There is no doubt that the world of marketing (both traditional and digital) is a saturated place full of entrepreneurs looking for a share of the market.
We’re all out there trying to win clients and grow. And even though this takes a lot of hard work, the rewards far outweigh the burdens. So, let’s go through tried and tested ways that can help you grow your marketing agency.
Write a business plan
A good business plan represents your roadmap to success. It sheds light on all aspects of your business, from sales and marketing to operations, products, services, and people (both employees and customers).
A business plan’s objective is to assist you to articulate a strategy for growing or changing your business. It outlines how you intend to attain your most essential business goals. This plan should be updated annually for existing businesses to guide growth and navigate development into new markets.
Of course, this isn’t so easy to put on paper and that’s why many businesses seek expert help. An expert or a company specializing in business plan creation can guide you through the whole process and create a decent business plan as a result.
When choosing, you should take a look at their records of success. In other words, hire an agency or an expert that has already produced good results for other businesses. For instance, check out Growthink reviews and see how satisfied their customers are. This is an essential step in choosing any type of service, especially with such an important thing as a business plan.
Dominate the social media marketing game
Social media marketing is an effective approach for companies of all sizes to reach out to prospects and customers. Your clients are already connecting with companies on social media, and if you’re not speaking directly to them on sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest, you’re missing out!
However, remember that each social media platform is unique. If you have an Instagram marketing specialist, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they know how to run Facebook ads properly.
In other words, don’t limit your capabilities with the manpower you have at the office. If you need extra help, feel free to hire an outsider. It might be wise to look for a Facebook ad agency or an Instagram manager at a certain point. This will be very important once you start growing quickly because every hour you spend at the office will count.
Build up your client network
The challenge of finding good clients and building up your customer network is most likely the biggest one you’ll face on your journey to success. But if you want long-term success, you need to put in the extra effort into this aspect.
For starters, treat your own agency like your own client. You already have a system in place that works for your other clients. Begin now by making time in your calendar to do the same for your own business.
Moreover, don’t shy away from spreading the word about your business. Digital marketing is the first thing that you need to take care of, but you can’t neglect the ‘real world.’
Begin by establishing a presence at local events where business owners and other decision-makers can be found. This should include networking events, business expos, and trade exhibits.
In addition to that, you need to highly prioritize your portfolio. Your clients will want to see your portfolio and it must be diverse. They want to know if you can capture their voice, therefore demonstrate your ability to do so by exhibiting a diverse selection of brands you’ve already worked with.
Ask for referrals
Referrals are one of the cheapest and most effective methods to gain new customers.
When asking for referrals, focus on your best clients. You already have a good rapport with them and you should try to make the most out of it. They already like what you do and how you do it, so they’ll probably be willing to recommend you to someone in their network.
You should also make it easy for your clients to refer you to their friends. Ensure that you have your email address and phone number visible (LinkedIn and Twitter handles are a must too).
Also, remember not to be too pushy when asking your clients for referrals. Just remind them to keep you in mind if they know someone who might need your services.
PPC ads
Pay-Per-Click (PPC) ads, such as Facebook Ads and Google Ads, are a fantastic method to increase your reach. You can target a certain audience based on their online activity and data using PPC ads. Furthermore, with PPC, you only pay for actual clicks on your ads.
You can start by ensuring that you are targeting the right niche (eCommerce for example, or real estate). Also, use retargeting methods to improve your chances of conversions.
Keep in mind that there are various tools that can be very useful with PPC ads. These include WordStream and Google AdWords Editor.
Final words
Hire the right team, equip yourself with knowledge, consider these tips, and learn from those that have more experience than you. That will help you grow your marketing business in this competitive industry.