What is the Agency Model?

The agency model is a business structure where you sell done-for-you services and leverage a team of contractors or employees to deliver the work. Creators often shift to an agency when demand for their solopreneur offers outgrows their personal capacity.

Key Components

• Clear positioning: A specific problem, audience, and outcome
• Documented process: SOPs, templates, and automation to standardize delivery
• Delegated fulfillment: Specialists handle production while founders focus on sales and strategy
• Account management: Communication that keeps retention high and clients informed
• Offer stack: Multiple tiers ranging from audits to ongoing retainers

Benefits of the Agency Model

• Scales revenue faster than pure 1:1 services
• Enables recurring retainers and high-ticket engagements
• Makes it easier to upsell along a value ladder
• Frees founders to create content, sell, and nurture the brand

Challenges to Watch

• Requires strong hiring, training, and culture—even with freelancers
• Cash flow can fluctuate with client churn; monitor retention
• Project management complexity increases quickly
• Founders must shift identity from creator to operator and leader

Hybrid Approaches

• Combine an agency with leverageable digital products
• Use agencies to generate case studies for building in public
• Transition agency clients into group programs or memberships over time