Fueling Ad Agency New Business
Having a written marketing plan makes new business easier and much more consistent. I wanted to share, from my personal experience, one of the typical challenges of small to midsize advertising, digital, media and PR agencies. They are often described as the cobbler’s children who have no shoes. The most common positive trait among these agencies […]
Execution is the battleground that determines success or failure. For ad agencies that even have a new business plan, the majority fall short in its implementation. How many annual planning meetings has your agency gone through to create a strategic marketing plan, only to have it fail in its implementation? Maybe this year, instead of focusing […]
Paid social advertising can accelerate the process of attracting qualified traffic and leads. Since 2007, I’ve preached that there was a new model for new business that made the existing model obsolete. Agencies needed a new approach to new business. During the past decade, technology and the rise of social media changed how people communicated. […]
Thought leadership influences prospects to help agencies win, retain and even grow client business. A recent study, by Edelman and LinkedIn, of 1,201 U.S. business decision makers, reveals that thought leadership is more powerful than marketers think. It not only helps attract new business, but strengthens relationships with existing clients. Definition: A thought leader is an […]
Here’s a challenge for advertising, digital, media and PR agencies. Let’s take it one step further … Can you describe your agency in six words “without” using these 10 Things Ad Agencies “usually” Say About Themselves? Ten things agencies are most likely to say about themselves: Full service Comprehensive solutions Great ideas Results oriented Integrated marketing approach […]
Stop selling your services, that’s not what prospects are buying. Agency business development programs are often sales focused. They’re built around outbound, interruptive sales tactics that are designed to start engagements with prospective clients. The prospects have little, if any, awareness of the agency or how they’re different from their competitors. Success in “selling the agency” is proving […]
The role of the agency new business executive is the riskiest position due a dramatic change in the way business is acquired and the skills rainmakers need to make it happen. Business development has been dramatically altered. There are many people who have done this job in the past who do not know how to do it well […]
Those charged with new business often neglect to plan their work and work their plan. Agencies are great at analyzing and planning for their clients. But, when it comes to planning for their own new business they balk. It is strange, but often occurrence. When an agency starts focusing on themselves, it causes their marketing minds to […]
Adding recommendations is one of the easiest ways to empower your new business program. As part of my consulting work I’m asked to review a lot of agency websites from a new business perspective. Just yesterday I was reviewing the website of a large agency in New York. I wasn’t surprised that I didn’t find a single […]
“A good plan is like a road map: it shows the final destination and usually the best way to get there.” – H. Stanley Judd, Author, Think Rich While there are many things that go into a successful ad agency new business program, one that is often overlooked or underutilized is the strategic use of public […]
I recently wrote an article about the powerful benefits of Threads, taunted as the next-generation social media platform. While Threads brings a host of benefits to the table, it’s important to consider some potential drawbacks or challenges associated with the platform:
In an era where social media has become an integral part of our lives, new platforms are continually emerging, aiming to revolutionize the way we connect and communicate. Among these innovative platforms, Threads is rapidly emerging as a frontrunner, offering a unique and enriching experience for users.
Streamlined and Focused Communication:
Threads sets itself apart from traditional social media platforms by focusing on streamlined and efficient communication.… Continue reading
AI offers a wide range of benefits across a variety of industries and applications. It has the potential to transform the way that businesses, leading to increased efficiency, accuracy, personalization, and innovation.
AI, is still a relatively new technology but it’s time that ad agencies carefully evaluate its potential benefits and drawbacks from a new business perspective.
Here are a few examples of the practical ways AI will enhance your agency’s business development:
The battle for new business is online which makes community development indispensable for marketing your agency. Knowing how to build an online community has become an important skill-set.
Since I started my consultancy in 2007, I’ve advocated creating a niche blog for agency new business. I’ve helped launch over 450 personal blogs for agency principals.… Continue reading
I wanted to share, from my personal experience, one of the typical challenges of small to midsize advertising, digital, media and PR agencies. They are often described as the cobbler’s children who have no shoes.
The most common positive trait among these agencies is that they know how to take care of their clients. But what is their most common negative trait?
A mission statement is a statement of the purpose of a company, organization or person, its reason for existing. The mission statement should guide the actions of the organization, spell out its overall goal, provide a path, and guide decision-making. Wikipedia
The mission statement captures the heart of an organization, what it stands for and why it exists.
Here are some examples of the mission statements of popular digital businesses:
There are big rewards from content marketing, but it’s also a big challenge. Writing is a process that takes time and effort. Even the best writers have difficulty putting their ideas into words.
Most of us aren’t born with the gift for writing. We have to work at it.
Less effective writers usually spend:
My friend, John Sharpe, has spent nearly forty years in the ad agency business and the last twenty in business development exclusively. He is a personal friend and mentor with an impressive resume. So when John tells me that he has just read one of the most influential business development books in his lifetime, he had my attention.… Continue reading
People who have done this job in the past are struggling. The tenure of a new business director is now two years or less. In a recent survey conducted by RSW/US, only 26% of new business directors were considered successful.
A 4A’s report sited that 90% of agency staff say they have to figure things out on their own due to the lack of training.… Continue reading
Part of Steve Jobs’ 12 Rules of Success: Perform SWOT analysis. As soon as you join/start a company, make a list of strengths and weaknesses of yourself and your company on a piece of paper.
This strategic planning method, when used properly, can be a valuable tool for making decisions, setting strategy, and evaluating courses of action.… Continue reading
Michael Gass, Business Development Consultant | Speaker | Author of Fuel Lines
Fuel Lines provides new business resources for Advertising, Digital, Media and PR Agencies.
It has been rated among the top 100 marketing blogs in the world, according to Ad Age’s Power 150.
Since 2007, Michael has helped pioneer the use of social media, inbound and content marketing strategies specifically for agency new business.
Read more about Michael
An essential component to your agency's new business program is a prospective client data base.
In my opinion one of the most accurate online database of marketing and advertising decision makers is Winmo. I highly recommend them.
I'm Michael Gass, I'm an author, speaker and a new business consultant to advertising, digital, media and PR agencies.
Since 2007, I have helped pioneer the use of social media, inbound and content marketing strategies specifically for agency new business.
Fuel Lines is my social media 'home-base. It has been ranked among the top 100 marketing blogs in the world, according to Advertising Age’s, The Power 150.
Learn more about me