Congratulations, you have a marketing background, like everyone else on this planet. And you actually think it’s time to launch your own agency. Good for you. Now, the task at hand can sound daunting, and actually IS daunting, whatever daunting means. But the creative freedom is worth it to anybody who’s willing to escape the grind. Seriously, your creativity is being crushed at your 9 to 5.
In the meantime, there’s no better way to take control of your future than to establish yourself as an expert in the industry. As you read further, I’m going to show you some ways to build an effective and somewhat successful digital marketing plan so you, yes even you, can get the ball rolling. From setting up shop, to staying organized and trusting the journey – I’ll cover most of the ideas needed to operate a profitable business, which doesn’t take much at the end of the day, except for blood and sweat. So if you’re ready to jump into this process like a pro, I encourage further reading, of this article and this article only, of course.
So thank you if you made it this far. To be honest, I really wasn’t expecting you to get here. Excuse me, the first rule in starting your own digital marketing agency is figuring out a specialization. As a rule of thumb, it’s important to note that a specialized market will generally pay more than a broad market. In general marketing, there are several areas you’re welcome to explore, however, it’s best not to assume you’re an expert at everything. Focus on your strengths, your experience, and the areas where you can make a significant impact. Remember, your target audience should align with your specialization.
Speaking of your target audience? Once you’ve chosen your niche, the next step is to understand who you’re marketing to. Consider those who may be vying for your services, such as small businesses, corporate enterprises, or non-profit organizations. Furthermore, you should research your competitors who provide similar services and evaluate what makes their agency different from yours. Understanding this concept allows you to see the gaps in the market and how to address them by customizing your services to make you stand out.
Once you figure out specialization and audience, it’s time to build your team. Now, there are several ways to go about this process. For one, it’s okay to start small with a limited budget; you can always expand at the right time. However, it’s important to create an extensive network of freelancers that provide the excellent services your clients are looking for. I, for one, love my group of freelancers for several reasons. One, they’re cost-effective, which make perfect sense. And two, they allow me to test out various talents without making a full commitment. Keep in mind that a good long-term goal is to build out your own team, especially one that can take on high volume projects and larger accounts. But all of this at the right time, of course.
From there, your next big move is to decide on the pricing model for your services. This can be done by investigating the pricing models offered by your competitors. Trust me, the last thing you want is to be caught off guard when a clients expects to pay a certain price, but ends up high-balled, or even low-balled. That said, it’s best to determine a reasonable price range while establishing a pricing model on par with your skill set. Going too high might scare off potential clients, while too low gives the notion that you’re not good enough.
Now that you’ve made it this far, it’s time for a full-blown launch. But make sure you have an online presence- website, social media handles, and a landing page. Also, leverage various marketing techniques like search engine optimization, search engine marketing, social media marketing, and content marketing. Ensure your website is visually appealing, informative, and well-optimized for search engines.
Starting your digital marketing agency is a tremendous endeavor, no doubt about it. However, if you’re passionate and dedicated to success, you can succeed on your journey. Always remember to prioritize your clients’ needs, be authentic, and flexible to evolving digital trends. You have everything you need, now go make it happen.
