All too often companies make their selection of an email marketing agency or consultant based on the wrong criteria, which causes heartache, inefficiency, and a significant amount of lost productivity and dollars. In this article Scott Hardigree, provides some useful tips on how to select the best person for the job:

1. Don’t limit your search geographically. 
2. Don’t screen out professionals based on size. 
3. Don’t make industry experience a must-have. 
4. Don’t ask for (or entertain) speculative work. 
5. Don’t avoid questions about your budget. 

1. Do determine what you need. 
2. Spend a few minutes on the phone together to get a sense of chemistry and interest. Ask them about their history, who their current clients are, what their core capabilities are.
3. Ask them about their process, what it is, how it works, and how it might fit your company and culture.