According to global research firm IBISWorld, there are more than 9,500 advertising agencies in Australia and over 433,400 around the world. This sheer number means that these businesses have to work double time to differentiate themselves from their competitors and convince businesses to use their solutions. This process definitely won’t be easy, but you can successfully make your agency stand out by using these tips:

Figure out your USP

Obviously, you offer advertising services just like your competitors, but what’s that “special something” that should convince businesses to use your solutions instead of those of others? Identifying your unique selling point (USP) is important since it will guide you in your marketing efforts and make it easy for you to differentiate your services and highlight the benefits they offer. If you can’t even pinpoint your own USP, it’s going to be difficult to convince potential customers to sign up with you and utilise your solutions.

Stay on top of advertising trends

Mastering marketing strategies is important, but remember that it’s only half the battle. Aside from being an expert in marketing basics, it’s also your job to monitor marketing and advertising trends and decide which ones will work for each customer. You don’t always have to implement each trendy strategy for your entire client base, but you do need to know its impact on the marketing and advertising landscape and how it can affect your customers.

Reach out to a pitch consultant

A lot of agencies are great at delivering excellent results but aren’t so great at pitching. This can be a problem since the pitching stage is often the first glimpse that clients can get into your agency, so you need to make a great impression. This is where pitch consultants come in: they’ll help you craft the ideal pitch that will paint your agency in the best possible light and show potential clients why you’re the right team to hire. Look for consultants who have extensive market knowledge as well as a team of experts in strategic insights, project management, and more. They must also be able to assist you with various processes including roster alignment, sustainable remuneration, and performance optimisation.

Learn how to present your credentials

Agency credentials presentations are basically your opportunity to introduce yourself to clients and explain what your company brings to the table. Maximise this opportunity by highlighting the results you can deliver and focusing on how your solutions will impact their business. Make sure to discuss case studies that show how you’ve helped a certain company and include testimonials from your existing clients as well as from other agencies you’ve collaborated with.

Don’t skip chemistry meetings

Many agencies skip this step because they don’t believe that it’s important. But while you actually can secure contracts without conducting a chemistry meeting, you’re actually doing yourself and your client an injustice by doing so. This comes from the fact that chemistry meetings provide the opportunity to see how your values, ethos, and culture align with the client’s and how well you can work together. It’s also a great time to identify any roadblocks that might arise along the way and determine how you can go around them to ensure a successful client relationship.

Advertising agencies are ubiquitous nowadays, so companies must find creative and effective ways to stand out. Use these tips to set your agency apart from the competition and get noticed by potential customers!