How to Start an Email Marketing Agency in 2024 (Step by Step Guide)
If you’re interested in starting your own email marketing agency in 2024, you’ve clicked on the right post. Email marketing continues to be one of the most lucrative and high-ROI business models, even more so compared to media buying for e-commerce. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll cover how you can set up your agency, reach out to clients, and deliver high-quality services for maximum profit.
READ TOO: Boost Your Sales with AI-Driven Email Marketing
1. Build a Landing Page, Not a Website
The first step in starting your email marketing agency is creating a landing page. Unlike a full-fledged website, a landing page is simpler and serves as a hub for your case studies, testimonials, and your VSL (video sales letter). You can update and refine this VSL over time, but when starting out, it’s more important to have a place to send prospective clients when they ask for results or proof of your work.
In 2024, the shift toward minimalistic and high-conversion landing pages has only intensified. Rather than building a full website, focus on creating a landing page designed to convert leads into clients. This is where you’ll present your results, case studies, and any client testimonials.
2. Start Your Outreach
Outreach is critical when you’re building your client base from scratch. Whether you choose cold outreach through direct messages or inbound leads through social media, make sure you focus on personalized communication. Identify where your target audience hangs out—whether it’s on Instagram, Reddit, or Facebook groups—and start connecting with them.
Start by sending 10-20 messages per day during the first week. Gradually increase this number as you gain momentum, moving up to 80-200 messages per day by week three. Persistence is key, especially in the early stages when it can be tough to land your first client.
In 2024, platforms like LinkedIn have also become incredibly powerful for B2B email marketing agencies, so don’t forget to leverage LinkedIn’s messaging and content tools to connect with business owners and decision-makers.
3. What to Say in Your Outreach
When reaching out to potential clients, you need to offer something valuable. Present your service as an email marketing team that will nurture their email list, build loyalty, and drive sales. A good approach is to show how you’ll manage their email automations like welcome flows, abandoned cart flows, and more.
Even if you don’t have a client yet, you can create mock-up flows to show what you would implement for them. This could include detailed email sequences designed to engage their audience and increase sales. Offer this as either a one-time paid setup or a monthly retainer, framing it as a high-ROI investment. For example, you could pitch that spending $2,000 upfront could potentially bring them $20,000 in revenue monthly on autopilot.
4. Master the Essential Email Marketing Automations
As an email marketer, you need to master the basic flows and automations for various clients:
- Welcome flows
- Abandoned cart flows
- Daily email campaigns
- Segmenting the email list
- Improving open rates and sales per email
In 2024, AI and automation tools have made it easier than ever to handle email marketing tasks efficiently. Platforms like ActiveCampaign, Klaviyo, and even new tools with AI-enhanced segmentation features can help you optimize performance. Play around with these tools and get comfortable with the automation process before taking on your first client.
5. Reducing Churn and Client Onboarding
Once you land a client, the work doesn’t stop there. The onboarding process is critical. After closing a client on a call, send them an onboarding form to gather all the necessary information and have them sign a contract before starting any work. Make sure you’re paid upfront for the first month—never work for free.
To ensure smooth operations, get all the necessary client details within 24-48 hours, schedule an onboarding call, and discuss their goals for the quarter. Understanding their audience’s pain points and behaviors will help you target your email copy more effectively, leading to better results.
6. Delivering Results and Upselling Clients
Your main goal is not just to sign clients but also to deliver tangible results. As your clients see success through their email marketing efforts, look for opportunities to upsell them by offering more advanced services or handling other parts of their marketing funnel. For example, once you’ve helped them generate consistent revenue through email, you can offer to manage more of their campaigns or optimize other parts of their business.
7. Leveraging AI and Advanced Tools in 2024
The landscape of email marketing is evolving, and in 2024, incorporating AI and advanced tools can give your agency an edge. AI tools can help you with personalization at scale, A/B testing, and segmentation—leading to better engagement rates. Platforms like ChatGPT, integrated with email platforms, can even assist in generating email content and subject lines that resonate with your audience.
By offering AI-enhanced strategies, you can position your agency as innovative and cutting-edge, attracting larger clients who are looking to stay ahead of the curve.
Conclusion
Starting an email marketing agency in 2024 is simpler than you think. With the right mindset, a solid landing page, and consistent outreach, you can start gaining clients and offering them value by managing their email flows and automations. Stay focused on delivering high ROI to your clients, and they’ll keep coming back month after month. Good luck!
