by Are you burning the candle at both ends? Wondering how to run a successful agency without sacrificing all of your time and energy?
In this article, you’ll discover how to find the balance between professional excellence and a rich personal life.
The Pervasive Problem of Burnout
Burnout is a common challenge for many professionals, including marketing agency leaders. The industry's fast-paced, demanding nature can damage one's mental and physical well-being.
Andy Crestodina, co-founder and Strategic Director of Orbit Media, shares his insights on recognizing the signs of burnout and taking proactive measures to avoid it. Drawing from his extensive experience in the industry, Andy offers valuable advice for agency owners looking to maintain a healthy work-life balance and build a sustainable, thriving business.
How to Avoid Burnout as an Marketing Agency Owner
#1: Recognize the Signs of Burnout
One of the most crucial aspects of avoiding burnout as a marketing agency owner is learning to recognize its early warning signs. If your daily life feels painful and you dread waking up in the morning, it clearly indicates that you might be on the path to burnout.Â
Experiencing panic attacks at night and a general sense of unhappiness are not normal occurrences and should be taken seriously. It's essential to address these issues promptly before they escalate and cause long-term damage to your mental and physical health.
Another telltale sign of impending burnout is a consistent decline in the quality of your work. When you're honest with yourself and realize that you're not performing at your best due to being stretched too thin, it's time to reevaluate your situation.
If you consistently deliver mediocre results because you're juggling too many responsibilities, it's a clear indication that changes need to be made to ensure the long-term success of your agency and your personal well-being.
#2: Set Healthy Boundaries for a Healthy Work-Life Balance
To combat burnout effectively, set healthy boundaries in your personal and professional life. One of the simplest yet most impactful strategies is to audit your devices and turn off unnecessary notifications.
Minimizing distractions from your smartphone and computer can help you create a more focused and productive work environment. Andy suggests making your phone as boring as possible to reduce the temptation to check for updates and messages constantly. Additionally, using timers or browser extensions to limit your time on distracting websites or apps can help you maintain focus and avoid falling into the trap of endless scrolling and procrastination.
Another crucial aspect of setting boundaries is effective time management. Use your calendar to block out dedicated time for important tasks, ensuring you have uninterrupted periods to focus on high-value activities. By prioritizing your time and protecting it from unnecessary interruptions, you can make significant progress on your most critical projects and avoid the feeling of being constantly overwhelmed.
Email management is another area where setting boundaries is essential. The constant influx of messages can be a major source of stress and distraction for agency owners. Andy recommends creating a schedule for checking and responding to emails rather than allowing them to dictate your entire day.
He suggests waking up early and tackling your inbox before engaging in other important tasks, dedicating a specific time block to email management. By compartmentalizing your email time, you can avoid constantly being pulled away from your core work and maintain a more focused and productive mindset.
Setting clear boundaries is paramount when it comes to client relationships. If a client abuses your time and resources or causes undue stress on your team, Andy advises addressing the issue head-on. You can manage client expectations by having a candid conversation with them to establish more reasonable communication practices.
Ready to Supercharge Your Marketing Strategy?
Get expert training and an unbeatable conference experience when you attend Social Media Marketing World—from your friends at Social Media Examiner.
Broaden your reach, skyrocket your engagement, and grow your sales. Become the marketing hero your company or clients need!
🔥 As a valued reader, you can save $580 on an All-Access ticket if you act now. Sale Ends Tuesday! 🔥
GET THE DETAILSIn extreme cases, it may be necessary to end the relationship altogether. Andy's agency has a “no jerks” policy, which means they are willing to part ways with problematic clients.
If you need to have this conversation with a client, Andy offers a basic script to help you get started:
“This is our last conversation. I'm calling to let you know that we've made the decision. You're going to find a company that takes care of you and meets your standards, but we're not that company. Sorry. I'm just giving you this verbal announcement. I'll follow up with an email. I wish you all the best.”
Remember, your mental health and the well-being of your team should always take precedence over any individual client. It's better to part ways with a problematic client than to allow their demands to drive you and your team to burnout.
#3: Build a Support System
Running a marketing agency can be lonely, as agency leaders often feel unable to share their challenges and concerns with their clients or team members. Andy recommends joining or creating a mastermind group with other marketing agency owners to combat this isolation.
These small, intimate groups provide a safe and supportive environment where you can openly discuss your struggles, share ideas, and seek advice from peers who understand the unique challenges of running an agency. Mastermind groups can be a powerful tool for combating burnout and maintaining a healthy perspective on your business and personal life by fostering a sense of camaraderie and belonging.
Curious About How to Use AI?
Our newest show, AI Explored, might be just what you're looking for. It's for marketers, creators, and entrepreneurs who want to understand how to use AI in their business.
It's hosted by Michael Stelzner and explores this exciting new frontier in easy-to-understand terms.
Pull up your favorite podcast app and search for AI Explored. Or click the button below for more information.
In addition to mastermind groups, consider attending or organizing regular meetups with other marketing and advertising industry professionals. These in-person or virtual gatherings offer an opportunity to build a strong sense of community and forge valuable connections.
You can tap into a wealth of knowledge, inspiration, and support by surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who share your passions and challenges. These meetups can also lead to new friendships, business referrals, and even potential agency hires, further strengthening your network and providing a solid foundation for long-term success.
#4: Delegate Roles and Responsibilities to Build a Sustainable Business
One of the most common pitfalls that lead to agency burnout is the tendency for owners to take on too much responsibility and wear too many hats. To build a sustainable business that can thrive without your constant involvement, create a clear organizational chart and write detailed job descriptions for each role within your agency.
Even if you're fulfilling multiple roles yourself, having a well-defined structure can help you identify areas you need to delegate and plan for future growth.
As your agency expands, hiring strategically and delegating tasks to the right people is crucial. This process may involve some trial and error, but it's essential for creating a business that can operate smoothly without your constant presence.
Andy advises being patient and persistent in finding the right team members to take on key responsibilities and help you scale your agency.
For example, in the early days of his agency, Andy found himself overwhelmed by handling all the sales and marketing responsibilities. He worked long hours, writing proposals late into the night, and felt stressed and burnt out.
His turning point came when he decided to hire a CEO already familiar with the company as a client. This decision allowed Andy to step back from the day-to-day operations, focus on content marketing, and grow the agency from a 20-person, $2.5 million company to a 50-person, $7 million firm.
By surrounding yourself with talented, reliable individuals and empowering them to succeed, you can gradually step back from the day-to-day operations and focus on your business's high-level strategy and vision.
#5: Embrace Failure and Learn from Mistakes
One of the most significant contributors to burnout among agency owners is the fear of failure and the pressure to maintain a perfect track record.
However, it's important to know failures are a natural and inevitable part of the entrepreneurial journey and do not define your worth as a person or a professional. By learning to separate your identity from your failures, you can develop a more resilient mindset and avoid the emotional toll that setbacks can take on your well-being.
Andy encourages agency owners to embrace the idea that accomplishments are proportional to attempts. In other words, the more you put yourself out there and try new things, the greater your chances of achieving your goals.
This mindset shift can be liberating, as it allows you to approach challenges with a sense of curiosity and experimentation rather than a fear of failure. Don't be afraid to experiment, gather data, and learn from your experiences, Andy says. By viewing each attempt as an opportunity to learn and grow, you can maintain a positive outlook and avoid the burnout that often stems from an unrelenting pursuit of perfection.
Andy Crestodina is co-founder and Strategic Director of Orbit Media, a digital agency that helps B2B businesses develop and optimize websites. He’s author of Content Chemistry: The Illustrated Handbook for Content Marketing. Check out The Orbit Blog and his LinkedIn newsletter, Digital Marketing Tips. You can find him on YouTube and LinkedIn.
Brooke B. Sellas is host of the Marketing Agency Show, a Social Media Examiner production. She is founder and CEO of B Squared Media, an agency that helps people connect, converse, and convert on social media. Her book is called Conversations That Connect. Find her on X and LinkedIn.
Listen to the Podcast Now
This article is sourced from the Marketing Agency Show. Listen or subscribe below.
Where to subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube | Amazon Music | RSS
✋🏽 If you enjoyed this episode of the Marketing Agency Show, please head over to Apple Podcasts, leave a rating, write a review, and subscribe.
Stay Up-to-Date: Get New Marketing Articles Delivered to You!
Don't miss out on upcoming social media marketing insights and strategies! Sign up to receive notifications when we publish new articles on Social Media Examiner. Our expertly crafted content will help you stay ahead of the curve and drive results for your business. Click the link below to sign up now and receive our annual report!
Discover Proven Marketing Strategies and Tips
Want to go even deeper with your marketing? Check out the Social Media Marketing Podcast! Publishing weekly since 2012, the Social Media Marketing Podcast helps you navigate the constantly changing marketing jungle, with expert interviews from marketing pros.
But don’t let the name fool you. This show is about a lot more than just social media marketing. With over 600 episodes and millions of downloads each year, this show has been a trusted source for marketers for well over a decade.
