Question: Validity of a SMMA in 2024

[pulidopw]

Hey all,
Im questioning the validity of pursuing the "generic" Social Media Marketing Agency business model. It seems that everyone on YouTube is hyping up this service as a "get rich quick scheme", but as most of you well know: If the barrier to entry is low, everyone is doing it, then odds are its a dead end. Any people out there with first hand experience finding success in this niche? All opinions welcome

 

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[Charlot Jhon]

Hello pulidopw !

I've been in the SMMA for a few months with Iman Gadzhi, and I've even paid 1366 euros for his annual educate subscription.

And I'll tell you one thing, I've made about twenty calls, and no results, I'd been warned, it's not at the beginning that I'll get results, my coach told me so. But what I've noticed is that there's a lot of competition, and I feel it during my prospecting calls. My customers are used to it, and I must admit it sucks.

But the deeper I dig, the more I notice that I don't really bring any value, apart from advertising, but the trick is that my customers can do it for themselves and for a lot less.

So I'm thinking about whether I should continue along this path, or change direction and create a useful application that brings value.

And if you dig deeper, an app will sell for a lot more than a digital marketing agency.

After all, this is the point of view of a guy who hasn't succeeded in that direction, but maybe someone else has succeeded in landing a client. All it takes is one to say yes, and everything changes.

 

[akshayazariah]

As much as possible, stick to the CENTS framework if you want to build a traditionally fastlane business. I'm not qualified to give you a guided step-by-step, nor do I think that would benefit you, but generally speaking, if the business does not satisfy the five commandments (Control, Entry, Need, Time, and Scale), then steer clear.

Also, if you haven't read any of the books, that's a good starting point. If you're short on time, just pick up a copy of Unscripted : TGRRE (the latest one).

 

[EliaR]

I think it's a great business model.
Marketing is a big part of every successful business, and there are so many businesses that need help with marketing.
In SMMA you help clients make a lot of money and take a small % of that.

I really don't see what's not valid about this.

Only thing is, delivering the service to the client is way harder than the videos make it out to be. Why? because most people are not at that stage yet, most people are action-faking watching youtube videos meaning they're at the stage of needing to acquire a client first. So making videos about client acquisition gets way more traction.

 

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[Andy Black]

Hold on...

I've even paid 1366 euros for his annual educate subscription

You've paid for a year of education...

I've been in the SMMA for a few months

Been doing it a few months...

I've made about twenty calls, and no results

And made 20 calls?

I'm curious what they had you doing for the first few months.

 

[EL_00]

Hey all,
Im questioning the validity of pursuing the "generic" Social Media Marketing Agency business model. It seems that everyone on YouTube is hyping up this service as a "get rich quick scheme", but as most of you well know: If the barrier to entry is low, everyone is doing it, then odds are its a dead end. Any people out there with first hand experience finding success in this niche? All opinions welcome

Just start to call for 1 hour, 2 calls, no response

Ahhaha I'm such a coward but I'm more tired of give up.

Now continue

 

[Charlot Jhon]

Hold on...


You've paid for a year of education...


Been doing it a few months...


And made 20 calls?

I'm curious what they had you doing for the first few months.

Hi Andy ! Yeah,
I paid for 1 year, that's true, and during the first few months, from September to December, I read the lessons on the app, and I was also entitled to consultations with my coach every month.

To be clear, my subscription ends in September 2024 and to date I've made 25 calls.

I started calling in January, and called when I could.

One of my first difficulties was convincing customers, they always had a good question to test me.
But already out of 25 calls, I'd had one that was great. I almost managed to convince him, but unfortunately he just couldn't do it. So we agreed to call again in April. When he's situation will be better.

Have you tried SMMA ? Or do you know people who are deep in it?

 

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[EL_00]

Just start to call for 1 hour, 2 calls, no response

Ahhaha I'm such a coward but I'm more tired of give up.

Now continue

Yes just get my first rejection

Gosh feels like something stuck in my heart

 

[EL_00]

Hi Andy ! Yeah,
I paid for 1 year, that's true, and during the first few months, from September to December, I read the lessons on the app, and I was also entitled to consultations with my coach every month.

To be clear, my subscription ends in September 2024 and to date I've made 25 calls.

I started calling in January, and called when I could.

One of my first difficulties was convincing customers, they always had a good question to test me.
But already out of 25 calls, I'd had one that was great. I almost managed to convince him, but unfortunately he just couldn't do it. So we agreed to call again in April. When he's situation will be better.

Have you tried SMMA ? Or do you know people who are deep in it?

What do you say to pass the admin (gate keeper)?

 

[Charlot Jhon]

Yes just get my first rejection

Gosh feels like something stuck in my heart

Ahah I Know what you're feeling right now lmao. Keep it up!

 

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[Andy Black]

during the first few months, from September to December, I read the lessons on the app

Is that what they encourage you do?

Reading doesn't help your prospective clients.

One of my first difficulties was convincing customers

1) They're not customers till they've paid you.

2) Don't try to convince people. "Sales is a screening process." (Blaise Brosnan)

I almost managed to convince him

Wrong mindset imo.

Have you tried SMMA ? Or do you know people who are deep in it?

I provide a marketing service to businesses. It's not social media but thats a moot point.

I know people who provide Facebook Ads for businesses. I know people in the forum who provide video marketing services (see the sponsored listings).

It's a service, like many others.


Maybe go through the first row of links in my signature.

 

[Charlot Jhon]

1) They're not customers till they've paid you.

2) Don't try to convince people. "Sales is a screening process." (Blaise Brosnan)

Yeah you're right ! And what does that mean "Sales is a screening process."?

 

[Andy Black]

Yeah you're right ! And what does that mean "Sales is a screening process."?

Maybe don't try to "convince" people. Instead find people who'll bite your hand off.

 

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[ExaltedLife]

Hey all,
Im questioning the validity of pursuing the "generic" Social Media Marketing Agency business model. It seems that everyone on YouTube is hyping up this service as a "get rich quick scheme", but as most of you well know: If the barrier to entry is low, everyone is doing it, then odds are its a dead end. Any people out there with first hand experience finding success in this niche? All opinions welcome

Your first problem is that you want to approach it as a 'generic' model.

This is what makes you just another "me too" agency.

As the market becomes saturated, business owners (your potential clients) will increasingly seek out those services that appear catered to them. This is why seasoned SMMA vets always recommend starting with one niche. Position yourself, for example, as "The Agency that Grows Nail Salons into Empires". That's far more attractive than another "We grow your business" agency.

Then, differentiate yourself more.

Most SMMA agencies are simply creating mid or low-grade ads en masse. They aren't promising results.

Can you make a better offer? Can you get them leads AND close them on the phone? Guarantee 5 actual deposits from clients "Or your money back?" Are you an expert copywriter? If not, hire one. If you don't have the money, cut him a commission.

It's like any business. If you want to succeed, you have to outcompete the competition. You have to position yourself as a better offer. It's a red ocean, which means it's absolutely a great industry to get into, but you aren't going to have the easy success of those who came before you.

Welcome to entrepreneurship. It can be hard. Get used to it and be better.

 

[ExaltedLife]

Hello pulidopw !

I've been in the SMMA for a few months with Iman Gadzhi, and I've even paid 1366 euros for his annual educate subscription.

And I'll tell you one thing, I've made about twenty calls, and no results, I'd been warned, it's not at the beginning that I'll get results, my coach told me so. But what I've noticed is that there's a lot of competition, and I feel it during my prospecting calls. My customers are used to it, and I must admit it sucks.

But the deeper I dig, the more I notice that I don't really bring any value, apart from advertising, but the trick is that my customers can do it for themselves and for a lot less.

So I'm thinking about whether I should continue along this path, or change direction and create a useful application that brings value.

And if you dig deeper, an app will sell for a lot more than a digital marketing agency.

After all, this is the point of view of a guy who hasn't succeeded in that direction, but maybe someone else has succeeded in landing a client. All it takes is one to say yes, and everything changes.

You haven't REALLY done any work. 20 calls is F*ck all.

Make 100 calls every day for a week. Work on your sales script. Work on your offer. Learn how to offer more.

Remember, your customers are BUSY. They are running businesses. Running ads, especially if they don't know how to do it, is time-consuming and risky. Facebook Ads Manager is frustrating to learn.

Spend 20 hours learning copywriting. You will know more than 90% of your prospective clients. Now you can offer a mitigation of risk, along with the removal of their headaches and frustration.

If you give up now and turn towards apps, you'll be hyped up for a few weeks, and then you'll hit another roadblock, at which point you'll look for another shiny object. That's how it works. You're in the desert of desertion. If you want success, you have to keep going and overcome your own laziness. Now is not the time to switch paths. You've already invested in this. Do more.

 

[Charlot Jhon]

Vous n'avez VRAIMENT fait aucun travail. 20 appels, c'est tout foutre.

Passez 100 appels chaque jour pendant une semaine. Travaillez sur votre script de vente. Travaillez sur votre offre. Apprenez à offrir davantage.

N'oubliez pas que vos clients sont OCCUPÉS. Ils dirigent des entreprises. Diffuser des publicités, surtout s'ils ne savent pas comment le faire, prend du temps et est risqué. Facebook Ads Manager est frustrant à apprendre.

Passez 20 heures à apprendre la rédaction. Vous connaîtrez plus de 90 % de vos clients potentiels. Vous pouvez désormais offrir une atténuation des risques, ainsi que la suppression de leurs maux de tête et de leur frustration.

Si vous abandonnez maintenant et vous tournez vers les applications, vous serez excité pendant quelques semaines, puis vous rencontrerez un autre obstacle, auquel cas vous chercherez un autre objet brillant. C'est comme ça que ça marche. Vous êtes dans le désert de la désertion. Si vous voulez réussir, vous devez continuer et surmonter votre propre paresse. Ce n’est pas le moment de changer de voie. Vous avez déjà investi dans cela. Faire plus.

Thank you very much for your message! Yeah i will continue SMMA, I'll try harder!

 

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[Charlot Jhon]

You haven't REALLY done any work. 20 calls is F*ck all.

Make 100 calls every day for a week. Work on your sales script. Work on your offer. Learn how to offer more.

Remember, your customers are BUSY. They are running businesses. Running ads, especially if they don't know how to do it, is time-consuming and risky. Facebook Ads Manager is frustrating to learn.

Spend 20 hours learning copywriting. You will know more than 90% of your prospective clients. Now you can offer a mitigation of risk, along with the removal of their headaches and frustration.

If you give up now and turn towards apps, you'll be hyped up for a few weeks, and then you'll hit another roadblock, at which point you'll look for another shiny object. That's how it works. You're in the desert of desertion. If you want success, you have to keep going and overcome your own laziness. Now is not the time to switch paths. You've already invested in this. Do more.

How to write a good sales script ? I gonna try 100 calls a day.
Yeah thank you very much for you message Exalted!

 

[Charlot Jhon]

What do you say to pass the admin (gate keeper)?

What is that ? Sorry mate I didnt see your reply!

 

[Onakosa]

Your first problem is that you want to approach it as a 'generic' model.

This is what makes you just another "me too" agency.

As the market becomes saturated, business owners (your potential clients) will increasingly seek out those services that appear catered to them. This is why seasoned SMMA vets always recommend starting with one niche. Position yourself, for example, as "The Agency that Grows Nail Salons into Empires". That's far more attractive than another "We grow your business" agency.

Then, differentiate yourself more.

Most SMMA agencies are simply creating mid or low-grade ads en masse. They aren't promising results.

Can you make a better offer? Can you get them leads AND close them on the phone? Guarantee 5 actual deposits from clients "Or your money back?" Are you an expert copywriter? If not, hire one. If you don't have the money, cut him a commission.

It's like any business. If you want to succeed, you have to outcompete the competition. You have to position yourself as a better offer. It's a red ocean, which means it's absolutely a great industry to get into, but you aren't going to have the easy success of those who came before you.

Welcome to entrepreneurship. It can be hard. Get used to it and be better.

I'm a social media type and you've pretty much nailed it.

I started off specialising in Facebook/Meta ads and took it from there.

And yes, yes, yes to this: - "Most SMMA agencies are simply creating mid or low-grade ads en masse." - 100%

I'm still even now surprised at the number of people who go into social media, ads in particular, without having a clue about how marketing works. It's a process, not an event. This means you need to understand psychology, the difference between your hot/cold and everything in between audiences, the buyer cycle, and your value proposition or what your offer actually is (hint: it's not the product itself). You need to understand UX and CX, metrics and data analysis, basic design principles, and most of all storytelling because this is ultimately what marketing is.

Prospective SMMAs also need to know that, particularly with paid social, you will fail more times than you'll win, and be able to convey this to your client. All good advertisers will tell you that their campaigns tank at least 50% of the time - but when they work, they work well and you recoup the losses. The skill is being able to figure out what's not working and change it. Your clients need to know this and have the time and budget for a long game.

 

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[The-J]

I know people who provide Facebook Ads for businesses.

I do this. I'm not the guy to listen to if you want to build an agency (@Black_Dragon43 is a better person to listen to, and even then I would probably not recommend any of you buy his stuff, his stuff is not for noobs) but I am pretty confident in my ability to turn an ad account from "not" to "hot". I've done it dozens of times over the years.

Do any of you actually give a shit about your clients or prospects?

My clients are changing their lives. One guy was having a hard time just paying his bills and was dropping all of his savings into the business. He had to get a job for a while just to make ends meet. Now he's quit his job and profiting mid 5 figures every month. Another guy was at the same revenue level for 10 years, now his revenue has tripled in a year since working with me, and he's looking at selling out and retiring for good.

I'm not bragging, there are people here who have done 100x what I have. Serious entrepreneurs. I've also had clients who failed, and I've had to deal with that feeling too. And yes, I had to take the same verbal a$$-kicking that I'm giving you right now, because I had forgotten the following:

You guys are dealing with real people with families. Your work matters. So why treat it like it doesn't?

Oh wait, I know why. You guys were sold a "get rich quick" scheme by some YouTube multimillionaire and now you're frustrated because the results you envisioned in your mind didn't immediately materialize.

So now you'll be OK with taking their money and putting their businesses, their livelihoods, and their families at risk? Are you confident that you will be able to deliver meaningful, measurable results for your clients?

I don't care if you guys wanna start an agency (there's lots of shitty ones and I welcome any and all competition that beats them), but if you do, please give it the gravitas it deserves. Learn the skills you need to learn to build the agency that will have the maximum impact.

 

[Kevin88660]

But the deeper I dig, the more I notice that I don't really bring any value, apart from advertising, but the trick is that my customers can do it for themselves and for a lot less.

It is hard to sell something that brings no value. You have the answer already.

 

[Charlot Jhon]

You guys are dealing with real people with families. Your work matters. So why treat it like it doesn't?

Oh wait, I know why. You guys were sold a "get rich quick" scheme by some YouTube multimillionaire and now you're frustrated because the results you envisioned in your mind didn't immediately materialize.

So now you'll be OK with taking their money and putting their businesses, their livelihoods, and their families at risk? Are you confident that you will be able to deliver meaningful, measurable results for your clients?

I don't care if you guys wanna start an agency (there's lots of shitty ones and I welcome any and all competition that beats them), but if you do, please give it the gravitas it deserves. Learn the skills you need to learn to build the agency that will have the maximum impact.

I hadn't thought of it that way and now that you mention it I realize it, and it's true.

 

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[futurebillionair]

Hey all,
Im questioning the validity of pursuing the "generic" Social Media Marketing Agency business model. It seems that everyone on YouTube is hyping up this service as a "get rich quick scheme", but as most of you well know: If the barrier to entry is low, everyone is doing it, then odds are its a dead end. Any people out there with first hand experience finding success in this niche? All opinions welcome

Is it possible to get rich off of it: yes, just like anything else out there.

Should you pursue it: if you have the proper skills to stand out + provide value that nobody else could

Will the youtube courses make you successful in it: most likely not

This is a highly saturated field at the moment, I would stay away from it unless you can provide very unique value, but I can't make decisions for you, so it is your choice

 

[Charlot Jhon]

Is it possible to get rich off of it: yes, just like anything else out there.

Should you pursue it: if you have the proper skills to stand out + provide value that nobody else could

Will the youtube courses make you successful in it: most likely not

This is a highly saturated field at the moment, I would stay away from it unless you can provide very unique value, but I can't make decisions for you, so it is your choice

How to stand different from the others agency? I can't see how we can provide very unique value in SMMA. Because
Because we only run ads on facebook. Then maybe we'll offer something in different channels like google ads or instagram. But would that make us unique?

In the contract with the customer. Make an offer like this:

"For a $500 budget.
We'll run ads on Facebook, google and Instagram for you."

Will it really make us different from everyone else?

 

[Charlot Jhon]

If you give up now and turn towards apps, you'll be hyped up for a few weeks, and then you'll hit another roadblock, at which point you'll look for another shiny object. That's how it works. You're in the desert of desertion. If you want success, you have to keep going and overcome your own laziness. Now is not the time to switch paths. You've already invested in this. Do more.

Thank you @ExaltedLife It wasn't until I read your message that I understood. I'm crossing the desert and it's arid. Thanks again for your message.

 

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[futurebillionair]

How to stand different from the others agency? I can't see how we can provide very unique value in SMMA. Because
Because we only run ads on facebook. Then maybe we'll offer something in different channels like google ads or instagram. But would that make us unique?

In the contract with the customer. Make an offer like this:

"For a $500 budget.
We'll run ads on Facebook, google and Instagram for you."

Will it really make us different from everyone else?

I am honestly not sure, it could be though

But I don't think SMMA is a good business model in general, way too low of an entry barrier, but I would def try it out, so don't ask a bunch of questions here and just do it

 

[pulidopw]

Is it possible to get rich off of it: yes, just like anything else out there.

Should you pursue it: if you have the proper skills to stand out + provide value that nobody else could

Will the youtube courses make you successful in it: most likely not

This is a highly saturated field at the moment, I would stay away from it unless you can provide very unique value, but I can't make decisions for you, so it is your choice

Thanks for the advice!
Yeah, I came to the exact same conclusion. Its difficult as someone who is young and doesn't have any marketable skills to offer yet. So in terms of offered value/magnitude in a service I'm relatively limited in the scope I can offer.
Would you happen to have any recommendations on possible ways one could gain marketable skills with a high degree of impact as a service?

 

[pulidopw]

Hello pulidopw !

I've been in the SMMA for a few months with Iman Gadzhi, and I've even paid 1366 euros for his annual educate subscription.

And I'll tell you one thing, I've made about twenty calls, and no results, I'd been warned, it's not at the beginning that I'll get results, my coach told me so. But what I've noticed is that there's a lot of competition, and I feel it during my prospecting calls. My customers are used to it, and I must admit it sucks.

But the deeper I dig, the more I notice that I don't really bring any value, apart from advertising, but the trick is that my customers can do it for themselves and for a lot less.

So I'm thinking about whether I should continue along this path, or change direction and create a useful application that brings value.

And if you dig deeper, an app will sell for a lot more than a digital marketing agency.

After all, this is the point of view of a guy who hasn't succeeded in that direction, but maybe someone else has succeeded in landing a client. All it takes is one to say yes, and everything changes.

Thank you so much for your insight! Yeah, definitely was skeptical about Iman's coaching subscription, I'm sorry to hear that its more of a "get rich quick" selling point than offering people important skills to transform their business opportunities.
Wish you the best of luck!

 

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[Charlot Jhon]

Hello Fastline community member, I have a question for you.

I have created a SMMA, I have called several times a total of 50, it is small and I recognize it. But I have very little time. So I wondered if it wouldn't be interesting to launch ad campaigns on Facebook. Of course, I'd have to learn copywriting, but I figure it could be interesting.

No coaches, no gurus talk about this method of prospecting. So I'm wondering if it would be effective. And there's only one way to find out.

But I'd like to share your wisdom before I take the plunge. Whether you've done SMMA, or something similar, or whether you're in it. Have you used this method of prospecting, and if so, was it effective?

This method is expensive, and I don't have a lot of capital unfortunately. But I'm willing to give it a try. What do you think?

 

[Andy Black]

Hello Fastline community member, I have a question for you.

I have created a SMMA, I have called several times a total of 50, it is small and I recognize it. But I have very little time. So I wondered if it wouldn't be interesting to launch ad campaigns on Facebook. Of course, I'd have to learn copywriting, but I figure it could be interesting.

No coaches, no gurus talk about this method of prospecting. So I'm wondering if it would be effective. And there's only one way to find out.

But I'd like to share your wisdom before I take the plunge. Whether you've done SMMA, or something similar, or whether you're in it. Have you used this method of prospecting, and if so, was it effective?

This method is expensive, and I don't have a lot of capital unfortunately. But I'm willing to give it a try. What do you think?

Have a look at Laurel Portié's video marketing strategies. I've not tried them myself but they make sense.

Check our Jeff Miller's short $27 course too.

I've a few threads and videos in the forum too that might help.