How To Start A Content Marketing Agency That Succeeds

Introduction

Starting your own content marketing agency can be a great way to help you achieve your business goals. This guide will walk you through the entire process, from coming up with a business plan to hiring the right team and getting your first clients. So if you’re thinking of starting your own content marketing agency, read on!

1. Come up with a business plan

If you want to start a content marketing agency that succeeds, you need to have a clear business plan in place.

Any business will go through a documentation process during the startup phase. This is where you’ll develop your business model, and marketing strategy, and establish what your agency is all about.

You can do this by yourself or with the help of a professional business consultant. But however you choose to develop your business plan, make sure it covers the following key points:

• Your target market: Who are you selling to?
• Your value proposition: What makes your content marketing agency unique and why should people buy from you?
• Your marketing strategy: How will you reach your target market and what kind of content will you create?
• Your finances: How much money do you need to start your business and how will you make money?

And to get your agency validated you need to show your potential customers that you mean business. This is why having a strong portfolio is critical for any content marketing agency.

Your portfolio should showcase the kind of work you can do and the results you’ve achieved for past clients. If you don’t have any previous clients, you can create some sample projects to show off your skills.

2. Getting your content marketing agency registered, licensed and insured

The next step is to get your content marketing agency registered, licensed, and insured. This will vary depending on where you’re starting your business, but in most cases, you’ll need to register your content marketing agency with the government and obtain a business license.

Steps to register your content marketing agency:

1. Name your agency

2. Choose a business structure

3. Get a federal tax ID number

4. Register your agency with the state

5. Obtain any necessary business licenses and permits

6. Get insured

After you’ve registered your content marketing agency, you’ll need to get it licensed. This is usually done through the Chamber of Commerce in your city or state.

And finally, you’ll need to get your business insured. This is important because it protects you and your agency from any potential liability claims.

3. Hire the right team for your content marketing agency

As the saying goes, “You’re only as good as the team you surround yourself with.” And this is especially true when starting a business. Once you have your business plan in place, it’s time to start hiring the right team. Content marketing requires a variety of skills, from writing and editing to graphic design and social media marketing. As you build your team, make sure to hire people who complement each other’s skills and who are passionate about creating great content. At the initial stages your agency will require:

Roles you need to look for in your team:

1. Content strategist:

Content strategists are the backbone of any content marketing agency. They’ll help you come up with a strategy and plan for your clients so they can be more successful than ever before! If not anyone, get someone who can be a strategist, writer, and editor – also pay them a lump. You could use a 3-in-1 package when coming to these skills.

2. Writers:

Your agency will need good writers who can produce high-quality, engaging content. And since content marketing is all about creating different types of content, it’s important to have a team of writers who are each expert in their field.

3. Editors:

Editors are the lifeblood of any content production team. Without them, you wouldn’t be able to produce anything that has even a semblance of grammatical accuracy! They’ll help make sure all your client’s needs are met by making certain they won’t ever come across as being cheap in quality–and without it, there would be no way for clients to know how experienced or talented you really are!

4. Graphic Designers:

Content marketing is all about creativity, which means that you need someone with an eye for design. A good graphic designer can help create logos and visuals to give your content personality!

5. Social media experts:

You can either outsource the management of your social media accounts to an expert or take it upon yourself if you’re on a shoestring budget. 

As soon as things get going with the business venture though and there’s more money available for marketing materials like ads across all channels- consider hiring someone who specializes in this area so they know what works best!

6. Project manager:

A project manager will be responsible for ensuring that all your projects are completed on time and within budget. This is essential because – just like your brain can’t process without a hippocampus to redirect your memories! – a content marketing agency can’t function without someone to keep everything organized.

When you’re just starting out, you might not be able to afford to hire a full team of professionals. In this case, you can either outsource some of the work or hire freelancers. Just make sure to vet any freelancers you work with carefully, and only give them projects that they’re qualified to do. But do consider hiring an accountant to manage your finances, operations head, and other roles as your funds start pouring in and your business starts flourishing.

How to hire the right team for your content marketing agency:

1. Start with a small team of 2-3 people

Starting with a small team will ensure that everyone is on the same page and that there are fewer communication breakdowns. It will also allow you to get to know your team members and their strengths and weaknesses.

2. Hire a mix of full-time, part-time, and freelance employees

Hiring a mix of full-time, part-time, and freelance employees will give you the flexibility to scale your business as needed. It also allows you to try out different team configurations to see what works best for your content marketing agency.

3. Look for people who are passionate about content marketing

When hiring, look for people who are passionate about content marketing and who have a strong understanding of the industry. These are the people who will be more likely to stick with your agency in the long run and who will be more invested in its success.

4. Ask for referrals from your network

When searching for content marketing talent, ask for referrals from your network of friends, family, and colleagues. This is a great way to find high-quality candidates who are already familiar with your work style and who come recommended.

5. Use online job boards

Online job boards like Indeed, Monster, and Upwork are a great way to find content marketing talent. When posting a job listing, be sure to include information about your content marketing agency culture and what you’re looking for in a candidate.

6. Screen candidates carefully

Once you’ve received a few applications, it’s time to start screening candidates. When conducting interviews, be sure to ask about their experience with content marketing and their understanding of the industry. You should also ask for examples of their work and references from past clients.

7. Make an offer

After you’ve found the right candidate, it’s time to make an offer. When extending an offer, be sure to include information about your agency’s benefits and compensation package. This will help attract top talent to your company.

8. Onboard your new hires

After you’ve hired your team, it’s important to onboard them properly. This includes giving them a tour of the office, introducing them to their team members, and orienting them with your agency’s culture and values.

9. Train your team

Once your team is in place, it’s time to start training them. This includes teaching them about your agency’s content marketing process and how to create high-quality content. You should also provide them with access to resources like e-books, articles, and online courses.

10. Set expectations

Before your team starts working, it’s important to set expectations. This includes discussing your agency’s goals, content strategy, and target audience. You should also provide your team with guidelines for creating content and for working with clients.

11. Give feedback

As your team starts working, be sure to give them feedback on their performance. This will help them understand what you expect from them and how they can improve. You should also give them feedback on their projects, so they know what areas they need to work on.

12. Have regular check-ins

To ensure that your team is on track, have regular check-ins with them. This gives you a chance to discuss their progress, give feedback, and answer any questions they may have. It also allows you to make sure that everyone is on the same page and that there are no communication breakdowns.

13. Celebrate your team’s successes

As your team starts to produce results, be sure to celebrate their successes. This will help them feel appreciated and motivated to continue doing great work. You can celebrate by hosting team lunches, giving out bonus points, and sending thank-you notes.

Starting a content marketing agency is a great way to help you achieve your business goals and hiring the best team is a necessary foundation to success.

4. Generating a strong client-base

Getting your first clients is often the most challenging part of starting a content marketing agency. There are several ways to find potential clients, including networking, online job boards, and cold-emailing.

#1 Networking

One of the best ways to find potential clients is to network with other professionals in your industry. This includes attending industry events, joining professional organizations, and connecting with people on social media. When networking, be sure to promote your content marketing agency and its services.

#2 Online job boards

Another great way to find potential clients is to use online job boards. These platforms allow you to post your agency’s information and services so that interested parties can contact you. Some of the most popular online job boards include Upwork, Freelancer, and indeed.

#3 Cold-emailing

Another option for finding potential clients is to cold-email them. This involves sending a personalized email to someone you think would be interested in your services. When cold-emailing, be sure to introduce yourself and your content marketing agency, explain what you do, and provide a link to your website or portfolio.

#4 Advertising

Another way to generate interest from potential clients is to advertise your content marketing agency and its services. This can be done through online ads, social media posts, or even flyers and brochures. When advertising, be sure to target your audience so that you’re reaching the right people.

There are so many ways to get your first clients when starting a content marketing agency. However, the most important thing is to be creative and never give up. With a little hard work and perseverance, you’ll be sure to find success.

5. Working with clients

Once you’ve landed your first clients, it’s important to build a strong working relationship with them. This includes setting expectations, communicating often, and delivering quality work.

#1 Set expectations

Before starting any project, be sure to set clear expectations with your client. This includes discussing the scope of the project, your content marketing goals, and the timeline for delivery. By setting clear expectations from the start, you can avoid any misunderstandings or disagreements down the road.

#2 Communicate often

Throughout the project, be sure to communicate often with your client. This helps to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that there are no surprises. It also allows you to build a strong relationship with your client and nurture a long-term working partnership.

#3 Deliver quality work

Of course, one of the most important aspects of working with clients is delivering quality work. This includes meeting deadlines, providing well-written content, and adhering to the agreed-upon scope of the project. By always delivering quality work, you’ll be sure to impress your clients and keep them coming back for more.

Working with clients is an important part of running a successful content marketing agency. By setting clear expectations, communicating often, and delivering quality work, you can build strong working relationships that will last for years to come.

6. Create great content

If you are wondering why this is important. To retain clients, you have to give them a reason to come back. The best way to do this is by creating great content that resonates with their needs and interests. This can be done through blog posts, articles, infographics, videos, and more.

When creating content, be sure to keep your target audience in mind. This will help you create content that is relevant and interesting to them. Additionally, be sure to promote your content across all of your channels, including social media, email, and your website.

Not only will you focus on creating great content for your client businesses, but also your content marketing agency. By having a strong presence online, you can attract more clients and grow your business.

7. Stay up to date with trends

To be successful in the content marketing industry, it’s important to stay up-to-date with the latest trends. This includes new content formats, social media platforms, and changes in search engine algorithms. By staying up-to-date with the latest trends, you can ensure that your content marketing strategies are always effective.

The content marketing industry is constantly changing, so it’s important to stay on top of the latest trends. This will help you attract more clients and grow your business.

8. Measure your success

Last but not least, it’s important to measure your success. This includes setting goals, tracking your progress, and analyzing your results. By measuring your success, you can make changes to your content marketing strategies as needed and ensure that you are always moving in the right direction.

There are several ways to measure your content marketing success. This includes setting goals, tracking your progress, and analyzing your results. By measuring your success, you can make changes to your content marketing strategies as needed and ensure that you are always moving in the right direction.

We need not tell you how because we are confident you will find a way that works best for you and your business. Your team will also have great ideas that you can use to measure success.

Conclusion

Content marketing is a great way to achieve your business goals. By starting your own content marketing agency, you can build strong working relationships with clients, create great content, and measure your success. So if you’re thinking of starting your own content marketing agency, be sure to follow these tips.

By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to starting a successful content marketing agency of your own. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and get started today! To learn more, contact us at 12channels.