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When I first started my digital marketing agency in 2019 I had no idea what I was doing. I had never worked in a marketing firm or run a business before. All I knew was how to run Facebook ads that converted. That's why I've put together this How To guide on starting a marketing agency.
Pick a name.
When I started the process of becoming a business owner I struggled to come up with a name I liked. With the help of some great people around me, I landed on LEO Digital Marketing as the final name.
File your legal paperwork.
Before you can start the business you'll need to file your legal paperwork. This includes your LLC or whatever you decide to designate it. I recommend using an LLC and exploring other options once you get your feet wet in the business. You'll also want to snatch up an EIN from the IRS website.
Set up the bank account.
There are plenty of banks out there each with its own benefits and drawbacks. I personally went to a local Credit Union because of its friendly staff and interest rates. Where ever you go you'll need to show the bank or credit union your EIN and LLC paperwork.
Design a brand.
You have a name, an LLC, and a bank account now it's time to build your brand and design a logo. Design a brand that you like and that will help you stand out from the other agencies in your area.
Pick a niche.
Decide who you want to work with the most and find out their pain points and unique selling positions. Learn how the industry works. Then create customer personas for each potential customer so you can better target them in your marketing efforts.
Build your website.
With so many great drag-and-drop websites out there you can quickly put up a stylish website that represents your brand identity.
Pick your social media channels.
Since you know your niche you can look at the social media demographics to decide which sites are the best to spend your time and energy on to attract the attention of your target industries.
Set a budget.
Since you're just starting out you may not have the largest budget which means that each dollar needs to be spent wisely. Sit down and figure out the software you need and the costs so you know how much to spend in your first year.
Start marketing yourself.
Now that you have all the tools, legal paperwork, and platforms it's time to start promoting yourself so you can land your first client.