The Boutique: How to Start, Scale, and Sell a Professional Services Firm
This one kinda blew my mind. I owe it to Rachel from Louder Than Ten for the recommendation. Just read it.
Agency resources
Best 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 them — come find me in the Slack group.
Agency: Starting a Creative Firm in the Age of Digital Marketing
A great founder's memoir from one of the people who built The Barbarian Group. Listen to episode 21 of The Creative Agency Podcast for the interview with the author.
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business
Not agency-specific, but the EOS framework outlined here is one of the cleanest ways to start systemizing and structuring your agency for growth. Highly recommended.
The Marketing Agency Blueprint
A must if you offer digital marketing services. May feel a little dated (published 2011) but the core teachings are still valuable for any growing agency.
Design Is a Job
Mike Monteiro's passionate, profane take on the design business. You don't need to be a designer to love this — I'm not, and I did. A must-read for any creative agency owner or freelancer.
Don't Make Me Think, Revisited
The UX/UI design bible. Written in friendly, easy-to-understand language. If your agency touches design in any way, read it.
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.
Got a book recommendation?
I'm always reading. Drop your favorites in the Slack community — $35 lifetime.
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