How to Start and Operate and Scale a Digital Marketing Agency in 2022

Jun 25, 2024

How to Start, Operate, and Scale a Digital Marketing Agency in 2022

Introduction

  • 6-part tutorial on starting, operating, and scaling a digital marketing agency.
  • In-depth coverage over typical 10-minute videos.

Overview of Segments

  1. Setting Goals and Expectations: Potential earnings, time commitment, qualifications.
  2. Determining Industry Focus: Selecting a marketing specialty.
  3. Building Online Presence: Becoming an expert.
  4. Identifying Target Clients: Selecting client niches.
  5. Building Your Team: Staffing and outsourcing.
  6. Getting First Client and Scaling: Strategies for initial and subsequent growth.

Disclaimers

  • No sales pitch – free tutorial.
  • Experience from taking early courses (e.g. Tai Lopez's) but emphasizing cost-free learning.
  • Digital marketing agencies are accessible, low upfront cost, high learning value.

1. Setting Goals and Expectations

  • Earnings Potential: Initially aim for $5-10k/month, long-term passive income potential.
  • Business Ownership: Risks of starting businesses with friends vs trusted family (e.g., brothers).
  • Entity Formation: Recommended to form a Limited Liability Company (LLC) for legal and tax benefits through services like Ink File.
  • Time Commitment: Flexible; can range from part-time to full-time.

2. Determining Your Marketing Niche

  • Common Mistake: Avoid trying to be a "jack-of-all-trades" initially; start focused.
  • Areas of Focus:
    • Social Media Marketing: Managing platforms like Instagram, TikTok, etc.
    • Paid Advertising: Ads on Google, LinkedIn, etc.
    • Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Ranking websites high in searches.
    • Email Marketing: Managing email campaigns.
    • Web Development: Building websites for clients.
    • Public Relations (PR): Managing public image and media outreach.
    • Graphic Design: Designing marketing materials and branding elements.

3. Building Online Presence & Expertise

  • Learning Path:
    • Apprenticeship/Internship: Gain firsthand experience.
    • Self-Teaching: Free online resources, tutorials, and books.
    • Offering Free Services: Build skills and rapport with potential paying clients.
  • Practical Steps:
    • Create professional websites and social accounts.
    • Use tools like Canva for design, Webflow for websites, Shopify for e-commerce.

4. Identifying Target Clients

  • Client Types:
    • Professionals: Doctors, Lawyers, Dentists (high-paying but competitive).
    • Corporations: Large companies with big budgets.
    • Political Campaigns: Unique niche with consistent demand.
    • E-commerce Stores: Both online and physical.
    • Startups: Companies with new venture capital looking for aggressive growth.

5. Building Your Team

  • Team Structure:
    • Start with being solo or with closely trusted individuals.
    • Prefer freelancers over permanent staff initially to minimize overhead.
    • Use platforms like Upwork for quality freelancers.
  • Disciplines to Build Teams In:
    • Graphic Designers
    • Web Developers
    • Copywriters
    • Video Editors
    • Etc.

6. Getting Clients and Growth Strategy

  • Initial Client Acquisition:
    • Offer free services to build portfolios.
    • Utilize referrals from satisfied clients for new business.
    • Cold outreach: emails, calls, visits.
  • Scaling and Pricing:
    • Charge based on value provided to the client, not just on costs incurred.
    • Leverage client success stories to justify higher rates.

Conclusion

  • Thank viewers and capture feedback/questions via comments or DMs on platforms like Instagram.