Are you looking for opportunities to show your creative moxie? Looking for a client who is willing to think outside the box? In fact, insists that you think WAAAAAY outside that box? Who actually is willing to listen to your ideas and accept your input? Want to build a portfolio of new samples that are different from anything you’ve done previously?
Then you need to go meet the agency New Business person. If it’s a small to midsize agency then it might be the CEO, CFO or the Head of Accounts. Sometimes, they even have original titles like New Business Developer or Chief Development Officer or better still, The New Business Committee. No matter what they’re called these are the people who fish for new clients for their agencies. They are hungry for a way, any way, to get their toe in a client’s door. They are desperate to find that new hook, solution or idea that will get the client’s attention, solve a client problem and separate their agency from the pack.
These are new business opportunities ripe for the picking. Sure, most likely you’ll pay for the work out of your own pocket. Or at best, there will be a nominal dollar amount to defray costs. What does that matter? You were going to do those new samples anyway and who was going to pay for that? Your ROI will far outweigh the costs. Suddenly you’re cast in a different light. You’re a giver not just a taker (remember the idea of Pay it Forward). You’ve become a partner eager and willing to help. Not simply a supplier. You’ve developed new relationships. If the agency wins the account, guess who’s going to be first in line to execute it? Finally, win or lose the pitch, your level of awareness has been increased within the agency.
After all, isn’t being top-of-mind the name of the game and half the battle?
Mike Morawski
Chief Instigation Officer
Comments