Agency work isn’t easy. Strategizing, managing and executing a brand’s social and digital marketing initiatives requires a deep understanding of your client’s industry and audience.
This week at #SproutChat, we were joined by Sprout All Star, Brooke B. Sellas. In addition to starting her own boutique agency, B Squared Media, Brooke is a marketing and social media consultant and an adjunct for consumer behavior at The City University of New York (CUNY). During our chat we discussed how to grow, scale and achieve your entrepreneurial goals.
When Is It Time to Be Your Own Boss?
Deciding when to make the jump from working for someone else to being your own boss is the first step in starting your own social media agency. It’s also one of the scariest steps of your new business venture. There may never be a “perfect” time to make the leap but if you’re passion and driven it’s important that you try. Before taking the plunge, meet with other entrepreneurs, budget accordingly and really understand what you’re about to get yourself into.
A1: I “made the leap” due to a combination of my gut feelings and pressure/support from my parents & then BF. #SproutChat
— Brooke B. Sellas (@madSMscientist) December 14, 2016
A1: I'd argue it's different for everyone, but i would have to say it's when you've outgrown your current environment. #sproutchat
— Nicole Glueckert (@nmglueckert) December 14, 2016
A1: When you have lots of potential clients, a great reputation and a lot of money in the bank. #sproutchat
— Brad Lovett (@Brad_Lovett) December 14, 2016
A1 when you see clients everywhere you look 🙂 #sproutchat
— David Pepper (@thedavepepper) December 14, 2016
A1: when the status quo seems unbearable & you can't stop thinking "this would be so much better if it was done differently". #sproutchat
— Clara Buchanan (@clara_buchanan) December 14, 2016
A1: It may never feel like the "right" time. Sometimes you just need to have faith in yourself nad your experience #SproutChat
— Joe Martin (@joeDmarti) December 14, 2016
Finding & Securing Clients
So you’ve decided to quit your day job. Now what? If you want your agency to be successful, you need to find and secure clients. Start by doing your research, listening to the experts, networking and playing to your strengths.
A2: We do well with clients if they’re willing to: learn, pay on time, be a partner, abide by the “No A**hole Rule.” #SproutChat
— Brooke B. Sellas (@madSMscientist) December 14, 2016
A2b: A common ground never hurts. Even if it's a connection in common. Your network should WORK for you (and you for it). #SproutChat
— Brooke B. Sellas (@madSMscientist) December 14, 2016
A2c: p.s. That’s actually a GREAT book for any #entrepreneur to read: https://t.co/tRvpw2k3se 📖💯📚 #SproutChat
— Brooke B. Sellas (@madSMscientist) December 14, 2016
@SproutSocial A2: Start with what you know! Do what you feel confident it, from there branch out! #SproutChat
— Sid says (@Sidneytoldme) December 14, 2016
A2 Research, Research, research … check out there social channels & platforms to get a better understanding of who they are #sproutchat
— Apple Box Studios (@AppleBoxStudios) December 14, 2016
A2 start with knowing your strengths & where those can help people do the most good/work. Don't pretend to be an expert over all #SproutChat
— LUCYrk (@LUCYrk78) December 14, 2016
Know When You Need Help
As your agency begins to grow, you’re going to need to enlist the help of others. During our chat, Brooke said it best when she said that learning to hire people that are smarter that you is a win for your business. But once your ready to hire someone, how do you find them? Asking for recommendations and reaching out to your professional networks is a good place to start.
Learning to be with/talk to/hire the "smarter than you" peeps is such a WIN for me and @HelloBSquared! #SproutChat https://t.co/VFbu5DrP2a
— Brooke B. Sellas (@madSMscientist) December 14, 2016
A3 Ask for recommendations for vendors people you trust, trust #sproutchat
— Toby Metcalf (@Toby_Metcalf) December 14, 2016
A3: Reach out to your network. The community around you can point your in the right direction when you need resources #SproutChat
— Kathleen Burns (@katbu) December 14, 2016
A3 All about that networking! Then you can start to build a list of people you can quickly call on in a pinch #sproutchat
— Apple Box Studios (@AppleBoxStudios) December 14, 2016
A3: Use your network! #sproutchat
— Lauren Scarpa (@LScarpa22) December 14, 2016
A3: The #SMM community is BIG. Join an online group & collab! (I can't design, but I know designers who need social!) 😉 #sproutchat
— Nicole Glueckert (@nmglueckert) December 14, 2016
A3. Identify potential service providers and analyze them based on budget, quality of service and word of mouth (reviews). #SproutChat
— Ayesha Ambreen (@AyeshaAmbreen) December 14, 2016
A3: 1st, admit you're not the best @ everything. 2nd, build a network of trusted, willing experts. 3rd, be clear, trust, verify #SproutChat https://t.co/MKAQ2iXkJk
— Tim Mohler (@TimothyMohler) December 14, 2016
Recognize Your Agency’s Value
Setting boundaries and understanding your agency’s value is critical to driving a profit. Make sure that you’re logging your work and clearly communicating expectations and pricing with each of your clients.
A4: We set rates by closely monitoring and rating tasks. How many hours to complete X? Is it a low/med/high cost to us? #SproutChat
— Brooke B. Sellas (@madSMscientist) December 14, 2016
A4b: We take those task #s and back into the # of hours/services a client needs. Don’t EVER get stuck with NO margin! #SproutChat
— Brooke B. Sellas (@madSMscientist) December 14, 2016
A4 there will always be someone who will work cheaper. value yourself and others will too #sproutchat
— David Pepper (@thedavepepper) December 14, 2016
A4 understand the value of client #conversions, your experience, time commitment and go from there. #Sproutchat
— Michelle (@michelletweet) December 14, 2016
Invest in the Right Tools
Keep your team of one or 100 on track by investing in the right tools. That’s why we asked our community what software programs they rely on to complete their daily tasks and meet the needs of their clients.
A5b: Obvi, we LOVE @sproutsocial for social tracking (Smart Inbox, Tagging, Competitor Reports) and as a light social CRM. #SproutChat
— Brooke B. Sellas (@madSMscientist) December 14, 2016
A5: We use @toggl for time tracking. Soon to test @hubstaff (great for remote teams). Billing is @QuickBooks all the way! #SproutChat
— Brooke B. Sellas (@madSMscientist) December 14, 2016
Excel is a HUGE tool in our tool belt! #SproutChat https://t.co/dCnYvbNIt5
— Brooke B. Sellas (@madSMscientist) December 14, 2016
A5 we use Basecamp for time tracking and filemaker for estimates and billing and whatnot #sproutchat
— Apple Box Studios (@AppleBoxStudios) December 14, 2016
A5: Using @freshbooks & @trello #SproutChat
— Kendra Bullen (@kendrabullen) December 14, 2016
Remember Why You Started Your Agency
Being your own boss is a dream but the reality isn’t always as glamorous. Take time to reflect on what you’ve built and always remember why you started your boutique agency in the first place. From collaboration and relationship building to a diverse and evolving professional skill set–agency work is worth the hustle.
A6: Agency work can go 2 ways. When YOU are an agency you have more team members who can have special skills (ex: PPC or SEO). #SproutChat
— Brooke B. Sellas (@madSMscientist) December 14, 2016
A6b: One thing I never thought of, but makes up 15% of our biz, are agencies that outsource projects to our team. #SproutChat
— Brooke B. Sellas (@madSMscientist) December 14, 2016
A6c: It's been a BIG part of our growth strategy/great source for recurring projects. Especially bc our sales team = JUST ME! #SproutChat
— Brooke B. Sellas (@madSMscientist) December 14, 2016
A6 latest and greatest tools. Early adopters. Fellow #social advocates #sproutchat
— Michelle (@michelletweet) December 14, 2016
A6: Personally, I love the variety and the relationship building. Plus, you can fire your 'boss' without losing everything. #SproutChat
— Tim Mohler (@TimothyMohler) December 14, 2016
A6: Collaboration is a HUGE part of our culture. We utilize all our resources to produce the best for our clients! #SproutChat
— BrandExtract° (@BrandExtract) December 14, 2016
We’ll be back for our last #SproutChat of 2016 on Wednesday, December 21 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. CST. Get ready to for trivia on Sprout Social and social media trends. In the meantime, stay connected with other industry experts by joining our Facebook community.
This post #SproutChat Recap: Running a Successful Boutique Agency originally appeared on Sprout Social.
from Sprout Social http://ift.tt/2hD1DCp
Do You Know You Can Buy Instagram Followers from SocialKingMaker.com?
No comments:
Post a Comment