My brother and I started a marketing agency and we are not sure how to continue.
Before I’ll get into the problem and my thinking a short disclaimer:
I am NOT chasing after some trend or guru.
After realizing that I cannot scale that business by the end of last year, I wanted to change my focus. What are my skills? Marketing, business development, process optimization, leadership. But mainly marketing.
So that was what I focused on.
Explanation:
I’m not sure what the best way is to get our leads.
«I thought your skill is marketing »
I need to hear your opinion to be sure that I have thought about everything. If you really see that I’m delusional, then too I need to hear that!
Here’s what we’ve tried:
1. Cold Calling
Type of lead: Bought from a website that sources directly from the official commercial register
Offer :« I might know how to get you more sales, can I get an hour of your time where I tell you how and develop a free and actionable 16-page marketing strategy for ? »
Results: 800 leads, 40 of them were of quality, reached 20, got 1 appointment, 0 sales. Most of the rejections were "I don’t want more sale"
2. Cold E-Mail
Type of lead: Searched for about 50 local combat sport gyms and 50 Yoga-Studios
Offer : « Heres 1-3 (highly specific, often times individual) suggestions for bettering your website and 1-3 more for your social media. Want more such tipps ? book and appointment and get your free, actionable etc. marketing strategy»
Results : 50 sent emails a few days ago for the gyms, 15 sent today for yoga / No responses and I am suspecting that they are all landing in spam.
3. DMs in Facebook and instagram
Type of lead: ca. 30 combat sport gyms, 30 yoga studios 25 ecom 25 servicebased companies
Offer : « Great page/product whatever, have you thought about doing X ? or what about Y ? »
Some variations when they were doing ads : « I saw you’re doing ads, what are your results ? Have you tried X ? »
Results : (The yoga and combats are from yesterday and today, the rest a few days ago.)
5 declines and 1 kind of order where I’m just helping him with google Ads for free as he too just started.
All in all I have reached out to about 110 leads with highly specific and individual approaches at least a week ago and to about 140 the last 2 days and today. So 250 leads for only 7 responses and 1 appointment. This is without the networking events where also the majority of the companies were way too big or "didn't want more sales" whatever that is all about. (Most of them said that without knowing that I do marketing)
What we offer: Mainly Google Ads and Facebook Ads
USP: We get results or we die. I work for small companies with a small budget and I will treat them as if they're a big corporation. If I don't get them results, I'll return their money. The big agencies only take them on to give the interns something to do which results in bad results (speaking from experience).
Our website is just an online business card, for a campaign we would need something better: www.biflo.ch
We are still working on our apperance in IG and FB but it's not our focus at the moment. IG: @bifloschweiz, FB: Biflo
Not a good option, since it’s way too slow
2. Keep the current method but try making it faster (DM at least 100 leads per day)
Filtering the leads less and not crafting as individual texts
3. Build a funnel and advertise it with FB Ads
This will take a lot of time and money with an uncertain result. I have only about 400USD per month for the ad budget which limits my ability to split-test (However I could potentially lend some money from friends and family)
(In any case I’ll definitely call the leads to whom I sent the e-mails and DMs if for nothing at least I’ll get some info on the client.)
Where am I straying?
Before I’ll get into the problem and my thinking a short disclaimer:
I am NOT chasing after some trend or guru.
How I got the idea to start a marketing agency
I have been running my fathers gravestone business the last 7 years and have made many good and bad experiences in marketing, which was my main focus.After realizing that I cannot scale that business by the end of last year, I wanted to change my focus. What are my skills? Marketing, business development, process optimization, leadership. But mainly marketing.
So that was what I focused on.
My skills:
- Mainly marketing strategy in general
- Also Creative approaches
- And Copywriting
- Pretty good at Google Ads with experience
- Somewhat good with facebook ads but not that much experience
Am I being impatient or am I being too cautious?
Explanation:
I’m not sure what the best way is to get our leads.
«I thought your skill is marketing »
I need to hear your opinion to be sure that I have thought about everything. If you really see that I’m delusional, then too I need to hear that!
Here’s what we’ve tried:
1. Cold Calling
Type of lead: Bought from a website that sources directly from the official commercial register
Offer :« I might know how to get you more sales, can I get an hour of your time where I tell you how and develop a free and actionable 16-page marketing strategy for ? »
Results: 800 leads, 40 of them were of quality, reached 20, got 1 appointment, 0 sales. Most of the rejections were "I don’t want more sale"
2. Cold E-Mail
Type of lead: Searched for about 50 local combat sport gyms and 50 Yoga-Studios
Offer : « Heres 1-3 (highly specific, often times individual) suggestions for bettering your website and 1-3 more for your social media. Want more such tipps ? book and appointment and get your free, actionable etc. marketing strategy»
Results : 50 sent emails a few days ago for the gyms, 15 sent today for yoga / No responses and I am suspecting that they are all landing in spam.
3. DMs in Facebook and instagram
Type of lead: ca. 30 combat sport gyms, 30 yoga studios 25 ecom 25 servicebased companies
Offer : « Great page/product whatever, have you thought about doing X ? or what about Y ? »
Some variations when they were doing ads : « I saw you’re doing ads, what are your results ? Have you tried X ? »
Results : (The yoga and combats are from yesterday and today, the rest a few days ago.)
5 declines and 1 kind of order where I’m just helping him with google Ads for free as he too just started.
All in all I have reached out to about 110 leads with highly specific and individual approaches at least a week ago and to about 140 the last 2 days and today. So 250 leads for only 7 responses and 1 appointment. This is without the networking events where also the majority of the companies were way too big or "didn't want more sales" whatever that is all about. (Most of them said that without knowing that I do marketing)
Other useful informations about us
Offer in ads: I offer a free comprehensive, individual and most importantly actionable marketing strategy. Most competitors ask for at least 500-1500 USD for that.What we offer: Mainly Google Ads and Facebook Ads
USP: We get results or we die. I work for small companies with a small budget and I will treat them as if they're a big corporation. If I don't get them results, I'll return their money. The big agencies only take them on to give the interns something to do which results in bad results (speaking from experience).
Our website is just an online business card, for a campaign we would need something better: www.biflo.ch
We are still working on our apperance in IG and FB but it's not our focus at the moment. IG: @bifloschweiz, FB: Biflo
The decision
Am I being impatient and I should just keep on or should I really use the following third strategy where I risk quite a lot but potentially gain a lot?The possibilities
1. Keep on with the current methodNot a good option, since it’s way too slow
2. Keep the current method but try making it faster (DM at least 100 leads per day)
Filtering the leads less and not crafting as individual texts
3. Build a funnel and advertise it with FB Ads
This will take a lot of time and money with an uncertain result. I have only about 400USD per month for the ad budget which limits my ability to split-test (However I could potentially lend some money from friends and family)
(In any case I’ll definitely call the leads to whom I sent the e-mails and DMs if for nothing at least I’ll get some info on the client.)
Where am I straying?
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. :-)
Membership Required: Upgrade to Expose Nearly 1,000,000 Posts
Ready to Unleash the Millionaire Entrepreneur in You?
Become a member of the Fastlane Forum, the private community founded by best-selling author and multi-millionaire entrepreneur MJ DeMarco. Since 2007, MJ DeMarco has poured his heart and soul into the Fastlane Forum, helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time, win their financial freedom, and live their best life.
With more than 39,000 posts packed with insights, strategies, and advice, you’re not just a member—you’re stepping into MJ’s inner-circle, a place where you’ll never be left alone.
Become a member and gain immediate access to...
- Active Community: Ever join a community only to find it DEAD? Not at Fastlane! As you can see from our home page, life-changing content is posted dozens of times daily.
- Exclusive Insights: Direct access to MJ DeMarco’s daily contributions and wisdom.
- Powerful Networking Opportunities: Connect with a diverse group of successful entrepreneurs who can offer mentorship, collaboration, and opportunities.
- Proven Strategies: Learn from the best in the business, with actionable advice and strategies that can accelerate your success.
"You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with the most..."
Who are you surrounding yourself with? Surround yourself with millionaire success. Join Fastlane today!
Join Today