Hobnobbing with Oliver Yeates from Clicky Media

What does Clicky Media do?

Clicky is one of the UK’s fastest growing digital marketing agencies and a Google Premier Partner, managing over £7million worth of advertising spend per year.  We handle online marketing for clients, including: social media management, creating adverts, PPC and SEO. Another key focal point for us is the design and build of bespoke and beautiful websites.  Ultimately Clicky does anything and everything online to promote your website and business. We also have an in-house photography and videography team to capture images to use online for marketing purposes. We work with a huge range of clients including the NHS, Ted Baker and Massey Ferguson.

 How did the idea for business come about?

Having grown up in various parts of the UK, I came to settle in Chester, the home of Clicky HQ, after studying Business and Computer Science at Chester University. I set about gaining as much experience as possible throughout my degree and after uni. From web design and development, digital advertising to the creation of CRM data capture tools, I ensured I covered all areas! Probably one of the  most influential periods was working for one of the very first Google Partner digital marketing agencies, where I worked with some of the UK’s biggest brands.

In all of the invaluable experience that I was gaining, one thing that really stood out was the sheer volume of smaller companies that could not meet the £10K per month advertising spend threshold that the agency had set. Realising the enormous potential, it was at this point that I knew I had to go it alone.

In the early days, people just wanted to have a web presence and didn’t care too much about what their website looked like. To me, digital aesthetics and the immense power of a slick, good-looking website was a no brainer. Creating something that made people sit up in their office chair was vital and I new this had to be my starting point. I had a real passion for creating an agency that was honest and produced results for clients.

 When was the company first established?

I started out in a 'back bedroom' in 2007 and initially launched with web design/ development and helping clients with SEO and PPC. Within days of creating the first Clicky website, I received a lead from Britania Living, one of the UK’s leading oven suppliers.

Not wanting to hold a bedroom meeting, I had to act fast to create the right first impression so, I managed to hire a meeting room in serviced offices in Chester on the pretence that if the meeting went well I would take an office there. Thankfully the plan worked, signing the client up for a contract that would allow me to take 12 month’s worth of office space. This is when things really started to happen.

How is the business doing?

Since 2012, we have seen a period of rapid growth and expansion. Not only has our head office in Chester doubled in size, but we have also doubled our staff numbers. We have also opened a London office and more recently a third office in the Creative Quarter of Nottingham. My aim has always been clear and it is something that I ensure that we remain true to as a business; to focus on results, give honest advice and ensure that Clicky remains innovative, whilst constantly developing our offering in an industry that continues to change at a rapid pace.

Since the company began, what has been the biggest challenge?

Definitely keeping up with such a fast-paced industry. Thankfully I thrive on this, as does all of our team, so everyday we discover something new.

What makes you stand out from your competitors?

My aim has always been clear and it is something that I ensure that we remain true to as a business; to focus on results, give honest advice and ensure that Clicky remains innovative, whilst constantly developing our offering in an industry that continues to change at a rapid pace.

I genuinely set the business up to be a great agency that offers an unrivalled service and results rather than simply focusing on profits, to me, those focusing on money will nearly always produce bad results for clients.

What’s been your best business decision?

Making Clicky an enjoyable place to work. I believe it is vital to nurture the people you work with and impassion them in a way that makes them want to get out of bed in the morning. Whether its catch-up meetings to ensure everyone is happy, attending the latest industry talks or simply taking new team members out for lunch, all of these things encourage people to want to do their best. I love my job so much that I choose to do it, I couldn’t put passion into something I didn’t love and I want to empower my staff in the same way.

What is next for Clicky Media?

It would be great to expand to the point where we have offices throughout the world. We have had a base in London for quite some time and have recently launched in Nottingham, but I am always looking for opportunities outside of the UK. Dubai would be a great place to start and it is somewhere that we are currently looking at as far as feasibility and potential partners are concerned.

If you could help one business now with a single piece of advice, what would it be?

Consider what other people think of you. Everything you do is a representation of yourself and your business- if you really do have a good culture, your staff and customers will be your best advocate and will promote your business for you.

Finally, what is your favourite biscuit?

Bourbon!