Cue Lark’s Introduction
There’s a particular behaviour in the creative industry that I simply cannot stand: Agencies sliding into a business’s inbox with unsolicited “insights”, trying to sow doubt or offering mystically cheap rates to steal a clearly well-managed account.
It’s like arriving at a house with fresh, straight brickwork and saying, ‘Yoh, your contractor is pricey. I’ll rebuild this whole wall for R800.’
Meanwhile, the client is fed, happy and has zero complaints.
The Why, The Who, The What and The How
Why: South Africa has more than enough clients to go around. Truly.
If a brand’s online presence is clearly active, consistent, visually aligned and strategically managed –
leave it alone. That’s not an opportunity. That’s someone else’s hard work, relationship-building and
hours of planning, designing, scheduling and reporting.
Approaching them anyway isn’t ambition. It’s disrespect.
What: This habit of undercutting or poaching shows up in three classic forms:
• The “I noticed something is off” cold DM
• The “I can do it for a third of the price” quote
• The “Your designer is missing opportunities” poke
It’s unprofessional. It’s transparent. It’s a red flag for any client who knows how agency relationships
work.
A well-built brand doesn’t need random outsiders pointing out imaginary flaws. It needs consistency,
trust, and a partner who understands the brand’s long-term direction — not a chancer hunting for easy wins.
Who: For business owners reading this:
If your current agency is responsive, understands your industry, keeps things consistent and brings
actual value – you’re in good hands.
For agencies reading this:
You don’t gain long-term clients by destabilising someone else’s. You gain them by doing excellent
work, building credibility and letting your results speak for themselves.
Timing matters. When a client is ready for the kind of detail, strategy, photography and design
excellence Bird Visuals brings – they’ll find us. They always do.
How: If agencies want sustainable growth, here’s the formula:
1. Produce great work.
2. Stay consistent.
3. Don’t touch accounts that are clearly being managed.
4. Build long-term relationships.
5. Respect the craft.
6. Respect the client.
That’s how you build an agency, not by slipping into inboxes with “quick audits”.
Lark’s Last Word…
There’s an entire market out there filled with brands that desperately need proper design and
marketing support.
Go help them.
Stop circling businesses that already have someone taking care of them. Professionalism builds
longevity. Poaching builds nothing.
If you’re looking for a creative partner that focuses on elevating your brand, not stealing someone
else’s, get in touch and let’s grow your brand the right way.