How to Avoid the Most Common Agency Mistakes, with Nick Hoard

March 30, 2022

Episode 46:

This week, I welcome Nick Hoard to the show. Nick is a passionate entrepreneur who has spent the last 14 years helping small businesses develop and grow their brand. Nick discusses the most common agency mistakes and how to avoid them. Hear insights about:

  • How Nick’s agency pivoted and found a new niche during the pandemic
  • The most important financial lesson of running an agency
  • Why it’s important to invest in your business early on (and quickly)
  • The biggest mistakes that agencies are making
  • Two useful strategies for new agency owners to grow their business
  • What questions should you ask to successfully filter your leads to save time
  • How to overcome the most confusing parts of running an agency
  • Why cash flow and savings is a crucial part of successful agencies

Starting On the Right Foot

Starting a new business usually requires that you leverage your network. However, starting a marketing agency puts you in a unique position to leverage your unique skill set — digital marketing. My guest this week on the Progressive Agency Podcast is Nick Hoard. Nick shares how he leveraged his knowledge of running ads early on in his business with the help of his initial clients.

Nick is a passionate entrepreneur who has spent the last 14 years helping small businesses develop and grow their brand. As the Founder of Nick the Marketer and Urgent Care Marketing Pros, Nick is the chief visionary of Brands. He spends his time creating opportunities, identifying strategic business relationships, and developing leaders. Nick joins me to discuss how he pivoted during the pandemic, and shares advice for new agency owners.

Avoiding Financial Mistakes

The biggest mistake that new agencies make is filtering 100% of everything through their company on the client’s behalf. This is a huge financial mistake. During our conversation, Nick shares how many agencies make the mistake of not disclosing how they disperse their services.

Nick describes how early on in his business, he took on the risk with a couple of accounts where he was left with their Google Ads bill because they decided not to pay the agency. Nick stresses that although you may be new in business, and really need a client, you must take the time to have proper documents and agreements signed to avoid paying the “stupid tax.”

Finding Qualified Leads

Nick believes that running ads can be a huge driver for business. However, you need to have the systems and teammates in place to be able to handle the results of the ads. You have to capture those leads, and you must take the time to set up processes and people to effectively capture your leads. Don’t forget that you’re paying for it!

You should also put a filtering process in place for your leads. Nick explains how his agency filters through a survey. He describes some of the important questions he asks to qualify leads. Additionally, Nick shares the thank you message that unqualified leads receive after completing the survey. This process saves time and money that could have been wasted on unnecessary phone calls.

How to Connect with Nick Hoard:

About Nick Hoard

Nick is a passionate entrepreneur who has spent the last 14 years helping small businesses develop and grow their brand. Well versed in advertising, messaging, and marketing strategy, Nick has developed a winning formula of applying traditional marketing strategies to digital media platforms.

As the Founder of Nick the Marketer and Urgent Care Marketing Pros, Nick is the chief visionary of Brands. He spends his time creating opportunities, identifying strategic business relationships, and developing leaders. This has led to multiple company recognition awards, as well as being recognized as one of the fastest-growing agencies in the Southeast.

Nick and his wife, Heather, moved from Memphis, TN to Birmingham, AL in 2009. From there they grew their family and added 3 boys and a dog to the mix. Nick is currently in the passionate throes of Aviation as he pursues his pilot’s license. When not building a business or flying, you can generally find them at the swimming pool, watching the latest Netflix show, huddled around the XBOX, or in an intense nerf gun crossfire.

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