Comments on: What To Do When You Can’t Afford An Ad Agency?

By: Walter

Walter — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 14:05:35 +0000

Hey Vivienne,

Long time no comment! How is life with you? I have been pretty busy (plus also went for a short survival break recently).

I think you have done a great job in showing that giving away free advice doesn’t necessarily mean jeopardising your business. I think your potential client was also extremely frank and forthright in his confession to you.

The value of advertising agencies and marketing consultancies shouldn’t lie just with a fancy creative design or wicked copywriting. It must come from an intimate understanding of the client’s business – what works and what doesn’t. I think the greatest good which agencies can do in this day and age is to be bold and offer performance based fees. From my conversations with 4As and IAS, this is probably the final frontier here although agencies in Europe are starting to go there.

Oh yes, and we really need to do coffee soon. ;)

By: Cheap Printing Service

Cheap Printing Service — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 23:00:23 +0000

Very cool post….

By: Solomon

Solomon — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:06:35 +0000

It is the other way round with some people- they never have guts to tell the client the futility of their marketing communication.

Someone with conviction only can tell the client where he is going wrong. That comes through professionalism and foresight.

By: Ron Meledandri - Sentra Business Solutions

Ron Meledandri - Sentra Business Solutions — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:42:09 +0000

You provide some good advice. You are right when you say “You can’t have good, cheap and fast all in one go.” When I have started new businesses, I have always looked for the best value for my marketing dollar. That’s not necessarily quantity, but what I thought could get me the best results. I tend to measure everything in terms of return on investment.

By: Vivienne Quek

Vivienne Quek — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:08:31 +0000

Hi Solomon
As in buying anything, the buyer wants to ascertain the value before taking money out of his wallet. By doing what I did, I’m just helping him to make the buying process a little easier.When he knows I know my business, he will feel more comfortable in engaging our service. I believe in Value before Money.

By: Solomon

Solomon — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:24:26 +0000

Hi Vivienne,
Great post with a case in point.
I really liked what the client said…”you unselfishly and unreservedly pointed out the areas of improvement I should make on my press advertisements and marketing materials”.
You really helped him/her with an indepth analysis and insights to better their business.
That clearly puts you in an experienced professional niche…
Wishing you all the best!