Firebrand Communications is two. We now have a team of nine staff and a strong client roster. We’ve developed a proven approach for our startup clients, which they find valuable and which resonates with prospects. So it’s up and to the right.
As I have done before when Firebrand launched, in its early days and when it turned one, I thought I’d share some lessons.
Something can always be better
I’m often asked how things are going. I have to admit, this triggers a sense of conflict in me. The fundamentals of our boutique firm are strong, we’re doing good work which is rewarding. Yet, every element – processes, infrastructure, resources and capabilities can be better. Of course they can! Startup teams must live in a future state, imagining tomorrow in order to bring it into being. This means reflecting on current status can feel smaller, with challenges to resolve. It’s easy to get over-indexed on those, so they can be addressed. I think that’s a good inclination, but at the same time, it’s important to enjoy the ride.
Follow the demand, but lead the market
When we started, I thought there was an opportunity to develop programs based around advocacy. And in part that’s true, but it’s not what startups are looking for. They want brand awareness and lead gen. Now our proposition ties directly into those goals, in an integrated, cross-disciplinary way which clients understand and value. We listened to the early feedback and retooled our approach, so now we can lead prospects along the path to what we offer, and our clients quickly see the value. We’ve found our niche and we know we have a leading proposition within it.
Keep saying no
I’ve mentioned this before, but we say no to lots of interesting opportunities, so we can say yes to amazing ones. That takes courage and confidence, but it has been a guiding principle as we build the agency. We could be twice the size or more, but have a dissolute proposition and disconnected client roster. We’re trying to have a clear sense of what we are, so our future clients and team members can understand it too. We can’t be everything to everyone – and aren’t trying to be.
Year two has been good for Firebrand. We’ve felt supported by our community of clients, investors, partner agencies, and contacts. They’ve shared introductions to people who have become clients and team members, and we’ve been able to repay the favor. It’s been rewarding to share the journey. Thank you.
About the Author
Morgan McLintic is the founder and CEO of startup marketing agency,Firebrand. Firebrand works with early- and late-stage startups to help raise awareness and drive demand. It does this through integrated programs involving PR, content marketing and digital marketing. The firm was recently recognized as the Boutique Agency of the Year by the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) and awarded Gold Winner of theB2B PR Campaign of the Year by The Drum. Firebrand works with startups in sectors spanning fintech, cybersecurity, AI/ML and infrastructure such as Emburse, Human Interest, Planful, Weaviate and Yubico.
Prior to Firebrand, Morgan was the founder in the US of LEWIS, a global communications firm, which grew to $35m in revenues and 200+ staff in the US, and $75m with 600 staff globally. He has over 30 years' tech experience, both consumer and B2B. At LEWIS, Morgan lead the acquisition of three companies - Page One which was integrated and rebranded as LEWIS Pulse; the Davies Murphy Group, a 65-person PR and marketing consultancy; and Piston, a 50-person full-service digital advertising agency.
Morgan has been a speaker at events for AlwaysOn, Holmes Report, MIT / Stanford VLABs, OnHollywood, PR News, PRSA, Social Media Club, Social Media World Forum, Venture Capital and Private Equity Group, and WITI. PRWEEK named him to its Global PR Powerbook in 2015 and 2016.
Morgan is the host of weekly startup marketing podcast, FiredUp!
