What is the Secret to Rapid Agency Scaling?

If a goal for your business is to achieve rapid agency scaling, in this episode I talk with Paul Higgins and discuss what you can do to achieve rapid agency scaling as well as what not to do to make sure you don’t fall into any agency scaling pitfalls.

In this episode we discuss:

• 5 levels you’ll reach when scaling your agency
• How to know what level your agency is at and where it’s going next
• 3 ways to avoid growth and scaling pitfalls

As a business growth expert, Paul Higgins knows a thing or two about entrepreneurship and scaling businesses. After all, he spent nearly two decades on the client side, climbing up the executive ladder with Coca-Cola before founding an agency that serves as a partnership resource to small businesses. He’s also a Director and Empire Builder at Bollo Empire, which helps agencies scale. In this interview we talk about best practices for rapidly scaling your agency.

There are 5 steps to climb on the stairway to success. Which step are you on? Which step is next? How are you going to climb from one step to the next?

Here are the 5 Levels of Scaling Your Agency

1. Startup

This is like the honeymoon phase of agency ownership. You’re in love with everything about being in business for yourself. You are fired up and ready to make your mark on the industry.

2. Rapid Growth

In this stage, things are really heating up. You’ve got lots of client and are adding team members. Your agency is really taking off! You’re hustling hard and you’re satisfied with your growth.

3. The Grind

This is just what is sounds like. You feel stuck working in your business instead of on it. You’re bogged down by administrative duties, putting out fires and handling client issues. It’s easy to feel like you’re being buried by The Grind.

4. Freedom

This is where you’re acting as more of a stakeholder than an agency employee. You’re working on business development and strategies for future direction. The day-to-day business can run without you… as it should!

5. Cashout

This phase is your exit strategy. It’s your ability to walk away with cash to retire or start something new. The timing is up to you. (You can plan it out, or it could sneak up on you like it did for me after I ran my agency for 12 years.)

Status quo will not help you grow.

As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get bogged down by running the business and never take the time to what’s required to grow your business. Your inbox is too full, existing clients need you, your team needs you… There’s a million reasons but the biggest one is probably that you just don’t have enough time. However, if you’re too busy that’s an indication that you are either: not charging enough, or you need to hire someone so you can re-focus your attention. (Or, maybe the problem is BOTH?!)

3 Ways to Avoid the Pitfalls that Prevent You From Scaling

Don’t get stuck in The Grind or worse…. slip backwards from Freedom into The Grind! Escape being stuck in a rut by making these 3 things a priority:

1. Stay on top of industry changes, trends and innovation. Your clients expect you to be on top of emerging trends – so walk the walk. Don’t be afraid of change, embrace it![divider style=”solid” color=”#eeeeee” width=”1px”]
2. Spend time with agency leadership peers or a coach. These people see things from an objective point of view and have relevant experience that you can learn from.[divider style=”solid” color=”#eeeeee” width=”1px”]
3. Use platforms and technology that are efficient for running and scaling your business. Make sure that the systems you’re using are current and most effective.

Remember to always work on your business, even in the early stages when you are working in it, too. These 3 strategies will keep you relevant in the industry and help you climb the agency-scaling staircase to the Freedom you deserve.

Tip from the Agency Trenches

What’s the best advice for rapid agency growth?

Paul has a two part answer for rapid growth: People and Platform. He says it’s super important to keep your people happy and use the right systems. That means making sure your team is not overloaded all the time and maintaining a pleasant culture/ environment. As for systems, Paul uses and recommends Podio, a CRM software that evolves with the needs of your business as it grows and changes. He says that it scales as you scale, so you aren’t paying for lots of software bells and whistles that you aren’t using, but they’re available to add on when you’re ready to use them.

Are you ready to work with peers to help you with your rapid agency scaling?

I have led a lot of successful Agency Mastermind groups over the past couple years. There are a few more spots to fill in the upcoming group. We meet every two weeks so it’s not a huge time commitment yet the benefits are immeasurable. You can read more details here and if you’re interested there is a brief application process. You’ll fill out a quick form and then I’ll let you know if the group is a good fit for you.

Building Your Digital Agency

There is no rule fits all to rapid agency scaling but the best thing you can do is find the strategies that fit your business model and see how they can work for you. Scaling your agency can also create more problems if your business isn’t solid from the ground up. Don’t worry as I am here to help.

I have more than likely experienced all if not most of the different struggles an agency owner experiences through my own experience and I can help you from what I learned. I have covered many topics from what to do with your sales processes to improve them, how you can increase your agency profit margins or how you can build authority for your agency.

I have the best ways for your business to stop losing money on projects, how performance based pricing models can be the best strategy for your agency and why including remote teams or freelancers in your team can be beneficial in the long run.

Learn more about my career as well as tips, tricks and insights by checking out my blogs that cover a wide variety of topics.

Find more from me like advice from other successful agency experts in my Ask Swenk series and more of my videos on my YouTube channel.