# The agency business model

URL: https://gocutline.com/business-models/agency/

The agency business model: a team does skilled work for clients, usually on projects or monthly retainers. You sell expert time, such as design, marketing or development.

## How it makes money
You sell expert time, such as design, marketing or development. Profit comes from the gap between what clients pay and what your team costs, so being fully booked matters.

## Real examples
- WPP and Omnicom are large advertising groups.
- Many small design and marketing studios run the same way.

## The numbers to watch
- Billable share of the team's hours
- Profit per client
- Share of revenue from the biggest client

## Who it fits
People with a skill that businesses need, and a talent for selling it.

## What goes wrong
One big client leaves, or the owner never gets out of client work. Growth often means more people, with thinner margins.

## Try it this week
Pick one service and one type of client. Saying no to the rest makes it easier to sell.

Then give it a time: one block of 90 minutes this week, in [your calendar](https://gocutline.com/#try). Our [playbooks](https://gocutline.com/playbooks/) have the next steps for finding your first customers.

## Questions

**What is an example of the agency model?**
WPP and Omnicom are large advertising groups.

**What is the biggest risk with the agency model?**
One big client leaves, or the owner never gets out of client work.

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Cutline: Cutline is a weekly calendar and planner that turns time blocks into XP, levels and streaks. You plan your week in blocks, tick each one off when it is done, and see your progress on a social feed (the Floor) and a weekly leaderboard (the Arena). Planning and budgeting are free; paid plans add a badge, posting, messaging, shared calendars and lower selling fees, from $9 a month. Pro is free to try for 7 days.
Facts: https://gocutline.com/facts/ · Updated 2026-11-06