Starting a marketing business can be a very exciting endeavor, but one that will require you to coordinate the complex needs of your clients, often on a tight schedule. Many people consider the entrepreneurial route, but it is a risky road to take, especially if you don't set yourself up for success. You don't have to sell a unique product, but you should offer a one-of-a-kind service.

Anyone can start a business with the right attitude and financial backing. Competition will be fierce. You can't expect to put your feet up because it's your own business. On the contrary, you should expect to work very hard in the beginning. Before quitting your full time job in the hopes that you become your own boss and start your own marketing service, ask yourself the following:

1. Are you committed? It takes more than just a good idea to start a marketing firm. It takes time, money and hard work.

2. If applicable, do you have the right partners? Friends are not always good business partners. Vet potential collaborators as objectively as possible.

3. Have you done your research to make sure there's demand for your service? You may have a great idea, but how many others have the same idea?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start marketing agency services with credibility and get licensed

Marketing businesses are legally required to obtain some type of government license. You will also need federal and state employer tax id numbers, and trade name certificates. There are many online resources and state departments that can help you file these documents. Additionally, if you choose to open a marketing small business in your own home, you will need to file special zoning paperwork.

I recommend: Business.gov can help you obtain the necessary federal, state and local permits, licenses, and registrations for starting your business successfully. Use the “Permit Me” tool for efficiency. FindLaw provides a useful checklist of all the documentation necessary for your business.

Join an association and build industry credibility when you open a marketing small business

As a new business owner, you don't have to go it completely alone. Consider joining an industry association for support. Organizations bring together professionals with the same goals and challenges. As a member you have access to certification and educational opportunities. You'll also be able to attend networking events, so you can meet industry peers, vendors and suppliers.

I recommend: The American Marketing Association organizes educational and networking opportunities. The Business Marketing Association offers a multi-module program that includes a marketing skills assessment, a skills builder, and certification. The program emphasizes promotional tactics and leads to a business-to-business marketing certification.

Partner with reliable employees when you open your own marketing business

When you start your own marketing agency, it's imperative that you partner with employees who will help grow your business. Your employees must be reliable, accommodating and thorough. You want to build a long-term relationship with your staff, and they must also share your interest in pleasing your clients. In addition to your core team, you might also need temporary employees to staff events and handle promotions.

I recommend: MarketingHire.com allows you to match your needs against its existing database. With Mobile Marketing Jobs, you can create a company profile and find mobile, special and promotional event staff for your touring needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you first open a marketing firm, you may decide to balance your own finances. But as your business grows, consider partnering with an accountant who can help you with tax issues, and help you build a financially sound company.

There are marketing firms that do it all—from event marketing to search engine marketing. Chances are once you’ve found your niche, you will gain loyal customers who want more marketing services than your niche requires. They key is to create your niche first and then broaden your approach to serve existing clients. Otherwise as a startup company that offers a huge menu of services, it may be hard to sell yourself as an expert in any of them. The other side of the coin however, is if you are starting your company as an outsourced marketing department for a small to medium-sized client who needs a whole suite of marketing services. It all depends on your target market. The primary steps to starting your marketing services company include:

1. Marketing your company effectively, by starting with top-notch marketing materials that show your expertise in marketing to businesses.
2. Scouting the marketplace to see what services are lacking or in-great demand in your area, (geographically or in your specialty).
3. Setting up business relationships with good printers, list brokers, graphic designers, video production companies and event planners.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a niche for your marketing business

Focus on one primary marketing skill and offer other services as add-on benefits.

I recommend: Research the pros and cons of creating a niche versus full-suite marketing at MarketingProfs.com. Study the different niches of the marketing world at MarketingPower.

Study the habits of other marketing businesses

By joining industry associations, you can keep up-to-date with the latest marketing trends and events.

I recommend: The American Marketing Association provides information, products and services to help marketing professionals in their field. The Business Marketing Association, the Direct Marketing Association and the Promotion Marketing Association provide customized support, news and suppliers in each of their specialized fields.

Subscribe to trade journals

Trade magazines provide information on suppliers for specific marketing niches and news for the industry.

I recommend: Target Marketing Magazine provides insight on subjects such as list-buying, branding and print buying. The publications of the American Marketing Association encompass Marketing News, Marketing Research, Journal of Marketing and Marketing Management. Creative, The Magazine of Promotion and Marketing provides information on Point-of-Purchase Display, Trade Show Exhibit and Sales Promotion Programs.

Hang a shingle

If you don’t have a big client to start up with, bid on small marketing projects through listing services.

I recommend: Elance.com and Guru.com post listings on marketing projects that are out for bids.

Write a business plan for your marketing business

Your roadmap to success should include a great business plan, clear and concise objectives and goals and possible obstacles that you might find along the way.

I recommend: Check out the marketing pricing calculators, case studies and get a free marketing idea kit at GiveToGetMarketing.com. Check out a list of business plan software at Business.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When starting a new business, there is always a juggling act of time spent on existing customers’ accounts and time spent acquiring new accounts. Plan how you will balance the two, before you hand out your first business card.
• •  Always ask clients for referrals to other clients. Their suppliers, business relationships and clients are the best word-of-mouth clients you can find, if your client can give a great referral.
• •  Don’t give ideas away for free. Many times a company will request a full-fledged RFP so that you show your hand before they’ve chosen the company. Make sure you include past results in your proposal and past case studies, but only include the goals and objectives and general information of how you will accomplish it. This way you ensure your time spent on the proposal doesn’t go to the person who bid the lowest on the project without your work receiving a cent.

Starting a marketing business can be a daunting task, but getting the education to start your own marketing service can put you on the road to a successful future. While education and training can give you some tools to help you start a marketing business, experience will be another major factor that determines your success.

A marketing career generally begins with a bachelor's degree in marketing or business administration, followed by experience in the field of marketing through an internship. Learning the ropes at a marketing firm will help you gain the experience and training to someday open a marketing agency. Some go on to receive a master's degree in business administration with a focus on marketing, which can help in reaching the goal of opening a marketing firm. The years in the field will give you the training you need to start a marketing business.

Get ready to open a marketing business by looking at the following:

1. Get training resources from business organizations to start a marketing firm.

2. Take an educational track that will give you both a business and a marketing education.

3. Check out government sources for information on how to open a marketing service.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look to professional resources for help when opening a marketing firm

Some of the best places to research the education and training for starting a marketing business are professional business resources. Earning special certifications and attending marketing conferences are just two ways you can learn about how to open a marketing business.

I recommend: Entrepreneur delivers some great practical tips for starting a marketing business. Earning certification from the Institute of Management Consultants can help you present your own marketing business in the most professional manner. Marketing Profs is a website dedicated to marketing professionals, offering resources such as a free virtual conference that can help you learn the ropes to open a marketing business.

Take the right steps toward owning a marketing business

Getting the proper education and training to start a marketing business is imperative for a successful career. While it is unlikely that a person can step right out of college into owning a marketing business, having that as an established goal can help you focus on the future.

I recommend: Education Center Online discusses the education required to own a marketing small business and also lists colleges with marketing programs. DeVry University offers a business administration degree program with a concentration in marketing, a good educational route to eventually starting a marketing agency.

Rely on trusted government sources when starting a marketing business

Don't forget about helpful training and educational resources available from the government for small business owners. You can take advantage of free educational courses that will help you stay up to speed on how to best run your marketing business.

I recommend: The Bureau of Labor Statistics is always a helpful tool when looking at the prospects for any business, especially when getting ready to open a marketing firm. The Small Business Administration offers assistance to business owners through free online training courses.

Marketing is a very hot field to get into these days. There are many companies and products out there. As a result, it is imperative for companies to work hard and spend a lot of time getting their name in the public. Starting a marketing business can be a great idea, and versatile too. There are different types of marketing, including business-to-business, promotional and direct. Deciding which type to specialize in should be your first step.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Brand building

As a marketing professional, brand building is the core of your business. The goal of marketing is to instill a sense of a brand's quality and desirability in the minds of consumers over the long term. Advertising and communications should reinforce the brand's core message.

I recommend: Tutor2u has a good summary of the components of brand building.

Certified Professional Services Marketer, or CPSM

The CSPM certificate, offered by the Society for Marketing Professional Services, is a great qualification to have as you develop your marketing business. It will give you the marketing foundation you need, but you may pick up general business starting ideas as well.

I recommend: Get your CPSM certificate from the SMPS. This website is also a great resource for other information related to starting your own marketing business.

American Marketing Association, or AMA

As the foremost organization for marketing professionals, the AMA is the go-to resource for marketing information. It doesn't matter what type of niche marketing your business does, you are sure to benefit from the resources this association offers.

I recommend: The AMA is the largest marketing association in North America. Its website has a great deal of information that can help you start your marketing business.

Business Marketing Association, or BMA

The BMA is an organization dedicated to helping professionals in business-to-business marketing. As such, it publishes articles and organizes seminars and conferences to help you get your marketing business off the ground.

I recommend: The BMA is the place to check out if you decide that B2B marketing is for you.

Social media

In the world of marketing, social media is a relatively new, but a vital tool for reaching consumers. Essentially, social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and blogs are used in in marketing campaigns to reach consumers online and maintain a conversation with them.

I recommend: BusinessWeek has a great article on the realities of social media and marketing.

Direct marketing

A specific type of marketing, direct marketing cuts out media in an effort to reach consumers directly. In this model, companies contact people over the telephone, or via mail or email, and attempt to get a response.

I recommend: The Direct Marketing Association is an excellent resource for marketers who specialize in this niche. In addition to its newsroom, members have access to all kinds of research and networking opportunities.