Woods MarCom will never be a big marketing agency. I stand firm in that statement because becoming a big agency doesn’t align with my values.
I built my business with a vision of staying small because I love the personal relationships I create with my clients. I don’t want to get disconnected or removed from the inner workings of my business.
There is no ‘big agency energy’ in sight for Woods MarCom, and I want to share a few reasons why it can be beneficial to work with small businesses over large agencies.
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The Drawbacks of Working With a Big Marketing Agency & How We’re Different
I’ve heard (and personally experienced) horror stories from working with a big marketing agency. Clients often come to me after being burned by a big agency and having been there myself, I get it.
Impersonal Relationships
Large agencies can struggle to create close relationships with their clients. Often, multiple people manage client accounts, so it can feel robotic instead of personal.
They’ll use templated solutions because they have multiple clients to manage, so the relationship and work aren’t personalized. Every now and then, you can form a relationship with someone but they are then moved elsewhere in the company or promoted out of account management. (Often, the account managers are the newest and greenest employees!)
With me, you get my expertise from day one and I will always be your go-to person. I am always the one to respond to my clients. I meet with them directly, do the work, answer questions, and complete reports.
I’m fully invested in each relationship; there isn’t any disconnect between the team and my clients. And my clients have said they love that about working with me. They want to work with a real, experienced professional, one-on-one.
Focus on Quantity Over Quality
Big marketing agencies often have pressure on the sales side to close more deals. They want to onboard as many clients as possible and will hire more help when they need it.
Mass scaling like that can affect strategic focus and the customization of packages for each client. Many large agencies are profit-focused versus client-focused.
On the other hand, I price my services so I can make a living (we all have to!) AND provide excellent value and service to my clients. I work with each client to make sure we meet their unique business goals and have a great experience.
Poor Use of Contractors
I have nothing against using contractors. I have a few contractors helping me with various tasks for Woods MarCom, but I NEVER hand off client responsibilities to a contractor.
I know my limits and my expertise, so if the client needs something outside of that, I have a list of trusted contractors to provide additional support. But, I manage all of their work and ensure the communication and relationship remains with me.
Something that I feel most strongly about is that my contractors are experts in their field who I know personally, are US-based, and are people I trust with my business. I do not outsource projects on Fivvr or Upwork, or seek out the cheapest option.
When leveraged strategically, it’s a benefit to use sub-contractors versus handing off work to employees. By not having a large staff, my clients aren’t paying any overhead on salaries, but I have access to professionals who I’ve worked with for years, run their own businesses, and can jump into a project with their specialized skills when needed.
Unfortunately, I often see big marketing agencies using contractors to do much of the work for them. Oftentimes that involves ticketing platforms instead of direct contact, overseas contractors instead of someone in your timezone, and a lack of true understanding about what your business needs. This combo creates service delays, communication gaps, and frustration. I’ve been there too, so I get it!
This is a common scenario in the entrepreneurial world. I want Woods MarCom clients to know they are getting the value they’re paying by someone who deeply cares about their business.
Slow Response Times
Big agencies are managing so many clients that they don’t always have a direct email to contact with questions or requests. You’re usually submitting a ticket and waiting forever for a response, even for something simple.
I’ve had a few clients tell me their previous agency “didn’t do phone calls.” What?? They would submit an email or a ticket and wait days for a response, with mixed results if/when that agency got back to them. I can’t even imagine this.
When you work with me, you get direct, 1:1 access to me. I’ll give you my email for anything you need, and I am always happy to hop on a call to walk things through with you.
Limited Services
Big agencies usually have set packages so they can scale quickly and efficiently. If anything falls outside of that, you’re paying extra or being told no.
Call me old fashioned, but I think the person you hire for support should be just as invested in your business as you are.
I don’t have set packages, just specialized services, because I want to customize deliverables to fit my client’s needs. I don’t want to fit them into a box—I want to do what’s best for their business.
I embody the true definition of partnership by working with you to figure things out, not tell you it’s not our problem (yes, I’ve been told that before by an agency!) I care about your success.
Why Staying Small Works for Woods MarCom
As a small business owner, I want to do the work. I love digging into the strategy and building tailored solutions for each client. I’m just as invested in the results as my clients are!
I also have no interest in managing a large team and handing off client work to contractors (that’s been done to me before.) I could return to the 9-5 job market and manage a team if I wanted to, but I don’t. I want to develop personal, long-term relationships with each client.
Being ingrained in each client’s business gives me a deep understanding of their unique goals, I can adapt quickly to meet their needs as we work towards those goals. We work together to solve problems and create solutions that work for their business.
Large agencies have a lot of overhead expenses. Salaries, office space, equipment… it all adds up and each client contract has added overhead to make the agency profitable. I keep my overhead low so clients are just paying for the work they need.
The Future of Woods MarCom
Although becoming a big marketing agency isn’t in my future, I do have big goals I hope to reach in the next few years.
I see Woods MarCom improving its SEO to reach new clients across the country. Many of the clients I work with now are local, which is amazing. And I’m growing my connections with new clients nationally and in Europe, which is exciting!
I also see Woods MarCom booking more paid advertising clients. I know paid advertising is something a lot of business owners struggle with because they don’t understand the strategy. It looks so easy, but there is so much expertise needed to do it well. I love helping clients in this area.
Lastly, I would love to someday sponsor local events and give back to the community through my business. Maybe that looks like helping non-profits at a reduced fee or donating a percentage of my profit to a local charity. I’m not sure yet, but it’s something I’m interested in exploring as my business matures.
Work With A Small Company
A small business is a better investment. You’ll get:
- Customized support
- Direct access to the people doing the work
- Transparent pricing
- Specialized knowledge
- Relationships that develop over time
You’ll get all that and more at Woods MarCom.
If you’re interested in working with me on digital marketing, SEO, or paid advertising, let’s connect! I’d love to learn more about your unique needs and how I can help you reach your goals.
