If you are in the business of search engine optimisation, then there is a good chance that you do work for people who need help with their Singapore businesses. There is also a good chance that you have considered starting your own digital marketing agency. Needless to say, the demands of a digital agency owner are endless. The good thing is, there are a few things that you can do in order to make your journey to the top as smooth as possible. Here are a few tips on how to manage your digital agency.
1. Perfect Your Communication Skills
It doesn’t matter how knowledgeable you are about online marketing, if you are not able to effectively able to communicate your thoughts and ideas to your staff and clients, then you won’t get very far. So make sure that you work to perfect your communication skills. You need to start doing this from the very start of your new business.
Why is communication so important? Well, when it comes to clients, there are times in which they may not have any idea of what they want or need. At best, they may only have a vague idea. In these times, you need to be able to listen and consider their concerns. When it comes to your staff, everyone needs to understand the part they play in certain projects.
So make sure that you acknowledge everything that is expressed to you. After careful consideration, you should be able to present your ideas in a clear and concise manner–one that leaves little no questions or confusion. Communication is especially helpful when it comes to explaining your processes. You need to be able to offer a basic understanding of the subject matter. Your clients should never be left in the dark.
2. Avoid Technical Jargon
Sure, you may be a whiz at getting an excellent ROI for PPC. However, you need to make sure that you communicate this in a way that your clients can understand. It’s very easy to get caught up in using digital marketing jargon, especially when it comes to SEM and SEO. However, you need to keep in mind that in many cases, your clients won’t be as familiar with these terms as you are. So simplify your speech so that people are not intimidated. You don’t want to confuse or completely lose your customer. Nor do you want them to assume that they are being patronised.
3. Make Good On You Claims
There are a lot of Singapore digital agencies who assume that the best way to stand out from the competition is to offer a lot of promises to their clients. While it’s a good idea to let your potential clients know what your company is capable of if you over promise then it can do more harm than good. No matter what claims you make to your clients, you need to be able to deliver them. By taking the time to assess their situation and carefully evaluating their project, not only will you be able to make realistic promises, but you will prevent the losses that come with broken ones.
4. Show Proof
Instead of making elaborate promises, you can stand out from the competition by showing past results. What’s even better than telling your future clients what you will do is showing them what you have already done. Offer case studies of the results you achieved. Also, make sure that you show various companies from various industries. This way, they will know that you are able to offer your expert services and customise them to their needs.
5. Keep Your Cool When Dealing With Unhappy Clients
No matter how successful your business becomes, there is always a chance that you will run into at least one or two upset customers. And in these times it’s very important that you know how to respond. The key is to remain calm and always be professional. Make sure that you maintain a positive attitude. Be understanding and willing to listen–whether you are right or wrong. Avoid making accusations or getting into arguments.
Acknowledge the fact that they are upset and if you made a mistake, then accept the responsibility. You’ll find that this demeanour tends to calm people down. Offer the customer solution if the situation does not lead to too much of a personal cost. It’s a good idea to practice your response to these types of situations.
6. Be Clear About Your Terms
Whether you are dealing with your staff or your clients, it’s very important that you’re clear about your terms. This ensures that there are no unresolved issues or unanswered questions. This is especially the case when you are creating a terms of agreement for clients. Before you finalise the deal, you need to make sure that the details are fully understood. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to explain something to an angry client who didn’t fully understand your agreement.
7. Get Your Clients Involved
If you want to build a solid relationship with your clients, then you should make sure to include them in the process. For example, you can make SEO “interactive.” Have them participate in putting snippets of code onto their site. Have them give you a piece of copy they wrote. Encourage them to get involved on Facebook.
In this way, the client will be able to take a little responsibility for whatever results they achieve. And this makes it more of a partnership. You can share the success of their project. ,
8. Take an Interest in Their Business
While this may seem like a simple or obvious tip, you would be surprised to learn how few businesses actually show a genuine interest in the success of their clients’ businesses. So showing a genuine interest can really go along with them. It’s very easy to do. Simply send an email asking how everything is going. This ensures that they will be more likely to work with you in the future. And it’s all because you cared. While great SEO can win your client’s trust, you can have an even bigger impact if you show that you are rooting for their success.
Takeaway
There a lot of SEO and SEM experts in Singapore who want to start their own agency. Many assume that it’s simply a matter of possessing the right amount of knowledge and experience. Once they get their business off the ground, they are often surprised to learn that managing a digital agency is more than just the technical work that comes with SEM and SEO. Sure, if you want to have a successful digital marketing agency, they must know the ins and outs of these areas. However, it’s as equally as important that you know how to effectively interact with people.
You need to make sure that you consider the importance of communication. You should avoid getting caught up in overusing technical jargon. You should avoid making empty promises. Be willing to let your past work speak for itself. Always handle your clients professionally, especially when they are upset. Clearly lay out your terms of agreement. Get your clients involved in the process. Also, take an interest in their business.
