Navigating the Challenges of a New Subscription-Based Creative Agency
As a group of enthusiastic freelancers, we recently embarked on an exciting journey to establish a subscription-based creative agency. Our diverse team boasts expertise across various domains, including graphic design, branding, media buying, UI/UX design, and low-code web development. I’m the newest member, serving as the web developer, and I am eager to make our venture a success.
Our Business Model
The core premise of our agency is simple: clients subscribe for a monthly fee to benefit from our entire team’s creative skills. Users can submit tasks—ranging from designing an eye-catching Instagram post to developing a comprehensive branding strategy—and we handle the execution within a set timeframe. Our aim is to provide a seamless, cost-effective alternative to hiring individual freelancers or full-time staff, ultimately alleviating the burdens of project management for our clients.
Facing Initial Hurdles
Despite our enthusiasm and efforts, we’ve yet to secure any clients. We have invested considerable time in creating a website, engaging on social media, and leveraging our existing networks to promote our services. However, our outreach hasn’t yielded the results we hoped for. Reflecting on our challenges, a few potential areas for improvement stand out:
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Sales Strategy: We lack a solid approach for marketing higher-ticket services and do not have a structured method for effective outreach. Our efforts have been more reactive than proactive, which may be hindering our potential.
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Competing Priorities: With each team member balancing their regular jobs, the agency often takes a backseat, limiting our collective urgency and contribution. I have the flexibility to dedicate more time, but I often feel like I’m pushing the project forward on my own.
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Productivity Gaps: Much of our current activity involves refining our website or crafting AI-assisted LinkedIn posts, which feel more like busywork than impactful strategies. We need to focus on actions that will genuinely engage clients and drive business growth.
Seeking Guidance and Collaboration
I am eager to discuss these concerns with my team but want to approach the conversation thoughtfully, avoiding any perception of being overly critical or self-important. As I navigate these early stages of our agency, I would greatly appreciate any insights or advice from those who have faced similar experiences. How did you overcome initial setbacks? What strategies proved effective in attracting clients?
Your insights could be invaluable as we strive to turn our vision into reality. Thank you
