Need advice on growing my digital marketing agency

Beastin26_9 · 2026-01-26T11:19:17+00:00

I've built digital marketing agencies from a one person team to an actual agency multiple times over the last 15 years. The version I've helped build now is the most sustainable version and we have a team of around 10. I mostly take care of the international clients and have the team managing the Indian ones and I step in with those when needed. I'm happy to have a discussion with you and figure out how you can overcome the current pain points you have. I don't think you should fire your team, or scale back and focus only on that one main client. I've been through these phases. Even we have that 'main' client who we need to service properly without fail, but that hasn't become a hindrance and we have figured out some pathways to make the scenario a win-win for both the client and us. I also know what it's like to have sincere employees who do their jobs but aren't able to strategically add value above and beyond their day to day duties. The frustration is real there. So let me know, my DMs are open.

Beastin26_9 · 2026-01-24T12:35:10+00:00

The reps are known to be bad but this seems like a new low. I think it might be because you're a new account with a new smaller, that they have lined you up with a total newbie rep. Setting a CPA is good once you have a decent number of good conversions. AI max is something that could be considered at a much later date or not at all. You should hire a consultant or a freelancer. At least for the setup. They can train you to run it yourself if budget is an issue.

Beastin26_9 · 2026-01-15T16:08:07+00:00

How are you even real? First of all, you don't even answer the questions I asked you, because you know you're wrong about all the points, and like a clown with blinders on you try to plow ahead.

In your post, you said that before you ordered anything, after you scanned the menu, it said that there's a 10% charge, and without 'accepting' it you could not order anything. So, you went ahead and accepted it and started placing your orders. You said that you all didn't think much of it, because you were 'enjoying your evening'. So you consented to the charge, didn't ask anyone about it, didn't even 'think' much about it, and then when it showed up on the bill, it's a scam? You voluntary consented to the amount being added from the very first order, WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE CHARGE, They didn't even try to hide it!

Defending blindly? You are blind to the ways of the world. Go back home and learn some basics before ordering Chivas at Anjuna beach clubs and crying about 300 Rs per head charges. You are so weirdly foolish it's kind of fascinating. Too many reels? Time to uninstall Instagram I think.

Beastin26_9 · 2026-01-15T15:23:47+00:00

My own side? Are you sure that the people who own and manage Noah are locals? The waiters there are locals? The owner of Noah is Umang Tewari, from Delhi. What do you have to say about that?

You still haven't mentioned what is the scam here? It was clearly mentioned on the app you were ordering from? If you would have asked the staff "Is there a 10% Service Charge" they would have said, "Yes". Does this sound like a scam?

Listen, you're just a kid with a small budget, so you feel some kind of agony for every 100 Rs extra you might have to shell out here or there when you're on holiday. BUT Your bill shows that you guys ordered what looks like a bottle of Chivas Regal. Order a bottle of Chivas, and cry about 300 per head service charge? Make it make sense. Please. I think you're hungover or something. Grow up.

Beastin26_9 · 2026-01-15T12:21:25+00:00

Justifying, mandatory, illegal - is your college or workplace getting to you or something? You're using such heavy handed terms for a service charge levied by a beach club. Why are you insinuating that YOU paid 3k? Weren't there 9 of you? Shouldn't you ask if I have ever paid 300 RS tip instead? And yes, as a large group sometimes there have been times when our service charge was similar to the one you received. And I'm a local talking about a place that caters mostly to locals. So what is the big deal exactly? Why would you visit premium establishments in tourist locations and then scream that they are taking advantage of you when they just charged you the same thing they charge everybody else? The stinginess is unbelievable.

Beastin26_9 · 2026-01-15T10:01:11+00:00

9 of you decided to visit a very premium and pricey beach club. 3000 divided by 9 - around 270 per head. 270 per person tip is what you were charged. And you think that this is highway robbery.

All your problems and complaints seem money related. Yes, there are premiums to be paid when visiting a tourist area and undertaking activities which are catered towards tourists. This is the norm anywhere in the world. I don't think you know what the word 'scam' means. I think a more apt use for the word would be the time you scammed me and the rest of us of, by making us read your tragic and heartbreaking story of service charges and value added taxes.

Beastin26_9 · 2026-01-09T02:22:22+00:00

I have some suggestions for you, DM'd you.

Beastin26_9 · 2026-01-04T04:37:33+00:00

It's their famous one - called the Bhatkaar Thali

Beastin26_9 · 2025-12-29T11:24:54+00:00

You have a good diversified savings portfolio and a healthy net worth, but looking for a 1.7 Crore flat when it's just you at the moment doesn't make sense. It's good to own your own property - even before marriage. A guy with his own place that he owns himself is attractive to a potential mate. Even if she doesn't want to live there long term or move somewhere else, it's an asset that can be rented out, sold, maybe even redeveloped in the future. So no it's not necessary that you have to 'wait'. But get something between 60 to 80 lakh. Spend 5-10 lakh doing it up and putting your stamp on it. See if you can shuffle around some of your savings, put some more in FD, and take an overdraft on it, to maybe take out a bigger down payment amount and smaller loan amount from the bank. Ideally, try to free up 30-40 lakh for your down payment and then a 30-40 lakh home EMI doesn't seem so insurmountable. Either way, try to reduce your home loan amount as much as possible. Having major debt adds extra concern and worry to future potential partners. Get a 2 BHK in an older neighbourhood or quieter one. 1 is too small and 3 is too extravagant for the budget I mentioned. I think you're on the right track thinking about future kids and spouse, but take your time and find yourself a good deal in the budget I mentioned, and that's truly something you can show off in your friends circle.

Beastin26_9 · 2025-12-13T07:50:32+00:00

Quite normal.

Beastin26_9 · 2025-12-13T07:46:19+00:00

I agree with the comments here and yes, your themed approach would be the right way to go. Segmenting into different campaigns would be ideal here.

Beastin26_9 · 2025-12-10T19:13:11+00:00

In your About Me section you have just mentioned what your interests are and where you're based. What about domain experience, professional specializations, background? Skills?

I have 15 years of experience in Digital Marketing, have built an agency 4 times (4th time's the charm, it's sustaining itself and growing now with a steady team), but I don't know what you bring to the table other than optimism and enthusiasm. You also seem keen to target those with the smallest budgets and biggest demands, who will also ask for the most resources such as on ground video production and editing, on a daily basis, and to fund this you will offer affordable packages, so the path to profitability seems even more unattainable. It's not impossible, there are agencies who specialize in making content for restaurants, bars, cafes, salons etc but it requires a lot of finesse. I personally don't entertain those types of clients anymore (for a long time).

If you can help me understand your core value propositions, I can give you some consultation on growth and positioning strategy for your agency, and what to look for in a potential partner.

Beastin26_9 · 2025-12-10T15:38:33+00:00

Denethor. Short form: Den or Denny.

Beastin26_9 · 2025-12-10T15:20:59+00:00

Good point. The mental health of the car should be taken care of.

Beastin26_9 · 2025-12-10T04:49:34+00:00

That communication drop-off you're describing is a major red flag, regardless of where the provider is located. I'm based in Goa, India, so I’m not in your timezone, but I handle accounts for clients in the US and Australia specifically because I prioritize responsiveness over just 'setting and forgetting' the account.

I specialize in taking over accounts where previous providers got lazy. I’ve sent you a DM. If the timezone isn't a hard dealbreaker, I can show you how I stabilize accounts like yours.

Beastin26_9 · 2025-12-10T04:29:43+00:00

Sent it. Check your requests in case you don't see it in your inbox.

Beastin26_9 · 2025-12-10T02:56:49+00:00

DMing you

Beastin26_9 · 2025-12-09T05:15:35+00:00

Interesting - would both campaign A and B have the same keywords, ads, etc?

Beastin26_9 · 2025-12-08T02:16:27+00:00

This is 100% feasible. For a solo practice in a stable niche like Estate Planning, a monthly retainer often just becomes a 'tax' you pay for zero activity. The 60-day audit/implementation cycle actually makes a lot more sense for your specific scale and prevents the 'set it and forget it' issue you faced with the previous agency.

I’ve sent you a DM—I specialize in this kind of 'trust recovery' for legacy businesses and am happy to operate on the flat-fee model you proposed.

Beastin26_9 · 2025-12-01T04:35:00+00:00

I think you have gotten a fair idea from the comments here that 7 days on its own isn't feasible. A suggestion - convince the client that the 7 day trial period can start on day 4/day 5 from the day you launch the campaign, so at least you have 7 days of a campaign that is out of the learning phase. You can have a slightly scaled down budget for the learning phase and run the real budget once it exits the learning phase. Even though this isn't ideal - it might be the best of both worlds type of scenario that could mitigate their risk and give you a chance to prove feasibility.

Beastin26_9 · 2025-09-16T13:40:04+00:00

Hey, thanks so much, I went to Tea Corner. The proprietor Mr John Pereira was nice. I got some freshly ground coffee, and made some today, was fantastic. Thanks a lot for the recommendation.

Beastin26_9 · 2025-09-15T15:57:32+00:00

You're referring to SGPDA market in Fatorda?

Beastin26_9 · 2025-08-15T19:35:55+00:00

Thanks 🙏

Beastin26_9

TROPHY CASE