How to Start Your Own Agency — A No-Fluff Beginner’s Guide

Jul 11

Written By Lucas | Marketing Director | FXXK Agency

If you’ve ever looked around and realized companies are desperate for attention online, congratulations — your eyes are open. Starting an agency is one of the fastest, most flexible ways to make real money, build a network, and create freedom for yourself.

The problem? Most people get stuck before they even start. They overthink. They wait. They waste time trying to be perfect.

This guide is here to get you moving.

Whether you want to run ads, build websites, manage social media, or offer creative services, the agency model works the same:
You solve a business’s problem for money — and eventually, you get other people to help you deliver the work.

Here’s how to get your agency off the ground.

Step 1: Pick a Skill That Solves a Problem

Start with what you’re good at or what you’re willing to learn quickly.

Here are a few agency models that work:

Paid ads (Meta, TikTok, Google) – You help businesses grow with traffic that converts.
Social media/content creation – You grow pages and build community for brands.
Email or SMS marketing – You help businesses turn leads into repeat customers.
Web design/branding – You make businesses look professional and feel trustworthy.
Lead generation/appointment setting – You bring businesses qualified buyers.

If you don’t already have a skill, you can learn one in 30–60 days with focused practice.
The point isn’t to be the best in the world — it’s to be good enough to help someone who knows nothing.

Step 2: Choose a Niche

This is where most people stall.

Don’t overthink it. You’re not marrying your niche — you’re just dating it.

Start with:

Real estate agents
Ecom brands
Local businesses (gyms, salons, med spas)
Coaches & course creators
Service providers (lawyers, roofers, dentists, etc.)

The more specific you are, the easier it is to get clients. A gym owner doesn’t want a “marketing expert,” they want someone who understands how to get people through the door.

Step 3: Get Your First Client (Fast)

You don’t need a website. You don’t need a logo.
You need one client who’s willing to pay you for results.

Here’s how people get stuck:
They build everything except the offer and outreach. Don’t do that.

Instead:

Put together a simple offer (what you do + outcome)
Start reaching out manually (DMs, emails, in-person, phone calls)

Real script:

“Hey [Name], I help [niche] get more [leads/sales/bookings] through [service]. Would you be open to a quick call this week to see if it makes sense for you?”

You might get ignored. You might get rejected. Doesn’t matter. All you need is one “yes.”

Step 4: Price Your Service and Deliver

Start simple. Don’t undercharge, but don’t overpromise either.

A beginner service range might look like:

$500–$1500/month for content or ad management
$1,000–$3,000 for one-off projects like websites or branding
Performance-based (you get paid based on leads, results, or revenue)

Then deliver the hell out of it.

If you don’t know how to get results yet — learn by doing. You can even offer a low-cost test or “beta” deal in exchange for a testimonial and case study.

Step 5: Systemize and Grow

Once you’ve got a couple clients and you’re making money, your job is to stop doing everything yourself.

Build simple systems:

A repeatable onboarding process
A calendar or pipeline to track leads
SOPs (standard operating procedures) for the services you deliver
Eventually, hire or outsource to someone better than you at the service

This is where you start becoming a real agency owner, not just a freelancer with a cool name.

What Comes Next?

Here’s the truth:

Anyone can start an agency.
Most people won’t make it past the first 3 months.
The ones who win? They stay focused, stay consistent, and ask for help when they need it.

This guide gives you a rough map, but every agency journey is different.
Your niche, your personality, your offer — they all shape your path.

And if you’re serious about building a real business with real clients, mentorship will shortcut years of guessing and trial and error.

Want 1-on-1 Help Starting or Scaling Your Agency?

If you read this and you’re fired up — but still have questions about:

The skill of running ads
What skill you should learn
What niche makes the most sense for you
How to get leads that actually convert
How to price, package, and sell your service
Or how to systemize the backend so you’re not doing everything…

I offer private mentorship for people serious about building their first $5k–$20k/month agency.
No fluff, no fake promises. Just accountability, real answers, and action.

DM me “MENTOR” on Instagram @fxxk.lucas and I’ll see if you’re a fit.

Let’s get to work.

Lucas | Marketing Director | FXXK Agency

Lucas Mora is the Marketing Director at FXXK Agency, a New Jersey–based firm known for breaking marketing rules—not budgets. His journey into marketing began in 8th grade, running Meta Ads for local lawn care businesses, and evolved into a full-blown passion for helping brands grow with bold, results-driven strategies. At FXXK Agency, Lucas leads campaigns that blend creative direction with data-backed execution, specializing in local SEO, paid ads, and digital storytelling. Outside of work, he's deeply rooted in skateboarding and fashion—two worlds that inspire his authentic approach to branding and content. Through this blog, Lucas shares raw insights on marketing, culture, and growth for brands ready to make noise and stand out.