How to Grow Your Digital Marketing Agency in 2024 (20 Steps)

Here’s the truth: Starting a digital agency is easy, but running it and turning it into a successful digital marketing agency is tough, and ensuring its continued growth is even tougher! That’s why it is crucial to carefully focus on strategies for how to grow a digital marketing agency in 2024.

But don’t worry, we’re here to prepare you for your growth journey.

As digital ad spending is huge and is estimated to surpass $442.6 billion in 2024, starting your own digital marketing agency sounds like a real winner, but without the right strategies and steps, it may be a bumpy ride and nothing more.

So, there’s a lot to worry about in terms of hiring, accounting, optimizing accounts, marketing, automation, and, most importantly, getting results for clients. While achieving significant results for clients can potentially lead to new business opportunities, it’s not always guaranteed. That’s why we’ve gathered the top tips to tackle the million-dollar question: 

How can you promote and grow a digital marketing agency?

We’ll answer this question with deep analysis, as growing a digital agency to stand out among the best digital marketing agencies requires hard work besides visionary and analytical thinking.  

But before diving deeper into each step and answering how to market a digital marketing agency, we’d like to share 5 keys:

Use strategically designed lead magnets to effectively capture and convert leads, enhancing your funnel’s efficiency. Increase your agency’s presence by listing in strategic online directories, directly influencing your discoverability and relevance in local searches. Deploy AI tools for routine tasks, which help scale operations and enhance client satisfaction through consistent and personalized interactions. Participate in relevant industry events to expand your network, gain insights, and secure potential business opportunities. Concentrate on core services to build expertise and efficiency, leading to higher-quality outputs and client satisfaction.

Table of Contents

Enhancing Visibility & Brand Awareness Optimizing Operations & Client Management Attracting & Retaining Clients Scaling Your Service Offerings Building Industry Authority

Enhancing Visibility & Brand Awareness

1.Focus on a Few Services

It’s a lot harder to break even when you’re handling every aspect of digital marketing. Specialization could be the missing piece in your success puzzle. It can be about your services or your digital marketing niche, which you are focusing on.

In a survey, over 32% of respondents identified themselves as “full-service” or “digital marketing” agencies.

On the flip side, the same survey shows that effective and successful agencies are always focused on one vertical.

They don’t like to serve clients with half-baked strategies. If they’re known for offering one service, you can bet they’re SO good at it.

Let’s take a closer look:

Content Marketing Up focuses on content creation, Hanapin Marketing focuses on PPC, SingleGrain focuses on startup growth, ShoeString Videos focuses on video marketing.

You can decide which services should be your main focus by learning about them in detail through our digital marketing services list.

2.Increase Your Web Presence with Online Directories

No doubt that boosting your digital marketing agency’s online presence through strategic listings in online directories is important when considering that consumers and users turn to the web for recommendations and solutions.

In other words, in the process of promoting your agency, the visibility of your agency carries tremendous weight. Consider real-world examples like Yelp and Google for local businesses. They provide a direct pathway to a relevant audience actively seeking services.

So, with their ability to offer targeted exposure and local search optimization, online directories are powerful tools for expanding your agency’s reach and client base in the fiercely competitive marketing industry. At this point, we would like to remind you that it’s best to focus on industry-specific online directories, like our platform, Digital Agency Network (DAN), to maximize your efforts.

But, which one will you choose? 

Of course, we recommend DAN but it’s natural to question whether it’s the right choice for you. To prove the value we create, here’s what our DAN members have to say:

We’ve been partnered with DAN for 5+ years. It’s been great to share content with the community, interact with DAN staff and be a part of the growing world of digital marketing & sales. We love it and DAN is a leader in the space.

Mattan Danino, Founder and CEO of WEBITMD

We consider Dan one of our closest partners and best lifelines. We are extremely proud of collaborating with you since 2016 and definitely feel treated and respected like a family. Belonging to DAN is definitely a privilege.

Danilo Sierra, Co-founder and CEO of Mimosa

Most of the time, testimonials serve as key indicators of future success but we have even more!

With over 146,000 monthly visits, DAN provides enhanced online visibility through agency profile pages, the featured agencies section, and display ads.

Our digital marketing marketplace connects brands with agencies by handling all the necessary communication, such as the first briefing and quote sharing. All agencies are filtered according to their services and industries, making the matching process as easy as abc.

3.Rank Your Target Keywords

If your digital marketing agency’s main service is SEO, clients may expect your own website to rank among the top three in the SERP. But, of course, before all, you need great keyword targeting to ensure that you outshine your competitors in Google search results.

Even if you can’t rank for “digital marketing agency” because it’s competitive, try to rank for a less competitive term like “digital marketing company New York.” 

Remember, Google’s top three organic search results capture 54.4% of all clicks, and only 0.63% of users venture onto the second page. This makes ranking on the first page, even for niche keywords, essential for driving traffic and proving your agency’s SEO effectiveness.

4.Collaborate with Influencers

An agency doesn’t succeed in isolation. Your digital marketing agency needs to collaborate with other agencies and influencers in your industry.

But how?

Collaborate with influencers to promote your special offers to their audience. For example, you can work with a marketing figure like Ann Handley to target a 100% related audience. Consider takeovers with a marketing person to answer questions about their niche. Brian Dean for SEO or Alex Cattoni for copywriting tips would be interesting for marketing audiences. Host LinkedIn live events and invite an influencer to share their expert tips. Your audience will love it. Here’s everything you should know before organizing one:

Optimizing Operations & Client Management

5.Implement AI and Automation

Ever find yourself swamped with administrative tasks that drain your time and energy?

AI-driven automation steps in as the ultimate scaling solution. By handling routine administrative functions, these tools liberate your team, allowing them to channel their creativity and expertise toward crafting captivating campaigns and pioneering strategies.

According to HubSpot’s 2024 AI Trends report, 75% of marketers reduce manual task time, and 73% report increased productivity thanks to AI. 

So, when you utilize AI tools without straining your human resources or burning out your team:

Clients will receive timely updates. Precision and accuracy will be your strengths. Keep your clients consistently informed. Provide round-the-clock support.

6.Simplify Your Project Management Processes

Yes, clients seek assurance that the processes are straightforward and manageable. If your methods appear to be “as clear as day” and not overly “trying to reinvent the wheel,” it can lead to disappointment and the assumption that your digital agency may not be the right partner to drive growth for their business.

To address this, ensure that you have a relatable and comprehensive

templates, reports, strategies, and tools.

Also, remember that clients already grapple with the intricacies of their own businesses, which is why they turn to your digital agency for assistance. 

At that point, you need to have a process behind everything you do as an agency. Set specific policies and procedures for scaling.

These should serve as your framework for deliverables. You can also use templates or tools to automate your reporting process and you can get help from this list of the best tools for digital agencies.

7.Streamline Your Onboarding Process

The thin line that separates an agency that generates consistent leads from another that struggles may be the onboarding process. Is yours seamless?

Process St uses a simple 3-step onboarding process for employees. But, you can use a similar approach for new clients.

A complex onboarding process can create a negative impression, suggesting that your agency’s solutions might be equally cumbersome. To avoid this pitfall, focus on creating a straightforward, client-friendly process. Here are some strategies to streamline your onboarding:

Limit form fields. Use no more than two fields on your lead capture page. Collect only essential information. Start with just the business name, first name, and email. Simplify the process. Ensure the steps are easy to follow and efficient. Focus on the client experience. A smooth onboarding process reassures clients of your agency’s efficiency and reliability.

8.Have a Flexible Pricing Model

As an agency, avoid setting your pricing in stone. 

Instead, make it flexible to ensure you can offer the right value for your services, as that is what ultimately matters.

If you don’t have a flexible pricing model, you’ll either charge less or go over the top with your charges. Either way, you’ll be leaving a lot on the table. You can check out our digital marketing agency pricing guide here.

When you interact with new clients, get to know their needs, expectations, and budget (if any). Then present different pricing packages that will suit them. Let them make the choice.

9.Work with the Right Team

Successful agencies don’t make the mistake of handling every aspect of their service. They outsource a lot of work to freelancers in addition to hiring the right team in-house.

With so many tasks that need to be executed each day, don’t try to carry the burden alone. If you get too busy with fulfillment, you can’t grow your digital agency.

You can outsource and delegate tasks that are outside your expertise, such as:

keyword research, link building, social media management.

Attracting & Retaining Clients

10.Use a Lead Magnet for Your Agency

To kickstart a prospect’s journey, your agency should consider using a lead magnet:

an e-book,  cheat sheet,  template,  white paper,  tool, or a similar valuable resource.

Given that many of your website visitors and target audience are unlikely to convert into leads without a compelling incentive, it becomes imperative to develop an effective lead magnet strategy.

Our recommendation is to leverage a valuable lead magnet as a means to gather their business contact details, subsequently initiating the nurturing process that will guide them toward a point where they’re ready to engage with your agency.

You can complement this by employing targeted advertising campaigns that highlight the unique value of your lead magnets, using dynamic retargeting to capture the attention of visitors who have shown interest but have not yet committed.

11.Develop a Strong Selling Proposition

A unique selling proposition (USP) is the keystone that distinguishes your digital marketing agency from the competition. It’s your signature in a crowded marketplace. 

To truly spotlight your USP, start by identifying the unique value your agency offers. Consider the extraordinary results you can help clients achieve that they simply can’t access elsewhere. Ask yourself:

What sets your agency apart from others? What unique expertise do you bring to the table? How do your services deliver exceptional results?

Once you’ve crafted a compelling USP, it’s time to make sure it’s at the heart of all your marketing efforts. Whether it’s your website, social media channels, informative blog posts, or persuasive sales presentations, your USP should be front and center. 

To effectively communicate your USP across all platforms:

Integrate your USP in all communications; make it clear in emails and pitches. Feature your USP on your homepage; it should be the first thing visitors see. Emphasize your USP on social media; highlight what makes your agency unique. Showcase your USP in case studies; use real examples to demonstrate success.

12.Step into Your Client’s Shoes

While this growth strategy may appear counterintuitive, it wields significant power when executed correctly. Clients recognize that the true measure of your expertise lies in the tangible results you deliver, not just in your promises.

When you fully immerse yourself in the client’s perspective, you demonstrate decisiveness and a commitment to achieving real outcomes. By becoming your own client, you not only set the stage for your own success but also equip yourself with the tools to promote your business with the same dedication you offer to external clients.

Truth be told, you can use the results you get (maybe a ranking boost in organic search for your agency website) as proof to win over new clients. Case closed.

Neil Patel, for example, helps businesses with content marketing. Interestingly, he uses content marketing to build his brand online.

13.Get Case Studies from Your Successful Clients

Creating case studies from your successful clients is a total goldmine for growing a digital marketing agency. Don’t just stop getting pumped about the results you’ve achieved for them. 

Client case studies are like secret weapons on your website! Make a dedicated page to show off all those success stories and rave customer testimonials, as they can serve as a powerful tool for highlighting your agency’s capabilities.

For instance, The Charles, renowned as one of the top internet marketing agencies in the US, showcases its portfolio of past work to help prospective clients envision themselves as successful partners with The Charles. By putting themselves in the shoes of previous clients and empathizing with their achievements, potential clients can get a sense of the agency’s capabilities.

You can also further enhance client retention by regularly communicating with your clients to understand their ongoing needs and challenges, ensuring they feel valued and see your agency as an essential partner in their continued success.

Scaling Your Service Offerings

14.Master Upselling and Cross-Selling

Finding a new client for your digital marketing agency should be your main objective; that’s how you’ll guarantee your business’s consistent growth in the future.

So, it’s important to upsell to clients who are already familiar with your brand. You don’t want the clients to leave after a one-off project experience.

You’d open new revenue streams if you upsold your clients the right way. No, don’t be pushy or desperate, but recommend complementary offers that provide additional value.

For instance, if you’re a Google Ads PPC agency and that’s exactly why the client came, you could upsell a Facebook Ads solution to help your client maximize their reach on both platforms.

The same rule applies when cross-selling to clients. Always offer additional value at a fraction of the cost, if clients were to buy it individually or from other agencies.

15.Offer Live Video Packages

No matter your area of specialization, make sure your agency is using video to enhance clients’ experiences. Aside from providing relevant information, videos can captivate your audience and tell your stories better.

According to Livestream, 80% of the users prefer to watch a brand’s video instead of reading a blog post, while 54% would rather see video content from a brand they support.

The average hours of online video watched per week have been increasing drastically:

Source: Hubspot

This is why you should offer video packages with your solutions. If you’re a PPC agency, then you can incorporate videos into your campaign packages to generate more interest and engagement.

16.Offer Free Workshops or Webinars

Imagine a scenario where your agency becomes synonymous with invaluable industry knowledge. By delivering impactful information and actionable takeaways through workshops and webinars, you establish your agency as the ultimate wellspring of insights. 

As participants experience the transformative effects of your guidance, they naturally gravitate toward seeing your agency as the guiding star of their digital journey. Exciting, right?

To achieve this, step into the role of an educational powerhouse. 

Workshops and webinars can be platforms to share insights, strategies, and actionable advice. By researching industry trends, challenges, and opportunities, you demonstrate your agency’s commitment to adding significant value and assisting businesses in conquering the digital landscape.

Host educational workshops. Offer actionable takeaways. Engage with your audience through interactive elements.

Additionally, consider extending an invitation for free consultations to potential clients. This allows them to explore your services further and understand how your expertise can empower them to reach their marketing goals.

Provide free consultations. Highlight your services through detailed, one-on-one sessions.

Building Industry Authority

17.Spotlight Your Team’s Expertise

A “Meet the Team” page is one of the most critical sections that your agency’s website must have. It is your biggest opportunity to showcase your talent and expertise. This way, your potential and current clients can be sure that they are working with the right people.

Don’t you think that knowing the team enhances your confidence in a partnership and helps make the bond stronger?

On this team page, you can basically include simple profiles that outline each member’s professional experience and special skills. And adding personal touches like hobbies or favorite pets makes your team more relatable and approachable.

Such a sincere approach to the “Meet the Team” page builds trust and effectively presents your marketing agency’s structure and capabilities! So, you should highlight specific qualifications and notable achievements to emphasize the professionalism and expertise that your team brings to every project.

18.Optimize Your Agency Website

Your digital marketing agency’s website is your online billboard, defining your identity and what your agency stands for. Unfortunately, many digital marketing companies don’t invest in their web design as much as needed, but that’s an opportunity for you.

Start by strengthening your website’s design to ensure visitors can easily navigate and find the information they’re looking for. For instance, Favoured offers visitors a clear design, allowing them to swiftly find related information on the upper menu.

The importance of a well-designed website cannot be overstated. In fact, according to Toptal, 88% of users are unlikely to return to a website after a bad experience​​. This statistic highlights the critical role your website plays as the digital face of your agency, making it crucial to invest in a seamless and engaging design that meets user expectations.

By optimizing your website’s design, you can capitalize on this opportunity to distinguish your agency from competitors who may overlook the significance of a user-friendly site.

19.Utilize Tools for Digital Marketing Agency Growth

A marketing agency can provide many digital tools to its customers. When you want to work with an SEO agency in New York, they should own the most popular SEO tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, and Majestic.

For smaller agencies that may not have access to an extensive suite of digital marketing tools, it’s essential to highlight the specific tools you do use and demonstrate how they can directly benefit the client’s business.

20.Attend Events

With the digital transformation in the last few years, there are many different approaches to working and finding new clients. As we’ve already noticed, events are on the rise to help marketers and agencies. 

In terms of advertising your digital marketing agency, participating in and actually speaking at events holds great significance for a multitude of compelling reasons. First and foremost, they provide a valuable platform for networking, enabling you to establish associations and nurture connections that can prove advantageous in both the personal and professional realms.

Additionally, events often feature informative speakers and workshops, offering opportunities to gain new skills and knowledge, ensuring you stay at the forefront of your field. Furthermore, these gatherings serve as sources of inspiration, where the experiences and successes shared by others can ignite your own motivation to strive for and achieve your goals.

Network with industry professionals. Learn from expert speakers. Gain inspiration from peers.

As a great first step, check out our events page.

Last Thoughts

This is where we have learned all 20 effective tips to help take your digital marketing agency to the next level. But bear in mind, though, that growth doesn’t happen overnight.

Keep it up, and always strive to understand your target audience better because, in the end, that’s where every marketing tactic begins.