Did I make a good decision? What does your spider sense say?

[Black_Dragon43]

So in preparation for accelerating our growth and continuing the trend set last year, I’ve made somewhat of a momentous decision.

And I want to see what YOUR OWN gut feeling says about it. Whether this is a right or wrong decision, only time will be able to say — but right or wrong, I predict the consequences will be huge.

So last year we had awesome success helping digital agencies who work for B2B companies add predictable growth mostly through LinkedIn. We’ve worked with 100+ agencies, the team balloned from 2 people to 12 now.

In the mix we also had 1 coach, and 7-8 freelancers.

So the devil on my right shoulder said:
“Hmm, what are we BEST at? Helping people connect with B2B companies and turning them into clients via LinkedIn.

So why don’t we expand the niche and change our positioning to help ANYONE who sells a digital service to B2B companies? We’ll have a larger market, AND focus on our core expertise.

So let’s help digital service providers who sell to B2B companies — agencies, coaches, freelancers mainly”

Then the devil on my left shoulder (yes, I only have devils lol) said:
“But we’ll give up our unique position in the market and the differentiation we have towards agencies.”

Then devil on the right shoulder:
“Yes, but we’ll gain a much better position as LinkedIn specialists instead of agency growth providers, and hence not have to compete directly with other methods of growth”

So I made the decision to go with the devil on the right.

So I’m curious — what do you think? Is this decision going to prove fruitful, or is it going to drag us back? And more importantly, why?

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Jobless]

My intuition says yes, linkedin good, but long-term you will have to pivot again.

 

[DoTheWork]

Hey,
It sounds like you made a decision based on careful consideration of your options and what aligns best with your goals and values. Trusting your instincts is important, and if your "spider sense" is telling you that you made the right choice, then that's a positive sign.
Remember that every decision comes with its own set of risks and uncertainties, but it's how we respond to those challenges that ultimately determines our success. Stay confident in your decision-making process and remain adaptable to any changes or obstacles that may arise along the way.
If you continue to believe in your decision and stay committed to your path, there's a good chance it will lead you to where you want to be.
Best of luck with your endeavors!

Stop wasting your time with these ChatGPT responses. Go do something real.

 

[EngineerThis]

So in preparation for accelerating our growth and continuing the trend set last year, I’ve made somewhat of a momentous decision.

And I want to see what YOUR OWN gut feeling says about it. Whether this is a right or wrong decision, only time will be able to say — but right or wrong, I predict the consequences will be huge.

So last year we had awesome success helping digital agencies who work for B2B companies add predictable growth mostly through LinkedIn. We’ve worked with 100+ agencies, the team balloned from 2 people to 12 now.

In the mix we also had 1 coach, and 7-8 freelancers.

So the devil on my right shoulder said:
“Hmm, what are we BEST at? Helping people connect with B2B companies and turning them into clients via LinkedIn.

So why don’t we expand the niche and change our positioning to help ANYONE who sells a digital service to B2B companies? We’ll have a larger market, AND focus on our core expertise.

So let’s help digital service providers who sell to B2B companies — agencies, coaches, freelancers mainly”

Then the devil on my left shoulder (yes, I only have devils lol) said:
“But we’ll give up our unique position in the market and the differentiation we have towards agencies.”

Then devil on the right shoulder:
“Yes, but we’ll gain a much better position as LinkedIn specialists instead of agency growth providers, and hence not have to compete directly with other methods of growth”

So I made the decision to go with the devil on the right.

So I’m curious — what do you think? Is this decision going to prove fruitful, or is it going to drag us back? And more importantly, why?

My thought is you’re leaning into becoming a specialist on a platform you don’t control..

I’m sure you can adapt what you learned to other and newer platforms but something to keep in mind. This might be what @Jobless means when he predicts a pivot in your future.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Panos Daras]

I feel very stupid by asking this question but what do you do for a living?
How do you help?
How do you get paid?

 

[ZCP]

So I’m curious — what do you think? Is this decision going to prove fruitful, or is it going to drag us back? And more importantly, why?

you are providing bigger value and becoming more an expert on the platform. SO many people need help. help them. gravitate to where the next need is. your company helps people.

trust yourself, you are a mega beast of awesomeness. keep crushing it!!

 

[constant]

Based off my gut feeling, it sounds like you're taking the right direction.

It helps emphasize that you're more about LinkedIn B2B growth and not so much about agencies, which imo sounds more authoritative.

Although if I was an agency owner, and had to choose between a company that only focuses on agencies vs a company that helps all sorts of businesses (agencies, coaches, freelancers), I would be more likely to pick the former.

The question I'd ask in your position is: "Is the revenue I'll receive from freelancers and coaches more than the revenue I'd receive from the agencies that would only work with me if I was agency-focused?"

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[Black_Dragon43]

what do you do for a living?

So far the company helped agencies secure B2B clients through LinkedIn (and also cold email in rare exceptions).

How do you help?

We identify their target audience, build prospecting lists, start conversations, book appointments, and sometimes also manage their content through LinkedIn. Coaching & support materials exist to help them on things like closing appointments and improving their sales process.

How do you get paid?

Subscription model + invoicing (for parts of the service where we get paid for performance).

 

[Panos Daras]

So far the company helped agencies secure B2B clients through LinkedIn (and also cold email in rare exceptions).


We identify their target audience, build prospecting lists, start conversations, book appointments, and sometimes also manage their content through LinkedIn. Coaching & support materials exist to help them on things like closing appointments and improving their sales process.


Subscription model + invoicing (for parts of the service where we get paid for performance).

Thanks, man! You seem to have many things figured out!
This is why I would say expand the niche!
Just spider sense though.

 

[FastNAwesome]

My gut feeling - more than sensible decision.
You're expanding your offer to more prospects.

I don't think you're giving up your position, because it stands on your results.
Maybe you could have it as a separate offer to not dilute it? Or maybe not and just focus on - here's what we do!
I don't know.

 

Dislike ads? Remove them and support the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[amp0193]

Sounds like a good move.

Maybe would've been too broad to start out in the beginning.

But you've got a process, and a team, and as long as you're confident that you can deliver results for non-agency clients, then why not.


Only question mark is I'd guess is the sales process will be tougher/longer, and the customer service will be more hands on going direct to end client vs. serving an agency, so make sure you are prepared to handle that (if you see it the same way).