10 years ago I had the crazy idea of starting my own Sales & Marketing Agency which transformed into a Digital Agency, and then an Inbound Agency. Today we are an Inbound Sales, Inbound Marketing and Website Agency.
We have had many ups and downs over the 10 years and if I was starting again, these are some of the things I would do to make sure we got to the 5 year mark with more ups than downs. Hopefully they will help you too.
1. Read the book “Traction” and implement EOS as the backbone of your agency, even if you are just one person. Then you will be able to create a 3 and 5 year plan.
Find out how boring processes can give you freedom right here.
2. Once you read “Traction” you will have your agencies core values. Use these to develop a strong agency culture to attract ideal clients, attract ideal candidates and build a loyal, hardworking team.
3. Get your Agency Positioning documented. Who are you, what do you do, how do you do it and for which ideal clients?
4. A simple and transparent Packaging & Pricing solution where you know your costs and your clients know how much you charge and how long your services take.
Download our digital agency checklist 2018 here.
5. Sales, and a clear sales process that is easy for your ideal clients to understand. In the beginning as the owner of the agency you will be doing sales. However as soon as your budget allows, you need to hire a dedicated sales person to follow up on all your inbound leads on a regular basis.
6. Your service delivery process needs to be clearly documented and supported with strong delivery person in a project management tool that includes time tracking.
7. Remind yourself you are in the Professional Services industry, so two thirds of your costs should be your people. By having an excellent team that delivers high value to your clients you can then ensure your long term success.
8. Create and deliver outstanding reports every month. At the top of every report there should be a reminder of the challenges that the client had when they first came to you. Then a list of what worked last month and what needed to be improved upon. Furthermore the figures, and lastly, a list of ideas that came up during the month that are off-scope. Call this a wish list or a parking lot. When you deliver a solid report you can then follow up with your next monthly invoice with confidence.
Read about how to have an agency that you love.
9. Don’t get caught up in the Inbound Sales & Marketing jargon. Remember what you do for clients. The reason they come to you is fundamentally around their need for more visitors, leads and or customers.
10. As you grow and as soon as you are able to, you need to allocate your tactical roles to other members of your team so that you become the agency owner and work on the business, not in it.
This is just a short list of what I would do again and the advice I would give to anybody who is starting out in as a Digital Agency today.
What are your 5 year goals? Write in the comments below - we would love to hear them or any other tips you would give an agency owner today.
Thank you
Clodagh
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