Planing on selling your digital agency?

  • Am I ready to sell? Key considerations
  • My proven methodology
  • Working with me
  • Questions
  • Methodology
  • Working with me

You don’t know what you don’t know - allow me to be your guide!

Selling your agency is a huge step – the process is usually demanding, mentally as well as physically. But it’s much more than that – and starts much earlier, because prepation is key! Also, you’ll have to take lots of decisions, and more often that not the results are interdependent – and ultimately impact the finanical outcome.

Fear of the unknown?
More questions than answers?

When you’re considering selling your digital agency, you typically ask yourself a series of strategic, financial, and personal questions to ensure you make an informed decision. Below are some of the key questions you might reflect on:

  • Am I feeling burnout, seeking a new challenge, or looking to retire?
  • Do I want to free up time for other ventures?
  • Is my agency performing at its peak in terms of revenue, EBITDA and growth?
  • Are market conditions favorable for a sale, such as high buyer demand or positive industry trends?
  • Will the new owner retain my employees and continue client relationships?
  • How will this sale impact my agency’s reputation and culture?
  • Do I have the positioning, solid processes, reliable financials, and a strong client base that makes my agency attractive to potential buyers?
  • Are there risks, like reliance on a single large client, that I should address before selling?
  • Will I stay on to help with the transition, or will I step away immediately?
  • How long will the transition last, and what will my role be during this time?
  • Am I considering selling to a competitor, network agency, private equity, or a larger firm?
  • What qualities am I looking for in a buyer to ensure the continued success of my agency?
  • What is my agency worth based on revenue, profitability, EBITDA, and its position in the market?
  • Does this valuation align with my expectations?
  • What are the tax consequences of selling, and how can I minimize them?
  • Should I explore ways to structure the deal to be tax-efficient?
  • After accounting for taxes, transaction fees, and debts, what will I actually take home?
  • Is the payout structured in installments, an upfront lump sum, or performance-based earn-outs?
  • Will I receive additional compensation if certain revenue milestones are met post-sale?
  • How will I feel about no longer having control over the business I built?
  • What impact will this decision have on my personal and professional reputation?
  • How important is it to me that my agency continues to thrive and uphold its values after I sell it?
  • Will the buyer honor the culture and values that have been integral to the agency’s success?
  • Should I pursue an asset sale or a stock sale?
  • What kinds of retention or earn-out clauses should be included to ensure smooth post-sale operations?

Proven methodology, tailored to your needs!

My service offering can be broken down into Pre-Sale, During the Sale, and Post-Sale stages, with specific support tailored to each phase:

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Pre-Sale Advisory and Preparation

Agency Readiness Assessment

  • Objective: Help the owner determine if their agency is ready for sale and what needs improvement.
  • Service Includes:
    • Comprehensive business audit (positioning, financials, operations, client contracts, staffing).
    • Identifying weaknesses or risks (e.g., client dependencies, lack of documented processes).
    • Recommendations to maximize the agency’s attractiveness to buyers.
    • Analyze current market trends and buyer interest within the digital agency space.

Strategic Positioning for Sale

  • Objective: Guide the agency owner through the process of strategically positioning their business for potential buyers.
  • Service Includes:
    • Crafting a compelling narrative to highlight the agency’s strengths and growth potential.
    • Developing a detailed pitch deck.
    • Optimizing the agency’s branding, positioning, marketing materials, and social presence to boost appeal and credibility with potential buyers.
    • Advising on deal structure options (asset vs. stock sale, earn-out, etc.) in collaboration with financial experts and attorneys.
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Support During the Sale Process

Deal Facilitation and Negotiation Support

  • Objective: Guide the agency owner through negotiations and ensure the deal aligns with their goals.
  • Service Includes:
    • Acting as an intermediary between the agency owner and potential buyers.
    • Providing negotiation strategies and ensuring favorable terms for the owner.
    • Advising on deal structure, payment terms (upfront vs. earn-out), and retention clauses.
    • Coordinating with legal and financial advisors to ensure a smooth process.

Buyer Evaluation

  • Objective: Help the agency owner evaluate potential buyers to ensure they are the right fit.
  • Service Includes:
    • Screening potential buyers based on the agency owner’s criteria (cultural fit, long-term vision, etc.).
    • Reviewing offers and assessing their viability.
    • Advising on the buyer’s financial standing and their ability to fulfill the deal.

Transition Planning

  • Objective: Ensure the agency owner is prepared for a seamless transition post-sale.
  • Service Includes:
    • Crafting a transition plan that outlines the owner’s role during the handover period.
    • Defining responsibilities for the agency’s leadership team during the transition.
    • Advising on client communication and staff management during the transition.
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Post-Sale Integration and Legacy Management

Transition and Leadership Coaching

  • Objective: Support the owner and the new leadership team during the transition period.
  • Service Includes:
    • Coaching the owner through the emotional and operational aspects of letting go of their agency.
    • Helping the new leadership team integrate with existing staff and manage cultural shifts.
    • Advising on maintaining client relationships and retaining key employees post-sale.

Earn-Out and Legacy Management Support

  • Objective: Ensure the agency owner successfully meets earn-out requirements while managing their personal and professional legacy post-sale.
  • Service Includes:
    • Providing ongoing advisory support during the earn-out period to help meet performance metrics.
    • Monitoring the agency’s progress and advising on strategies to achieve earn-out targets.
    • Advising on public relations and communication strategies to maintain the owner’s reputation.

Why you should work with me?
Glad you asked!

First and foremost: I’ve been exactly where you are – navigating the complex emotions, tough decisions, and intricate processes of selling a digital agency. I understand the unique challenges of letting go of something you’ve built from the ground up, and I know firsthand how to maximize value while protecting your legacy.

My experience allows me to guide you with empathy, practical insights, and a proven roadmap for success, so you can move forward with confidence knowing I’ve been through it too. Want to know more about what I have been up to? Here you go!

Take the first step - it's free

Book a 30 minutes call with me using the link below. You will be redirected to my calendar to directly book our first call introduction call – no strings attached!

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