How to run an Advertising Agency
As the heading suggests, let us see how an advertising agency can be run profitably. I will proceed point by point, as by that way it will be more useful to future entrepreneurs. So here we go…
1. Buy a Mac. Don’t ask me what version of Mac, as long as it looks like a Mac it will do. If it does not work, buy a PC that works, but you should somehow have a Mac sitting somewhere in the office. This is to amaze and impress those small clients that will take your bait.
2. Have an address. I am not saying that you should have an office, but people SHOULD think that you have an office.
3. Take all your belongings and pawn it or sell it. Buy an expensive car, expensive BIG watch, mobile phone etc. that will make your existing/potential clients think you have good financial backup. Believe me, advertising agency work is 15% commission, 15% talent and 70% show or flaunting. The trick to get clients is to trick them with your accessories and ingenuity.
4. Now buy the cheapest labor possible. See, I haven’t mentioned creative designer, visualizer, graphic artist, copywriter, creative director, art director or anything of that sort, I said “labor”. Appoint any person/labor who knows some Photoshop and give him the greatest designation possible. Call him creative designer, visualizer, graphic artist, copywriter, creative director, art director or anything of that sort as long as he works 23 hrs a day. [Come on, give him one hour for refreshments, we are not inhuman, are we?]
5. Now print your advertising agency brochure with all the “comprehensive” solutions that you offer. These services should cover print ads to satellite beaming.
6. When you get more clients because of their bad luck and ignorance, don’t take more labor (I mean, graphic artists). Instead, train the existing designer to use his left & right hand on two mouses simultaneously. Boost his morale by stories of people who have achieved greatness by working with two hands. And, if possible, hint on the possibilities of attaining nirvana by using legs too!
7. Even if you screw up with a client, don’t worry. Many agencies survive and even thrive with once- in –a -lifetime business deals.
Now some tips. Always try for builders/ construction/ real estate companies. They have big money and always want their real estate brochures printed and delivered in that particular day itself. Even if you make mistakes in the brochure nobody will notice as, you know, real estate guys don’t normally READ anything.
That is why even doctors like them!
Tags: About UAE, advertisements in the UAE, Advertising, Advertising agencies in Dubai, advertising agencies UAE, advertising-in-dubai, Copywriter Dubai, Copywriter UAE, Freelance Copywriter Dubai
too cool dude. i luv ur post. keep up the gud wrk.
Thx Rohit. Life is always crazy in big cities. Only thing we can do is to hope for the best, always. My wishes!
wow.. this is what they call “to put it in B&W” – i liked it, and yes, i shall try it out too…
Thx for the comments, Raj.
Hi Denis, I am high with your posts again. Wondering I am not Day dreamin! Yo Yo Man. Keep Going. Cheers…
Thanks Dani.
Your stuff was a great pun…but please dont set a negative trend in the minds of stubborn clientz of UAE, tht Creative Staff is cheap or brainz could be bargained for cheaper phils!
Anywaz i like the other part of the story which is almost true in all slogging agencies
Thanks for your comments Darpan.
har har hilarious!! loved this one! and its soooo true! thanks for all the help and the entertainment Dennis! God Bless.
Georgiana, thanks for your word and cheers.
super! i worked for a place like this
now I freelance, love your blog.
Thx for your comments Miranda.
I liked your sarcasm. Keep up the spirit. Expecting some positive thoughts for a refreshment. But I enjoy this a lot.
Do you think in order to start successfully a new agency in UAE we need to JV with big names or better off starting on our own? Your real experience is highly appreciated
Please check your mail D Juan
Dude…awesome..I have handled a branch in Qatar & we are on the same boat. Advertising in Middle East is all about Hair Gel, 3 peice suits & client servcing chics….awesome post
Thanks for your words Srikanth. Wish you all the luck.
Hi,
I want to start a new ad agency.Your advise will be appreciated.
Best regards.
hi, i have planned to start an advertisement agency. i would like to hear your advice and suggestion.
Looks like you are a real professional. Did you study about the matter? haha..
great posting…..Denis Eugene . every body will take knowledge from this posting how to run ad agency.
You should have titled this ‘Starting an ad agency: a web resource for dummies’.
Though as an ad person I am slightly uncomfortable about some of the things you have written here but I also know some of these are true.
#Pretenders are killing the industry. Real ad men and discerning clients know it is a lot more than the ‘show’.
I understand your point. These fakes and QUICK MONEY enthusiasts are killing the industry. These are the guys who turn agencies into slave houses. Because of the nature of the advertising work, we all have to stretch our working hours; I admit it and respect deadlines. But the strategy of reducing the number of people and increasing the number of working hours will only backfire in the long run.
nice ideas for small set up of an advertising agency.
The understand the pun Sagar.
Thanks
very funny one.. infact I believe agencies in dubai listed in 5 different categories and what you describe is #6 which means probably will be shuted down from 6 month to 9 month
1. A listed agencies (those big intl agencies)
2. B listed agencies
3. Medium Size Agencies
4.Supermarket agencies ( which means they open the business with no knowledge)
5. Mini agencies
6. Bollywood dreamers
Thank you for your comment Nara. I firmly believe that, due to many factors-many of them that are beyond the scope of this comment window-Advertising agencies are facing tremendous challenges these days. No other business, except real estate, got hit by financial meltdown this bad. It happens. We ad people are in the business of helping people make more money, aren’t we? So when MONEY MAKING people went down, agencies also came down with them. Multinational agencies to Visiting card printing pan shops got affected this way. Thank you once more for passing by. I liked your Bollywood dreamers category. It made me smile.
Oh,Nara you are very right… ahaha i like #6
Thanks Gozel
i love ur idea cos am already in the and this is one of the best answers i ve gotten but pls send me more detais to my email if u dont mind of how to really be more profitable in this business.thanks and best regards.
1. Start in a small way.
2. Invest in talent.
3. Have some good clients even when you start.
4. Dont hurry your way to success.
u one crazy son of a bitch!!! i like and i see it working.. i have a advertising company myself and i slave drive my recruits and they love the abuse, as long as they get paid!!!!! lol
Thanks lukeriding…this is my first hate mail. I appreciate your efforts. May God bless your company and employees.
Dude you are crazy but right to a certain extent. Very funny at the same time. Thanks! I just started an ad agency and now thinking of what projects to bring about cause I believe what helps alot is not only waiting upon advertisers but making a project that people can advertise in. Any suggestions of projects or generally how to go about it? Thanks once more
Dear Paul,
Thank you for your comments. Yes, the view I expressed is spiced up with sarcasm and exaggeration to drive my point.
You mean to say that you want to start up something else-like a website or something, where people can advertise? There are no hard and fast rules, but
1. It’s about the idea
2. It’s about the practical feasibility of the idea
3. It’s about the financial viability of the idea. (How are you going to make profit or else sustain in the long run? Even the behemoth Wikipedia is having a tough time these days!)
4. I think it should someway, somehow satisfy Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
My wishes…
A very witty post, Denis! Well written. Despite the humor, there’s truth in there because a certain ad agency conveniently stole a picture from my blog to be used on a banner for a food chain here in Dubai. He removed the entire thing after we threatened to sue him. I even heard that the restaurant fired him.
Oh! Really? Sometimes I even hear stories like this connected to multinational agencies too. Sab kuch chaltha hai! Thank you for stopping by Nadia. Do take care and write more.
great stuff! Thank you for sharing. It is frustrating to see the squelching of creativity for the almighty dollar. I know profitability is important, but there must be priority set for the people part of the business!
Yes Melanie, fortunately or unfortunately, the dollar rules. I always agree to the point that advertising agencies are commercial entities. They have to survive. And to survive means to be competitive. Making money is not a sin. But straight jackets often want to take elevator routes to success. Once I came across an agency where people worked almost till 12 am everyday. Not before the day of any launch or presentation- which we have to for our job demands that- every single day they had to work like that. Management wanted people not to have a personal life so that their work force will not be DISTRACTED! How’s that?
keep in touch!
Just a man that can crack you lungs with laughter in no time
LOL…. This is the best, straight to the point, realistic, post on hw to start an ad agency I ever read.
I laughed through the post cuz I know exactly what you talking about! Thanks a bunch I saved this page jst so u know!
Thanks Gana.
awesome man!!!!!!
very true and helping for beginners…………..