70 Lessons from Running An Award-winning Agency for 7 Years

This is my brutal, unfiltered truth from the trenches of agency life

Between 2010 and 2017, I founded and operated Swifty Studios with nothing but ambition and grit. I scaled it into an agency ranked Top 100 UK Design Agency in 2015 and 2016 through vision, strategy and a few spectacular L's along the way.

Here's what I learned. No BS, no sugar-coating, just the raw lessons that might save you from the same scars.

On Strategy & Positioning

1. Get uncomfortably niche. Then get more niche. Then a bit more niche. You can't be a "full-service agency" with three people and a dog.
2. Split the room. You're better off with 10% of potential clients loving your proposition and 90% knowing you're not for them than trying to be everything to everyone.
3. Cash is king. Not awards, not fancy offices, not client logos. Cash. Flow-ing.
4. Invest in strong finance operations early. Know your numbers, forecast cashflow, stay on top of finances. This isn't sexy, but it keeps the lights on.
5. Your proposition must be clear as vodka. If your mum doesn't understand what you do, neither do your clients.
6. There's no such thing as the perfect project management tool. You'll be much happier when you accept this universal truth.
7. Building an agency is a long-term ladder climb. It's about compounding credentials, reputation, case studies and experience. There is no overnight success.
8. The fastest way to grow is to grow steadily. Rocket ships tend to explode.

On Clients & New Business