G
GHL SOPKnowledge Base
Search
← All topics

Agency Team Structure: Builder + Setter/Closer Split

Describes a lean agency team structure where the builder handles product/marketing, a setter/closer handles all client-facing work, and Claude Code does heavy development lifting.

agencyteamhiringsalesoperations
Agent trigger phrases: agency team structure · how to hire setters for agency · should I do sales calls · agency founder roles · hire setter pay per appointment · split builder and sales agency

Agency Team Structure: Builder + Setter/Closer

The Three-Person Team

  1. Builder (You): Product, marketing infrastructure, vision, architecture
    • Never talks to clients
    • Builds funnels, automations, systems
    • Does high-leverage work
  2. Setter/Closer (Partner): All client-facing work
    • Sets appointments from interested leads
    • Takes sales calls on their own calendar
    • Closes deals
    • Onboards clients after product is built
  3. Claude Code: Heavy development lifting
    • Builder provides vision and architectural knowledge
    • Claude executes the technical implementation

How to Find Setters

  • Go on Discord communities (Wlearn, Bispath, etc.)
  • Don't hire inbound sales — get setters paid per showed qualified appointment
  • Your pitch to setters: "Learn from someone deep in the trenches, learning opportunity"
  • Expect lower pay than high-ticket SaaS setting — agency offers pay less
  • Need high volume outreach to find motivated people who can speak confidently
  • Give them a script to follow

Sales Call Strategy

  • Founders should close their own deals initially — "I don't see you getting around that"
  • Don't outsource closers until your offer structure supports it
  • Can't float closers without sufficient cash flow
  • Once you find a killer closer, you're freed up for high-leverage work

Marketing System for Setter Pipeline

  1. Set up cold email + cold SMS marketing system
  2. Setters double-dial interested leads to your calendar
  3. You (or closer) take the sales calls
  4. Highest leverage setup possible

Key Insight

"I hate talking to clients. I hate setting calls. I hate sales calls. So grindy. Because we know how to build so much — the high leverage stuff. He does all the super important grunt work and I do the high leverage stuff. And the business is growing."