6 Steps To Run A Successful Digital Marketing Agency + [Infographics]

Apr 4, 2019 6 min read

There's a new reality. Today anyone can be in business, control the type of clients and projects and handpick their team. Although everyone can start something, it takes much effort to execute it successfully. Running a digital marketing agency can be extremely challenging, even absolute hopeless sometimes.

If you’re starting your agency, chances are you already have a general idea of how they run! The agencies are known for hiring compulsively, spending wildly and failing spectacularly.

However, you don't have to be that type of agency. You can be small, frugal and still profitable. You must be energetic, dedicated and willing to work for the long haul.

While there is no magic formula to ensure success, here are 6 things to keep in mind on how to create your marketing agency and get businesses of all sizes to hire you. You'll learn how to begin, how to get the word out, whom and how to keep it all under control.

Now, let's get on with it.

You can directly jump to the infographic.

1. Don't Settle For Just Anything! Do Work That Matters

As you get going, keep in mind why you are doing what you are doing. Great agencies have a perspective and not just a service. You need to have a backbone, and you need to believe in something. You need to set realistic goals for growth and know what you are willing to fight for. And then you need to show the world.

It is easy to put your head down, and just work on what you think needs to be done. Its a lot harder to pull up your head and inquire as to why. Here are some vital things to ask yourself to guarantee you are doing work that matters:

  • Why are you doing this?

  • What issues are you solving for your clients?

  • Is this actually useful?

  • Does your service makes a difference in your client's life?

  • Will this change behavior?

  • Is there a more natural way to deal with the problems?

  • What could you be doing instead?

  • Is it really justified, despite the trouble?

Keep asking yourself these questions listed above. You don't need to make it a formal procedure, however, don't let it slide, either. Likewise, don't be hesitant about your decisions. Sometimes abandoning what you are working on is the right move, regardless of whether you have put in a considerable effort.

2. Foster Relationship With Your Customers

Once you have find out what matters to your agency, the key to building a successful online marketing agency is developing a healthy relationship with your customers and comprehending their needs.

Remember, "A satisfied customer is your net-worth." Serve customers by listening, learning and sincerely caring about them. Take your customers seriously and start asking excellent statistical surveying questions to have a better understanding of their needs. I repeat, foster a healthy relationship with your customers!

Here are some of the real reasons as to why developing client relations is foremost to the success of your marketing agency:

  • It Reduces Churning of Customers

  • It Acts as a Differentiation Point

  • It Indicates Repurchase and Loyalty Functions

  • It is More Economical to Retain Customers than to Look for New Ones

  • You Will be Able to Establish New Connections

  • It Will Reduce Market Rejection

  • It Increases the Lifetime Value of Customers

Considering the above-listed points, it becomes essential to connect with everybody everywhere to boost your network. You never know when you could crack your biggest deals in the most unexpected ways.

3. Hire The Right People

You can't do it all yourself, to build a successful digital agency you need to hire talented people. Treat talented people with respect and look for culture fit first and foremost. It's crazy not to hire right people just because they are settled far away. That's just an excuse! Especially now when technology has made it so much easy to connect to everyone. Hire the best talent, irrespective of where it is.

It is crucial for an agency to hire the following to be successful:

a) First, Hire Managers Of One: These are the people who come up with their own objectives and execute them without anyone else's input. They neither require heavy directions nor do they need daily check-ins. They set their path themselves and will amaze you with how much they've gotten done if you allow them to sit unbothered. They do what a manager would do, but they do it by themselves and for themselves.

Empower your employees to accomplish their goals, and they'll help you achieve yours

b) Second, Hire Exceptional Writers: If you are trying to decide among a few people to fill a position in your agency, employ the best writer. It doesn't matter if that person is a salesperson, a designer or even if a developer their writing skills will pay off. Writing is like making a come back in the market! Look at how communication happens via email, text messages and blogging. In the business world - Writing is today's currency for a good idea.

Here are a few ways how a great writer can add value to your agency:

  • A great writer provides a second pair of eyes for your content.

  • They can help you target your writing for your target audience.

  • A good writer can propose ways to streamline your writing process.

  • They can enable you to avoid buzzwords and overworked angles and find a fresh way of describing your information.

  • A Good writer will utilize his expertise and knowledge to your advantage and will help to portray your agency as an industry expert.

4. You Need Better Work Hours.

I repeat. You don't need more work hours; You need better work hours. Employees become less efficient when they feel overworked. Also, this low productivity can jeopardize the sustainability of any business, especially agencies, if not taken care of ASAP.

The secret to happy and productive employees is Fewer work hours! It lets you get rid of lousy execution. We understand that there will always be deadlines that require extra attention, but possibly one of the most important things you could do to get the best out of your employees is to let them STOP!

A re-booted mind and body will be way more productive and profitable than never turning off and will help to get the desired output towards the growth of the agency.

Like they say “it’s not the number of hours you put into work, it is the amount of work you put in those hours.” Hence what other things could you adopt as an employer to increase productivity at the workplace?

Here are some tips you can follow:

  • Do not micromanage your employees.

  • Instill accountability within your employees.

  • Motivation and rewards are necessary.

  • Provide opportunities to let them polish their skills.

  • Break the routine.

5. Innovate, Experiment And Inspire

If you want to be a successful agency, be influenced and don't steal! Rather than attempting to peep into the business of other agencies and discover what they are doing, and how you can emulate it, search for ways you can innovate, experiment and give things your own twist.

You need to get used to taking the risk of doing something. Try not to be hesitant to redesign, change or challenge anything in your niche. Always inspire your team to work wonders, it acts like magic, productivity multiplier, and motivator.

Keep in mind; you can get the two weeks of work done in 24 hours if you keep your team (especially marketing team) high on inspiration.

6. Never Give Up! You Have To Come Up With A Successful Marketing Agency

Your agency has the potential to do anything. You can achieve your goal if you stay passionate, determined and confident.

Every successful agency had to start from nothing and achieved their dreams. You are capable of doing that too, the only thing that you have to do is stick around and NEVER GIVE UP!

6 Ways To Be A Successful Digital Marketing Agency - Revision!

  • Do work that matters.

  • Develop a healthy relationship with your customers.

  • Hire the best people. Yes, the most suitable ones.

  • You need better working hours to promote productivity.

  • Innovate, Experiment and Inspire.

  • Never ever give up.

Infographic

We've created a detailed infographic on how to start a successful digital marketing agency.

Steps to start a successful digital marketing agency

Citation Policy: Please feel free to use the infographics in this blog in any commercial or non-commercial capacity. If you use the infographics, we require a reference back to Statusbrew Blog.

Eager To Know From You! Again!

There you have it, the comprehensive quick start guide to going from your small agency to a six-figure digital marketing firm. We hope it inspires you to propel your Digital Marketing Agency to Success.

Is there anything you’d add, take away, or that you’ve been stuck with on your own journey? Let us know in the comment section below.

Ritika Sharma

Ritika is a digital marketing specialist and a writer who works on putting together creative and useful content for Statusbrew. Other than this she's an adventure seeker and a photography enthusiast.

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