Building a PPC consultancy/agency.

[ProcessPro]

My aim is to build a PPC management consultancy/agency in a particular niche I have my eyes on. This should permit much more flexibility and capital to facilitate my real fastlane ideas.

Follow along as I post intermittently to show my progress toward the fastlane. I'll try to be as detailed as possible in case it helps anyone out, but please don't ask about my niche.

My current situation: I work full-time for an advertising agency as a product description copywriter. I'm paid $1500 monthly which is enough to cover the bills where I live. More importantly, I get to work on my own time save for a single coordination call every morning. Apart form that, as long as I get the work done, they're happy. That leaves me with some free time and enough energy to build this consultancy/agency.

Next 3 milestones:

1. Finish PPC SOPs
2. Get a PPC management position in an agency where I can work a few months and build a portfolio fast
3. Start marketing

Current milestone: Finish PPC SOPs

Today's step: Learn PPC reporting for each ad type

Misc notes: With regard to the 3rd milestone above, I'm doing a few things in advance so I'll have something in place for when it's time to start marketing. I do side jobs for clients via Upwork, so that's one source of interacting with prospects. I also just launched a Fiverr account at the start of the month; although it's far more competitive and freelancers there seem to charge a lot less, it's still access to clients which is welcomed. I'll do more selective filtering later when I'm dealing with much larger numbers of prospects (fingers crossed). I only recently realized that Fiverr added an advertising option to promote your gig. Hopefully this system works well, and if so, I can use my knowledge of paid advertising and my copywriting skills to give myself a good chance. Thirdly, I just launched a simple landing page site and I'm drawing traffic to it via Google ads. Very close to breakeven so I'm working for little profit, but I'm still interacting with new clients, gaining PPC knowledge etc. Hopefully, across these three avenues, I'll keep doing copywriting work to get a foot in the door and build relationships with prospects, then I can offer PPC as a cross-sell.

 

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[ProcessPro]

I'll use the below template to track my month to month income. I'll update it at the end of May.

Month Year income:
Job:
Fiverr:
Upwork:

*NB. When I get clients via my website, I direct them to my Fiverr/Upwork to do the payment there, so by logging Upwork and Fiverr above, it captures my website earnings too.

 

[ProcessPro]

Watch list:
EXECUTION - Figuring Out Twitter

Inspiration:

GOLD! - MINDSET - One year of FLF...

Ok, I'm a little bit late; it's been about 13 months since I joined here, and longer since I first read TMF . It's Tuesday afternoon, and guess where I am? Not at work. My life has become something I couldn't really imagine a year ago. Today I went to make a deposit at the bank, something I...

www.thefastlaneforum.com

GOLD! - HOT! - FTE - 21 Years Old , $7K + Cashflow Business - How I kicked my a$$ into gear after years of action faking

Wow, it's been a long time since I've been on this forum. Hey guys, I'm Xolorr. I'm 21 Y/O from South Africa, and here's my story of how I kicked my a$$ into gear, finally started making some bread, and have some actionable advice that won't be fun but has helped me go from a broke-a$$ 21 y/o...

www.thefastlaneforum.com

 

[Andy Black]

Oh. I thought I'd replied when you originally posted, but it seems to have gone astray.

Following.

I presume by PPC you mean paid search?

How many PPC clients do you have?


You wrote this:

Next 3 milestones:

1. Finish PPC SOPs
2. Get a PPC management position in an agency where I can work a few months and build a portfolio fast
3. Start marketing

I'd do it in reverse?

1. Start marketing
2. Get a PPC management position in an agency where I can work a few months and build a portfolio fast
3. Finish PPC SOPs

Watch list: EXECUTION - Figuring Out Twitter

Ha. Thanks. I'm figuring it out as I go along.



EDIT: I just realised this is another thread. I replied to the INSIDERS one.

 

[ProcessPro]

Oh. I thought I'd replied when you originally posted, but it seems to have gone astray.

Following.

I presume by PPC you mean paid search?

How many PPC clients do you have?


You wrote this:

Next 3 milestones:

1. Finish PPC SOPs
2. Get a PPC management position in an agency where I can work a few months and build a portfolio fast
3. Start marketing

I'd do it in reverse?

1. Start marketing
2. Get a PPC management position in an agency where I can work a few months and build a portfolio fast
3. Finish PPC SOPs

Ha. Thanks. I'm figuring it out as I go along.



EDIT: I just realised this is another thread. I replied to the INSIDERS one.

@Andy Black Thanks for the reply!

I tried deleting that thread and I thought it would be better to track this on the outside.

2 & 3 will probably be simultaneous. 1 really means that I'm still learning. I understand the big picture and the math, but I'm still working out the actual how to's.

 

[Andy Black]

@Andy Black Thanks for the reply!

I tried deleting that thread and I thought it would be better to track this on the outside.

2 & 3 will probably be simultaneous. 1 really means that I'm still learning. I understand the big picture and the math, but I'm still working out the actual how to's.

Get a free client, even a friend or family member. Run the ads. Best way to learn.

 

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[ProcessPro]

Next 4 milestones:

1. Get a client
2. Finish PPC SOPs
3. Get a PPC management position in an agency where I can work a few months and build a portfolio fast
4. Start full-scale marketing

Current milestone: Get a client. Finish PPC SOPs

Today's steps:
-Ask P- if he still needs help with PPC management.
-Download all report types to see what metrics they have, and which reports make sense.

 

[Andy Black]

Next 4 milestones:

1. Get a client
2. Finish PPC SOPs
3. Get a PPC management position in an agency where I can work a few months and build a portfolio fast
4. Start full-scale marketing

Current milestone: Get a client. Finish PPC SOPs

Today's steps:
-Ask P- if he still needs help with PPC management.
-Download all report types to see what metrics they have, and which reports make sense.

Get a client.

I'd say to not worry about SOPs. Processes evolve over time and are polished by repetition. Don't automate/document till you've done it by hand enough times to know what to automate/document.

I'd also consider NOT downloading report types to see what metrics they have, unless you have clients with data and you're trying to solve a particular problem that client has. Otherwise I fear you're learning for the sake of learning.

Focus on getting clients.

 

[maverick]

Nice work on getting started.

Get 2-3 clients. You'll soon find out if you like or loathe handling clients.

Don't underestimate the people-side of running an agency. Handling questions, angry clients phoning you, managing expectations. I underestimated this and ultimately found out that I don't actually want to run an agency.

 

[ProcessPro]

@Andy Black
@maverick

Thanks for the advice! I appreciate it. Part of my emphasis on getting my SOPs in order is that I have a relationship with a consultant that's looking for someone to take over his PPC management to some degree (Amazon, not Google, but they're close enough anyway.) Still a super valid point that those SOPs will likely undergo lots of refinement once I actually start handling accounts. I just want to show that I've done my homework and that I know how to navigate Campaign manager, Advertising vocabulary etc. I'm almost finished and ready to pull the trigger though. Just about 2-3 more days then it's client time 100%. I'm going to follow up now on a warm lead to see if he still wants help with his advertising, so hopefully it translates to my first client.

"I'd also consider NOT downloading report types to see what metrics they have"
Amazon advertising has about 24 types of reports and 4 types of campaigns...I just wanted to figure out which reports will have the appropriate metrics for me to work out the math that I'd need to. Took a shortcut today by conferring with one of my mentors. Told him the metrics I need, and he pointed me to the needed reports for those metrics for each type of campaign.

"Don't underestimate the people-side of running an agency."

I think I already am. I'll try to cross those bridges when I get there.

 

[ProcessPro]

Sent!

 

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[ProcessPro]

No response on the above yet.

In the interim, sent out 3 Upwork proposals.

Tomorrow I'll contact former clients for whom I did listing copy and ask if they need help with PPC.

 

[ProcessPro]

May 2021 income:
Job: $1500
Fiverr: $190
Upwork: $917

Total: $2607

 

[ProcessPro]

Next milestones:
1-Get 1 client @ $250 monthly or even free
2-Work on website while I prospect

Key behaviors for milestone 1:
At 6pm, send out proposals to PPC jobs on Upwork
After sending proposals, help 1-3 people in FB groups

 

[maverick]

Good job on the revenue. Do you have any results you can show/share? And are you just going for google ads jobs? Or wider performance marketing?

 

[ProcessPro]

@maverick Thanks! I'm trying to get into Amazon advertising actually, not Google ads. The revenue above are not from Amazon ad jobs, but Amazon Listing Optimization jobs (copywriting.) I plan to continue writing copy as a potential foot in the door to cross-sell PPC.

 

Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member: Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)

[ProcessPro]

Applied to a PPC job...have an interview on Tuesday and I passed the screening test (which had some PPC specific/technical questions.) Nervous, but excited!

 

[ProcessPro]

Update. Landed a PPC management job at a really huge agency. I was straightforward about my lack of hands on experience, but I shared my thinking about paid advertising etc and they were impressed. Training starts Monday.

If all goes well, I might be managing up to 10 brands!

 

[Vadim26]

Any updates?

 

[ProcessPro]

Think I'll be revamping this journal as I try to refocus on my goals.

 

[ProcessPro]

Prospecting
Upwork is getting really tough. It's taking a good # of connects to boost my proposals in my niche, often for no replies or to not even have my proposal viewed. I'm going to start screening clients better and will apply only to jobs where the client has hired for more than 5 jobs, and has a high hire rate, e.g. >80%.

Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, right? And a high hire rate means the client likely has high hire intent so it might be best I apply to those sorts of jobs only.

I don't like that I'm just waiting around for jobs to be posted to then apply whilst competing with a gazillion other freelancers though so I'm going to try cold email. It seems to be getting really tough to do these days, but if I can figure it out, perhaps those challenges can be a barrier to entry to my competition.

Behavior
I'm struggling with staying committed and my philosophy is that if I'm struggling to perform a behavior, e.g. work on a business idea, I have to address the behaviors I'm performing instead of the goal one. The issue is free access to the internet, so I end up wasting time on YouTube, etc. I've used Cold Turkey to successfully block those distractions in the past but have found a glitch that doesn't work for me, so I'm switching to FocusMe to see if it works better. Hopefully that does the trick. I'll give the password to an accountability partner.

 

Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member: Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)

[Andy Black]

Prospecting
Upwork is getting really tough. It's taking a good # of connects to boost my proposals in my niche, often for no replies or to not even have my proposal viewed. I'm going to start screening clients better and will apply only to jobs where the client has hired for more than 5 jobs, and has a high hire rate, e.g. >80%.

Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, right? And a high hire rate means the client likely has high hire intent so it might be best I apply to those sorts of jobs only.

I don't like that I'm just waiting around for jobs to be posted to then apply whilst competing with a gazillion other freelancers though so I'm going to try cold email. It seems to be getting really tough to do these days, but if I can figure it out, perhaps those challenges can be a barrier to entry to my competition.

Behavior
I'm struggling with staying committed and my philosophy is that if I'm struggling to perform a behavior, e.g. work on a business idea, I have to address the behaviors I'm performing instead of the goal one. The issue is free access to the internet, so I end up wasting time on YouTube, etc. I've used Cold Turkey to successfully block those distractions in the past but have found a glitch that doesn't work for me, so I'm switching to FocusMe to see if it works better. Hopefully that does the trick. I'll give the password to an accountability partner.

What other channels have you tried to get clients with? What would you do if you weren't to use any of the gig platforms?

 

[ProcessPro]

What other channels have you tried to get clients with? What would you do if you weren't to use any of the gig platforms?

The man himself!

None really. A long time ago I ran some Google ads (using your threads for guidance, ha) but clicks are really expensive in my niche ($30 to $100+USD per click - probably because I'm competing with agencies and SaaSes).

I've tried building relationships with other freelancers who offer complementary services, e.g. listing copy so that they could refer me in return for a commission if I get signups...but although I got lots of yeses, few people actually followed through. Well except one, and I got 2 clients from her.

I'm looking to cold email next along with offering FB and Google ads locally.

 

[Andy Black]

The man himself!

None really. A long time ago I ran some Google ads (using your threads for guidance, ha) but clicks are really expensive in my niche ($30 to $100+USD per click - probably because I'm competing with agencies and SaaSes).

I've tried building relationships with other freelancers who offer complementary services, e.g. listing copy so that they could refer me in return for a commission if I get signups...but although I got lots of yeses, few people actually followed through. Well except one, and I got 2 clients from her.

I'm looking to cold email next along with offering FB and Google ads locally.

Maybe this will help:

MARKETING Thread '[Workshop Replay] Selling Google Ads as a Service'

Aug 2, 2023

Here's a presentation about how I started and am building a business that provides Google Ads as a service to other businesses.

I did it for @Fox 's paid web design group last year and he's kindly allowed me to share it.

It should also help people starting other businesses.

Let me know what your main takeaways are.

View: https://youtu.be/9kn79FWQAXk


EDIT: I pointed Notebook LM at the video and asked what advice I'd give someone starting a different business:

Initially, be open to various opportunities: Andy mentioned that at the...

• Andy Black
• b2b b2b lead generation getting started google ads
• Replies: 17
• Forum: General Business Discussion

• 
• 
• 

 

[ProcessPro]

Maybe this will help:

MARKETING Thread '[Workshop Replay] Selling Google Ads as a Service'

Aug 2, 2023

Here's a presentation about how I started and am building a business that provides Google Ads as a service to other businesses.

I did it for @Fox 's paid web design group last year and he's kindly allowed me to share it.

It should also help people starting other businesses.

Let me know what your main takeaways are.

View: https://youtu.be/9kn79FWQAXk


EDIT: I pointed Notebook LM at the video and asked what advice I'd give someone starting a different business:

Initially, be open to various opportunities: Andy mentioned that at the...

• Andy Black
• b2b b2b lead generation getting started google ads
• Replies: 17
• Forum: General Business Discussion

• 
• 
• 

Thank you for this. I'll go through it and take notes.

 

[Andy Black]

Thank you for this. I'll go through it and take notes.

Cool. Would be great if you posted your notes on that thread.

 

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