Why Agency Owners Need to Get Out of Client Services with Chase Clymer
Dec 12, 2021
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Chase Clymer, co-founder of Electric Eye, shares insights from his journey in elevating eCommerce brands. He emphasizes the necessity for agency owners to step away from daily client work to foster team growth. Chase discusses strategic referral systems and the importance of thoughtful marketing through podcasting. He also highlights innovative approaches to managing client relationships, including personalized gifting, and the expanding role of Conversion Rate Optimization agencies in today's market.
Chase Clymer emphasizes the necessity for agency owners to shift from day-to-day client services towards leadership roles for sustainable growth.
Electric Eye's success relies heavily on strategic partnerships and content marketing, accounting for about 50% of their client acquisition.
Deep dives
Agency Evolution and Identity
The conversation highlights the evolution of Electric Eye from freelancing to a full-fledged eCommerce growth agency. Initially formed to present a unified front for handling clients, the agency has matured over six years into a recognized name in Shopify solutions. Despite clients often referring to them as a Shopify agency, the co-founder emphasizes that Shopify is merely a tool, and the agency focuses on strategic solutions to drive results. This distinction underscores the importance of positioning within the market, reflecting the need to balance internal identity and external perceptions for client engagement.
Team Roles and Growth Strategy
As Electric Eye has grown, the division of roles within the team has become more specialized, allowing the co-founder to transition from client work to overarching brand representation and business development. With a lean team of about ten employees, the agency balances creative and technical skills while emphasizing the necessity of defined swim lanes to maximize productivity. The discussion emphasizes the importance of delegation and the shift from doing to leading, with plans to expand the team to support increasing project demands. This strategy aims to reinforce company growth while ensuring that each team member remains focused on their key roles.
Referrals and Content Marketing
Referrals and partnerships contribute significantly to Electric Eye's client acquisition strategy, making up about 50% of their revenue alongside content marketing strategies. The agency leverages their network and client satisfaction to encourage word-of-mouth recommendations, enhancing their visibility within the eCommerce landscape. Additionally, the Honest Ecommerce podcast serves as a valuable platform, enabling the co-founder to share insights and engage with a broader audience, further promoting brand awareness. The combined effectiveness of referrals and strategic content plays a crucial role in driving sustainable growth and client engagement.
Operational Tactics and Outreach
Electric Eye has developed structured operational tactics for cold outreach to enhance brand visibility and client acquisition. Utilizing email outreach tools and strategic partnerships, the agency actively seeks collaborations with brand founders and other podcasts to promote their services. The co-founder shares insights on refining outreach strategies by employing tools and leveraging data to identify potential guests and opportunities. This systematic approach not only broadens their reach but also fosters relationships within the industry, cultivating a robust network of referrals and partnerships.
Chase Clymer is the Co-founder of Electric Eye, an agency that increases sales for eCommerce brands. Chase is also the host of Honest Ecommerce, a weekly podcast, community & educational resource providing online store owners with honest, actionable advice to increase their sales and grow their business.
Topics discussed in the episode:
Chase's story and the origins of Electric Eye
The importance of removing yourself as an agency owner from day-to-day client services
Leading and managing a team and the concept of swim lanes
An intentional strategy for referral growth and partners
How Chase approaches content marketing and his success with the Honest Ecommerce podcast
Presenting Sponsor: ZenPilot
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