Microsoft 365 Tools Your Agency Might Be Paying for (But Not Using)
If you’re part of a creative, marketing, PR, or communications agency, chances are your team already relies on either Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. Microsoft 365 users will typically stick to Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Excel, however, your existing licence likely includes lesser-known tools that could improve how your agency operates.
Whether you’re managing IT support for marketing agencies, or overseeing operations at a creative or advertising agency, these tools can help save time, reduce context-switching, and boost productivity without spending more.
1. Microsoft Planner: Bring Structure to Projects Without the Overhead
Think of Planner as Trello-lite, but built into Microsoft 365 – in fact, we discovered it when looking for an alternative to Trello that better integrated with our other Microsoft tools. It’s a simple visual task board for assigning work, tracking progress, and setting deadlines.
If you work at a PR agency, you might use Planner to manage media outreach timelines across multiple clients. Everyone can see what’s due when without needing another platform.
– Included in most Business and Enterprise licences
– Integrated with Teams and Outlook
2. Microsoft Loop: Real-Time Collaboration, Without the Mess
Loop lets teams co-edit text, checklists, and tables right inside Teams chats, emails, or standalone pages. It’s ideal for brainstorming or reviewing shared notes in real time. It shares a lot of similar features to Notion and is a very handy organisation tool.
A marketing agency might use Loop to capture live feedback during campaign review calls, whilst granting shared access to the entire team.
– No switching apps
– Ideal for remote/hybrid teams
3. Microsoft Lists: Build Trackers Without Needing a Developer
Microsoft Lists lets you quickly create custom checklists or mini databases. Think onboarding trackers, asset registers and content calendars.
A design agency might use Lists to track freelance contractors, hardware issued, and license expiry dates which would then reduce time spent on offboarding.
– Template options available
– Easy to update and share with stakeholders
4. Microsoft Forms: Collect Feedback, Fast
Forms lets you send surveys, polls, or approvals to anyone – staff or clients. You get instant results in Excel or Power BI for analysis.
A comms agency running monthly client satisfaction surveys might use Forms to quickly spots trends and improve retention.
– No coding or plugins needed
– Great for internal and external feedback
5. Microsoft Bookings: Make Scheduling Effortless
Tired of back-and-forth emails? Bookings creates a custom calendar where people can see your availability and book time directly.
An agency’s HR lead might use Bookings for new starter 1:1s and exit interviews to avoid complex calendar juggling.
– Syncs with Outlook
– Customise with meeting types, buffers, and notifications
No Additional Software. No Extra Costs.
If your agency already uses Microsoft 365, these tools are likely ready to go. They’re part of most standard Business and Enterprise plans, requiring no downloads or additional fees.
Many agencies we support across London’s creative and communications sectors haven’t activated these features, despite already paying for them. Rolling them out can be quick and the ROI in saved time and fewer tools is immediate.
Want Help Rolling This Out?
Whether you’re streamlining onboarding, building workflows, or reviewing your Microsoft stack, we can help you get more from what you’re already paying for. Book a quick call with Ralph today.
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