
QUICK SUMMARY:
Launching a digital marketing agency is one thing—making it sustainable is another. This guide covers everything from choosing a business model to attracting clients and pricing services, based on insights from successful agency founders. Whether you're starting from scratch or refining your approach, you’ll get actionable steps to build a profitable agency set for long-term success.
Starting a digital marketing agency is easy. Turning it into a successful digital marketing agency that grows beyond year five? That’s where most entrepreneurs struggle.
New agencies eager to offer SEO services, social media management, and other digital marketing services launch every year. However, many digital marketing businesses quickly face the same challenges: inconsistent revenue, hiring mistakes, and service expansion that stretches them too thin.
The reality is that most digital agencies that fail do so within the first five years, but the ones that thrive follow a different strategy. The agencies that make it long-term don’t just “follow their passion”—they build strong digital marketing strategies, choose the right digital marketing tools, and focus on acquiring new clients.
We recently asked over 300 successful digital agency leaders about their tips for new agencies getting their start today.
In this article, you’ll learn from their insights–what it takes to launch, stabilize, and scale your own digital marketing agency… without burning out or running out of cash.
Different Types of Marketing Agencies
Before launching your own digital marketing agency, you need a clear service model. Successful agencies focus on delivering high-quality services with a structured approach.
Whether they specialize in a particular area or offer a full-service model, the key is to build efficient processes, target the right clients, and create repeatable marketing strategies that drive results.
Below are seven types of digital marketing agencies, with insights from leaders who have built long-term, profitable businesses.
1. Full-Service Digital Marketing Agency
A full-service digital marketing agency provides a comprehensive suite of internet marketing services. This model attracts larger businesses that want a single, trusted partner to manage their entire digital marketing strategy instead of working with multiple vendors.
✅ Pros of a Full-Service Digital Marketing Company
Higher-value clients who need long-term, multi-channel support.
More opportunities for cross-selling additional digital marketing services.
Stronger client retention due to deep integration with a company’s marketing strategy.
❌ Cons of Running a Full-Service Agency
Requires a diverse team with expertise across multiple disciplines.
Higher operational costs due to talent acquisition and software investments.
Harder to differentiate if your agency lacks a unique selling proposition.
Kevin Watts learned this firsthand with his agency, Raincross. At first, his agency tried to offer every digital marketing service possible, but over time, he realized that trying to be everything to everyone made it difficult to scale efficiently.
“We started out offering everything but quickly realized we needed to narrow our focus,” Kevin told AgencyAnalytics. “Scaling a full-service agency is tough unless you have the right talent.”

Raincross President Kevin Watts (left) and VP of Strategy and Operations Aurelio Melendrez scaled their agency by refining services and hiring the right talent.
By refining core services, Raincross built a more sustainable digital marketing agency worth scaling that focused on its strengths, attracted the right target audience, and delivered exceptional results.
If you want to build a full-service digital marketing business, success depends on hiring the right team, choosing scalable digital marketing tools, and developing efficient processes to ensure quality service delivery.

Keep your team organized, track progress, and manage tasks—all in the same platform where you monitor client campaigns. Try AgencyAnalytics free for 14 days!
2. SEO Agency
SEO agencies specialize in optimizing websites to improve visibility and rankings on search engines like Google and Bing. They rely heavily on market research to identify target keywords, analyze competitors, and develop content strategies that align with search intent.
✅ Pros of an SEO Agency
Businesses rely on organic search for long-term, sustainable traffic.
SEO requires ongoing optimization, making retainers a common pricing model.
Ideal for those skilled in analytics, content strategy, and technical SEO.
❌ Cons of an SEO Agency
SEO results take time, requiring client education and patience.
Constant algorithm updates and the evolution of AI means agencies must stay ahead of industry trends.
SEO agencies thrive because search traffic drives consistent business growth. Clients need ongoing SEO strategy, content updates, and technical fixes, making SEO a high-retention, recurring revenue model.
Make sure that you spend some time identifying the keywords that your ideal clients are actually searching for online! If you don't have an accurate idea of what keywords your ideal clients are searching, then you may spend your time optimizing your content with the wrong keywords.
Jessica Tappana, Founder, Simplified SEO Consulting
3. Social Media Marketing Agency
Social media marketing agencies help brands build an online presence through social media posts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. They focus on content creation, paid social advertising, community management, and influencer partnerships.
✅ Pros of a Social Media Marketing Agency
High demand for consistent content creation and audience engagement.
Recurring revenue from ongoing social media management services.
Expands into influencer marketing and paid social campaigns.
❌ Cons of a Social Media Marketing Agency
Constant need for fresh content and engagement.
Algorithm changes impact organic reach and ad costs.
Social media is a fast-moving industry, meaning brands need ongoing support to stay relevant. Agencies offering content creation, ad management, and social strategy are positioned for long-term client relationships and retainer-based revenue.
A motto we use on social media is, “You either want to work with us or for us.” So, everything we put out on social media should make people think, “Oh, that's a company I want to work at,” and it equally should attract prospective clients.
Claire Daniels, CEO, Trio Media
4. Content Marketing Agency
Content marketing agencies develop and distribute high-quality content to attract and engage target audiences. They create blog posts, videos, infographics, case studies, and other content assets while optimizing for SEO and multi-channel promotion.
✅ Pros of a Content Marketing Agency
Content marketing is a long-term strategy, making retainers common.
Businesses need consistent, high-quality content to stay competitive.
Pairs well with SEO, social media, and email marketing services.
❌ Cons of a Content Marketing Agency
Creating high-quality content takes time and expertise.
Measuring ROI may be harder than PPC or direct response marketing.
Great content builds brand authority, increases engagement, and drives organic traffic. Since businesses need fresh, relevant content year-round, agencies that position themselves as long-term partners generate consistent revenue through retainers and ongoing projects.
Don't ever just trust your gut about an article that you think will perform well, do your research about what is performing well, whether it's a powerful high volume, low competition keyword, a long tail question that is begging to be answered, or a blog from a competitor that you could write better, all of these things are available for you to write useful, strong content that informs and empowers your readers, you just need to know where to look.
Rachel Jackson, Lead SEO Specialist, Wit Digital
5. PPC Advertising Agency
PPC advertising agencies manage paid ad campaigns on platforms like Google Ads, Bing Ads, Facebook Ads, and LinkedIn Ads. They focus on ad copy, landing pages, targeting, and bid optimization to maximize return on investment (ROI).
✅ Pros of a PPC Advertising Agency
Clients see immediate results, making it easier to prove ROI.
High demand from ecommerce, SaaS, and local businesses looking for leads.
Performance-based pricing models allow agencies to earn based on results.
❌ Cons of a PPC Advertising Agency
Requires deep knowledge of ad platforms, bidding strategies, and analytics.
High-pressure environment since clients expect quick results.
PPC provides measurable quick wins, making attracting and retaining clients easier based on results. Many businesses prefer outsourcing PPC to experts rather than managing complex bidding strategies in-house, making this model highly profitable for agencies that deliver strong ROI.
PPC ads are a key part of our clients' digital marketing strategies as they drive measurable impact toward their goals. Whether it's driving brand awareness, increasing total sales value, or generating more leads, PPC ads allow for real-time control over advertising spend, targeting, and creative to get in front of our client’s desired target audience.
Reed Emerson, Director of Strategy, Avenue Agency
6. Email Marketing Agency
Email marketing agencies help businesses create, segment, and optimize email campaigns to engage subscribers and drive conversions. They offer email design, A/B testing, automation, and deliverability tracking.
✅ Pros of an Email Marketing Agency
Email marketing is a high-ROI channel—clients see direct revenue from campaigns.
Email automation tools allow agencies to scale without needing large teams.
Clients require ongoing management, creating retainer-based income.
❌ Cons of an Email Marketing Agency
List segmentation and personalization require advanced strategy.
Email deliverability is often impacted by spam filters and poor sender reputations.
Email marketing consistently ranks as one of the highest ROI channels for businesses. Since companies need constant email optimization, automation, and list management, email agencies that build strong client relationships will secure long-term contracts and grow profitably.
Great emails are a conversation. The only way to assess audience perception is by studying the reactions to your email. Clicks, shares, and replies are the "facial expressions" and "words" that a person uses to communicate. And that will tell you how well your conversation is going.
Seth Giammanco, Principal, Strategy and Technology, Minds On Design Lab
7. Influencer Marketing Agency
Influencer marketing agencies connect brands with influencers to promote products or services. They manage influencer relationships, negotiate contracts, track campaign performance, and ensure brand alignment.
✅ Pros of an Influencer Marketing Agency
High demand from DTC brands, beauty, fitness, and lifestyle industries.
Brands are shifting ad spend to influencers instead of traditional PPC.
Large-scale influencer deals can generate substantial revenue per campaign.
❌ Cons of an Influencer Marketing Agency
Requires strong influencer relationships and negotiation skills.
Measuring ROI can be complex compared to PPC or SEO.
As the digital marketing landscape shifts toward creator-driven content, influencer marketing is becoming a core strategy for brands looking to connect with younger audiences. Agencies that build a strong network of influencers and manage campaigns effectively will establish high-margin deals and long-term partnerships.
Make sure you really understand the audience your client is trying to reach when you are selecting influencers—not just the content, but look at who is commenting and engaging with the influencers to make sure their audience aligns.
Emily Carpenter, Director of Marketing, Digital Retail Partners
So, Which Agency Model Is Right for You?
Your ideal agency type depends on your skills, goals, and target clients:
Full-Service Agency → Best for agencies with a team able to manage multiple services and clients who want an all-in-one solution.
SEO Agency → Best for long-term organic traffic and search rankings.
Social Media Agency → Great for brands needing content, engagement, and advertising.
Content Marketing Agency → Ideal for businesses focused on thought leadership.
PPC Agency → Best for fast lead generation and conversion-focused businesses.
Email Marketing Agency → Perfect for brands looking to nurture leads and drive repeat sales.
Influencer Marketing Agency → Best for brands targeting Gen Z and social-driven audiences.
No agency model is "better" than the others—the key to success is choosing a focus, refining your services, and building expertise in that area.
How Much Does It Cost To Start a Digital Marketing Agency?
Many aspiring agency owners assume that starting a digital marketing business requires little to no upfront investment. While it’s true that you can launch a digital agency with just a laptop and an internet connection, scaling into a successful digital marketing agency takes strategic investments.
While keeping costs low is important in the early days, long-term success requires investing in the right tools, processes, and people. Relying on free or low-cost software may work initially, but investing in marketing automation, client reporting tools, and skilled talent becomes necessary to scale as your client base grows.
So, how much does launching and running a digital marketing company cost? Let’s break it down.
Initial Costs: Setting Up Your Agency
Before you sign your first client, you’ll need to cover a few essential startup costs to ensure your agency is positioned for long-term success.
Expense | Estimated Cost |
---|---|
Expense Business registration & legal fees | Estimated Cost $200 – $1,500 |
Expense Website hosting (domain, SSL, hosting plan) | Estimated Cost $100 – $500/year |
Expense Essential software (CRM, reporting, project management) | Estimated Cost $100 – $500/month |
Expense Marketing & advertising (for lead generation) | Estimated Cost $500 – $2,000 |
Expense Training & certifications (Google Ads, SEO, marketing agency analytics) | Estimated Cost $200 – $1,000 |
Expense Initial subcontractors or freelancers | Estimated Cost $1,000+ (varies) |
Some new agency owners cut costs by skipping branding, using free software, or delaying marketing investments—but this often backfires. A professional website, branded materials, and the right project management tools create a strong first impression and help you land high-value clients.
To build a successful digital marketing agency, invest in the right digital marketing skills, business tools, and marketing channels. These early decisions will impact how quickly your agency scales.
Ongoing Costs: What It Takes to Keep Running
Once your agency is up and running, you’ll need to budget for monthly expenses that support service delivery, client acquisition, and operations. Your costs will depend on your digital marketing team size, service model, and client contracts.
Expense | Estimated Cost |
---|---|
Expense Software and subscriptions (SEO tools, reporting, automation) | Estimated Cost $300 – $1,500/month |
Expense Contractor & freelancer payments | Estimated Cost $2,000+ (depends on workload) |
Expense Marketing and lead generation | Estimated Cost $500 – $5,000/month |
Expense Business insurance | Estimated Cost $50 – $200/month |
Expense Taxes and accounting | Estimated Cost $100 – $500/month |
Expense Miscellaneous (internet, office supplies, client gifts) | Estimated Cost $100 – $500/month |
One of the biggest mistakes new agency owners make is underestimating ongoing costs. While SEO tools and project management platforms help streamline operations, they require consistent investment to maintain efficiency. Similarly, marketing and lead generation—whether through paid advertising campaigns or event sponsorship—must remain a priority to keep attracting new clients.
A successful digital marketing agency means running a sustainable, profitable business—balancing software expenses, team salaries, and marketing investments while maintaining healthy profit margins.
The Biggest Financial Mistakes New Agencies Make
Most new agency owners underestimate expenses or scale too quickly, leading to cash flow issues, poor hiring decisions, and unsustainable growth. Here are the top financial mistakes to avoid when launching your agency.
1. Hiring Too Soon (or Waiting Too Long)
One of the biggest challenges in growing a digital marketing team is timing your hires correctly. Many founders either hire too aggressively before they have steady revenue or wait too long and burn out trying to do everything themselves.
Andrew Logan, founder of Floww Digital, told us he initially ran everything solo but quickly saw the downside of relying too much on freelancers. While outsourcing certain tasks kept costs low, it also led to inconsistent quality, which affected the agency’s reputation.
“You need the right people in the right place at the right time,” he said.
Eventually, he realized that a hybrid approach of in-house expertise and carefully selected contractors was the best way to maintain quality and profitability.

Andrew Logan founded his agency, Floww Digital, in Glasgow, Scotland in 2016. The agency now has nine full-time employees and serves 40+ clients.
Smart hiring strategies for new agencies:
Start with freelancers or part-time specialists instead of full-time staff.
Scale your team based on client demand rather than preemptively hiring.
Invest in training and digital marketing skills development to maintain service quality.
2. Underpricing Services (and Getting Stuck in Low-Profit Contracts)
Underpricing is a common mistake among new agencies. Many founders set their rates too low to attract clients, only to find themselves overworked and barely profitable.
Anthony Guilhem, co-founder and CEO at Momentumm, told us he had previously hired multiple agencies while working as a marketing director and noticed many agencies undervalued their services just to win contracts.
"I hired and, unfortunately, fired three agencies in three years. I wasn't getting the service delivery I was hoping for,” Anthony said. “And I was like, ‘Chances are I can do it for myself and do it for others.’"
When he launched Momentumm, he ensured that pricing reflected actual value. Instead of competing on price, he focused on results and transparency, which helped attract better clients and increase profitability over time.

Anthony Guilhem (standing) focuses on delivering value to clients with the Momentumm team.
To price profitably, agencies should:
Charge based on value, not just time worked.
Factor in software costs, contractor fees, and taxes when setting rates.
Offer tiered pricing structures to appeal to different client budgets.
3. Prioritizing Costly Lead Generation Over Referrals
Many new agencies assume they must invest heavily in paid advertising, cold outreach, and expensive lead generation to acquire clients. While these methods can work, they often yield inconsistent results and require significant investment. In reality, most successful agencies generate most of their clients through referrals and word-of-mouth.
In fact, the latest AgencyAnalytics Benchmarks Survey revealed that referrals remain the top client acquisition channel for digital marketing agencies. Instead of overspending on lead generation, new agencies should lean into their networks to encourage organic referrals.

Lily Zimmel, agency director at Envida, acknowledges that her agency has relied heavily on referrals. “Maybe we’re an anomaly in this sense, but we are all referral and reputation-based,” she told AgencyAnalytics. “We do not have an internal sales team. We are into client relationships. That is our pulse for growth.”
For agencies like Envida, client relationships are the foundation of business growth. Their deep ties within the real estate industry create a natural referral network, allowing them to expand without traditional outbound sales. However, even agencies relying on referrals must showcase their value to attract new prospects.
“If they don’t already work with us, I think just showcasing those results and that we can be an extension of their team helps get their toe in the door quicker,” Lily added.

Lily Zimmel (second from left) and her Envida teammates are experts at building client relationships and boosting their agency’s reputation in their niche.
Instead of pouring money into costly marketing campaigns, agencies systematically encourage referrals with the following strategies:
Build a structured referral program with incentives like discounts, referral fees, or bonus services to encourage existing clients to bring in new business.
Proactively ask for referrals after delivering successful results—many clients are happy to refer, but they need a prompt.
Leverage case studies and testimonials to showcase success stories and make it easier for referrals to convert into paying clients.
Strengthen industry relationships by networking within niche communities, attending events, and positioning your agency as a trusted expert.
Encourage client introductions by asking existing clients to connect you with their business partners, vendors, or colleagues who may need your services.
Referrals are the highest-converting source of new business—but only if agencies actively cultivate them. Instead of relying on expensive and unpredictable lead generation tactics, agencies should invest in relationships, build trust, and create a system for consistent referrals.
So, How Much Should You Expect to Spend?
Launching a digital marketing agency doesn’t have to break the bank, but starting lean doesn’t mean starting for free. If you’re bootstrapping, you can expect initial costs between $2,000 and $5,000. However, to scale sustainably, ongoing expenses will likely range from $3,000 to $10,000 per month, depending on the size of your digital marketing team and service offerings.
Where you invest early on will impact your ability to attract new clients and grow efficiently.
The key takeaway? Running a successful digital marketing agency requires financial discipline. Agencies that thrive focus on spending strategically, investing in the right digital marketing skills, and managing cash flow wisely.
Is It Possible To Start a Digital Marketing Agency With No Experience?
Many aspiring agency owners assume they need years of experience before launching their business. But in reality, plenty of successful agency founders started with little to no formal background in marketing. What sets them apart isn’t credentials—it’s their ability to learn fast, solve client problems, and adapt.
That said, starting with no experience isn’t easy. Without a solid grasp of marketing fundamentals, attracting clients, delivering strong results, and building credibility is harder. Inexperienced founders who fake expertise or rely too heavily on outsourcing risk damaging their reputations before they even get started.
So, can you launch an agency with no experience? Yes—but only if you’re committed to learning, positioning yourself strategically, and continuously improving.
How Agency Founders Without Experience Made It Work
Successful agency leaders who started without formal marketing backgrounds built expertise in real-time by applying what they learned to real-world projects. Let’s take a look at some examples.
1. Learning on the Job and Leveraging Transferable Skills
Some founders come from different industries but apply their previous experience to marketing.
Jesse McFarland, founder of SpearPoint Marketing, started in the fitness industry before transitioning to digital marketing. He originally ran a personal training business, but after ranking his own website at the top of Google, his clients—who were business owners themselves—started asking how he could help them grow, too.
“At one point, I ranked number one for personal training in Portland, Oregon, and I was beating 24-Hour Fitness,” he explained. “And I was just doing super basic stuff, but no one really understood it. My personal training clients started asking me, ‘What are you doing? How are you growing so fast?’ And that turned into consulting, which led to my first marketing job.”

Jesse McFarland acquired his marketing skills while seeking visibility for his fitness business in Portland, Oregon.
For Jesse, digital marketing was simply a tool to grow his fitness business. However, that hands-on learning gave him the confidence to transition from being a business owner to helping others grow their businesses.
💡Agency Advice: Use your background to your advantage. Whether you come from sales, design, customer service, or even an unrelated field, you likely have skills that translate to running an agency—problem-solving, project management, or business strategy.
2. White Labeling or Partnering With Experts
One way to bridge the experience gap is by partnering with established marketers or offering white-label services, where you sell marketing solutions while outsourcing the work to experienced providers.
Bear North Digital president Josh Kimmes initially took on white-label projects for other agencies. This allowed him to build a client base and refine his skills without needing to be the expert in every service he offered.

Bear North Digital founder Josh Kimmes started in digital marketing as a freelancer before launching his own agency.
“I started out on Upwork, and I didn’t really care too much about making money at first,” Josh said. “It was just about getting as many clients and projects as I could. I took on a lot of white label work for other agencies, which helped me get hands-on experience without needing to sell my own brand right away.”
Eventually, Josh transitioned to working with clients directly, but white labeling gave him the experience and credibility he needed to grow.
💡Agency Advice: Consider working as a subcontractor for another agency first to gain real-world experience, understand client expectations, and refine your processes before taking on direct clients.
3. Positioning as a Specialist Rather Than a Generalist
Instead of trying to compete with large, established agencies, some new founders focus on a single service or industry where they become experts faster.
Before expanding his agency's services, Pilot co-founder Tom Gibson initially focused on Facebook ads for ecommerce brands. By starting with one core specialty, he built deep expertise and credibility quickly, which made selling to clients much easier.

Pilot co-founders Tom Gibson and Ashley Procter shifted their focus from social media advertising to offering marketing services in the luxury fashion industry.
“We probably were only offering Facebook or Meta advertising for two to three years, to be honest,” Tom explained. “We realized that if other things weren’t working—if the website wasn’t optimized or they weren’t doing email marketing—our ads wouldn’t be as good. So we expanded into Google Ads, email, and a full ecommerce strategy. But early on, we just focused on one thing and did it really well.”
💡Agency Advice: It’s easier to become great at one thing than average at everything. Pick a service (SEO, PPC, social media ads) or an industry (healthcare, real estate, SaaS), and go deep rather than broad.
How To Gain Experience While Building Your Agency
If you’re starting from scratch, focus on learning quickly, delivering real results, and building credibility. Here’s a practical roadmap:
Work on Your Own Projects: Run ads for a personal website, rank a blog on Google, or manage social media for a side business. Practice beats theory.
Offer Discounted or Free Work for Testimonials: A few strong case studies are worth more than dozens of unpaid hours. Do a few projects at a lower rate to build credibility, but don’t stay stuck in free work mode.
Take Online Courses and Get Certified: Platforms like Google Skillshop, HubSpot Academy, and Meta Blueprint offer free certifications in PPC, SEO, and social media marketing.
Network and Join Communities: Surround yourself with experienced agency owners, freelancers, and potential clients. Facebook groups and LinkedIn are great places to connect with industry professionals.
Start Small and Iterate: Your agency doesn’t need to be perfect on Day One. Start with a simple service offering, refine your processes, and expand as you gain confidence and experience.
Final Verdict: Should You Start an Agency With No Experience?
✅ YES, if you’re willing to learn quickly, leverage existing skills, and start with a focused niche.
❌ NO, if you expect to outsource everything and make easy money without understanding marketing fundamentals.
Starting an agency without experience is possible but not easy. The founders who make it work focus on skill-building, partnerships, and delivering value—not just making a quick buck.
How To Start A Digital Marketing Agency, Step-by-Step
Starting a digital marketing agency is one thing—building one that’s profitable and sustainable is another. Many agencies struggle in their early years because they focus too much on service delivery and not enough on operations, sales, and positioning.
Matt Sullivan, founder and CEO of Torro Media, started as a freelancer, taking on small projects wherever he could, but quickly saw that being a solo operator had limits.
“I was pretty much a freelancer and started what I guess would be a solo agency,” he said. “It was just myself, but I was also learning from other agencies. I took on the jobs they didn’t want—usually their problem clients. And that’s how I built my experience.”

Torro Media founder and CEO Matt Sullivan uses custom marketing dashboards built with AgencyAnalytics to show results to clients.
For Matt, those early years were about learning, refining processes, and figuring out which clients to take on—and which to avoid. This helped him grow beyond freelancing and turn his solo operation into a full-fledged agency.
Here’s a step-by-step approach to do the same:
Step 1: Define Your Niche and Services
Many agencies fail because they try to serve everyone with a mix of services they haven’t perfected. The more specific your agency’s niche, the easier it is to attract ideal clients and differentiate yourself.
How To Choose Your Niche
Focus on an industry (e.g., real estate, SaaS, healthcare).
Specialize in a service (e.g., PPC, SEO, social media ads).
Target a business size (startups, enterprises, local businesses).
What To Do Next
Test your niche by talking to potential clients—find out what problems they need to solve.
Offer one core service and become the best at it before expanding.
Create a simple positioning statement (e.g., “We help SaaS companies scale with Google Ads”).
Step 2: Set Up the Right Business Infrastructure
Running a profitable agency isn’t just about getting clients—it’s about setting up systems that allow you to scale without chaos.
Must-Have Business Essentials
Business registration and contracts: Set up an LLC and use contracts for every client.
Website and branding: Make sure your agency looks professional from the start.
Project management system: Use tools like ClickUp, Asana, or Trello to manage tasks.
CRM and sales tracking: Keep track of leads using HubSpot, Pipedrive, or GoHighLevel.
What To Do Next
Get legal contracts in place to protect your business.
Choose a CRM to manage leads and automate client onboarding.
Set up a repeatable workflow for delivering services efficiently.
Implement an automated client reporting tool like AgencyAnalytics to save time.
Step 3: Build a Client Acquisition Strategy
Without a steady pipeline of leads, your agency will constantly be in feast-or-famine mode. Instead of relying solely on referrals, build a predictable client acquisition strategy.
Proven Ways To Get Clients
Outbound prospecting: Cold email, LinkedIn outreach, or direct messaging.
Inbound marketing: SEO, content marketing, and thought leadership.
Networking and partnerships: Build relationships with complementary businesses (e.g., web design agencies).
What To Do Next
Identify where your ideal clients spend time (LinkedIn, industry events, online communities).
Set up an outreach system with cold email or LinkedIn messaging.
Publish case studies or content that showcase your expertise.
Step 4: Price Your Services for Profitability
One of the biggest mistakes new agencies make is pricing too low. Underpricing attracts low-value clients and makes it harder to reinvest in growth.
Common Pricing Models
Hourly: Good for freelancers, but limits scalability.
Flat rate: Clear pricing for specific deliverables (e.g., $2,000/month for PPC management).
Performance-based: Higher potential upside but riskier.
What To Do Next
Research market rates for your niche and service.
Price based on value and results, not just time spent.
Offer tiered pricing (e.g., Basic, Premium, and VIP packages).
💡Agency Advice: Don’t wait until your first client asks for data—have marketing agency report templates ready from the start. Use analytics dashboard templates to streamline insights across SEO, PPC, and social media to make your agency look polished and professional.
Step 5: Hire and Scale Smart
Scaling a profitable agency isn’t just about getting more clients—it’s about building a team and processes that allow you to grow without burning out.
When To Hire
When you’re spending too much time on execution instead of strategy.
When client work is suffering due to lack of bandwidth.
When you have predictable revenue to support a new hire.
What To Do Next
Hire contractors first before committing to full-time employees.
Document your processes so new hires onboard quickly.
Focus on client retention—keeping existing clients is easier than constantly finding new ones.
💡Agency Advice: Building a digital marketing agency from the ground up isn’t always the only option. Buying an agency might be worth exploring if you have industry experience and capital. Acquiring an existing agency gives you an established client base, proven processes, and immediate revenue. Before purchasing, evaluate client retention rates, service offerings, and profitability to ensure long-term success.
It’s Time to Take Action—Is the Agency Life Right for You?
Inspiration alone won’t build a business. The real difference between those who succeed and those who don’t is taking action, even when the path isn’t perfectly clear.
Most agency owners don’t start with everything figured out. They start by sending that first cold email, choosing a niche, and putting themselves out there—before they feel ready. They learn, adapt, and improve as they go.
The only way to know if running an agency is right for you is to start building it.
Will you take the first step today?
Will you reach out to potential clients instead of waiting for them to find you?
Will you commit to your agency’s growth—even when it feels uncertain?
Success isn’t about finding the perfect moment but creating momentum. You can spend another year thinking about it or take the first step today. What’s it going to be?

Written by
Francois Marchand brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing, journalism, and content production. His goal is to equip agency leaders with innovative strategies and actionable advice to succeed in digital marketing, SaaS, and ecommerce.
Read more posts by Francois Marchand ›Get Started for Free
