How We Doubled Our Digital Marketing Agency To $190K/Month [Update]
This is a follow up story for Prodigi. If you're interested in reading how they got started, published almost 4 years ago, check it out here.
Hello again! Remind us who you are and what business you started.
Hello again! I’m Aida, CEO & Co-Founder of ProDigi, an innovative digital marketing and production agency that caters to B2B businesses across the globe. If you’ve missed how we started this thrilling journey, feel free to refresh your memory by revisiting our original starter story.
At ProDigi, we pride ourselves on our diverse array of services which include SEO, Paid Advertising, Social Media Marketing (SMM), and custom Video Production. Our expert team of over 48 certified digital specialists designs tailored solutions that serve a wide range of fields— from finance and healthcare to technology and education.
Today, ProDigi is not just a business; it's a success story woven through dedication and innovation, boasting an impressive average monthly revenue of $190,000.
We continue to exceed both financial and non-financial Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), proving that our commitment to customized, boundary-free creative solutions isn't just talk.
Join us on our journey, and see why companies around the world trust ProDigi to bring their digital marketing visions to life.
Tell us about what you’ve been up to. Has the business been growing?
Since our last update, ProDigi has experienced an exhilarating phase of growth, particularly at our branch in Uzbekistan, where our team has expanded and our operations have scaled significantly. This growth isn’t just in size but also in the breadth of our services and reach.
Over the past year, we’ve seen an impressive 120% financial growth compared to the previous year, a milestone that underscores our expanding influence in the digital marketing realm.
To drive our company’s growth, we’ve implemented several strategic actions. Our sales department has adopted cutting-edge AI tools like Apollo, enhancing our ability to manage and convert leads more efficiently. On the traffic front, we’ve doubled down on SEO and organic growth strategies, which have substantially increased our online visibility and customer engagement.
These efforts are complemented by our ongoing exploration and implementation of b2b offline creative campaigns, which have opened new avenues for client interaction and brand visibility.
On the innovation front, we’ve broadened our service offerings by launching programming services in a separate direction, recognizing the increasing demand for bespoke software solutions among our clients.
Day in and day out, we've been experimenting with various methods to effectively deliver this vision, ensuring that every team member is aligned and motivated.
Additionally, we’ve ventured into new territories with the launch of a Telegram Ad network in Armenia and Uzbekistan, tapping into local Telegram channels to reach a wider audience. This move has not only diversified our marketing channels but also positioned us as pioneers in utilizing messaging platforms for advertising in these regions.
Our team has grown by 12% to support these expansions, enhancing our capacity to meet the rising demand and maintain the high-quality service our clients expect from us. This growth in manpower has been crucial in supporting our new projects and sustaining our high client retention rate, which remains above 80%.
Keeping our existing customers satisfied and engaged is a cornerstone of our strategy, and it’s paying dividends in sustained loyalty and business growth.
However, not all strategies have continued to perform well. We've observed a slowdown in the effectiveness of our Facebook marketing efforts, leading us to pivot towards more promising and innovative marketing channels. This shift is part of our broader strategy to constantly adapt and respond to the dynamic digital marketing landscape.
PR and community engagement are pivotal elements of our growth strategy. We recently sponsored the "Popok" international advertising festival held in Armenia, a distinguished event that assembled industry giants from agencies like Ogilvy, Cheil Worldwide, and Havas.
This sponsorship significantly elevated our visibility and facilitated invaluable networking opportunities. Additionally, our co-founder Arsen Sultanyan was a key speaker at the festival, where he shared expert insights specific to the Armenian digital market.
What have been your biggest challenges in the last year?
Over the past year, one of the most persistent challenges we've faced at ProDigi has been refining the management skills of our department heads and enhancing the way we communicate our vision to our entire team.
Our vision, "To become the global agency that can remove all boundaries, break the stereotype of choosing a non-local digital services provider, and create results for its people by valuing their time," requires continuous innovation in leadership and internal communication strategies.
Day in and day out, we've been experimenting with various methods to effectively deliver this vision, ensuring that every team member is aligned and motivated. This ongoing effort to improve leadership skills across the board has been both challenging and crucial to our aspirations of becoming a truly global player.
Recognizing that what worked in the past might not suffice for future success, we have undertaken significant changes to scale our business effectively. This has involved a strategic restructuring of our systems to prepare for the inevitable losses and transformations that come with growth.
For instance, we've promoted top managers to higher positions, a move that carries its risks but is essential for fostering a more dynamic and responsive leadership structure. These changes are part of a broader readiness to evolve and adapt, acknowledging that reaching the next level in our business requires not just operational adjustments but also a mental shift in how we approach challenges and opportunities.
Focus on assembling the right team. It’s crucial to have people who share your vision and dedication. A strong team can drive your business forward, help tackle challenges, and keep you motivated.
What have been your biggest lessons learned in the last year?
This past year has been a period of profound learning and reflection for both myself and ProDigi as a whole. One of the starker lessons came from recognizing certain missed opportunities and mistakes that were due in part to my own oversight.
At times, we were blindsided by shifts in market dynamics and customer expectations, which highlighted areas where our agility and adaptability could be improved. It was challenging to accept these missteps, but they provided invaluable insights into how we could better anticipate and react to changes within the digital marketing landscape.
On a personal note, I took significant steps to enhance my capabilities as a leader by completing the Oxford Executive Leadership Programme at Said Business School, University of Oxford. This experience not only sharpened my leadership skills but also profoundly impacted my approach to management.
I’ve come to realize that one of my primary roles as CEO is to cultivate an environment where team members value their time, clearly understand their career goals, and are committed to achieving our collective objectives. This realization has reshaped how we operate at ProDigi, ensuring that personal and professional growth goes hand in hand.
Among the beneficial habits I've developed, journaling and the practice of idea envisioning stand out. These habits have not only helped me track progress and reflect on daily operations but also fostered a culture of transparency and innovation within the team.
Additionally, these practices have been instrumental in our strategic planning, allowing us to craft initiatives that are both visionary and executable. The combination of improved leadership skills, a focused mission, and strategic daily habits has positioned us to navigate future challenges more effectively, ensuring that ProDigi remains a leader in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing.
What’s in the plans for the upcoming year, and the next 5 years?
Looking ahead, ProDigi is gearing up for some exciting changes. We plan to grow our business in Uzbekistan and start offering our services in the Middle East, including opening a new branch in Saudi Arabia. We’re also launching a separate programming business called ProIT, which will help us reach more customers.
In the short term, we want to make our SEO services available worldwide, improve our profits from custom explainer video production, and make our sales processes smoother.We’re currently adding more AI technology to our products, which will make our operations better and help us provide our services more effectively. These steps are all about keeping us at the forefront of the digital marketing industry.
What’s the best thing you read in the last year?
One of the best resources I've read in the last year is the "HBR Must Reads" series from Harvard Business Review. This series covers a broad range of key business topics, such as leadership, strategy, and emotional intelligence. Each book compiles essential articles on its topic by some of the leading minds in business.
It's a fantastic resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of complex business dynamics and enhance their managerial and leadership skills. These insights have been particularly valuable in guiding strategic decisions and improving my approach to leadership within the company.
Advice for other entrepreneurs who might be struggling to grow their business?
One key piece of advice for entrepreneurs struggling to grow their business is to focus on assembling the right team. It’s crucial to have people who share your vision and dedication. A strong team can drive your business forward, help tackle challenges, and keep you motivated.
Remember, the strength of your business largely depends on the strength of the people behind it, so take the time to choose and nurture the right group. This investment in your team is fundamental to achieving sustained growth and success.
Are you looking to hire for certain positions right now?
Yes, you can get acquainted with our open vacancies here.
Where can we go to learn more?
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
