Agency Books
I’m only sharing books I have read and that have really helped me grow my agency. If you read one and have thoughts on it, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. If you’re not in the slack group, you should join of course.
The Boutique: How to Start, Scale, and Sell a Professional Services Firm
This one kinda blew my mind! And I owe it to Rachel from Louder Than Ten for the recommendation. Just read it!
Agency: Starting a Creative Firm in the Age of Digital Marketing (Advertising Age)
This is a really great book. Listen to episode 17 of The Creative Agency Podcast for info on how Murmur Creative was inspired to create a vision statement because of this book. Or listen to episode 21 an interview with the author, Rick Webb.
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business
This book is not geared specifically to agencies, but the Entrepreneurial Operating System that is outlined in the book is an amazing way to start systemizing and structuring your agency for growth. I recommend highly!
The Marketing Agency Blueprint: The Handbook for Building Hybrid PR, SEO, Content, Advertising, and Web Firms
This book is must if you offer digital marketing services to your clients. It also has lots of great agency advice for any growing agency. At times it may feel a little dated (Published in 2011) but the core teachings are super valuable.
Design Is a Job
If you have not yet been introduced to Mike Monteiro and his passionate and profane take on design, you are missing out. You don’t need to be a designer to love this book. I’m not and I loved it. Mike is a straight shooter and this book is a must-read for any creative agency owner or freelancer.
Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability (3rd Edition) (Voices That Matter) Ths is kinda the user experience/user interface design bible. It’s also written in super friendly easy-to-understand language. If your agency touches design in any way–read this!
Made to Lead: A Pocket Guide to Managing Marketing & Creative Teams
Super quick read by Creative Agency Podcast guest Karl Sakas. Wise advice for creative agency leaders. Good to pull out when you need a little leadership inspiration.