People start a digital agency to create a cash-cow.
90% of those people burn out in the first 6 months and are left with $0.
Here are 10 critical questions you have to ask yourself before you start:
90% of those people burn out in the first 6 months and are left with $0.
Here are 10 critical questions you have to ask yourself before you start:
1/ Am I a good multi-tasker?
The days of doing one thing at a time go out the window when you start an agency; you have to be able to spin multiple plates.
• Sales
• Marketing
• Hiring
• Project Management
• And much more...
The days of doing one thing at a time go out the window when you start an agency; you have to be able to spin multiple plates.
• Sales
• Marketing
• Hiring
• Project Management
• And much more...
2/ Do I enjoy doing operations and building processes?
When you start out, this is a big focus to stay lean.
If you're not automating and documenting early, you will waste time and money by doing the same thing over and over again, manually.
Rule: When in doubt, document.
When you start out, this is a big focus to stay lean.
If you're not automating and documenting early, you will waste time and money by doing the same thing over and over again, manually.
Rule: When in doubt, document.
3/ Am I a people person?
95% of agencies require constant calls with clients and prospects. You need to have that energy, excitement, and passion.
Going through the motion isn't going to cut it.
• Bring positive energy.
• Bring empathy.
• Bring clarity.
95% of agencies require constant calls with clients and prospects. You need to have that energy, excitement, and passion.
Going through the motion isn't going to cut it.
• Bring positive energy.
• Bring empathy.
• Bring clarity.
4/ Am I good at sales?
You have to be able to sell yourself & your services with confidence. There are 100's of other agencies offering similar services.
Sales take time, you have to put the reps in, and be ok with NO's.
High close-rate + good clients = healthy bank account.
You have to be able to sell yourself & your services with confidence. There are 100's of other agencies offering similar services.
Sales take time, you have to put the reps in, and be ok with NO's.
High close-rate + good clients = healthy bank account.
5/ What services should I offer?
• Start specific.
• Stick to a single platform or service.
• Become great at it.
• Expand once you build trust with one service offering.
Try this: Email marketing for apparel brands on Shopify.
Not this: Email marketing for DTC brands.
• Start specific.
• Stick to a single platform or service.
• Become great at it.
• Expand once you build trust with one service offering.
Try this: Email marketing for apparel brands on Shopify.
Not this: Email marketing for DTC brands.
6/ What do I dread doing?
Usually, it's:
• Accounting
• HR
• Legal stuff
My recommendation is to find a service online to handle this for you. You will pay a monthly fee, but it's worth it.
Accounting: @QuickBooks
HR: @GustoHQ
Legal stuff: @LawDepot
Usually, it's:
• Accounting
• HR
• Legal stuff
My recommendation is to find a service online to handle this for you. You will pay a monthly fee, but it's worth it.
Accounting: @QuickBooks
HR: @GustoHQ
Legal stuff: @LawDepot
7/ How quickly do I respond to emails?
Too many agencies fall short when it comes to communication. Poor communication is the #1 complaint from clients and prospects.
A simple "got your email, will answer it in a bit" is better than waiting 2-3 days before acknowledging.
Too many agencies fall short when it comes to communication. Poor communication is the #1 complaint from clients and prospects.
A simple "got your email, will answer it in a bit" is better than waiting 2-3 days before acknowledging.
8/ Can I stick to deadlines?
This is the real test. The ability to balance the project scope + deadlines without scope creep can be tough.
In the beginning, you hate saying "no" to clients.
Be clear: "Adding this feature will add time to the deadline".
Communicate clearly.
This is the real test. The ability to balance the project scope + deadlines without scope creep can be tough.
In the beginning, you hate saying "no" to clients.
Be clear: "Adding this feature will add time to the deadline".
Communicate clearly.
9/ Do I hold myself accountable for mistakes?
You're going to make more than one mistake.
You're probably going to get blamed by clients.
• Can you admit to mistakes and make things right?
Finger-pointing is not going to get you anywhere. Own your shit, don't lose trust.
You're going to make more than one mistake.
You're probably going to get blamed by clients.
• Can you admit to mistakes and make things right?
Finger-pointing is not going to get you anywhere. Own your shit, don't lose trust.
In the beginning, you're not going to be able to hire individual people to fill every role.
You have to be able to manage multiple job roles, find clients, and document processes constantly.
On top of everything, you have to consider a work-life balance so you don't burn out.
You have to be able to manage multiple job roles, find clients, and document processes constantly.
On top of everything, you have to consider a work-life balance so you don't burn out.
Your agency journey will be filled with:
• Happy moments.
• Frustrating moments.
• Client Issues.
• Big wins.
• Uncertainty.
• Challenges.
It's the nature of a service business.
A digital agency is one of the best businesses I've started.
• Happy moments.
• Frustrating moments.
• Client Issues.
• Big wins.
• Uncertainty.
• Challenges.
It's the nature of a service business.
A digital agency is one of the best businesses I've started.
I wrote this thread from personal experience and what I didn't know before I started over 4 years ago. I hope this helps one person with their journey of starting an agency.
1. Follow me for agency & SaaS businesses.
2. RT the tweet below to share this thread with your audience
1. Follow me for agency & SaaS businesses.
2. RT the tweet below to share this thread with your audience
If you enjoy my post, check out my weekly podcast: @whatismybrain_
I chat with entrepreneurs, marketers, and founders about their business journeys.
Apple Music: podcasts.apple.com
Spotify: open.spotify.com
Direct link: zlatkobijelic.com
I chat with entrepreneurs, marketers, and founders about their business journeys.
Apple Music: podcasts.apple.com
Spotify: open.spotify.com
Direct link: zlatkobijelic.com
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