Lecture Notes: Starting an Agency Business

Introduction to Agency Business Model

• Agencies are ideal business models for new entrepreneurs.
  • No experience needed.
  • Can work from anywhere.
  • Quick start-up time (days to weeks).
• Rising popularity due to AI and current trends.
• Purpose: Guide to starting an agency and signing first marketing client.

Benefits of Starting an Agency

• Opportunity for financial freedom and career control.
• Flexibility in work schedule.
• Potential to quit job or make significant life purchases.

Presenter Introduction

• Jordan Platten, experienced agency owner.
• Scaled an agency from zero to seven figures within three years.
• Now helps others build successful agencies.

Characteristics of Successful Agency Owners

• Consistency, resilience, and goal-driven.
• Not a 'get rich quick' scheme.

Essential Steps to Get Started

1. Clear distractions: Focus on learning.
2. Identify your 'why': Determine motivation for starting an agency.
3. Engage with community: Share your 'why' for opportunities.

Understanding Agencies

• Service-based businesses connecting individual services to businesses.
• Common services: Paid advertising, content creation, email marketing, SEO, web design.
• Importance of selecting the right service based on client's needs (e.g., lead generation, e-commerce).

Getting Clients

• Start local to build initial connections.
• Pick a niche to target specific industries.
• Develop an irresistible offer with risk reversal (e.g., performance-based payment).

Outreach Strategies

• Cold calling: Most effective.
• Direct messages (DMs) and emails: Alternative methods.
• Create a lead list targeting potential clients.
• Use personal touches and curiosity questions in communication.

Meeting and Sales Process

• Discovery Stage: Build relationship, understand client's problems.
• Presentation Stage: Connect your offer to client's problem.
• Closing Stage: State your price confidently and handle objections.

Pricing Strategies

• Charge based on value delivered, not time spent.
• Initial fees may range from $500 to $1,000.

Delivering Services

• Options: Self-fulfillment or outsourcing to freelancers.
• Benefits of self-fulfillment: Greater understanding of service, higher fees.

Long-term Strategy

• Building a team and scaling operations with mentorship.
• Importance of investing in mentorship to guide and expedite growth.

Conclusion

• Call to action: Evaluate readiness to invest in mentorship for accelerated growth.
• Resources available through mentorship programs like the Affluent Academy.