If you are considering starting a digital marketing agency, it may seem overwhelming. However, this guide will show you that if you take it one step at a time, not only can you do it, but it will also help you work less and earn more. This guide will show you how to start a digital marketing agency that fits your lifestyle and gives you more freedom.
What Is a Digital Marketing Agency (And Why It Creates Freedom)
This guide will not only provide definitions but also describe niche services and provide step-by-step help to start a digital marketing agency.
“A digital marketing agency is a business team that helps other companies promote their brands online to drive sales.”
Tammy durden
Many start digital marketing agencies to pull away from traditional 9-to-5 jobs, or they are growing and scaling an online service business, turning it into an agency with a team. These agencies can offer a variety of services and specialities.
Some of the services they may offer include:
- Branding & Messaging
- Content Marketing
- Digital Marketing Strategist
- Email Marketing
- Google Ad Services
- Graphic Design
- SEO Services
- Social Media Management
- Social Media Ad Services
- Website Services
- Writing SEO Blogs
“Digital marketing agencies are organizations that use a range of digital-focused marketing tactics to increase clients’ digital engagement and discoverability on the internet—ultimately helping them make more sales.” –Upwork
Signs You’re Ready to Start a Digital Marketing Agency
Many Solopreneurs do not realize how easy it is to go from solo to a team. This often keeps people from making that transition. Do not worry, even if you are overwhelmed, it is possible.
There can be several signs that you’re ready to start a digital marketing agency.
Signs You’re Ready
- Cannot accept any new clients
- Feeling as if you never get everything finished in a day
- Feeling overwhelmed & overworked in your business
- Maxed out with client work
- Missing deadlines
- Processes documented & ready for a subcontractor
- You know you need help, but unsure how to do it
- Working late most days
There are, of course, many other reasons, including a desire to start an agency.
Step-by-Step: How to Start a Digital Marketing Agency
This guide will take you step-by-step to starting a digital marketing agency.
Step 1 – Clarify Your Niche and Services
One of the most difficult decisions I hear from clients is settling on a niche and service offering. When we talk about a niche and services, they can mean the same thing. However, for our purposes, let’s look at the niche industry you want to serve and then the services you can offer to help solve their problem.
It is important to know your audience (who you want to help) and the problem they are looking to solve that you can solve for them. This person is also called an avatar. If you are completely new to all of these terms and processes, please go to my free offers and download the storyboard to help you with these questions.
Once you have specified your niche industry and the services that help solve their problem, then you want to know where they hang out or reside online.
Step 2 – Set Up Simple Processes & Systems
Step 2 is making sure you set up simple processes & systems. This is a must before bringing on good team members (subcontractors).
“Processes are simple step-by-step instructions for your team to follow in delivering great services for your clients.”
Your subcontractor(s) have to know how your processes work and the systems you use to provide your clients’ services. They should be documented in a secure place that is easily accessible to your team.
These can easily be documented in a secure Google Drive, OneDrive, or in your PM System (project management).
Step 3 – Land Your First Clients
The next step if you are just starting a business, is to land your first client. It can seem overwhelming at first, but remember, it takes time. Building relationships is what helps build trust and bring clients in.
I just recorded a Masterclass: 7 Ways to Attract Clients. Join my community and you will get free access to it and many others.
I just recorded a Masterclass called: “7 Ways to Attract Clients” that could help if you want access to the replay, just join my free community.
Step 4 – Hire Your First Subcontractor
It is important to vet your subcontractor before hiring your first one or any subsequent ones.
Why?
Why is it important to vet your team members?
If you want quality individuals to work with your clients, then it is a must.
“Character over skill is most important.”
TS Durden
Obviously, skill is important as well; however, I will pick someone with good character over good skill. I can always teach skills, but I cannot expect them to develop good character as an adult. It is possible but unlikely.
Step 5 – Learn to Delegate
Learning to delegate can be difficult for you control freaks (you know who you are). I’m a recovering control freak myself, so no judgment here.
Delegating means more freedom for you. It means you have more flexibility as well. So, as you consider letting go of some of those client tasks, think about the things you will gain by delegating.
Feel free to download one of my free offers that takes you step by step in helping you start your agency and delegate to your subcontractors.
Step 6 – CEO Mindset (Work Less, Earn More)
As you develop your agency, you will begin to develop a CEO mindset. This is a natural shift as you have to manage more team members. It will also allow you to work less and earn more.
The CEO & leadership mindset is a natural progression as you learn to delegate and manage your team. The more you let go, the more you grow into this mindset.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Starting Your Agency
There are several mistakes to avoid when starting your agency. I found that I made these five mistakes:
- Did not scale soon enough
- Chose wrong subcontractors
- Hired a subcontractor who marketed their own business (not promoting mine)
- Did not delegate client work well
- Did not schedule regular team meetings
Reduce the errors by joining a Mastermind Group Coaching program and get input from Tammy and your colleagues!
It’s Open Enrollment Time!
Five Mistakes When Starting An Agency
- Did not scale soon enough – meant that I should have scaled earlier and added a subcontractor. I waited too long to do it. If I had known I was creating an agency, I would have added subcontractors right away as I began. This would have multiplied our revenue and given me more people who could help with client work.
- Chose the wrong subcontractor – meaning I should have been more careful and vetted subcontractors better.
- Hire a subcontractor who markets their own business – not promote my business. As a team member, I hoped they would promote our company, as it would mean work for them as well. Instead, they would get trained by me, and then their business grew, and they left our company, leaving me needing another subcontractor. Which leads to lots of rollover.
- Did not delegate client work well – I had no idea how to do this in the beginning. It took time to realise I needed to document my processes so I could delegate. I also didn’t realise I was supposed to have them work on my client work right away.
- Did not schedule regular team meetings – Considering I never worked with a team, I did not know I should schedule regular meetings with them. Communication is so important when working with a team.
I am sure I made many other mistakes, but these were a few of the big ones I remember. I hope you can avoid them.
How to Start Small Without Feeling Overwhelmed
The best way to start your agency is to start small, so you do not have that overwhelmed feeling.
It can seem overwhelming when you look at managing a team, and all that goes into it, but if you start with just one subcontractor at a time, you can build it slowly. This will also give you the solid foundation that you need.
If you still feel overwhelmed, feel free to reach out to me. I can help you get started and bring on your first subcontractor.
Build a Digital Marketing Agency That Fits Your Lifestyle
Part of building a digital marketing agency that fits your lifestyle is really about balance. For me, I made my children a priority, so I built my agencies slowly.
I added one subcontractor at a time. Not only that, but I added them when I was onboarding a new client (if my current subcontractor’s bandwidth was full). This meant I onboarded clients, but then I turned them over to my subcontractor.
By building my agencies this way, I had plenty of time to homeschool as well as manage my growing company. Take it slowly; there is no rush. If you do it this way, you will grow and also have time for your priorities.
Ready to Start Your Digital Marketing Agency? (CTA)
“A recent study found that around 31% of American adults are “almost constantly” online.”
upwork
Are you ready to start your digital marketing agency? If you are, set up your free session. You get a full 30-minute session with me. Ask me anything. You will be surprised how much we can accomplish in that time.
I hope to see you soon!
What Can I Help You Do?
- Start Your Digital Marketing Agency
- Start Your VA Agency
- Add A Subcontractor to Your Business
- And More
Special Services I Offer:
- Quick Wins – An opportunity to have a coach for one, two, or three days. Focus on any topic (or more than one).
- Build Your Agency – Get 1-on-1 Consulting & Coaching help to start your agency!
- Mastermind Group Coaching – A group coaching opportunity. Join like-minded colleagues to share, grow, and gain from coaching during your session. [An inexpensive way to receive coaching]