I have successfully managed to keep my SEM company running for over 1 year now. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but considering I started the company in a bad climate, and the economy has considered to get worse since I started, I am proud.
Currently I am working with 9 different clients, I haven't been able to hit the magical 10 yet, which, by the way was my original goal when I started. I have 9 clients, 9 different products, 9 different problems, and 9 different needs. I have learned so much in the past year of running this company, I wish there was a class in college, like, entrepreneurs 101, where you can run your own company for 3 months and deal with all the problems that come along. It's a great learning experience and what a blast. I must say, there is no better feeling in the world then waking up in the morning and know that you day is whatever you make it. Everything is on me, I decide what I am going to get paid, what business I am going after, and how I am going to do it.
I have succeeded thus far under one approach: I give my clients all I have. There are no secrets. They have a full understanding of what I am doing and when I am doing it. Agencies that I have worked with in the past made many of their advertising strategies a secret to their clients, fearful of losing the business, and having the company take the advertising over themselves. I have taken the complete opposite approach, I am an open book with all of my clients, not only am I advertising, but I am teaching, I try to educate my clients as best on can on what I do and how I do it. Knowledge is a powerful tool, and when I team up with a business and we work together, yes WORK TOGETHER, that is when advertising becomes great. I need a complete understanding of their products, and they need a complete understanding of marketing strategies. This is something that is getting lost between client and agency. Things are soo rough out there right now, agency's are pulling inward, instead of pushing outward. Let people in! Teach, and build a great relationship that will last through the tough times.
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