<![CDATA[I Started An Agency]]>ec8369a4-b2ea-5659-86d5-a108b48a40e0Wed, 28 Jun 2023 13:30:00 +0000Captivate.fmTom Scotthttps://artwork.captivate.fm/7f6f9603-2bce-4414-af37-fbea007ee9db/X4rW_tB3ySJsxLtC7M9nRJxB.pngI Started An AgencyTom ScottTom ScottHello, I’m Tom and I started an agency. I’ve worked in digital marketing for almost a decade, at various agencies before deciding it was time to go it alone I decided to do this podcast to provide an honest tale of why I did it, how I did it, and what I hope it becomes in the future. I want it to become a useful resource for anyone no matter what stage of the journey you’re on. I’m going to cover the steps I took from conception to launch, including all the bits I think I got right and especially the mistakes I made. Crucially this isn’t a how-to guide it’s just “things I did”.https://i-started-an-agency.captivate.fmnoepisodicnopodcastBonus EpisodeBonus EpisodeJust for fun I stole Greg James Wronguns format

]]>Just for fun I stole Greg James Wronguns format

]]>d054e26d-528d-41c1-8c02-99e0e2f8662cFri, 06 May 2022 09:00:00 +010002:59nobonus47474Tom ScottWhere from here?Where from here?What's next at Little Mesters?

]]>What's next at Little Mesters?

]]>42e17641-f6c3-4ab5-ba8e-7b78e0de8f55Fri, 06 May 2022 09:00:00 +010005:26nofull46464Tom ScottDealing with stressDealing with stressIt's not easy running a business!

]]>It's not easy running a business!

]]>d6dbacb2-f06e-4248-a876-1353c30cd27cFri, 06 May 2022 09:00:00 +010006:18nofull45454Tom ScottAgency ValuesAgency ValuesMore changes for 2022

]]>More changes for 2022

]]>928860bd-2baa-4166-93e4-c2d303f05b1dFri, 06 May 2022 09:00:00 +010010:56nofull44444Tom ScottSet your targetsSet your targetsSetting targets and introducing management accounts

]]>Setting targets and introducing management accounts

]]>2e0857b8-58ab-4bcb-b992-0d3aee9272dcFri, 06 May 2022 09:00:00 +010007:34nofull43434Tom ScottOwner, Father, PartnerOwner, Father, PartnerHow I go about balancing the main roles in my life

]]>How I go about balancing the main roles in my life

]]>48d3996b-6f49-4c6c-995f-f3b92c4f6ec8Fri, 06 May 2022 09:00:00 +010005:15nofull42424Tom ScottAgency updateAgency updateAlmost a year since our last update, how have the Mesters changed?

]]>Almost a year since our last update, how have the Mesters changed?

]]>03cbc213-84d7-4813-bb56-845d56569ec2Fri, 06 May 2022 09:00:00 +010008:43nofull41414Tom ScottWhere next?Where next?Listen to find out where we will be going over the next 12 months or so!

]]>Listen to find out where we will be going over the next 12 months or so!

]]>52758f39-2629-46ab-83be-6c29505d4b1cWed, 26 May 2021 13:00:00 +010006:57nofull36363Tom ScottHow has our proposition changed?How has our proposition changed?We started out with the Little Mesters ethos leading on who we were and how we worked. This has changed a little bit in the first 9 months.

]]>We started out with the Little Mesters ethos leading on who we were and how we worked. This has changed a little bit in the first 9 months.

]]>44bf39fa-d81e-4e1a-85e1-9e5049f1fe7eWed, 26 May 2021 13:00:00 +010007:22nofull35353Tom ScottThe agency teamThe agency teamAs above!

]]>As above!

]]>6b748092-849b-4ec0-9c48-555654b59945Wed, 26 May 2021 13:00:00 +010005:43nofull34343Tom ScottAgency Growing PainsAgency Growing PainsAgency growing pains

  • Recruiting
  • Over-resourcing
  • Over-servicing
  • and more

]]>Agency growing pains

  • Recruiting
  • Over-resourcing
  • Over-servicing
  • and more

]]>35502edf-c8c7-4995-ad5c-213c05b34f1aWed, 26 May 2021 13:00:00 +010006:44nofull33333Tom ScottWe lost a clientWe lost a clientIt's not easy losing a client. Or in this case going on "pause". But there's something to be taken from every scenario, good or bad.

]]>It's not easy losing a client. Or in this case going on "pause". But there's something to be taken from every scenario, good or bad.

]]>d4e5a7b6-695f-4c83-b4c9-21e31ef5dfccWed, 26 May 2021 13:00:00 +010005:24nofull32323Tom ScottQuick Agency UpdateQuick Agency UpdateWhy we've

  • Added more staff
  • Moved offices
  • And more

]]>Why we've

  • Added more staff
  • Moved offices
  • And more

]]>e92cdbd2-26d7-41ce-8fee-f6ada9a01b2cWed, 26 May 2021 13:00:00 +010005:44nofull31313Tom ScottVAT registering and lockdown #3!VAT registering and lockdown #3!All caught up, so this episode sums up the journey so far and the rather boring decision to VAT register. If you made it this far, well done!

Who is this episode for?

  • Agency owners
  • Business people doing business
  • In house marketers
  • Someone considering their own freelance or agency owning journey
  • You already do the above and are interested in hearing someone else's story
  • If you're curious about Little Mesters in general

]]>All caught up, so this episode sums up the journey so far and the rather boring decision to VAT register. If you made it this far, well done!

Who is this episode for?

  • Agency owners
  • Business people doing business
  • In house marketers
  • Someone considering their own freelance or agency owning journey
  • You already do the above and are interested in hearing someone else's story
  • If you're curious about Little Mesters in general

]]>75ae17ce-b2c1-4ff4-88b5-73cce25be64fMon, 01 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +010005:21nofull26262Tom ScottHow books help me start / run an agencyHow books help me start / run an agencyI really enjoy reading business books. They're often easy to digest and you can mix them easily with fictional reads. I've chatted through some of my most useful reads so far.

Who is this episode for?

  • Book worms
  • Anyone interested in workplace culture and business
  • Agency owners
  • In house marketers
  • Someone considering their own freelance or agency owning journey
  • You already do the above and are interested in hearing someone else's story
  • If you're curious about Little Mesters in general

]]>I really enjoy reading business books. They're often easy to digest and you can mix them easily with fictional reads. I've chatted through some of my most useful reads so far.

Who is this episode for?

  • Book worms
  • Anyone interested in workplace culture and business
  • Agency owners
  • In house marketers
  • Someone considering their own freelance or agency owning journey
  • You already do the above and are interested in hearing someone else's story
  • If you're curious about Little Mesters in general

]]>7aabf920-3eca-4950-9324-171327fde1e1Mon, 01 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +010005:15nofull25252Tom ScottTools the agency uses on a daily basisTools the agency uses on a daily basisAgencies need 3rd party tools to help things flow. Everyone uses them and I explain which ones we use at Little Mesters Agency in the hope it can be useful to someone else!

Who is this episode for?

  • Agency owners
  • In house marketers
  • Someone considering their own freelance or agency owning journey
  • You already do the above and are interested in hearing someone else's story
  • If you're curious about Little Mesters in general

]]>Agencies need 3rd party tools to help things flow. Everyone uses them and I explain which ones we use at Little Mesters Agency in the hope it can be useful to someone else!

Who is this episode for?

  • Agency owners
  • In house marketers
  • Someone considering their own freelance or agency owning journey
  • You already do the above and are interested in hearing someone else's story
  • If you're curious about Little Mesters in general

]]>f1e26e84-83e1-4cdc-aa49-ab5941bf9261Mon, 01 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +010006:26nofull24242Tom ScottHow the agency utilitises business partnersHow the agency utilitises business partnersWe work with a few business partners to help the agency move forward, get advice from and beyond. I try to explain how that works!

Who is this episode for?

  • Business owners
  • Someone considering their own freelance or agency owning journey
  • You already do the above and are interested in hearing someone else's story
  • If you're curious about Little Mesters in general
  • You're curious about me


]]>We work with a few business partners to help the agency move forward, get advice from and beyond. I try to explain how that works!

Who is this episode for?

  • Business owners
  • Someone considering their own freelance or agency owning journey
  • You already do the above and are interested in hearing someone else's story
  • If you're curious about Little Mesters in general
  • You're curious about me


]]>6b1b18f9-259f-4c29-b814-76e481f93834Mon, 01 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +010002:37nofull23232Tom ScottWhat mistakes have I made?What mistakes have I made?What mistakes have I made? Quite a few. Day rate, discounting, capacity and more!

Who is this episode for?

  • Anyone in business really!
  • Someone considering their own freelance or agency owning journey
  • You already do the above and are interested in hearing someone else's story
  • If you're curious about Little Mesters in general
  • You're curious about me

]]>What mistakes have I made? Quite a few. Day rate, discounting, capacity and more!

Who is this episode for?

  • Anyone in business really!
  • Someone considering their own freelance or agency owning journey
  • You already do the above and are interested in hearing someone else's story
  • If you're curious about Little Mesters in general
  • You're curious about me

]]>3b8626e4-65bc-49e7-8e7e-52559adc56d5Mon, 01 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +010007:08nofull22222What mistakes have I made? Quite a few.Tom ScottHow I plan to grow my agencyHow I plan to grow my agencyThis episode includes a detailed look at the first 6 months of Little Mesters Agency and planning for the future.

Who is this episode for?

  • Marketing folk and agency owners
  • Someone considering their own freelance or agency owning journey
  • You already do the above and are interested in hearing someone else's story
  • If you're curious about Little Mesters in general
  • You're curious about me

]]>This episode includes a detailed look at the first 6 months of Little Mesters Agency and planning for the future.

Who is this episode for?

  • Marketing folk and agency owners
  • Someone considering their own freelance or agency owning journey
  • You already do the above and are interested in hearing someone else's story
  • If you're curious about Little Mesters in general
  • You're curious about me

]]>18a07d0e-ace5-460d-9191-2651d249253cMon, 01 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +010009:47nofull21212This episode includes a detailed look at the first 6 months and future planning.Tom ScottWhy did I decide to hire my first employee?Why did I decide to hire my first employee?How I made the decision to employ the first member of staff. The steps I took to make sure it was the right thing to do.

Who is this episode for?

  • Agency owners in general
  • Agency owners approaching employment

]]>How I made the decision to employ the first member of staff. The steps I took to make sure it was the right thing to do.

Who is this episode for?

  • Agency owners in general
  • Agency owners approaching employment

]]>44985a04-6bf9-40bf-8e8d-b6aaf70aefa5Mon, 01 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +010004:43nofull16161How I made the decision to employ the first member of staff.Tom ScottHow the agency works with freelancersHow the agency works with freelancersAn episode for freelancers who work with agencies and agency owners struggling with that process.

Who is this episode for?

  • Freelancers who work with agencies
  • Agency owners who work with freelancers

]]>An episode for freelancers who work with agencies and agency owners struggling with that process.

Who is this episode for?

  • Freelancers who work with agencies
  • Agency owners who work with freelancers

]]>b3233442-1661-4774-9b8b-da8a0fcba711Mon, 01 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +010007:37nofull15151An episode for freelancers who work with agencies and agency owners struggling with that process.Tom ScottRunning an agency and being a DadRunning an agency and being a DadWhat's it like to set up and run an agency with a young child at home. Short and sweet episode.

Who is this episode for?

  • Business owners with kids

]]>What's it like to set up and run an agency with a young child at home. Short and sweet episode.

Who is this episode for?

  • Business owners with kids

]]>a5f3a291-64b7-4511-99ea-2416ff57817fMon, 01 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +010004:20nofull14141What's it like to set up and run an agency with a young child at home. Short and sweet episode.Tom ScottHow I approached new business for my agency?How I approached new business for my agency?How did I approach winning work? In this episode I cover

  • My approach
  • LinkedIn
  • Bark
  • Referrals
  • Little Leg Up
  • Coronavirus impact
  • Costing 

Marketing

  • Social media
  • Video
  • Creds Doc

Who is this episode for?

  • Anyone that needs to generate new business
  • Someone considering their own freelance or agency owning journey
  • You already do the above and are interested in hearing someone else's story
  • If you're curious about Little Mesters in general
  • You're curious about me

]]>How did I approach winning work? In this episode I cover

  • My approach
  • LinkedIn
  • Bark
  • Referrals
  • Little Leg Up
  • Coronavirus impact
  • Costing 

Marketing

  • Social media
  • Video
  • Creds Doc

Who is this episode for?

  • Anyone that needs to generate new business
  • Someone considering their own freelance or agency owning journey
  • You already do the above and are interested in hearing someone else's story
  • If you're curious about Little Mesters in general
  • You're curious about me

]]>29cb5a7d-82e8-4719-bdb7-e68f826e07f9Mon, 01 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +010010:27nofull13131Tom ScottHow I started an agencyHow I started an agencyListen in for some of the "hows" of starting an agency. Including

  • Funding
  • Getting advice
  • Website
  • Branding 
  • Social media
  • Where did I work
  • Finance stuff

Who is this episode for?

  • Someone considering their own freelance or agency owning journey
  • You already do the above and are interested in hearing someone else's story
  • If you're curious about Little Mesters in general
  • You're curious about me

]]>Listen in for some of the "hows" of starting an agency. Including

  • Funding
  • Getting advice
  • Website
  • Branding 
  • Social media
  • Where did I work
  • Finance stuff

Who is this episode for?

  • Someone considering their own freelance or agency owning journey
  • You already do the above and are interested in hearing someone else's story
  • If you're curious about Little Mesters in general
  • You're curious about me

]]>625e3b85-a3e1-484a-84b0-12ec1ac28f4aMon, 01 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +010009:35nofull12121This episode covers Funding it Getting advice Website Branding Social media Where did I work Finance stuffTom ScottWhy I started an agencyWhy I started an agencyThis episode includes why I started the agency, how I came up with the name Little Mesters Agency and the concept for how it works and finally what made me hit the go button.

Who is this episode for?

  • Someone considering their own freelance or agency owning journey
  • You already do the above and are interested in hearing someone else's story
  • If you're curious about Little Mesters in general
  • You're curious about me

]]>This episode includes why I started the agency, how I came up with the name Little Mesters Agency and the concept for how it works and finally what made me hit the go button.

Who is this episode for?

  • Someone considering their own freelance or agency owning journey
  • You already do the above and are interested in hearing someone else's story
  • If you're curious about Little Mesters in general
  • You're curious about me

]]>3fe482a8-10e3-47ca-93a1-c431efb01f9eMon, 01 Feb 2021 09:00:00 +010006:02nofull11111Starting with the basics Why did I want to start an agency? Trip to Kelham Island Museum with Dad What was the trigger to go for it in the end?Tom ScottIntroductionIntroductionDiscover more about me and what this podcast is all about.

]]>Discover more about me and what this podcast is all about.

]]>d8492ea2-ef59-481d-ab33-b8b7fc926cffTue, 08 Dec 2020 09:00:00 +010001:27notrailerTom Scott