The Future of AI Agencies: What Comes After?

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. The Journey of Unorthodox Agency
   1. The Initial Years
   2. Pivoting and Evolution
   3. Lessons Learned and Changes Made
3. The Power of YouTube and Content Creation
   1. Building an AI Automation Agency
   2. The Value of Personal Branding
4. The Potential of the AI Automation Agency Model
   1. Overcoming Perceived Barriers
   2. The Underrated Opportunity of AI Automation
5. The Team and Operations of Unorthodox Agency
   1. The Founders and Core Team
   2. The Role of Project Managers
   3. Development Team and Outsourcing
   4. The Need for Sales and Marketing
6. Wins and Challenges Faced
   1. Building Partnerships and High-Value Clients
   2. Opportunities in SAS Projects
   3. The Power of a Growing Community
   4. Challenges Faced and Personal Reflections

Heading 1: Introduction 👋

Welcome to this special video where I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey of my agency, highlight the wins, address the challenges, and Outline the plans for the upcoming year. This year has been a rollercoaster ride with lessons, successes, and failures. I believe it's important to share our experiences and be transparent about the reality of building an agency. So, sit back, relax, and let's dive into the world of Unorthodox Agency.

Heading 2: The Journey of Unorthodox Agency 🚀

Subheading 2.1: The Initial Years

Two years ago, we started Unorthodox Agency as a general digital marketing agency with a focus on the web and crypto space. Our organic marketing services, especially on platforms like Twitter, gained attention, and we gradually transitioned into helping creators build funnels and AI lead magnets. Over time, this led us into the world of AI and automation.

Pros:

• Expanding services to cater to different industries
• Gaining expertise in organic marketing and AI

Cons:

• Facing challenges while transitioning and pivoting the agency's focus

Subheading 2.2: Pivoting and Evolution

Unorthodox Agency's journey has been far from linear. We constantly adapted, pivoted, and changed direction to Align with our goals and market opportunities. It's crucial for you to know that success doesn't come overnight, and the process is often filled with uncertainty and failures. Many YouTubers portray a perfect journey, but reality tells a different story. Our two-year journey has been a testament to embracing changes and learning from setbacks.

Pros:

• Being flexible and adaptable in response to market needs
• Embracing the process of evolution and growth

Cons:

• Dealing with uncertainties and setbacks along the way

Heading 3: The Power of YouTube and Content Creation ✨

Subheading 3.1: Building an AI Automation Agency

The growth of our YouTube Channel has played a significant role in the success of Unorthodox Agency. The platform has proven to be a valuable asset, connecting us with potential clients and driving sales calls. By focusing on AI automation and creating tutorials on platforms like Voiceflow, Botpress, Zapier, and more, we have attracted numerous businesses looking for AI solutions.

Pros:

• Positioning ourselves as experts in the AI automation space
• Generating leads and sales calls through our YouTube content

Cons:

• Dealing with the challenge of attracting clients from various industries and narrowing down our target audience

Subheading 3.2: The Value of Personal Branding

Creating a personal brand through YouTube has been instrumental in our agency's growth. Sharing our expertise, providing value, and building a community has not only boosted our agency's credibility but also opened doors to partnerships and collaborations. I cannot stress enough the power of getting in front of the camera, documenting your journey, and showcasing your services to the world.

Pros:

• Establishing a personal brand and building credibility
• Building a community and connecting with like-minded individuals

Cons:

• Balancing content creation with other business responsibilities

Heading 4: The Potential of the AI Automation Agency Model 🤖

Subheading 4.1: Overcoming Perceived Barriers

Many people believe that starting an AI automation agency requires extensive coding skills and experience. However, this is a misconception. Selling and communicating effectively, understanding pain points, structuring offers, and reaching your target audience are the essential skills needed. Coding and technical expertise can be outsourced or acquired later on. Don't let the fear of complexity hold you back from exploring the vast opportunities in the AI automation agency model.

Pros:

• Demystifying the misconception and highlighting the simplicity of getting started
• Emphasizing the importance of sales and communication skills over coding knowledge

Cons:

• Challenging the common belief that AI automation is limited to experts

Subheading 4.2: The Underrated Opportunity of AI Automation

In my opinion, the AI automation agency model remains highly underrated. Many people underestimate its potential and the impact it can have on businesses across various industries. As AI continues to advance rapidly, businesses will increasingly Seek solutions that enhance efficiency, productivity, and customer experience. By positioning yourself as an AI automation expert, you can tap into a thriving market that others overlook.

Pros:

• Capitalizing on the growing demand for AI automation solutions
• Recognizing the untapped opportunities in the market

Cons:

• Lack of awareness and attention given to the potential of AI automation

Heading 5: The Team and Operations of Unorthodox Agency 👥

Subheading 5.1: The Founders and Core Team

Unorthodox Agency is a collaborative effort driven by myself and my co-founder, Mark. Having a business partner with complementary skills and the ability to support each other's shortcomings has been invaluable. Our combined expertise in creative problem-solving, sales, and organization has propelled us forward and allowed for more efficient business operations.

Pros:

• Leveraging the strengths of multiple founders for improved decision-making
• Establishing a supportive and complementary partnership

Cons:

• Overcoming the challenges of working collaboratively and aligning visions

Subheading 5.2: The Role of Project Managers

Hiring project managers has been a Game-changer for Unorthodox Agency. These individuals bridge the gap between our clients and our team, ensuring smooth project execution and client satisfaction. Project managers Take Care of project deliverables, maintain communication, and manage client relationships, allowing us to focus on sales, content creation, and scaling the business.

Pros:

• Streamlining Project Management and client communication
• Allowing founders to allocate time to core business activities and growth

Cons:

• Finding and onboarding skilled project managers

Subheading 5.3: Development Team and Outsourcing

Collaborating with a dedicated development team, including an offshore team in Dubai, has allowed us to focus on our core competencies while relying on their expertise in AI, automation, and software development. We work with this team on both retainer and project basis, ensuring we have the necessary resources to deliver tailored solutions to our clients.

Pros:

• Leveraging external expertise and resources
• Streamlining development processes and meeting client demands

Cons:

• Balancing project management and communication between in-house and outsourced teams

Subheading 5.4: The Need for Sales and Marketing

While our YouTube channel has been a significant driver of leads and sales, we have realized the importance of building a dedicated sales team. Sales skills play a crucial role in securing profitable partnerships, nurturing client relationships, and expanding the agency's reach. By investing in sales personnel and improving our sales processes, we aim to optimize our growth potential.

Pros:

• Expanding reach through sales efforts
• Building stronger client relationships and partnerships

Cons:

• Developing and refining sales strategies and processes

Heading 6: Wins and Challenges Faced 🏆

Subheading 6.1: Building Partnerships and High-Value Clients

One of our biggest wins this year has been securing a high-value client as an official partner. This partnership has not only provided us with consistent revenue but also opened doors to new opportunities and connections. By being selective with our clients, focusing on value creation, and nurturing long-term partnerships, we have witnessed significant growth.

Pros:

• Establishing profitable partnerships and long-term collaborations
• Providing high-value services to top-tier clients

Cons:

• The challenge of choosing the right clients and maintaining client satisfaction

Subheading 6.2: Opportunities in SAS Projects

Another noteworthy achievement this year has been the exploration of SAS projects. By leveraging our expertise and partnering with existing clients, we have ventured into developing mini SAS businesses in diverse industries. This strategic move offers immense growth potential and allows us to generate multiple revenue streams outside traditional agency work.

Pros:

• Generating additional revenue through SAS projects
• Partnering with clients for mutually beneficial ventures

Cons:

• Balancing the workload and resources required for diversification

Subheading 6.3: The Power of a Growing Community

The growth of our community, especially on our YouTube channel, has been an amazing accomplishment. Interacting with aspiring entrepreneurs, witnessing their progress, and sharing knowledge has been fulfilling. We appreciate the support and engagement from this community and are grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact.

Pros:

• Building a supportive and engaged community
• Motivating and inspiring aspiring entrepreneurs

Cons:

• Balancing community engagement with other business responsibilities

Subheading 6.4: Challenges Faced and Personal Reflections

Like any entrepreneurial journey, we have faced numerous challenges and setbacks. Building an agency takes time, persistence, and constant learning. We have encountered distractions, made mistakes, and sometimes struggled to maintain a work-life balance. Moving forward, we aim to prioritize family time, focus on strategic opportunities, and be kinder to ourselves during this exciting yet demanding journey.

Pros:

• Gaining valuable experience and lessons from challenges
• Recognizing personal areas for improvement and growth

Cons:

• Navigating distractions and maintaining a healthy work-life balance

Heading 7: Conclusion and Looking Ahead 🌟

In conclusion, the journey of Unorthodox Agency has been a testament to the power of embracing change, being adaptable, and learning from every experience. Our focus in 2024 will revolve around building strategic partnerships, producing valuable content, saying no to irrelevant projects, and expanding our team strategically. We believe that the AI automation agency model holds enormous potential, and we are determined to position ourselves as leaders in this space. While challenges will continue to arise, we are excited for the opportunities, growth, and successes that lie ahead.

Thank you for being a part of this journey, and we wish you a fantastic Christmas, a prosperous New Year, and an incredible 2024 filled with personal and professional growth!

FAQ

Q: How long did it take for Unorthodox Agency to reach $50,000 per month?
A: Unorthodox Agency took two years to reach the milestone of generating around $50,000 per month consistently. It is essential to remember that the timeline for success can vary significantly for different agencies, and success is not guaranteed in a short timeframe.

Q: How does Unorthodox Agency handle clients from various industries?
A: Unorthodox Agency has realized the challenge of working with clients from different industries. While the diversity of clients is beneficial for attracting leads, it requires customized solutions for each industry, limiting scalability. As a result, the agency has chosen to be more selective about the clients they work with and focus on long-term partnerships where they can deliver high value.

Q: How does Unorthodox Agency handle the perceived barriers of AI automation?
A: Unorthodox Agency aims to debunk the misconception that starting an AI automation agency requires extensive coding skills. They emphasize the importance of sales, communication, and problem-solving abilities over technical expertise. Outsourcing coding tasks while focusing on selling and providing value has been a significant aspect of their agency model.

Q: How does Unorthodox Agency plan to expand its team?
A: Unorthodox Agency plans to expand its team strategically based on the needs of the business. They aim to hire more project managers and sales personnel to support client management and ensure seamless operations. Building a strong team is crucial for achieving scalability and optimizing growth opportunities.

Q: What challenges has Unorthodox Agency faced during its journey?
A: Unorthodox Agency has faced challenges such as dealing with distractions, saying no to irrelevant projects, achieving a healthy work-life balance, and managing a growing workload. However, they have treated these challenges as valuable learning experiences and opportunities for personal growth.

Resources:

• Unorthodox Agency YouTube Channel