Communications agencies got back on their feet in 2021 after a deflating 2020, but this is no time for marketing and PR firms to rest on their laurels, according to a newly released agency survey and report from marketing business development firm RSW/US.
This year’s annual survey and resulting RSW/US 2021 Agency New Business Report saw many small and mid-sized agencies growing or regaining lost growth from the previous year. For example, 38 percent of agencies said it was easier or a lot easier to obtain new business this year, vs. just 7 percent in 2020. And “business from existing clients” was reported as the most effective method/tool for bringing in new business (71 percent).
But with this rise of organic growth, firms should be aware of warning signs heading into 2022
The first is a multi-year decline in referrals, traditionally the predominant method for agencies to gain new business. There was a slight dip from 62 percent in 2019 to 60 percent in 2020. 2021 saw a deeper drop—to 53 percent.
Another sign: agencies are not investing in the development of “new” new business
This plays out in the low percentages (all under 10 percent) attributed to phone calls, social media, inbound, and traditional mailings.
A few other key stats that exemplify the lack of a strategic plan around “new” new business:
- Ad agencies said the predominant reason it was harder to obtain new business in 2021: “harder to break through to prospects” at 59 percent, up from 42 percent in 2020.
- 29 percent of agencies say they have a client that represents more than 50 percent of their business, vs. 17 percent last year.
- Hiring for the new business director position at an agency is at its lowest level since the survey started in 2010, with just 32 percent of agencies hiring a new business director in the past 3 years.
The growth for so many firms in 2021 should be celebrated, but change is a constant in our industry, and existing growth will not last at these levels. It’s critical heading into 2022 that agencies have a manageable framework for “new” new business.
Some of the other highlights from the new report:
Hiring for the new business director position at an agency is at its lowest level since the survey started in 2010, with just 32 percent of agencies hiring a new business director in the past 3 years
With new business apparently being easier to come by in 2021, agencies are not pressed to hire for the role. But, as demonstrated in the report, one thing that can always be counted on in our industry is change and the cyclical nature of the industry as a whole.
In 2021, 32 percent of agencies said it was harder to obtain new business because prospects go dark, vs. 22 percent in 2020
With a 10 percent increase in agencies saying it was harder to obtain new business because prospects go dark (32 percent this year, versus 22 percent last year), follow-up is as important as ever to the new business process.
Referrals, traditionally the predominant method for agencies to gain new business, are seeing a multi-year decline
We saw a slight dip from 62 percent in 2019 to 60 percent in 2020. This year, however, the firm saw a deeper drop, to 53 percent.
More than half (54 percent) of agencies reported their closing percentage at 30-50 percent
The number one response was 24 percent of agencies reporting a 50% close rate, second was 18 percent reporting a 30 percent close rate, and third was 13 percent reporting a 10 percent or less close rate.
Seventeen percent of agencies said, through Q3, they took part in competitive pitches more than once a month
With multiple pitches in a month, it would be very tough to focus on much else to any great extent. It also makes it tougher to deliver the kind of personalization you really need to differentiate your agency in a pitch. Well done!
Eighteen percent of agencies said in 2021 to date they answered 10 RFPs or more!
In a follow up question, the firm asked, “Is your answer to the previous question an increase or decrease over 2020?” 57 percent of agencies cited an increase.
A resounding 66 percent of agencies said they continue to have a blog on their site used to drive new business
Thirty-four percent reported posting frequency at once a month, 22 percent post twice a month, and 18 percent are posting once a quarter.
How long it takes (on average) to move from a 1st meeting, to closing a piece of business?
Eighty-seven percent of agencies said a month to six months. This is compared to 73 percent last year, still confirming that the process simply takes time. Of course, without consistent, value-based follow up, your chances of closing go down precipitously.
