Hello, how are you doing? Well, first of all, Happy New Year 🎉🎊, I hope all the goals you set for yourself last year have been met and that you already have your list of goals for 2023 ready!
Let’s go for the first post of the year. And yes, one of my goals for 2023 is to have a consistent newsletter throughout the year. So if my calculations don't fail, we should do +50 posts.
We could do a whole separate post to talk about what we can expect from The Bunker in 2023, couldn't we? What do you think? I've been working and preparing new ideas. You'll see. You're going to love it (like the exclusive interviews with professional designers from Figma, Nike, Webflow...).
Let's get started.
Creating a design agency is not exactly something new, but it's a topic that has given a lot to talk about this 2022 and that, without a doubt, is a good idea to take into account this 2023.
Creating a design agency can be your best decision this 2023, let's see why:
🥊1. I have the ability to work in my company, not for my company.
I possess the capacity to work with my company, rather than just for my company. This will dramatically bolster my capability to plan ahead and clearly establish what tasks take precedence.
In addition, it will help me to better understand the needs and objectives of my organization, allowing me to make more informed decisions that will have a direct impact to the clients. Also, this approach will enable me to develop an even deeper appreciation for the importance of efficient communication, a necessary tool for success in any work environment.
One of the hardest things about working in other teams is that you can negotiate priorities, but often those priorities will not be to everyone's liking. In the end, the more people in the team, the harder it is to please everyone.
When you are on your own, you can sit down and organise and plan the year to your liking.
🤝2. Trust barrier.
In the eyes of clients, an organization is often viewed as being more reputable and reliable than an independent professional. This is mainly due to the fact that the organization is perceived to have a strong reputation, a larger client base and a proven track record when it comes to delivering quality services. So, the organization is more likely to have a more established code of conduct and a highly-trained staff which can give clients a sense of security and confidence. All of these factors contribute to a higher level of trust placed in an organization, as opposed to an independent professional.
But again, the key here is that “is perceived”. The opposite may be true.
Having an agency to help you with your work does not necessarily equate to better or worse results; it simply means that you have access to additional resources and expertise that you may not have had if you were undertaking the project independently.
📮3. Outsourcing
This is possibly the most significant and powerful foundational pillar. I have a strong network of designers and developers who have joined the company and can take on jobs that I cannot, and vice versa. Alternatively, I can simply delegate certain processes or parts of the project that I am unable to cover due to time constraints, a lack of knowledge in that skill, and so on.
This is likely the most critical and influential foundational pillar of having an agency. I have cultivated a solid network of experienced designers and developers who have joined our company and can take on tasks that I am not able to, or cannot provide due to time restraints or a lack of knowledge in that area. Additionally, I am also able to delegate certain processes or components of a project to others if I am unable to complete them for any number of reasons, such as not having the time or expertise to do so. This flexibility allows us to move forward with our work efficiently and effectively.
So you're able to adapt the mentality of, even if I'm not able to do it, I'm going to take it anyway, and I'll take the referral fee anyway. This is an incredibly useful mindset to have, especially in situations where you may be unsure of the outcome. It's a great way to stay motivated and continue to take on opportunities that may not be your first choice, but can still be beneficial in the long run. By doing this, you're showing that you're not afraid to take risks, and that you're willing to put in the effort to make something work. Taking the referral fee is just another way to make sure you're getting the most out of any opportunity that comes your way.
🌩4. Boost creativity.
Working with lots of people is very motivating, especially if they know a lot about their job. If you're a designer who knows a lot of different subjects, that's great. But it's important to remember you can't be the best at everything. The best way is to focus on one thing and get a really good team together to help you. This way, you can make a strong team that can handle any problem that comes up.
You don't need to have a big team of experts, but it is important to form a team of 3 members that is well-rounded and specialized in different areas, such as 3D design, animation, and user experience/user interface. By doing this, you will have a comprehensive vision of the project, and you will be able to learn from each other's disciplines and develop a better understanding of the entire scope of the project. So, you will be able to benefit from the collective knowledge of all the members, since each one will bring something unique to the table. This will create a unique learning atmosphere, in which everyone can grow and evolve together.
🎿5. Better clients & more clients.
Having an amazing team of professionals is certainly advantageous in many ways. Not only can you take on multiple clients at once, but you don't need to worry about taking on every single project that comes your way. This gives you the freedom to be more selective in the projects that you take on, and to focus on the clients that offer the most potential for success. Furthermore, having a great team of talented individuals allows you to provide a higher quality of service and more value to your clients, increasing the probability of long-term relationships and, in turn, greater financial rewards.
🎢6. Low-cost for high benefit.
Low-cost for high benefit. It doesn't really cost anything to get started, which makes this an attractive option for businesses that are looking to expand their reach. All you will need is a corporate image and a reliable web host to maintain the website. With this, you are ready to launch your website and start reaching potential clients. Not only is this a cost-effective way to reach out to new clients, but it is also a great way to showcase your company's services and products to the world.
Cheers, Jordi Espinosa.