{"id":4102,"date":"2018-07-23T06:53:53","date_gmt":"2018-07-23T06:53:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.capitalnumbers.com\/blog\/?p=4102"},"modified":"2025-08-11T09:14:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T09:14:00","slug":"3-problems-agencies-face-week-to-week-and-competitive-solutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.capitalnumbers.com\/blog\/3-problems-agencies-face-week-to-week-and-competitive-solutions\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Problems Agencies Face Week to Week\u2026 and Competitive Solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

Struggling with the same pressing agency issues on a regular basis? You\u2019re not alone.<\/h3>\n

No matter their size or specialization, agencies universally experience a few similar consistent problems. The bad news is that unless you fix these problems, things will continue to feel difficult. You\u2019ll be grinding along in an endless struggle of employee and client management.<\/p>\n

However, there\u2019s an upside.<\/p>\n

If you do get these few issues taken care of, your agency will start to run like a well-oiled machine, and these pressing problems will lead to solutions. By solving these issues, we can turn them into assets ticking along quietly behind the scenes while you handle everything else<\/p>\n

But first, we\u2019re going to identify these areas and focus on overcoming them<\/p>\n

So, without further ado\u2026<\/p>\n

Getting Clients<\/h2>\n
\"Getting<\/div>\n

We\u2019re addressing this first because it\u2019s #1 in importance.<\/p>\n

Perhaps counterintuitively, agencies often have a tough time standing out in a crowded market. The average business isn\u2019t incredibly aware of what makes an agency a good fit, so they require a long education cycle before they\u2019re willing to make a deal with your agency.<\/p>\n

Yet this first step is vitally important. After all, without clients you won\u2019t have work, you\u2019ll have no way to fill your pipeline, you won\u2019t make payroll, your employees will leave and you\u2019ll be left without your agency. Conversely, if you master the art of getting clients, the exact opposite will happen. You\u2019ll fill your acquisition pipelines, keep your employees on payroll, and perhaps give out some bonuses or raises while expanding.<\/p>\n

So how does it work?<\/p>\n

Networking<\/h3>\n

While this might seem like an oversimplified solution to a complicated problem, it\u2019s not. Networking is a skill just like any other, and the better you get at it, the better your chances of consistently attracting and retaining high-value clients. Think of it as \u201cputting yourself in the flow of money.\u201d<\/p>\n

Business is about relationships. Having people know, like, and trust you will determine your success.<\/p>\n

Portfolio<\/h3>\n

David Ogilvy, one of the original \u201cMad Men\u201d of the advertising industry, noted that the best way for an agency to get new clients is with a good portfolio of work completed for previous clients.<\/p>\n

But a portfolio divorced from context isn\u2019t enough. You must also write case studies to go along with each piece. These will help walk your potential clients through the portfolio and give them the opportunity to put themselves in the shoes of your past clients. They may even start to imagine what kinds of results you can get them. Include testimonials from past clients.<\/p>\n

Your Web Presence<\/h3>\n

Your website is the foundation of all your client acquisition. Without it, you might as well not exist\u2026 especially in this day and age, in which a significant chunk of business is conducted over the internet.<\/p>\n

It goes without saying that if you\u2019re an agency focused on any type of web development, you website should be stunning. In many cases, it\u2019s your clients\u2019 first impression to you and your brand. Make it a good one.<\/p>\n

In addition to your contact page, display a phone number prominently. Instead of a machine, have a human answer when called.<\/p>\n

Lead Magnet<\/h3>\n

You may also include a \u201clead magnet\u201d – a free, short, easily consumable piece of content that might help clients solve a basic, pressing problem. (It can also be a free consultation). Offer it in exchange for an email address and send your client helpful, engaging emails to introduce them to your processes and your brand.<\/p>\n

Here are a few more suggestions:<\/p>\n

Include:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Site optimized for mobile<\/li>\n
  • Optimized page loading speed<\/li>\n
  • An easy to find contact page<\/li>\n
  • Local SEO<\/li>\n
  • Copywriting to describe your services and your mission<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Do not include:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • A popup window or anything of the sort<\/li>\n
    • Third-party advertising. You\u2019re an agency, not an affiliate site.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      How Getting Clients Becomes a Competitive Advantage<\/h3>\n

      It\u2019s true that getting high-end clients can be among the most stressful challenges you face on a regular basis. But efficient networking, a good web presence, and a breathtaking portfolio will turn this concern into one of your biggest assets. Having these three assets will set you apart from many others in your space.<\/p>\n

      What your pipeline looks like today is a direct result of your efforts in the last 30 days. Once you become skilled at bringing in clients, it\u2019s like flipping a switch. Imagine what life could be like if you could bring in clients on autopilot.<\/p>\n

      Moving on\u2026<\/p>\n

      Client Management<\/h2>\n
      \"Client<\/div>\n

      Once you do have a pipeline full of clients\u2026 what then?<\/p>\n

      It is perhaps a universal maxim that clients don\u2019t want to pay the asking price and they certainly don\u2019t want to pay on time.<\/p>\n

      They DO want to know exactly where their money is going\u2026 and they expect you to deliver results. Now, this shouldn\u2019t be an issue for any competent agency. After all, you\u2019re in the business of delivering results. However, it may be a hassle to manage their expectations in this area.<\/p>\n

      Most client frustrations stem from agencies\u2019 genuine desire to help. Most agencies have their collective hearts in the right place, meaning that they care about client success and want them to succeed. Therefore, agencies are eager to promise BIG results\u2026 which eventually prove difficult to fulfill.<\/p>\n

      The only practice that works consistently is to manage client expectations right from the beginning. Make sure clients know what key performance indicators are and how they\u2019re measured. Make it clear up front that later changes or additions to objectives later will not serve the agreed-upon expectations. If you won\u2019t be able to get a given measurable result, say so. It\u2019s better to under-promise and over-deliver than the other way around.<\/p>\n

      Finally, nothing beats consistent face-to-face meetings. It\u2019s very hard for miscommunications to occur when the parties meet regularly (over some chat software or in person), get everything in writing, and agree on goals and outcomes. Do this, and you\u2019ll see a drop in misplaced expectations.<\/p>\n

      It may seem like a time-sink, but remember, the job of retaining business is foundational. Client dissatisfaction and bad reviews leading to a poor reputation will make your future a lot harder.<\/p>\n

      How Client Management Becomes a Competitive Advantage<\/h3>\n

      Your client retention and satisfaction can reach \u201ccritical mass.\u201d What this means is it\u2019s possible to have such a good reputation that others will hear of it and come to you for their projects. It\u2019s also much easier to get referrals if you\u2019ve done excellent work for existing clients.<\/p>\n

      All the time you spend on managing expectations and having a face-to-face with clients will actually pay dividends in the future.<\/p>\n

      Employee Management<\/h2>\n
      \"Employee<\/div>\n

      Employee management is an odd problem. It seems to come naturally to some, but not so easily for others. What\u2019s the difference between delegating too much, and not enough? To what extent should you stay involved in their day-to-day work by \u201cmicromanaging,\u201d and when should you allow for a looser management structure?<\/p>\n

      Agency work is unique in that you can often run a small team of inhouse employees while outsourcing tasks to remote developers or other freelancers. In other words, your coworkers and employees may be scattered all over the country and the world, working on different projects. How can you keep up effective management when you\u2019re not only in different offices, but often in different time zones?<\/p>\n

      The answer relies almost entirely on your processes.<\/p>\n

      Here are some areas to direct your focus:<\/p>\n

      Balance Meetings with Productivity<\/h3>\n

      While you might have heard the old complaint that nothing gets done in a meeting, efficient meetings are a necessity. Your entire staff needs goals to work towards, and you need to be kept in the loop as far as their objectives and deadlines. So while it isn\u2019t necessary to have a meeting every day, holding one regularly is a necessity. There are several softwares you can use for this \u2014 Zoom, Slack and Skype are all popular.<\/p>\n

      NOTE:<\/strong> In the interests of conserving time and focus, don\u2019t demand your co-workers\u2019 attention until you have something more vital than their extended concentration on a project. If it can be done by email, do it over email.<\/p>\n

      Assign Tasks Based on Individual Strengths.<\/h3>\n

      Putting individual workers in situations where they excel is crucial to keep projects moving forward efficiently. You should have a good idea of skill sets for individual workers before assembling the team for any given project. Knowing their personality and strengths will make delegation easy, and management much less stressful.<\/p>\n

      Have Real Deadlines<\/h3>\n

      Without deadlines, people procrastinate and don\u2019t turn in their best work. It\u2019s happened to the best of us, and it\u2019ll happen to you and your workers. Set deadlines to give you a little room before the real final \u201cdue date\u201d so you can go over their work, request revisions, get everything squared away before the launch or deployment.<\/p>\n

      In short, it may be wise to give your workers a stricter timeline while you privately allow some leeway for the launch.<\/p>\n

      How Employee Management Becomes a Competitive Advantage<\/h3>\n

      Getting you employee management down is a process. It doesn\u2019t happen instantly. But it does pay dividends in the long run. The benefits of satisfied workers who do their best work for you and have the interests of the project at heart cannot be overstated. Not only will you have a more creative, more productive workplace, but you\u2019ll also feel more comfortable delegating. Your processes will be more efficient, and you\u2019ll get more done than others in your industry.<\/p>\n

      Conclusion<\/h2>\n

      Solutions to client retention and management and employee management are not always easy to find. However, now we\u2019ve identified them, you can take steps toward minimizing or eliminating these issues. Better yet, the solutions to each of these challenges can actually become your biggest asset. Getting clients can happen almost on automatic. Good employee management can turn the workplace into a fun, creative, energetic space you\u2019re happy to come to every day. These can become advantages over your competitors and allow you to excel in a crowded market.<\/p>\n

      If you have questions about how Capital Numbers can help you get clients and streamline your delivery processes, just contact us directly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Struggling with the same pressing agency issues on a regular basis? You\u2019re not alone. No matter their size or specialization, agencies universally experience a few similar consistent problems. The bad news is that unless you fix these problems, things will continue to feel difficult. You\u2019ll be grinding along in an endless struggle of employee and …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":4104,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false},"categories":[731],"tags":[],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.capitalnumbers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4102"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.capitalnumbers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.capitalnumbers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.capitalnumbers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.capitalnumbers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4102"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.capitalnumbers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4102\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15922,"href":"https:\/\/www.capitalnumbers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4102\/revisions\/15922"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.capitalnumbers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4104"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.capitalnumbers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4102"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.capitalnumbers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4102"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.capitalnumbers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}