Chris Toy’s Post

Agency Owners MUST Do This To Grow Their Business... Chances are that when you decided to start your agency you were a one (or two at best) man show. While that's enough for you to set the foundation for your agency, you're nothing more than a freelancer because what you have there is a job. In order to step into the role of CEO and Owner, you need to be able to step away from the day-to-day and client deliverables so that you can focus on growing your business. The first step in doing so is hiring your operations team. These are the people who are going to take over the client workload—web design, SEO, PPC, Social Media, etc. With them, you're able to find enough time to dedicate to your business's marketing and sales without sacrificing quality and time for yourself and those you love. The sooner you do this, the better. Have you started hiring yet? #hiring #marketingagency #digitalmarketing #businessgrowth #agencygrowth #teambuilding 

Has your business grown to the point that you're considering your first permanent marketing hire? A fractional marketing professional could be exactly what you need. Not familiar with the term "fractional?" It's a newer form of employment that has a lot of advantages over the traditional ways of hiring marketing support, like freelancers, agencies, contractors, etc. In this new article on the Well Said blog, we explain what it means, why it fills a crucial gap in the labor market for businesses of a certain size, and how to know if it's right move for your business. #fractional #fractionaljobs #fractionalCMO #fCMO #marketing #marketingcareers #smallbusiness

The more I've learned about fractional work, the more it seems like an obvious solution for so many medium-sized businesses who need to formalize the way they handle marketing. If you're not familiar with the concept, here's a handy breakdown.

I've been on both ends of the spectrum: a founder seeking agencies to support my internal team and an agency owner myself. Hiring is tough but so important. Here are five key things to consider before bringing an SEO expert on board (and these principles apply across any marketing vertical): 1. Understand what you *actually* need. Go deep into your specific SEO needs—be it content, links, strategy, or technical help. Start with a strategy if you're unsure. 2. Get smarter. Familiarize yourself with SEO basics to hold informed conversations and avoid being exploited (sad but common!). 3. Agency vs. Freelancer. Decide on the best route based on your support needs and budget. Agencies offer scale, while freelancers provide personalized service. 4. Do your due diligence and check track records. Make sure to evaluate previous client successes, especially in contexts similar to yours rather than just being impressed by brand size. 5. Ask questions. Don’t be too scared to ask detailed questions about their process, communication, and problem-solving approach.

I WORKED with a client who thought they could only afford to hire a big marketing agency. You wouldn't believe the pushback I got when I told them I could deliver the same quality for a fraction of the cost. "They said, 'Isn't hiring a freelancer risky?' 'What if it doesn't work out?' 'The big agencies must have some kind of secret sauce, right?'" Well, guess what? After a month of running their email campaigns, their conversions skyrocketed. The campaign performed better than anything they’d seen from the 'big players.' You don't always need a massive budget or a big-name agency to see results. Experience and skill matter more than the label attached to it. Freelancers, especially with years of experience like myself, can provide the same high-level service at a fraction of the cost. It’s time businesses reconsider their strategy and realize that quality isn't about how much you spend—it's about who’s behind the work. . . . #EmailMarketing #EmailMarketer

Does your marketing executive need strategic direction? Are they juggling tasks like updating the website, posting on socials, and figuring out email campaigns, without stopping to check if it’s all working? It’s a classic case of “doing lots but going nowhere.” Here’s the reality: they don’t just need to do marketing; they need a clear plan and focused direction to make it work. But you’re busy running the business so don’t have time to guide them, and you’re not a marketing director! That’s where I come in. I specialise in helping small businesses craft tailored marketing strategies that: • Give your team a clear roadmap, so they know what’s happening week by week. • Help your marketing person focus on measurable results - not just activity. • Empower your team with the skills, tools, and confidence to deliver. Here’s how I can help: • Develop a strategy and plan that aligns with your business goals. • Support you in recruiting the right freelancers to outsource tasks effectively. • Mentor and upskill your marketing executive so they grow into a strategic thinker. • Provide ongoing support, whether for 3 months, a year, or longer, to make sure your marketing delivers. I know hiring a full-time marketing director isn’t in your budget, but as a freelance marketing strategist, I can give you the guidance you need without the overhead. I currently have space to take on two more clients this quarter. If this sounds like what your business needs, let’s chat! 📩 DM me to book a virtual coffee, or if you’re in North London, I’m happy to pop by your office. Let’s make your marketing not just busy, but brilliant.

4 alternatives to hiring a new Google Ads agency 👇 1️⃣ Get a Google Ads Audit from an Unbiased 3rd Party ▪ Avoid audits from competing agencies; they may use the audit to convince you to switch ▪ Audits create accountability and offer a tactical playbook for better potential performance ▪ Use audit findings to have constructive discussions with your current agency. 2️⃣ Hire a Google Ads Strategic Consultant ▪ Benefit from strategic guidance that integrates your overall marketing strategy ▪ A strategist can leverage audit findings to improve your agency's approach 3️⃣ Hire a Freelancer ▪ Consider if you really need a full agency for Google Ads management ▪ Freelancers can be more affordable and specialize in the areas you need ▪ If your agency isn't delivering, a freelancer might be a better fit 4️⃣ Train Internal Resources with an Expert ▪ Train internal team members or contractors to manage your Google Ads account ▪ Offboard your agency and have an expert train your team ▪ This can be a cost-effective solution, especially for less complex advertising needs ➡ Still think you need a new agency? ▪ Ensure you find the best, most aligned agency for your business ▪ I can connect you with top-tier, high-performing agencies. DM me to connect DM me to connect 🤙 #googleads #marketingagency #ppc #sem #sea #digitalmarketing

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 Elevate your brand's online presence with our expert Facebook marketing team 1. 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 Facebook marketing is the process of promoting a brand or business on the Facebook platform. It involves creating and managing Facebook pages, running targeted ads, and engaging with the audience through posts and comments. Understanding Facebook's algorithms and advertising tools is crucial for effective marketing on the platform. By utilizing various strategies and techniques, businesses can reach a wider audience and increase brand awareness on Facebook. 2. 𝐅𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮 When looking for Facebook marketing services, it is important to be cautious of fake freelancers who may try to scam you. These scammers often promise high-quality marketing services at a low cost, but fail to deliver the promised results. To avoid falling victim to scams, it is recommended to thoroughly research and vet any freelancers or agencies before hiring them. Reading reviews, checking portfolios, and asking for references can help ensure you are working with legitimate professionals. 3. 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 Our expert marketing team is dedicated to helping businesses succeed in their Facebook marketing efforts. We have a team of experienced professionals who are well-versed in Facebook's advertising platform and algorithms. We stay up-to-date with the latest trends and strategies in the industry to ensure our clients receive the best results. With our expertise, we can create tailored marketing campaigns that align with your brand's goals and target audience.   4. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 By partnering with our expert marketing team, you can expect several benefits for your business. Firstly, we will help increase your brand's visibility on Facebook by optimizing your page and running targeted ads. This can lead to more followers, likes, and engagement, ultimately driving more traffic to your website or storefront. Secondly, our team will analyze the performance of your campaigns and make data-driven decisions to optimize results. We will continuously monitor and adjust your marketing strategies to ensure maximum effectiveness. Lastly, our team will provide regular reports and updates on the progress of your campaigns, keeping you informed every step of the way.

The Top Pros And Cons Of Hiring A Book Marketer or Social Media Consultant https://buff.ly/3yDtNII by BadRedhead Media via Substack Looking to amplify your book's reach without breaking the bank or compromising your unique voice? Finding the right social media or book marketing consultant might just be the key. When considering hiring a social media or book marketing consultant, common fears include concerns about: cost, effectiveness, the risk of not aligning with your author voice, branding, or goals. To mitigate these fears, it's crucial to conduct thorough due diligence. This involves defining your goals, deciding whether you need a full-time or freelance consultant, looking at their presence, getting testimonials and/or references, and identifying which skills are crucial for your needs. I am a consultant for hire, so I can see how this article might be self-serving. That said, people always ask me how to know if the person they’re hiring is good, trustworthy, or the right fit. So let’s break it down. Due Diligence Always ask potential hires about their experience with various marketing techniques, strategies, and specific social media networks, especially those most relevant to your audience. Request examples of successful campaigns they've managed.* *Most social media managers like myself sign NDAs, so be sure to ask your clients first if it’s okay to share the work you’ve done for them if you find yourself in a similar position. If a consultant cannot provide examples, it might be for this very reason. You can also go through free databases, such as Reedsy, to find a vetted consultant. Understanding The Costs The cost of hiring a book marketing or social media consultant can vary significantly depending on their experience and the scope of their duties. It could be anywhere from $1,000 to $20,000 per month (for a professional agency), with freelancers often costing much less. Again, know your budget before you decide to hire someone. A typical cost is $500 to $750/month per platform to post daily, grow, provide content, interact, etc. So, if you want someone to manage three platforms, that’s anywhere from $1500/month to $2250/month. The benefits of hiring a consultant include gaining a more extensive following, specialized strategy development, and detailed analytics insights, which are critical for measuring success and ROI. Real-life example: When you hire me, I also introduce you to my over 500K followers across my entire author platform at no additional cost... Click to read the rest! #writingcommunity #books #bookmarketing