Natalie Dunning’s Post

If your presentations are focussed on how amazing your agency is, you’re probably going to be the first one they forget. It’s tempting right?—you want to show off your creds, your hero clients, your many shiny awards in all their angled glass and metallic glory... Sadly, that's not why they are there. They’re there because they need a problem solved. So, stop making it about you. The key to standing out is showing how you’re going to solve their challenges, how well you understand their pain, not how awesome you are. Yes, authority, team expertise, methodology, gravitas are all ingredients to include in the mix.. but the more you focus on your awesomeness, the more you will lose them. So, unless you enjoy watching eyes glaze over, shift it around. Challenge them, do your research, show your thinking, be the solution to their problem, not the star of your own show. Best practice? I know some people who are great at this. Our Crew members. 😎 https://lnkd.in/g2YDZJyx ...but DM us if you need help.

Who doesn't like getting a lovely email like this? 😀 “Having worked with Louisa for nearly two years, her guidance has been invaluable in encouraging me address a number of business and personal challenges.  She seamlessly combines warmth and understanding with direct, practical solutions that have helped me balance my agency's needs alongside my personal goals.” Agency founder Message me if you'd like some encouragement and practical help. #agencylife #agencyleadership #agencies #agencyowner #creativeindustries #healthcarecommunicationse

How to grow your agency to $10m in 2 years. You have to start from the end, work out what the exit is you want for your business Get your team onboard Grow your team by defining your values first Set quarterly milestones up so you can break your big goals down into small achievable tasks Make sure you DM for the more on the AgenciesX framework or sign up for a copy https://lnkd.in/esFhcR2T

Saying NO has been my biggest win this year. ⭐ Some clients are just not the right fit. Recently, we’ve been turning down projects that don’t align with Mudge's values—and honestly, IT FEELS GREAT. I'll admit that I haven't always been good at this. I've fallen prey to the scarcity mindset and the "always say yes" mentality in the past–and boy has that bitten me in the ass. 🤣 Gotta love a good life lesson! A couple recent NOs: 💸 The Freebie Trap: We got an RFP where the brand asked competing agencies for a full first round of creative–unpaid–before an agency was selected and the project awarded. Not only that, but they’d own alllllll of the creative even if we didn’t win the account. Hard pass. 🧭 Moral Compass Check: We also declined a project that was...morally ambiguous. Their values just didn’t line up with ours, and we weren’t comfortable moving forward. Every ‘no’ we’ve said has freed us up to focus on work that aligns with our values—and it’s only made us better. I'm no longer afraid to pass on projects that aren’t a good fit. It’s not just about the money (or potential money?); it’s about staying true to what we stand for.💡 Anyone else passing on spec work or projects that just don’t feel right? It’s almost Halloween: tell me your horror stories. 👇 #agencylife #CPG #branding

The biggest take away from helping Floor Coverings International, Katie, and Stacey find their dream agency partner? Foundation. Some asks I help with are easy. Straight forward. Black and white. Cut and dry. This one, was not. The bigger the scope, the more ways it can be sliced. It took me several hours of conversations with the brand to define what they were looking for. A strong foundation, generally leads to better outcomes when exploring new agency relationships. 3 intro's 2 pitches 1 perfect match.

We can’t help you - If you are happy with the trajectory of your business (it’s plodding along nicely) - If you enjoy relying on word of mouth for your work (and don’t mind the odd gap) - If you don’t like change (because your way works and you haven’t the time to try another) But if you are ambitious, know you can achieve more with a little guidance and are ready to work to make 2024 your best year yet… Let’s chat 💬 ⚫ Salt help ambitious creatives and small agencies who work with global brands to increase profit and recognition with our High Calibre Clients Programme | 1:1 & Group | Follow the link in our bio to book a 15 minute intro call #highcalibreclients #ambition #no4thfloor #creatives #creativebusinessowner

🎭 When the best-laid plans get rained off... Yesterday I did something rare for me. I headed to Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, excited for some afternoon drama. What could be better? A bit of culture, fresh air... except the weather had other plans. 🌧️ It was disappointing for both the audience and the actors. No matter how meticulously you plan, external factors beyond your control can always throw things off course. Whether it’s the weather or a shift in the market, adaptability is key. So, what can we take from this? (aside from a wet poncho) 1️⃣ Business is like theatre in the rain – you can plan perfectly, but sometimes, you’ve just got to improvise! Always have a plan B (and C!) in place. 2️⃣  Flexibility is key – whether that’s shifting business goals or swapping your theatre ticket for a towel! 3️⃣ Keep your spirits high – like those performers, it’s all about showing up, even when circumstances aren't ideal. Here's to facing business 'rainy days' with the same resilience as the cast and crew yesterday. Do you have a Plan B for your business? ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ For further LinkedIn training & marketing strategies, please subscribe to The Link Tank®️ newsletter: https://lnkd.in/dDQdcSQu 🔗I always welcome thoughtful invitations to connect 📞Book a LinkedIn marketing strategy call using the link in my headline #BusinessDevelopment #LinkedInTraining #LinkedInMarketing #Resilience  #Trevisan

We can’t help you - If you are happy with the trajectory of your business (it’s plodding along nicely) - If you enjoy relying on word of mouth for your work (and don’t mind the odd gap) - If you don’t like change (because your way works and you haven’t the time to try another) But if you are ambitious, know you can achieve more with a little guidance and are ready to work to make 2024 your best year yet… Let’s chat ⚫ Salt help ambitious creatives and small agencies who work with global brands to increase profit and recognition with our High Calibre Clients Programme | 1:1 & Group | Follow the link in our bio to book a 15 minute intro call #highcalibreclients #ambition #no4thfloor #creatives #creativebusinessowner

Check out this insightful video on Mastering CO-FOUNDER Dynamics in the AGENCY World! 🔥 Learn essential tips and strategies for successful collaboration and partnership. Increase your chances of building a thriving agency. Watch now! #CoFounderDynamics #AgencySuccess. URL: @AgencyAnalytics

Check out this insightful video on Mastering CO-FOUNDER Dynamics in the AGENCY World! 🔥 Learn essential tips and strategies for successful collaboration and partnership. Increase your chances of building a thriving agency. Watch now! #CoFounderDynamics #AgencySuccess. URL: @AgencyAnalytics