Starting a Digital Agency BY MYSELF | Don't Do It!

Learn to double your income as a web designer:
www.paitpro.com
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This video talks about the do's and don'ts of starting a digital agency by yourself. This video is perfect whether you are starting a web design agency, seo agency or ad agency.
In the video, I'll teach you how to hire team members and at what point you should move forward with hiring for your agency. I will also share my favorite way to find people to hire!
CHAPTERS:
0:00 Intro
#StartingaDigitalAgencyBYMYSELF #Webdesignagency #seoagency #digitalagency
Thanks for watching my video Starting a Digital Agency BY MYSELF

[@zachtrayner4604]

I think this is a huge part that you've been missing from your videos, so I love that you covered it now. This is a huge advantage for you! So many people want to be the best web developer/designer and don't build the relationships with other contractors and clients that will enable them to be a business owner instead of a freelancer. Freelancers will always be capped in earnings potential, but business owners are not. Awesome video.

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Thanks Zach, I totally agree with you! You have so much more time and leverage as a business owner instead of just a solo freelancer! Thanks for watching

[@leenabel]

Great content as usual. Thanks Payton! Appreciate all you do to help others.

[@rebel88studio]

Great video! I’ve been searching for a breakdown / pep talk like this ☺️

[@jerrymartinez1048]

Thank you. I am currently at this stage and everything you said I agree with.

[@JanoToo]

Hi Payton, great info as always! Thanks a lot.

[@kingdebo]

This is gold, its really useful having honest and wise advise that breaks down these aspects of growing a business. These topics always feel like the unanswered questions or the answers usually sound somehow daunting

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

So glad to hear this! Hope I can keep bringing some value to you.

[@ThisDesignLife]

There's some really great points here. Especially about having an awesome team.

[@martinamoako5202]

Payton please make a video about the hiring process. Where to find the people, the criteria you look for etc

[@sharanvkt]

Thanks a lot, Payton. You really don't know, how much you helped me to build my freelance business. Whenever I had any problems or doubts or issues, the next day your video notification comes.😍 Once again thanks for everything.

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

This means a lot, thank you!

[@mouadhboukefa560]

I have left my job almost 2 years ago. I started working alone doing literally everything. graphic Design web design video content writing and ads without forgetting talking to the cients and the sales and the follow up. I AM EXHAUSTED now. the mental energy is at its lowest and the stress is making me stop getting clients. this video is really amazing . we need more of this

[@kelvikuqi6833]

how is it going?

[@AlexSchwartzATV]

curious as well how it’s going

[@KRM85]

You went to wide mate

[@mouadhboukefa560]

@@KRM85 that comment was one year ago. around a month after it I stopped and relocated to UAE found a job there. now I am doing it all again (ui-ux social media video editing content creation and web design) 🤣but for a startup company this time and I get a salary till I have enough connections and work here to go solo or as an agency. not sure where this is going to take me. I relocated because getting clients where I was didnt pay enough so I wanted to move to a place that can pay better then do it all again

[@munchkinm6929]

Great video. Ok I'm going in the right direction.

[@derekuhm]

learned so much from this... thank you!

[@tannerbrowningfilms]

Such good stuff 👏👏👏. Just what we hustlers all need to hear 🙏🙏

[@andersonsantana7358]

Cool advice! Thanks!

[@HeyNoah]

Hey Payton, do you have a video on what software tools you use to manage your team? I am using Bonsai as well, but I am curious about workflows and how others like you are managing projects from start to finish. Currently I am using Bonsai for invoicing and all that, Deel for managing and paying contractors, Slack for communication, Zoom for bigger meetings with clients. I've been debating on apps such as Asana, Basecamp, Qatalog and things like that for actual internal project management. Curious about any apps and workflows you use that really help keep the team organized. Great video by the way and thanks for any response ahead.

[@saniyasaher8213]

Valuable video. Thanks

[@FireShadow24550]

Genuinely appreciate this vid man. I'm literally at this point of needing to hire and build an effective team around my agency, and Upwork/Fiverr are not a sustainable choice at all. 🙏🏽

[@christiankinates7520]

Hey uhm, you think you can you hook me up with your agency? I do graphics design and freelance as well. Just thought you need to unload some work out there. Thanks a lot man.

[@reaaltu3611]

Verry Good! Thanks!

[@jakematykiewicz276]

This is great! Exact spot I am in, can’t keep going on like this. I’m wondering about how I pay a project manager, I have someone in mind but paying people the right way is giving me anxiety .

[@malcolmalexander8805]

another great video - I'm just starting out so I know I need to get a few clients under me so I can start hiring other people

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Sounds excellent, keep going 👊🏻

[@ShayMor_Marketing]

Thanks man great tips...what is your advise to acheive this team spirit when working with individual freelancers?

[@jahas9359]

You Are a Gold Mine Payton❤️

[@damiandigitaldude5531]

Good Stuff bro!

[@miketaiwanwalkcity6355]

"Don't get caught in the weeds" ok I'll remember this. The entrepreneur's life of doing everything from marketing sales to realization delivery, oh yes that's resonate with us! Thanks for your advice to build relationships with other contractors outside of Upwork Fiverr thanks to a FB group, video presentation and testing few hours work

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Thanks for watching!

[@Kumak02]

Hey Payton, i was wondering if you include basic seo like writing title tags, meta description, domain connection, sitemap generation, domain verification and connecting the analytics within website design service or do you separate those and treat it as part of seo service and charge additional fee for it? If you include some, could you tell me which exactly?

[@MichaelWilliams-lo3ix]

Brilliant

[@liguori71]

Thanks for the vid

[@diyarpolat9823]

I have not watch the video yet but I am going to watch it really soon. I am going through starting my own agency company. I realized that I get really overwhelmed if I am by myself. I am constantly thinking about the brand identity, brand personality touches, a good story telling, typography, colors, seo, social media marketing, email marketing, youtube, motion design, development stage, research, final delivery, content writing, presentation. this is not easy to do all by yourself

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

I have definitely been there! It can be near impossible to manage it all on your own. Especially at a high level!

[@ChandruB-nf9cp]

awesome

[@jonblablabla1014]

I'm basically in the same situation. Just starting out, just built my website and starting to look for clients. I know its going to be a lot of work doing it all on my own! How many clients were you serving? I think I'm sticking with 10 or less clients. You said you charged $2k per website, what exactly did that include? Hosting? How did you hand over the clients website to them?

[@Bemaseated]

2 years later, I’m that guy! Thank you!

[@fabiowebdesigner]

Amazing video, Payton! I recently subscribed to your channel. You provide some really valuable content. What is your opinion on putting web design or SEO pricing on your website? I put 3-level price points for my services (Starter, Business, Premium). I feel it will give potential clients an idea as to what I charge.

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

Great question! I personally don’t because I don’t like people to see price before I have the chance to build value. I like to walk them through how much my services will make them before I go straight to price.

[@sw23ae]

In one of your other videos, you said you don't offer e-commerce services to clients. Can you tell me why you don't as Webflow offers the ability to build e-com websites? Thanks, Payton, Ricardo

[@alexsim-ye2cs]

Do you hire free lancer? How much should they be paud

[@economicblast]

thanks

[@idusiomoifo4759]

So i'm transiting from a solo website designer to running an agency , get an office space and the branding that comes with it . I need some sort of validation for this move , i'm kinda nervous cos it seems like a big step . Is an Agency the right step ? Or AI will eventually take over webdesign ? Am i coming to the party late or is this still a good time ? I will appreciate any input guys .

[@zayanhiin8950]

Is it possible to find friendly and flexible people in the field of dealings and are honest with themselves and know the limits of their skills + a cultural background open to human societies? These are the best work team that makes the impossible and creativity anywhere

[@dmar4501]

would you say paying an SEO expert on a percentage basis off each campaign is a fair and reasonable way to pay them?

[@jimmoefoe1471]

Where do you get your orders?

[@vigilantezack]

I got myself into a pickle because I'm a one man show and built the business up to decent income, but the family and business expenses are basically matching the income. So even though I'm 120% maxed on my time, I can't afford to hire, but I also can't try to get more work without having a helper. Not enough savings or anything to float hiring someone early, etc. We're really trying to cut back expenses everywhere to make room but it's very difficult. So word to the wise; just keep in mind you need some buffer to hire someone eventually, don't spend all your money or increase your living expenses!!

[@brandinglab100]

I have been doing this for 10 years. Need to scale but find it so hard.

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

It can be difficult for sure. Felt like a step back to take 2 forward for me.

[@infiltretor287]

Can anybody share where/how to go about hiring someone for prospecting?

[@blitzdestroyer51]

Does this apply to people whitelabeling some of their fulfillment as well or only for people doing all the fulfillment themselves?

[@hal-zeitlin]

How'd you find your designers that were good but wouldn't take your entire budget?

[@alvinleong269]

When I think of dealing with clients it just turn me off even if I have a team...

[@xvmx.mp3]

What he means is, do it but dont do it alone forever, you're gonna need a team eventually because of the increase in workload.

[@LennyYT]

That’s a weird sound for an intro :0

[@paulbyers8876]

I am researching the rank and rent business model of building websites that I control and own, then ranking them and renting the websites out to local business owners or selling them the leads. I am finding it hard to determine if this is an obsolete and outdated business model and whether or not it's viable anymore. Can you give me your professional opinion on that? I am asking your advice because you are an authority in this field of expertise. I don't want to invest a lot of time and energy into something only to be disappointed.

[@loopzz5526]

how payton lost all his hair from this stage is beyond me

[@vid4ia583]

Gee Payton... how or where can you find any decent outsourced help for $5 - $25 per month?... Fiverr is not even that cheap any longer. Can you give us a hint?

[@jadmalak1]

Let me know when you get that

[@arqshopifystudio]

So Payton, one thing I missed here is what was your first hire in terms of role? Was its a senior designer?

[@PaytonClarkSmith]

First role was an SEO manager! Then seo team members and Webflow designer!

[@BleakDeath]

I see all these people saying oh I’m tired oh this and that. Stop feeling sorry for yourself you will lose nights of sleep maybe 4 in a row. You hustle and turn nothing into something. I mean I can’t say for everyone because they are fine being "average" but me I WANT to be the best I want to be beat my competitors because I like money and I give more than just high quality work it’s about relationships business psychology. You think running a business is easy 😂😂 that’s a joke. When I was broke living in a apartment for $1,000 I stated my business I had to sell clothes and Radom things just to make rent and sometimes had to ask family for help now I make over $200k a year as a single member web design agency. Swear I’m tired of average population settling for mid things. You either are built for not giving up or your just a weak person who won’t achieve anything it’s about mindset. If I have to stay awak for days on end feel tired? Nobody cares and your NOT. a victim. Push yourself and try to be the BEST I strive for money. I like providing for my family parents sisters and I can… why cause I was sweating blood. And dude I’m 21 😂 that’s embarrassing saying you can do this and that man up and do the f*ckin part. I’d not you’ll be a nobody and die not doing anything with your life. ✌️

[@ThisDesignLife]

The only person to prove this wrong is the Design Joy guy. He's killing it as a solo designer.

[@AlexSchwartzATV]

how so?

[@ThisDesignLife]

@@AlexSchwartzATV Doing 100k a month solo.

[@AlexSchwartzATV]

@@ThisDesignLifei meant more how is he killing it exactly, what is he doing to get the 100k that’s different?

[@ThisDesignLife]

@@AlexSchwartzATV isn't 100k a month "killing it" financially as a solo designer? Not sure what your question is sorry.

[@ThisDesignLife]

If you mean how is he getting the clients, he's done some interviews explaining his focussed approach to tech startups.

[@stephen8215]

Can’t afford team members on day one. The title and thumbnail on this are so negative, it plants negative seeds in inspired people minds.

[@dgrays2800]

these click bait titles. its cringy. Here's a new one "how to run a web business solo" sounds better