What’s Irving Serving?

So You Wanted To Meet The Wizard ie. (Agency)

What to Expect from Your Agency When You Sign: 

So, you’ve been signed with an agency—congratulations! You can finish that glass of champagne. Welcome to the Land of Oz……Whether it’s a marketing agency, PR firm, or creative powerhouse, this is the start of something big. But don’t get too caught up in the “this-is-my-big-break” fantasy just yet. You’re about to enter the land of strategy, deadlines, and probably a whole lot of email chains. Glamorous yes, All the time NO. Here’s the tea from your mentor (that’s me!) on what you should really expect when you sign that agency contract. Be it an Exclusive Contract or the Non-Exclusive

1. A Warm Welcome (But Don’t Get Too Cozy)

When you sign with an agency, expect the royal treatment at first. You’ll get plenty of emails, onboarding calls, and maybe even a celebratory Zoom meeting. Everyone will say all the right things about how excited they are to work with you, and you’ll feel like you’re the most important client on their roster. Enjoy this honeymoon phase, darling—it’s about to get real. And real fast!

2. A Deep Dive Into Your Brand (Hold Tight, It’s Analysis Time!)

The agency will immediately start dissecting your brand like it’s the latest season of your favorite drama. They’ll want to know everything—your mission, your values, your target audience, your mood board, your social media style, your competitors, and maybe even your childhood pet’s name (okay, maybe not that last one) (Wink). Don’t be surprised if they ask for a mountain of information. It’s not because they don’t know what they’re doing. They need to understand your brand inside out to work their magic. You will be transformed before your very eyes.

3. A Lot of Jargon (Get Ready for the Lingo)

Expect to be hit with a wave of acronyms, buzzwords, and industry-specific terms. Terms like “KPIs,” “brand architecture,” “content pillars,” “synergy,” and “consumer journey” will become a regular part of your vocabulary. Now, you’re either going to nod knowingly and smile like you’re totally fluent—or you’re going to Google every word in real-time. (I’m all for that last one) Either way, don’t panic! Agencies use this jargon because they’re trying to sound smart (and they usually are), but you can always ask for clarification. (That’s where that Mentor comes in)  A good agency will explain things in a way that makes sense to you. Don’t you dare be afraid to ask questions because once you know you KNOW.

4. The Wait (Patience, My Friend) It’s A Virtue

Here’s the thing: things take time. Agencies will tell you they’re working on the perfect plan, but that doesn’t mean you’ll see results overnight. Don’t expect immediate feedback or instant turnarounds on projects. You’ll need to wait for drafts, presentations, and strategy documents. And just when you think it’s done, there might be one more tweak, or one more change. So, get comfortable with the pace. It’s all part of the process, darling. It took you this long to get here so take your time nothing great happens overnight!

5. Constant Communication (And Lots of Emails)

You’re going to live in your inbox now. Whether it’s a project update, a request for more details, or just a quick check-in, expect a lot of back-and-forth communication. You might even get added to several Slack channels, have weekly calls, or get a string of emails that need your urgent attention. And hey, it’s totally okay to feel overwhelmed. Just remember: good communication is a sign that the agency is invested in making things work. Please make sure that the inbox is not full. You don’t want to miss something fantastic if the mailbox is full of junk! Ps. that goes for the oh so full voicemail (sigh)

6. A Few Moments of Doubt (It Happens to the Best of Us)

At some point, you’re going to wonder if you made the right choice. If you paid too much for your package, if this is something I really want to do. Maybe a campaign didn’t work out as planned, or maybe you’re just not feeling the vibe. It’s okay to question things—it doesn’t mean you’ve made a mistake. You’ll have those “Am I doing the right thing?” moments. But don’t worry, your agency is there for you as well as our team. They’ll recalibrate and get you back on track, even if the road to success isn’t perfectly straight there’s gonna be a bump, a hairpin turn hell the brakes may give out. You are in it to win it and we’ve got your back.

7. The Results (Finally, The Payoff)

Here’s where the magic happens. After all the meetings, feedback, and brainstorming, you’ll start seeing results. Your social media presence will grow, your sales will improve, or that campaign you launched will finally start getting traction. It’s that sweet moment when you realize the agency was right all along. You’ll feel proud of the work you’ve done together, and most importantly, you’ll feel like you’re heading in the right direction. 

The Final Sip of Tea:

Signing with an agency is no walk in the park, but it can be incredibly rewarding. You’ll experience moments of doubt, frustration, and confusion—but also major wins, growth, and success. No it won’t happen overnight, but with a little perseverance you’re gonna do amazing!  So, buckle up, be patient, and trust that the experts are doing their best to bring your vision to life. And if you’re ever unsure, just remember: you’re in good hands. You’ve got this. And they’ve got your back. Move over Guys and Dolls there are some new kidz in town coming for you! (WINK)