content marketing specialists who can develop informative content through emails, blogs, website content, press releases, white papers, and social media posts to attract your target audience.
Case Studies: Pending submission
5. The Loop Marketing
Founded Year: 2009
Website: theloopmarketing.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: The Loop Marketing is a popular content marketing agency in Chicago that develops unique content according to your marketing needs to attract potential customers from all over the world.
The company specializes in educating, entertaining, and building connections with your target audience by developing content marketing strategies using the latest technology. Their team of content marketing experts can build your brand authority among target customers to boost organic traffic to your website.
Case Studies: Pending submission
6. Digital Authority Partners
Founded Year: 2016
Website: digitalauthority.me
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: Digital Authority Partners is a trusted content marketing agency in Chicago that uses content marketing strategies to boost qualified leads and customer engagement. The company has a team of content marketing experts who can post engaging content on your websites to attract more visitors and convert them into paying customers.
The company specializes in creating content marketing strategies by analyzing your target audience behavior, competitors, and brand market to get your brand online and build strong authority over your customers.
Case Studies: Pending submission
7. Dabaran
Founded Year: 2007
Website: dabaran.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: Dabaran is a professional content marketing agency in Chicago that helps small and large businesses develop high-quality content marketing strategies to attract potential customers and build brand awareness online.
They provide valuable and engaging content to your customers on your website to boost your organic traffic and generate qualified leads. The company excels at captivating the attention of existing and new customers by providing them with meaningful content and increasing customer loyalty and engagement.
Case Studies: Pending submission
8. Marcel Digital
Founded Year: 2003
Website: marceldigital.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: Marcel Digital is a distinguished content marketing agency in Chicago that provides good and meaningful content to improve brand awareness and reach among target customers effectively.
They have a team of professionals who can develop full content marketing strategies according to your business requirements and target audience behavior to cultivate better conversion rates and customer engagement with your audience.
Case Studies: Pending submission
9. Imagination
Founded Year: 1994
Website: imaginepub.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: Imagination is a reliable content marketing agency in Chicago that connects audiences with small and midsize businesses through engaging content to boost brand visibility and authority.
They have a team of content marketers who can develop different content strategies for businesses to deliver meaningful content for promoting their products and services to the right audience at the right time. The company specializes in powerful data-driven content strategy development and analysis to get the best return on your investment.
Case Studies: Pending submission
10. Propllr
Founded Year: 2011
Website: propllr.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: Propllr is a unique content marketing agency in Chicago that writes and develops killer content marketing strategies for businesses to attract potential customers from different parts of the world.
The company specializes in catering to the content marketing needs of technology and software companies with its team of content marketing experts.
Case Studies: Pending submission
11. OneIMS
Founded Year: 2006
Website: oneims.com
Reputation Score: AA
About the agency: OneIMS is a dependable content marketing agency in Chicago that provides high-quality content for small and large businesses to build visibility, awareness, and customer engagement.
The company has decades of experience in writing and developing engaging content for websites, social media, and digital platforms to boost authority among its target audience. They can track the content in real-time and produce reports for improvement and optimization.
Case Studies: Pending submission
12. Connections Marketing
Founded Year: 2009
Website: connectionsmarketing.com
Reputation Score: A
About the agency: Connections Marketing is a credible content marketing agency in Chicago that provides consistent and meaningful content according to your business objectives and target audience interests to boost brand awareness.
The company has a decade of experience in developing interesting content through emails, blogs, press releases, white papers, infographics, and social media content to attract potential customers and boost your sales and revenue.
They use profitable keywords and optimize web pages with quality content to improve online visibility and customer engagement.
Case Studies: Pending submission
13. Brafton
Founded Year: 2008
Website: brafton.com
Reputation Score: A
About the agency: Brafton is an innovative content marketing agency in Chicago that develops high-quality content for small and large businesses to spike interest in their products, elevate their brands, and develop deep customer relationships.
The company specializes in creative content development with a team of experienced professionals who can develop contact marketing strategies to stand ahead of competitors according to your business objectives.
They use the latest content marketing techniques to maximize the brands’ exposure across the channels with the highest return potential.
Case Studies: Pending submission
14. Chicago Marketing Consultancy
Founded Year: 2020
Website: chicagomarketingconsultancy.com
Reputation Score: A
About the agency: Chicago Marketing Consultancy is an established content marketing agency in Chicago that tells your brand story to the target audience through innovative and creatively engaging content to increase brand awareness.
The company has experience in writing and promoting your products and services through relevant content to boost customer loyalty and engagement.
Case Studies: Pending submission
15. SEO Design Chicago
Founded Year: 2015
Website: seodesignchicago.com
Reputation Score: A
About the agency: SEO Design Chicago is an esteemed content marketing agency in Chicago that produces custom content marketing strategies for each individual client specifically to meet their business goals.
Their experienced copywriters and content writing service team provide high-quality content for websites, digital platforms, and social media platforms to boost online visibility and brand awareness.
They create content like blog articles, social media posts, white papers, case studies, and infographics to drive traffic, sales, and revenue.
Case Studies: Pending submission
16. Digital marketing 360
Founded Year: 2010
Website: digitalmarketing360.com
Reputation Score: A
About the agency: Digital Marketing 360 is an experienced content marketing agency in Chicago that provides captivating content to build a loyal and solid customer base that will add value to your business for years.
They offer engaging content through blogs, articles, website content, landing pages, product pages, social media content, and newsletters to boost customer engagement and online visibility.
Case Studies: Pending submission
17. Digital Marketing Agency
Founded Year: 2015
Website: digitalmarketingagency.com
Reputation Score: A
About the agency: Digital Marketing Agency is an excellent content marketing agency in Chicago that helps businesses grow their brand awareness among target customers by developing engaging content marketing strategies.
They create interesting and informative blogs, infographics, and social media content to boost customer engagement and conversion rates. Their content marketing experts tailor your content marketing strategies to drive the highest-quality leads.
Case Studies: Pending submission
18. Social Media 312
Founded Year: 2016
Website: socialmedia312.com
Reputation Score: A
About the agency: Social Media 312 is a creative content marketing agency in Chicago that provides relevant and consistent content marketing strategies for boosting the online visibility of businesses of all sizes.
They can provide informative emails, infographics, newsletters, guides, and videos for boosting customer engagement and conversion rates.
Case Studies: Pending submission
19. Angle180
Founded Year: 2013
Website: angle180.com
Reputation Score: B
About the agency: Angle180 is a skilled content marketing agency in Chicago that develops high-quality content marketing strategies for small and large businesses. They provide engaging content to capture the attention of targeted customers and boost brand reach and visibility.
Case Studies: Pending submission
20. Youtech Agency
Founded Year: 2012
Website: youtechagency.com
Reputation Score: A
About the agency: Youtech Agency is a well-known content marketing agency in Chicago that connects businesses with their customers through engaging content marketing strategies to boost brand awareness and online visibility.
The company specializes in building trust and establishing credibility in your industry by helping you stay ahead of the competition through their strategic content marketing services.
Case Studies: Pending submission
Conclusion
Content marketing has gained a lot of popularity in recent years because it is one of the best methods for attracting potential customers from all over the world through informative and engaging content.
Working with a content marketing agency makes it easy for small and large businesses to promote their products and services and boost their brand awareness among their target audience.
Therefore, choose a content marketing agency from our list to boost your customer engagement, sales, and revenue through customized accountant marketing strategies at cost-effective prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is content marketing?
Content marketing is an effective way to encourage conversions by building a content strategy that meets the needs of your target audience. It helps you stand out from the competition by providing meaningful information to your customers that is highly shareable with others.
What are the uses of content marketing?
Content marketing makes your website more visible to the target audience by creating and distributing useful and creative content. It can be through blogs, social media posts, infographics, video content, or web content.
When Google crawls through every page of your site, it easily captures better and more relevant content and increases the website's rankings. Highly relevant content marketing strategies can boost your online visibility and attract potential customers.
What will the content marketing agency do?
Content marketing agencies will develop and implement different content marketing strategies according to your business goals and target audience behavior to increase online visibility and help your business stay ahead of the competition.
They can tailor the content to make it more informative, consistent, and engaging for your audience, in turn promoting your products and services.
What are the benefits of hiring a content marketing agency for a business?
Content marketing agencies canhelp your company generate leads, attract the ideal audience, grow brand awareness, and build customer trust. They can develop creative content according to your business objectives to help your company stay ahead of the competition.
These agencies have experienced content marketing experts who have the knowledge and resources to create strategies that can boost your conversion rates and website traffic.
How do you choose the right content marketing agency for your business?
When you're planning to work with a content marketing agency, it's important to choose a highly reputed company that has a team of content marketing experts who can follow a strategy to boost your online visibility and brand awareness among target customers.
The company should have transparent pricing for the different content marketing strategies and techniques it uses to boost customer engagement. They should provide regular reporting and analysis on your contact marketing strategies to get the best return on your investment.