Season 13 | Ep 147 | The Financial Risks in Creative Projects and How to Avoid Them

Are you focusing on the right financial strategies to benefit your agency? How do you mitigate financial risks and secure financial stability? A lack of financial planning can negatively impact your agency’s success. An agency generating revenue for its own sake is pointless; the ultimate goal should be maximizing profit. 

In this episode of The Agency Blueprint, we delve into the financial risks that often arise in creative project management, such as underpricing services, mismanaging cash flow, and failing to plan for future expenses. We explain the importance of maintaining a healthy cash reserve and carefully planning new hires to avoid overextending resources.  

Listen in to learn the importance of embracing the value of your creative work and charging accordingly for a sustainable business model. 

Key Questions:   

  • [03:00] Are you setting the right price points for your services to ensure profitability? 
  • [11:22] How do you manage your cash flow? Do you have a system in place to track income and expenses effectively? 
  • [13:23] Do you have sufficient cash reserves to handle growth phases and unexpected expenses? 
  • [17:52] How do you manage planning hires in advance to avoid overextending your team? 

What You’ll Discover: 

  • [01:47] The predominant financial risks in creative projects, from price points to cash flow and contracts. 
  • [03:00] Pricing strategy – how to overcome the fear of charging your work’s worth as your agency grows for sustainable profitability. 
  • [05:25] A real-life example of how undervaluing services can hinder agency growth and profitability. 
  • [08:58] A detailed breakdown of how to calculate appropriate billing rates to ensure profitability. 
  • [11:22] The importance of monitoring cash flow and having a mechanism to understand and manage it effectively. 
  • [12:26] Simple tools to help you track cash flow accurately, avoid the stress of unexpected expenses, and ensure timely payments. 
  • [13:23] The challenges of managing cash flow during growth periods and the necessity of maintaining cash reserves.  
  • [15:16] How to find resources or individuals who can help manage your cash flow efficiently.  
  • [17:52] Understanding when to hire and how to do it in advance to avoid putting deliverables at risk.  
  • [20:44] The importance of doing things differently to ensure your business choices don’t negatively impact your family life.