From a very broad wide perspective Agency Local serves businesses that provide a creative offering to their customers as part of a wider marketing activity.
We live in a world where people like to put labels on things and the above description commonly known as an agency e.g. marketing agency; advertising agency, Digital agency etc.
Not all creative businesses see themselves as an agency. In the marketing sector agencies are often seen as bigger businesses, which leads onto another debate as the what is a bigger business.
But let’s just focus on the word ‘agency’ which is defined as:
“a business or organisation providing a particular service on behalf of another business, person, or group”
We do often get challenged on using the term ‘agency’ especially by the very small businesses who see themselves as ‘freelancers’. Although freelancers are often self employed I would argue that they are actually running a business; and that business is providing a creative solution to other businesses. So, does this fall under the definition of Agency? I would say so.
Within Agency Local – (we actually use the term in our name!) – we serve any creative business – freelancer or agency, self employed, solo preneur, to businesses that employ one or more staff to those employing 20 + staff.
Often the challenges are different and sometimes they are the same, just on a different scale. Once you employ people you have another set of things to think about and to work out. When you look at common problems such as sales, business development, marketing, finances these apply to all agency businesses irrespective of size.
If ‘Agency’ is not the word to describe these businesses what is? I would love to hear your thoughts.