Let’s Make Agency Life Easier (Using One Simple Question)

Save your sanity, and maybe some money in the process.

Most agency founders reach a point where they wonder if running a SaaS business would be easier. 

It’s a classic “grass is greener” situation, but it does bring up a valid question: Why does everything have to be so hard?

Starting an agency is easy; building one that drives revenue is not. As agencies grow, problems evolve and compound. Many owners ask me, “Why does it feel like it’s getting harder instead of easier?”

The likely issue is that your agency wasn’t intentionally designed—it was modeled after what others were doing. Now, you’re encountering barriers that are hindering growth. 

The solution? I use one simple question to help agencies gain clarity and focus:

“What would this look like if it were easy?”

Finding the Easiest Path for Our Agency

This question is straightforward but requires deliberate thought. Here’s how to apply it:

1. Get Clear On the Problem

You need to define what “this” is. 

Vague goals like “making more money” aren’t helpful because they lack direction. Instead, get specific: “What would closing new business from marketing look like if it were easy?”

The outcome is the same—more revenue—but now you have a clear focus. 

For example, an SEO agency struggling with client reporting asked, “What would client reporting look like if it were easy?” This led them to build an automated dashboard, simplifying a previously time-consuming process.

2. Picture the Perfect Outcome

Once you’ve defined the problem, envision the ideal solution. 

If you ask, “What would closing new business look like if it were easy?” the answer might involve an automated content process that requires minimal input.

While this perfect scenario might not be feasible right away, it provides a target to aim for. If you have a team, you could automate content creation by recording calls and turning them into assets. Without a team, outsourcing may be the easiest route. 

The goal is to imagine what easy looks like and then pursue a practical version.

3. Develop the Plan

We know where we are and where we want to go. The last step is to bridge that gap. 

Here are the three steps I’d use to make it happen: 

• Identify Roadblocks: List the specific hurdles stopping you from reaching the ideal outcome.

• Prioritize Solutions: Focus on the solutions that provide the biggest impact with the least effort

• Test and Iterate: Launch a quick version and refine as you go.

A Live Recent Example

This isn’t an agency, but it’s a recent-enough example that it inspired this article, and I think it paints a great picture of how this works. 

My friends own a charcuterie company, providing cheeseboards and other trays to customers. 

One of the tasks that takes the most time every week is building out the production schedule and shopping lists. 

So we asked, “What would preparing for the week look like if it was easy?” 

The answer was, “I’d be able to confirm orders and get everything mapped out for the week.” 

So the end goal was to create a system that pulls orders from their Shopify account, pushes them into a Google Sheet, then breaks down the production requirements for the week in an organized view. 

Rather than building all of that, we started by creating a sheet where they can manually add the orders. Those orders feed a script we created to review the required ingredients and when the order is set for pick up. That spits out a shopping list that cross-references their current inventory and plans out what needs to be purchased and built each day to maximize freshness. 

This MVP will save them at least 5 hours a week. 

More importantly, it took one of the jobs they hated the most and dramatically cut down the time required. They can enjoy the other parts of their business now. 

By asking, “What would this look like if it was easy?” you’re giving yourself the opportunity to do the same thing in your agency. 

Common Pitfalls

A lot of agencies are going to struggle with this exercise, and it’s likely going to be for one of three reasons. 

1. Overcomplicating the Process 

Don’t try to build a perfect solution from the start. Focus on an MVP. 

Take the simplest step you can towards solving this problem, as every step will lead to you close to your dream outcome. 

2. Focusing on the Wrong Problem

If you’re solving for ease but sacrificing quality or client experience, you’re going to hurt yourself in the long run. 

In the book, “What’s Your Problem?” author Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg, shares a story about an apartment complex that fielded lots of complaints about the elevator wait times. 

All potential solutions pointed to getting a faster elevator, replacing the motor, etc… 

Instead, they added mirrors around every elevator lobby. All complaints stopped. 

They reframed the problem from, “the elevators are slow,” to “people don’t like waiting,” and it made a huge difference. 

Find the right problem and you’ll find potentially better solutions to making your life easier. 

3. Lacking Follow-Through

Lastly, a lot of agencies will get stuck in the ideation phase and not move into execution.

Creating an idea and understanding how to execute on it are completely different ventures. If it was easy, you’d probably have these problems solved anyways. 

If you find yourself slipping into stagnation in the execution phase, find someone else who can assist. 

Simplify Your Path to Success

The question is more than a thought exercise—it’s a powerful tool for transforming your agency. By clarifying the problem, envisioning the perfect outcome, and breaking down the steps to get there, you can cut through the noise and find the most straightforward solutions. 

Start applying this question to your biggest challenges today. You’ll not only save time and reduce frustration but also build a business that’s simpler, more efficient, and far more enjoyable to run. Give it a try and watch your agency life get easier.