I Lied. Then I Un-Lied.

A few days ago I added a new job to my LinkedIn profile. CEO of LinkedIn. Obviously (I thought) people would figure out that it was bullshit. I just wanted to see if bullshitting was easy. It was.

Obviously bullshit. Right? However, thousands saw the post, and I got many Likes and congratulatory DMs from my contacts. Like a lot!

Next

I got a banned notice from LinkedIn. Kinda not too surprised.

Next

I could get into my account, so I cleared any mention of my new job from my profile.

Next

LinkedIn saw that I removed the info. —> Here is the email I got last night from LinkedIn.

“H Peter,

My name is Aura, and I am with the Executive Escalations team at LinkedIn.

We’ve received a claim that your profile contains inaccurate content. The inaccurate content was identified as: “CEO at LinkedIn”, and your account was restricted.

After reviewing your account, I can confirm that you’ve completed the ID verification process and removed the inaccurate content from your profile. As a result, the restriction on your account has been lifted.

We encourage our members to make sure all the information is accurate and up to date. Just so you know, in cases with inaccurate claims, if our members don’t take action within fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice, we’ll remove or disable access to the alleged inaccurate content reported in the claim. Find answers to some common questions about updating your profile: https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/

If you have any further questions and prefer a phone call to discuss further, let me know your preferred contact number, current time zone and the best time to connect with you.

Regards,

Aura B

Executi8ve Escalations Case Manager

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When You Write A Book You Will Love Sweet Amazon Reviews

Yes, a Duh.

So, here are a couple of nice, um sweet Amazon Reviews for my latest book on how to run an advertising agency.

Michael Gass

“How To Build A Kick-Ass Advertising Agency” is a dynamic guide that navigates the complex terrain of agency growth with zest and practicality. Peter’s passion for the industry and his genuine desire to share his experience and expertise shine through.

One of the book’s standout strengths lies in Peter’s emphasis on differentiation. He adeptly navigates the reader through the critical process of uncovering an agency’s unique value proposition and positioning it effectively in a competitive market. His chapter on creating a compelling pitch is particularly insightful, offering a treasure trove of tips and strategies to win over potential clients with persuasive presentations.

Another highlight is Peter’s candid discussion of the often-overlooked nuances of running an advertising agency. He delves into important aspects such as financial management, pricing strategies, and client retention, providing a well-rounded perspective on agency operations that extends beyond creative prowess.

—-

Lee McKnight Jr.

5.0 out of 5 stars If you’re a seasoned ad pro, or just starting out this is for you

Verified Purchase

“How To Build A Kick-Ass Advertising Agency” is a solid work that provides aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned advertising professionals with invaluable insights and actionable strategies for building a successful advertising agency.

I first met Peter at the Fuel Lines conference in Nashville several years ago and since then, we’ve been in touch, predominantly on business development topics.

If you don’t know Peter, go to his LinkedIn profile to view his bona fides, which include an impressive run at Saatchi & Saatchi.

One of the most valuable aspects, IMO, of “How To Build A Kick-Ass Advertising Agency” is Peter’s emphasis on two aspects of the industry, business development, and client relationships/management.

He emphasizes the significance of understanding and addressing clients’ needs, maintaining open communication, and delivering exceptional results fundamental to building trust and fostering long-lasting partnerships.

And in regards to business development strategies, he provides practical tips for branding, networking, and promoting your agency effectively.

As someone who has experienced the challenges of establishing a business in a dynamic industry, Peter’s advice is not just theoretical; it’s rooted in real-world experiences.

“How To Build A Kick-Ass Advertising Agency” really is a must-read for anyone aspiring to thrive in the advertising industry.

—-

Rainewrites

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I’ve read on building an agency

Verified Purchase

Peter Levitan has delivered the go-to guide for building an agency. I expected HOW TO BUILD A KICK-ASS ADVERTISING AGENCY to be like most of the other agency books I’ve read—a waste of time and money. Instead, I found it to be smart, accessible and entertaining. It is filled with substance! Peter’s knowledge and experience are indisputable, yet he shares his own missteps and what he learned with wit and grace. My only “complaint” is that this book wasn’t around 10 years ago when I opened my agency.

So I bet You Want to Write Sweet Amazon Reviews.

Don’t be shy. Buy the book (and while you are at it… my book on pitching better… The Levitan Pitch. But This Book. Win More Pitches., learn how to run a more successful marketing agency, and smile.

Are You Advertising Agency? Branding? Digital? What?

Here’s a list of what today’s advertising agencies call themselves—and things can get confusing, especially given service synergies:

·     Advertising agency

·     Full-service agency

·     Integrated agency

·     Marketing agency

·     Branding agency

·     Digital agency

·     Influencer agency

·     Storytelling agency

·     Media planning and buying agency

·     Creative agency

·     Branding agency

·     Social media agency

·     Web design agency

·     SEM agency

·     SEO agency

·     MarTech agency

·     TikTok agency

·     Direct marketing agency

·     eCommerce agency

·     Recruitment agency

·     CRO agency

·     B2B agency

·     Challenger brand agency

·     Promotion agency

·     Out-of-home agency

·     Design agency

·     Experiential agency

·     Strategic consultancy agency

·     Performance marketing agency

·     AR/VR agency

·     Public relations agency

·     Strategic consultancy

·     AI agency

·     In-house agency

To help me position and title of my soon-to-be new book, I turned to Google Trends to see what marketing agency-identifying terms people search for. I’ll admit I was surprised to see that “marketing agency” was the clear search-term winner, followed by “digital agency,” “advertising agency,” and then “ad agency.”

“Marketing agency.” Really? In fact, I was hard-pressed to find even a handful of agencies that called themselves a marketing agency.

More about this coming soon.