Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Agency Accelerator
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| The Game-Changing Power of AI Coaching – Hosted by a Surprise Guest | 10 Oct 2024 | 00:12:58 | |
Are you struggling to keep up with the rapid evolution of AI and wondering how it can truly benefit your agency? In today's business landscape, where time is limited and maintaining a competitive edge is critical, understanding the game-changing potential of AI is more relevant than ever. For agency owners, juggling client relationships, strategising growth, and improving efficiency remains a daunting task that AI can remarkably simplify and enhance. By tuning into this episode of The Agency Accelerator podcast, you'll discover how to: 1. Save invaluable time by accessing instant, tailored advice from an AI coach anytime you need it, avoiding the delays of traditional coaching. 2. Manage your budget more effectively with cost-efficient AI coaching that offers ongoing, customised support without the hefty fees. 3. Seamlessly integrate AI into your daily workflow, making smarter, faster decisions to propel your agency forward. Discover the future of coaching today and see how AI can revolutionise your agency — tune in now! Timestamps: [00:00] Welcome and Introduction [01:34] Why should you pay attention to AI right now? [02:24] How does AI coaching save you time? [03:39] How does AI coaching compare in cost to traditional coaching? [04:51] What makes 'Ask Rob Anything' different from other AI tools? [05:28] How can AI coaching fit seamlessly into your existing workflow? [06:30] How can you use voice or video to connect with AI coaching? [07:26] Is the impact of AI coaching a futuristic concept, or is it happening now? [08:13] What can we expect from the future of AI coaching? [09:33] How will AI coaching become a core part of agency operations? [10:04] Who was today's surprise host? [11:34] How did you perceive the AI-hosted episode and what's coming next? Quotations “AI coaching is no longer just a futuristic dream; it's a current reality that can revolutionise how agency owners make decisions, streamline workflows, and grow their businesses." "Imagine having a business mentor available 24/7, providing you with bespoke advice instantly, without the hefty price tag of traditional coaching. That's the game-changing power of AI." Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode:
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| Why Most Agencies Don’t Have a Coach – And How AI is Changing That | 03 Oct 2024 | 00:16:50 | |
Are you constantly juggling client projects, feeling stuck on the client service hamster wheel, while your agency’s growth seems just out of reach? In today’s fiercely competitive landscape, where time and resources are scarce, having access to effective coaching can dramatically ease the burdens of decision-making and sustained growth. Yet, many agency owners struggle with the costs and time commitments required to work with a traditional coach, making it difficult to achieve their full potential. By tuning into this episode of The Agency Accelerator podcast, you’ll discover how to: 1. Leverage AI-powered coaching to overcome the common barriers of cost and time, making top-tier guidance both accessible and affordable. 2. Enhance your decision-making process and avoid costly mistakes with real-time, on-demand advice from an AI coach. 3. Free up crucial time and resources, allowing you to focus on growing a profitable, sustainable, and enjoyable agency. Unlock the potential of AI coaching to transform your agency’s growth journey; press play and find out how! Questions Answered in this Episode Q: Why are so few marketing agencies currently working with a coach, and what are the main barriers hindering them? Q: In what ways can a coach save time and effort for agency owners who often feel overwhelmed? Q: How is AI transforming the coaching landscape, and how does it make coaching more accessible and affordable? Q: What makes AI coaching different from using general AI platforms like ChatGPT, and how tailored is the guidance it offers? Q: Could you explain how on-demand AI coaching works and how it can support agency owners at any time of day? Quotations "AI is democratising coaching. It's not about replacing human coaches but complementing them, providing high-quality insights whenever you need it." – Rob Da Costa "Imagine having access to personalised, expert advice 24/7, at a fraction of the cost. That's what AI coaching offers to agency owners." – Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode:
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| 6 Boundaries Every Marketing Agency Owner Must Set to Avoid Burnout and Boost Profits | 25 Jul 2024 | 00:15:06 | |
Is your agency constantly struggling to balance client demands with healthy work practices? In the high-pressure environment of agency life, where the lines between professional obligations and personal time often blur, establishing and maintaining clear boundaries can be challenging. Yet without these boundaries, agency owners and leaders may face burnout, client dissatisfaction, and team unhappiness, ultimately affecting the agency's success and growth. By tuning into this episode of The Agency Accelerator podcast, you’ll learn how to: 1. Implement effective working practices and service definitions, ensuring you protect your time and focus on what you do best. 2. Set and manage client expectations, thus avoiding scope creep and fostering healthier, more profitable client relationships. 3. Create a positive work environment with clear role definitions and decision-making authorities that retain top talent and boost team morale. Take the first step towards a more organised, less stressful agency life today! So grab a coffee and let’s get started. Questions answered in this episode Q: Why are boundaries crucial in the context of running an agency, and how do they impact your agency's health and team dynamics? Q: What common situations in agency life indicate a lack of clear boundaries, and what are the potential consequences of these blurred lines? Q: How can setting and maintaining clear boundaries between your agency's services and clients' expectations prevent scope creep and ensure fair compensation? Q: What strategies can agency leaders implement to communicate and reinforce boundaries effectively with both clients and team members? Q: How can learning to say NO in a professional manner benefit your agency, and what techniques can help in declining requests while maintaining client relationships? Q: What practical tips can assist in conducting regular boundary audits, and how can these audits help in refining and reinforcing boundaries as your agency evolves? Quotations "Strong boundaries are not restrictive; they are liberating. They allow you to focus on what you do best, serve your clients more effectively, and create a more positive environment for your team." - Rob Da Costa "When you establish and maintain healthy boundaries, you set the stage for sustainable growth, more profitable client relationships, and a healthier work-life balance." - Rob Da Costa "Are you a charity or are you a business? When you're overservicing for free, you're definitely becoming a charity." - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people like you to move towards a Self-Running Agency. How to leave a review on Apple Podcasts Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| Ensuring Your Agency Thrives in a Recession | 29 Sep 2022 | 00:29:34 | |
There is lots of talk of a looming recession so what should you do and what should you be focusing on right now to ensure that your agency is recession-proof? What is the difference between an agency that thrives in a recession and one that just scraps by? These questions and more are answered in this broad-ranging discussion in today's video. And I'm really excited to have with me, Ollie Duffy-Lee, who is the founder of the Authority Agency, the growth agency company that supports agencies with their business development strategies. Time Stamp [01:45] What should agencies be focused on right now as we are heading towards a recession? [02:35] Why you should never rely on referrals for new business - especially in a recession [03:55] Focus on client retention and stop expecting instant gratification [07:43] What are some of the smart non-negotiable strategies an agency must put in place? [09:02] Build a personal brand around you, the founder [10:00] If we are not focused on lead gen how does the sales funnel look? [12:50] The importance of building and nurturing your email list [15:25] How to manage clients and your business during a recession [17:40] Don’t talk yourself into a recession! [19:00] Ask yourself “does my client see us as a safe pair of hands (a brief taker) or a strategic partner (a brief maker?)” [19:45] What does an agency need to do to be seen as a strategic partner by its clients? [21:06] What internal changes should an agency make in a recession? [22:23] The importance of knowing your data and metrics [23:43] How big a financial buffer should you aim for? [26:35] Ollie’s business advice to his younger self Quotations “If you want to retain your clients be a ‘brief maker’ not a ‘brief taker’” - Ollie Duffy-Lee “If someone says NO to buying from you TODAY, it doesn't mean they won’t buy from you TOMORROW” - Rob Da Costa “I am a big believer on BRAND over LEAD GEN - focus on being in ATTRACT mode rather than CHASING mode” - Ollie Duffy-Lee Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! How to leave a review on Apple Podcasts Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| It's Lonely at The Top - The Importance Of Community | 22 Sep 2022 | 00:10:07 | |
One of the biggest mistakes we make when we start our agency is not surrounding ourselves with a group of other agency owners, experts and mentors who can guide us and help us avoid some of the common pitfalls so that we make the journey, especially in the first few years, so much smoother than it will otherwise be. In today’s podcast, we dig into the phrase “it's lonely at the top” and explore what we can do to ensure we, as agency owners, do not feel isolated or alone. Time Stamp [01:20] Why is it lonely and isolating for agency owners? [03:00] The value of The Self-Running Agency Implementation Group [05:06] The severe consequences of going it alone [05:43] Putting a senior leadership team in place [06:11] The impact of negative feelings and thoughts [06:45] Do not compare yourself to others it is not healthy! [07:50] Surround yourself with smarter people than you! [08:11] You don’t have a point to prove and you don't need to be ‘superman’ or ‘superwoman’ - so ask for help! Quotations “You are not admitting defeat if you ask for help, but rather, showing strength” - Rob Da Costa “People join a group coaching programme for the content but stay for the community” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| 3 Habits of a Great Agency Leader with Simon Severino | 15 Sep 2022 | 00:29:01 | |
Running an agency doesn't have to be complicated or difficult. In this week’s episode I am joined by Simon Severino to discuss how to step into the role of CEO in your agency and the 3 habits every successful owner needs to develop and some that you need to let go of. Simon also discusses why 90-day ‘sprints’ are the right length to plan, focus and deliver. Time Stamp [02:00] The typical journey of a founding agency owner - Phase 1 is up to £35k and the focus should be operations and sales (build a conversion machine), and phase 2 is beyond £35k where the focus switches to marketing and branding [03:55] Simon’s dream of having a TED Talk and why that was the wrong focus [04:45] Advice on getting through to phase 1 - there are two bottlenecks: 1. The ego of the founder. 2. Your sales approach (farming v hunting) [07:45] Recognise your clients don’t come for you but they come for the solution (to their problem) and the process you offer [10:00] The best sales strategy for phase 1. A simple strategy that never changes [11:00] The 4 parts of a business: marketing, sales, operations and managing these parts [12:50] Never charge for time at the end of a project but instead, for results upfront [14:50] Derisking a client picking you to work with [16:05] Why is 90-day the right length to plan for? [17:07] Keeping each sprint simple - there should be 1 vision and 3 goals in each 90-day sprint [18:07] What is the success rate of doubling your revenue in a 90-day sprint? [18:54] What could stop someone from hitting this goal? [22:15] The importance of keeping your plans agile and reacting to the data in the dashboard [23:15] The 3 habits that a successful CEO must have [25:54] If you could go back in time and give your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be? Quotations “You, the agency owner, becomes the bottleneck to growth because you are limited by your time.” - Simon Severino “For every skill, the owner brings to get their agency started they quickly become the roadblock unless they can get out of the way.” - Rob Da Costa “Focus on the 5% that is in your control and not the 95% that isn't!” - Simon Severino Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people like you to move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! How to leave a review on Apple Podcasts Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| Bonus Episode: Stop Bashing Your Head Against the Wall of Growth! | 13 Sep 2022 | 00:05:57 | |
In this bonus episode, I am very excited to let you know that the doors for the 2022 cohort of The Self-Running Agency Implementation Group members is now open. Let's cast our minds back to the reason why we started our own agency - we wanted CONTROL, FLEXIBILITY and FREEDOM. All things we didn't have in our 9 to 5 job. Yet as we grow, the need for control ends up being at the expense of flexibility and freedom - indeed all of our clients want us to work on their accounts and our staff (if we have any) are dependent on us to make all the big decisions and often frustrate us because they lack initiative. No matter what you have tried you feel like you constantly take one step forwards and one back. It doesn’t have to be this way! And that's why I created The Self-Running Agency Group to support you to grow in a sustainable and profitable way and put the systems in place to ensure no more feast or famine. Click here to read more about the Group Listen to what some of the members have to say about their experience in the Group | |||
| The 4 Foundations of Building A Scalable Agency | 08 Sep 2022 | 00:15:54 | |
We can easily get seduced by so many ideas from supposed 'experts' telling us how to scale our agency, and that can be really confusing. We end up being run ragged, pulled in 100 different directions implementing the latest idea or trendy strategy. But at the end of the day, there are only four foundational areas you need to focus on to build a robust agency that you can then start scaling using three advanced strategies. So that is what we are digging into today. Time Stamp [01:10] The dangers of chasing shiny new objects [01:56] The 4 agency foundations: [02:19] Foundation 1: Knowing your audience - the importance of having a clear niche [04:29] Foundation 2: Creating a clear living roadmap for your agency [06:27] Foundation 3: Build a repeatable marketing system to generate a consistent flow of new leads [07:45] Foundation 4: Convert your leads into loyal clients [09:48] Growth 5: Client retention: How to maximise the value of existing clients [10:15] Growth 6: Growing your team to get work off your plate [11:24] Growth 7: Getting work off your plate and make yourself redundant! [13:10] Join me on my FREE LIVE Masterclass: Elevate Your Role to CEO [15:00] Avoid being a busy fool and focus on the things that move the needle Quotations “In a recent poll I ran, 68% of respondents said they had one niche and 32% had several” - Rob Da Costa “Make sure you focus your limited time on the hot prospects and not the time wasters.” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| What Does a Self-Running Agency Actually Look Like? | 01 Sep 2022 | 00:14:29 | |
In today’s video, we explore what a self-running agency means. It doesn't have to be a pipe dream to build an agency that is less dependent on YOU. So I am going to dig into the foundational components of building an agency that runs efficiently even when you are not there. Time Stamp [01:05] We all aspire to build an agency that is less dependent on us yet most never achieve it. Why is that? [01:30] The typical journey of an agency owner in their first 5 years [03:48] 5 areas to building a scalable agency [04:08] 1. Having a GROWTH mindset rather than a FREELANCE mindset [05:46] 2. The importance of having a clear plan for your agency [07:48] 3. Hire the best/most expensive people you can afford who can take work off your plate [08:58] 4. Put a robust client management process in place so all clients have a consistent experience when working with your agency [09:36] 5. Robust documented and scalable systems are crucial to creating a platform for growth [12:10] These 5 strategies create a solid foundation for growth and enable you to step away without fear of things falling apart! [12:47] Join me on my FREE LIVE Masterclass: How to be the CEO of your agency Quotations “If you don’t have a clear plan you will go around in circles taking one step forwards and one back!” - Rob Da Costa “If you want to scale your agency you need to document all those core processes that are intuitive to you and in your head!” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| Stop working 12-hour days! | 25 Aug 2022 | 00:14:16 | |
Did you swap your 9-5 job to work in your agency 24/7? This is the place many of us find ourselves in and if we are not careful, we not only end up working longer hours but also for a tougher boss!! So let's dig into this in today's podcast and outline 8 strategies you MUST focus on to ensure this doesn't happen to you. Time Stamp [01:13] Info about my brand new free live masterclass: How to be the CEO of your agency rather than a lowly paid employee [01:52] Why do most people start their own agency? [02:26] The need for control [03:15] Getting stuck on the Client Service Hamster Wheel of doom [03:27] How an agency typical grows [04:45] My journey as an agency owner [06:36] Start with a clear business plan [07:03] Hiring the best staff you can afford [07:38] Invest time in developing your team to be great client managers [08:06] Document your Standard Operating Procedures [08:53] Why you should hire a marketing person rather than a business development exec [09:32] Put a scalable repeatable marketing system in place [10:32] Create a senior leadership team as soon as you can and delegate responsibilities to them [11:22] Focus on your strengths - your ‘superpower’ [12:32] You don’t have to be tied to your business 24/7 - just implement the 8 steps outlined in this podcast [12:50] Learn more in my free masterclass at dacostacoaching.co.uk/ceo-masterclass Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| The Challenges Of Running Your Own Agency (And How Exhausting It Can Be) | 18 Aug 2022 | 00:15:57 | |
I know it can be really ‘lonely at the top’ when you run your marketing agency. And I also know how exhausting it can be! So that's what I am focusing on in this week's episode of the Agency Accelerator podcast. And to do that I am going to share my own story of when I ran my agency and suggest a few changes you can make so that you don't feel everything sits on your shoulders and you're not permanently stuck in client service mode on the “Client Service Hamster Wheel of Doom”. Time Stamp [01:31] Why did we start our own agency? And what happens over the first year? [02:00] The risks of organic growth (without a plan) [03:30] My story into agency life of building a 25-person agency [04:34] The consequences of a lack of a plan [05:00] Taking control of your agency: being in control of your destiny and not letting external factors dictate the direction of travel [05:51] What is your ultimate goal for your agency? [06:53] Make time to deliver your plan by stepping off the 'client service hamster wheel of doom'! [07:30] Creating strong boundaries with your clients [07:48] Changing your mindset [08:26] Splitting your time across 3-time pots: REVENUE, STRATEGY & ADMIN [11:09] You need to act and behave like the CEO of your agency, not a lowly paid employee [11:40] The need for control can be disastrous [13:31] One of the keys to being the CEO is to put a team in place [14:21] Recognise where you are today and what changes you need to make Quotations “If you want to run a successful agency you need act and behave like the CEO of your agency, not a lowly paid employee” - Rob Da Costa “You need to focus on your “superpower” that is the tasks only you can do” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| How to 'Date' Your Clients with Mark Young | 11 Aug 2022 | 00:31:55 | |
In today’s episode, we are discussing client management. We explore the journey you go when you are in a personal relationship and how comparable that is to the journey you go on in a client relationship - from the first meeting to keeping the relationship fresh. I am joined by Mark Young, author of the book ‘Date Your Clients” to dig into this further. Time Stamp [01:45] How did the title ‘Date Your Clients’ come about for your book? [07:07] The first prospect meeting [08:00] Consider the first impressions at your first meeting [10:35] How do we move a prospect along the customer journey - to close the deal? [14:30] Don’t just chase money! Focus on fit first [15:30] The importance of trusting your instincts [16:20] Advice on keeping and growing existing clients [21:10] Building equal partnerships with clients (rather than the imbalanced customer-supplier relationships) [22:00] What can we do to bring relationships back on track? [27:30]The importance of balanced feedback [28:27] If you could go back in time and give your younger self, just starting out in business, a piece of advice, what would it be? Quotations “Any time you are dealing with a human you are dealing with emotions, needs and values - just like in business” - Mark Young “Make your first meeting all about the client, not about you!” - Rob Da Costa “If you only chase the cash you will always make bad business decisions" - Mark Young Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| How To Protect Your Time to Focus on The Tasks That Matter | 04 Aug 2022 | 00:13:26 | |
If you are stuck on the client service hamster wheel of doom and have no time to think let alone plan for the future then this episode is for you. If you are thinking "I don’t have enough time to focus on the future of my agency because I am too busy servicing clients” then I want to help you out so listen on! Time Stamp [01:30] The consequences of being in ‘client service mode’ all the time [01:49] Serving clients is in your comfort zone but that keeps you away from other crucial areas [02:35] The consequences of over-servicing clients [03:20] Differentiating yourself based on pricing or promised service levels becomes a race to the bottom [03:50] Running a high service-level agency [04:40] How much should you be willing to over-service clients by? [05:09] Building strong boundaries with your clients [05:22] How to get your boundaries right from the start [05:57] How to say YES and NO to clients [07:15] How to reset expectations with clients [08:00] How to structure your week to maximise focus and efficiency [09:08] Blocking out time in your diary and sticking to it! [10:09] Challenging your mindset and beliefs [10:30] When should you hire additional resources? [12:00] Being resilient and in control Quotations “In the early days, we naturally gravitate to what we're good at, which is usually servicing clients but if you avoid other crucial areas you are heading for an iceberg” - Rob Da Costa “Going the extra mile is not a great value or USP and is not the way to differentiate yourself from the competitors” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| Why Saying 'I'm Too Busy' is Killing Your Agency and 6 Ways to Fix It | 18 Jul 2024 | 00:22:48 | |
Are you tired of hearing "I was too busy" as your team's go-to excuse for missed deadlines? In the high-pressure world of agency work, where meeting deadlines and delivering outstanding results are crucial, the frequent use of "I was too busy" can erode trust and productivity. For agency leaders, this excuse not only hinders project success but also creates a negative work environment that impacts the entire team. By tuning into this episode of The Agency Accelerator podcast, you’ll learn how to: 1. Identify and tackle the root causes of missed deadlines, such as poor prioritisation and ineffective time management, to enhance overall performance. 2. Foster clear and proactive communication, ensuring that team members are on the same page and deadlines are met with consistency. 3. Cultivate a culture of accountability and realistic planning, empowering your team to manage their workloads effectively and minimise stress. Start transforming your agency's culture today — grab your headphones and dive into the episode now! Questions answered in this episode Q: Why has the phrase "I'm too busy" become so prevalent in the agency world, and why is it problematic? Q: How can poor prioritisation and ineffective time management contribute to the "I'm too busy" epidemic? Q: What are some practical strategies for agency professionals to improve their time management? Q: In what ways does the "I'm too busy" excuse affect client relationships and team morale? Q: How can setting realistic timelines and managing resources better help eliminate the "I'm too busy" mindset? Q: Why is learning to say "no" or "not now" vital for improving workload management in agencies? Q: What are the tangible benefits an agency can expect when it succeeds in eliminating the "I'm too busy" mentality? Quotations "Imagine a sofa company telling you they were 'too busy' to deliver your furniture on time. Ridiculous, right? So why do we accept this excuse in our agencies?" - Rob Da Costa "In the agency world, 'I'm too busy' has become an excuse rather than a reality. It's time we reclaim control of our time and deliver our true potential." - Rob Da Costa "Every time you say 'yes' to something, you're saying 'no' to something else. Let's learn to prioritise effectively and eliminate the 'I'm too busy' epidemic." - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people like you to move towards a Self-Running Agency. How to leave a review on Apple Podcasts Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| 3 Marketing Strategies Every Agency Needs To Implement With Tim Fitzpatrick | 28 Jul 2022 | 00:27:22 | |
I am joined by Tim Fitzpatrick from Rialto Marketing to discuss the key marketing strategies that every marketing agency needs to be implementing. We talk about why agencies are not great at doing their own marketing, why your marketing plan should not be a 12-month plan and why you must find a clear niche. Time Stamp [01:40] Why are so many marketing agencies so bad at their own marketing? It’s the ‘cobbler’s shoes’ and they are so busy in the day-to-day that their own marketing goes by the wayside [03:16] The consequences of not focusing on marketing consistently [04:20] The fundamentals: understanding your target market, your message and your plan to get that message in front of your audience [05:40] The dangers of shiny new objects [06:05] What is your advice to someone who is targeting a very broad audience and trying to be a generalist? [08:30] How would you advise someone to establish their own niche? The 3 questions to ask [11:39] How do you get your messaging right so it resonates with your target customer? [14:07] Features, advantages and benefits [14:45] Focus on the OUTCOMES, not the TACTICS [15:20] Building a plan to get in front of your ideal target audience - use a 90-day sprint rather than a year-long plan [17:25] Ensure you know how to measure the success of each marketing strategy [19:40] The system of word-of-mouth and referrals [20:50] The mistakes so many agency websites make [23:20] What types of tactics work today? [25:06] What is the one piece of advice you would give your younger self? Quotations “In the absence of a plan, everything looks like an opportunity” - Tim Fitzpatrick “The more niched you are the easier it is for your to find your ideal target customer but perhaps more importantly, for them to find you” - Rob Da Costa “The fundamentals lay the foundation but they are so easy to overlook” - Tim Fitzpatrick Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| 4 Strategies to Start Bringing Consistent Sales into Your Agency | 21 Jul 2022 | 00:15:10 | |
The 2 most common questions that marketing agency owners ask me never really change. They are about finding a consistent flow of new business and hiring & retaining great talent. Now, admittedly, those two priorities have switched because as I record this episode there is a huge global skills shortage which the agency sector is not immune from. But new business is never far from people's minds because they want to avoid feast or famine in their agencies. So that's what we're digging into today by discussing 4 strategies that the agency owner (even if you are a freelancer) must focus on to deliver a consistent pipeline of ideal new clients. Time Stamp [01:14] The 2 biggest challenges for agency owners right now [01:48] 2 key reasons agencies lurch from feast to famine - a story of the wrong focus! [02:46] What happens when your agency is in a place of famine? [04:07] 4 tasks that YOU must focus on to avoid lurching from feast to famine [04:41] Focus area 1: Building your brand with passion [05:55] Focus area 2: You are the best person to be heading up your new business strategy (because you see the bigger picture, understand your business and will be passionate about it). Remember that the best new business strategies deliver in the medium to long term so get started today if you want to see a return! [07:15] Beware of Shing New Objects! [09:02] Focus area 3: Planning for the future. You are the captain of your ship so make sure you are steering your ship in the right direction and make sure you allocate time to do this every month. [10:11] Focus area 4: Running your agency to ensure your well-oiled machine operates efficiently (which means managing the team, admin, finance, systems & processes etc.) [11:00] What happens if you agree with the above but are completely stuck in ‘client service mode’? [11:10] Get better boundaries and work on your mindset [13:00] Apply the above to avoid being in ‘famine’ - it's not a great place to be! [13:44] Challenge your thinking to apply today’s podcast advice Quotations “You must focus on your SUPERPOWERS - the tasks that only you can do” - Rob Da Costa “It doesn't matter about the great work you do if no one knows about you!” - Rob Da Costa “The best new business strategies deliver in the medium to long term - so get started today!” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| Your HR Questions Answered With Lynda Goncalves | 14 Jul 2022 | 00:31:42 | |
Today we are talking about the most important asset in your business: your people. I am excited to be joined by Lynda Goncalves from Sussex HR as she shares her advice on recruitment and retention. Time Stamp [01:12] What are the biggest challenges you see in HR right now? [03:15] How do we replicate an office environment/team/culture for remote workers? [06:10] Are there any tools or software to help with remote working? [08:30] Key considerations when recruiting new staff [10:55] What are your views on using recruitment agencies? [14:34] The importance of doing your research on candidates before the 1st interview [15:20] What are the base line legal responsibilities an employer needs to put in place for an employee? [17:09] What should an employer put in place for a freelancer? [17:55] The risks of IR35 [19:29] Where do I get contracts and legal docs? [20:37] Advice on dealing with performance management issues and probation periods [23:36] Address issues way before the 2 year mark (when employee rights kick in) [24:40] The risk of a ‘family’ culture [24:51] What is your view on extending an employee’s probation? [26:46] The risks of keeping an underperforming member of staff [27:18] What advice would you give your younger self just starting out in business? Quotations “You must ensure that marketing and HR are aligned” - Lynda Goncalves “When it comes to recruitment, you either have TIME or MONEY - so consider carefully about how you go about recruiting” - Rob Da Costa “Document everything - if it isn't written down it didn't happen!” - Lynda Goncalves Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| How To Manage Your Time Effectively (Especially When You Are Busy!) | 07 Jul 2022 | 00:13:15 | |
We had a really great group coaching call this week - as part of the Self-Running Agency Membership. One of the topics we discussed was how to get more efficient with your time and make sure you're focusing on the things that matter rather than constantly getting sucked into client work and stuck on the dreaded client service hamster wheel of doom! So that's the topic of today's episode of the podcast - how to get more efficient with your time. Time Stamp [01:35] A story about my week and what happens when you don’t plan and block out time [02:17] Letting external factors determine your week - leading to a feeling of being out of control [03:00] Dividing your time against REVENUE, STRATEGY & ADMIN [04:10] How to split your time - what happens when you get it wrong [05:49] The ideal split of your time (for an agency owner) [06:40] My free time recording tool to support you to move toward your ideal time split [07:24] How to use time blocking to effectively manage your diary [08:00] The importance of knowing exactly what you will do when you have strategy time in your diary [09:11] Don’t let external factors dictate your direction of travel [09:44] Always overestimate how long a task will take and build a buffer for all the things that might happen (that you can't plan for) [10:00] The importance of focusing on your ‘superpowers’ [10:55] What is a task worth? What is your notional hourly rate? [11:47] How do I manage over-demanding clients? Protecting your boundaries Quotations “Make sure you always schedule your time and know exactly what you are going to do in that time block” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| Recruitment: The 7 Needs Of An Employee With Rory Spence | 30 Jun 2022 | 00:38:10 | |
In this week's episode, we are discussing what is probably the hottest topic right now, and that is recruitment and retention. If you're anything like most other agencies, then you are finding it particularly difficult to attract and retain great talent. So we're going to unpack that, exploring the 7 needs of an employee and the 7 needs, therefore, of a candidate. And to do that I am joined once again by Rory Spence from the WOW Agency. Time Stamp [01:03] Key findings from the recruitment & retention Bench Press Report [03:12] What are candidates looking for in the agency they choose to join? [03:55] Only 33% of agencies have a strategy to deliver a great candidate experience during the recruitment process [04:29] What does a great candidate experience look like? [07:30] Best routes for recruitment - should you use recruitment agencies? [12:30] What is the best process to recruit and how should it be structured? [14:52] In-house vs remote working - 39% of agencies ask staff to be in the office 1-2 days a week [18:00] 82% plan to keep an office [18:30] 71% of agencies are recruiting remotely [21:25] The 7 needs of a candidate [21:40] 1: Purpose [22:50] 2: An exciting vision [24:55] 3: Leadership [26:30] 4: Team [27:40] 5: Progression [29:27] 6: Flexible working [33:39] 7: An empowered culture [35:45] View recruitment as a strategy, not a tactic - so think about the recruitment process & onboarding strategy [36:11] Think about how you recruit and how your current process can be refined Quotations “If you can address the 7 needs of a candidate, you will be able to attract top talent” - Rory Spence “When you have recruited, it not the end of the problem, it’s the start of the solution” - Rob Da Costa “39% of agencies ask staff to be in the office 1-2 days a week” - Rory Spence Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| My Journey Into The Online World | 23 Jun 2022 | 00:14:35 | |
I've recently had several clients discuss with me about taking what they teach and creating some kind of online mentorship or online programme. So, I thought in today's episode, we do something a little bit different, and that is for me to the ups and downs of my own adventures in the online world and share with you the many mistakes I’ve made and the lessons I have learned. Time Stamp [02:00] 2012 - my first adventure into the online world - and rude awakening! [02:39] The first course I created (and it was a complete flop!) [03:17] My 2nd course on sales and marketing (which also flopped) [03:55] The 2 key lessons I learned after 2 flops (get clear on my niche and validate first) [04:33] The importance of pre-selling your course or ideas before you start developing it [05:03] The first course that (accidentally) was successful [05:54] There is no such thing as passive income! [06:26] Why I created my first online Mastermind programme [08:06] Online content opens up an audience that I couldn't reach before [08:26] Using Jobs to Be Done interviews to really understand your target audience’s needs [09:08] The concepts behind The Self-Running Agency [09:42] How the Self-Running Agency has morphed into a membership programme [10:46] The time and money I wasted learning my lessons [11:00] Why I use Kartra for hosting my programmes [11:35] The number 1 way I market and sell my online programmes [11:35] Focus on going deep with one or 2 courses, don’t go wide with lots of courses! Quotations “For anyone wanting to launch into the online world, go and talk to your audience and validate your idea first before you invest any time in developing your idea” - name “There is no such thing as passive income - for every sale you make there is a ton of work needed behind the scenes” - name Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode:
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| Laser Focusing Your Niche With John Higginson | 16 Jun 2022 | 00:24:11 | |
In this week's episode of the podcast, I'm joined by John Higginson from Higginson Strategy. We're discussing niching - but not just niching - laser focusing your niche and John will share how his agency has niched that has made it so much easier for them to win ideal clients. We also discuss a unique marketing strategy that they're using that is resulting in them winning more business and why John believes that owner-managed agencies will always perform better than agencies that are sold off. Time Stamp [01:01] Why broadening out your niche is a mistake [01:25] How Higginson found their niche (in the plastic-free market) [03:01] Concerns about being too niched [03:39] Working with me gave John the confidence to be niched and win more business! [04:39] What are the clear benefits of having such a clear niche? [05:49] What advice would you give to someone who is scared to niche down? [08:04] Were you able to increase your prices because of your niche? [09:34] Do you look for staff that have experience in your niche? What are the core attributes you look for? [10:53] Why did you launch your own magazine? [14:22] An example of persistence in your marketing to win business [15:19] The importance of taking a “value-first” approach in your marketing [15:43] What does the future hold for Higginson Strategy? [16:30] Why John never wants to sell his agency but rather build his own Self-Running Agency [18:00] The reality of trying to sell a service-based business [19:01] Why founder-led agencies are better agencies [21:46] What advice would John give his younger self, just starting out in business? Quotations “Receiving targetted inbound enquiries with clients saying ‘they want to work with you’ is a key benefit of having a clear niche” - John Higginson “You don’t need to fear losing clients if you niche down (you can still win clients outside of your niche)” - John Higginson “Everyone’s roadmap is their own roadmap - there is no right or wrong way to grow your agency” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| Stepping Off The Client Service Hamster Wheel Of Doom! | 09 Jun 2022 | 00:10:19 | |
Today we are discussing strategies on how to get yourself off the client service hamster wheel of doom. I love using this term because it perfectly encapsulates the scenario where you’re so busy servicing clients that you’ve got no time to breathe let alone focus on the future of your agency! When we are permanently stuck in 'client service mode' we can’t see the wood for the trees, so it’s an important topic that most agency owners find themselves stuck in at some point. If you want to grow, then you need to find a way to stop it and step off! Time Stamp [00:45] The downside of ‘going the extra mile’ [01:39] The importance of stepping off the client service hamster wheel of doom (CSHWOD) [02:20] 7 Ways to get off the CSHWOD [02:32] 1. Create a respectful partner/partner relationship with your clients rather than an imbalanced customer/supplier relationship where you become the person at the bottom of the food chain [02:58] 2. The importance of good boundaries [03:07] 3. Regularly review your scope of work with clients [03:26] 4. Be a consultant at all stages of your relationship with your clients [04:00] 5. New ways of saying YES or NO to clients [05:46] 6. Schedule and block out time in your diary that will never be available to your clients [06:46] 7. As you grow make sure you have a really solid account management team beneath you who cannot only deliver great work but also can manage and communicate effectively with clients [7:09] How Simon Isaac from Capsule Marketing has extricated himself from client work [8:26] How you should be splitting your time Quotations “Change your mindset to thinking about how much time you have available for client work and what is the most important use of your time - because it should be planning the future of your agency” - Rob Da Costa “No matter what small tweaks agency owners make, they can’t get off client service hamster wheel of doom! ” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| Growing Your Agency Through Partnerships With Dustin Riechmann | 02 Jun 2022 | 00:36:36 | |
I’m always telling my clients that a smart way to grow your business is by working with partners. After all, it means you manage a few relationships that get you, multiple clients, by getting in front of their (often bigger) audience. I am excited to get some new perspectives on this topic by being joined by Dustin Riechmann, a business coach who helps ambitious entrepreneurs get unstuck & rapidly increase their profits with confidence. He is best known for his Partnership Marketing System, which he has used to grow FireCreek Snacks into a 7-figure business without paid ads. Time Stamp [01:58] Dustin shares how he grew FireCreek Snacks and why he thinks you should be focused on building partnerships [04:18] How did you grow FireCreek to 7-figures without using paid ads? [04:18] Different types of partnership – marketing and sales? (referrals). Any thoughts on these and/or other types of partners? Should money exchange hands? [04:18] Podcast guesting - a great example of partnership marketing and the long tail effect [11:28] Another example of how partnerships can be so beneficial (HubSpot) [12:27] Other partnership examples [15:20] Different kinds of partnerships (marketing, sales, affiliates) [17:43] How do I go about finding my potential partners? [22:10] How do you detect a good partner from a bad partner? [29:17] How do you keep a partnership alive beyond the initial excitement and promises made? [32:48] If you could go back in time and give your younger self just starting out in business one piece of advice what would it be? Quotations “Partnership marketing is all about getting your expertise in front of someone else’s audience in a win-win-win fashion (you, them and their audience)” - Dustin Riechmann “Do your research first before you reach out to a potential partner and explain how you can serve their audience” - Rob Da Costa “Make sure you follow-up with partners after a successful project together - put it in a system” - Dustin Riechmann Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode:
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| The Entrepreneur's Curse - Stop Chasing Shiny New Objects! | 26 May 2022 | 00:14:18 | |
Entrepreneurs are, by definition, ideas people and typically not very good at the detail & not very good completer/finishers. This puts them in the precarious position of getting bored if they don't get immediate results, and this can easily lead them to chase the next shiny new object! In today’s podcast, I dig into this issue and share 7 strategies to get focused and avoid being distracted by shiny new objects. Time Stamp [01:29] A definition of Shiny New Object Syndrome [02:00] What triggers Shiny New Object Syndrome? [02:03] Information overload and FOMO [03:40] 4 drawbacks of following shiny new objects [05:38] 7 strategies to help you stay focused and avoid shiny new objects [05:53] Strategy 1: Have a plan, stick to it and revisit it regularly [06:12] Strategy 2: Translate your plan into months, weeks and days [06:26] Strategy 3: Use your plan to assess new ideas against - great idea or shiny new object? [07:13] Strategy 4: Write new ideas down to get them out of your head [07:30] Strategy 5: Limit the number of projects you focus on [07:58] Strategy 6: Limit the number of people, blogs or podcasts you listen to and get influenced by [08:18] Strategy 7: Limit the amount of time you spend on social media and the channels you follow [09:06] What is Monkey Mind and do you suffer from it? [10:11] The consequences of having a Monkey Mind! [11:10] 3 tips to calm your Monkey Mind [11:23] Tip 1: Know that it is possible to manage your Monkey Mind [11:49] Tip 2: Have a conversation with your Monkey Mind [12:05] Tip 3: Keep a journal Quotations “A strategy you currently implement might not be sexy but don’t let shiny new objects distract you from it if it works” - Rob Da Costa “Get ideas out of your head by writing them down on paper. This means you won’t forget them but you can let them go and focus on the task at hand” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| How AI Is Changing The Face Of Coaching & Mentoring In Agencies | 11 Jul 2024 | 00:15:00 | |
Are you able to afford your own coach? What about a mentor for each of your team members? For most, the answer will be NO but AI is having and going to have a huge impact on this area meaning every agency owner will have their own coach and every time member, their own mentor. In a time when Artificial Intelligence is revolutionising how we manage and grow our agencies, one area it is only just starting to impact is coaching, mentoring and training. If you’re an agency owner or manager, leveraging AI coaches could be the key to boosting productivity, enhancing team learning, and staying competitive in a rapidly changing landscape. We are going to dig into this topic in a ton of detail today. By listening to this episode of The Agency Accelerator podcast, you'll learn how to: 1. Utilise AI coaches to provide personalised and consistent guidance tailored to your agency’s needs. 2. Integrate AI-driven problem-solving techniques to navigate complex client situations and enhance decision-making. 3. Create a scalable and cost-effective mentoring system that promotes continuous learning and growth across your entire team. I am super excited by the potential of giving every agency 24/7 coaches and mentors so let’s dig in! Questions answered in this episode Q: What specific advantages do AI coaches offer over traditional human mentorship in agency settings? Q: How does an AI coach personalise its guidance to match the unique needs of an agency? Q: In what ways can an AI coach help in resolving complex client situations or pricing strategies? Q: How can AI coaches be utilised to ensure consistent training and development across an entire agency? Q: What are the steps involved in creating a customised AI coach tailored specifically for your agency? Q: How do AI coaches assist in the seamless integration with existing project management and CRM tools? Q: What potential future applications of AI coaching could revolutionise agency management even further? Quotations "Imagine having a mentor who's available 24/7, who never gets tired and can process vast amounts of information in seconds. That's the promise of an AI coach for your agency." - Rob Da Costa "AI coaches aren’t about replacing human intelligence in your agency. They're about augmenting it, getting you from 0 to 60 quickly so you can focus on reaching 100%." - Rob Da Costa "The future AI coach isn't just reactive. It's proactive, anticipating potential issues and suggesting innovative solutions based on emerging trends." - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people like you to move towards a Self-Running Agency. How to leave a review on Apple Podcasts Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| Growing A Self-Running Agency With Simon Isaac | 19 May 2022 | 00:27:53 | |
When you started your agency, you probably had some end goals in mind. A lot of people dream about selling their agency, but the reality is that it's very difficult to sell a service-based business (and make a decent amount of money). So perhaps a better option is to focus on building an agency that is less dependent on you. i.e. a Self-Running Agency. Now, you know I'm a big fan of this approach since I have my book called The Self Running Agency, and I also have my membership group (The Self-Running Agency Implementation Group) and this is a strategy I help my clients deliver. So in today’s podcast, I am delighted to be joined by someone who is doing just this, Simon Isaac, MD and Owner of Capsule Marketing. Time Stamp [01:33] Introduction to Simon Isaac and Capsule Marketing and why he wants to build a Self-Running Agency [02:22] Simon’s journey to starting and growing a marketing agency [03:53] What were your hopes and plans in the first couple of years of running your agency [05:16] Who were your first hires when you started hiring staff? [07:06] Why did you decide you wanted to start removing yourself from the day-to-day running of Capsule? [08:43] Simon’s passions and interests outside of Capsule (and why he wanted more time to pursue these) [10:15] The typical entrepreneur: an ideas person but not a completer/finisher [10:40] Simon outlines the key steps taken so far to start building a Self-Running Agency and not work 5-days a week in the agency. The importance of hiring a great number 2 and an empowered team [13:10] “It’s lonely at the top” - The importance of having external advisers (that you listen to!) who can act as our board and provide expert objective advice [15:17] How and why did you put together a Senior Leadership Team [16:00] Creating opportunities for growth for all the team [17:22] Simon’s experience of moving from a corporate world to a creative world - and the many lessons to take from his past corporate life. [18:20] Creativity is not stifled by implementing systems [18:40] Simon’s future plans and how he is ensuring they are delivered [20:30] The importance of letting go and trusting others [20:57] What advice do you have for other agency owners who are still completely entrenched in delivering client work? [22:10] What if you did delegate and it all went wrong? [24:30] Don’t recruit ‘in your like’ but rather hire people who are better than you [25:30] If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? Quotations “It’s so important to regularly stop working in your business, take a breath, get a high-level view to know what your need to focus on before you take the pause button off” - Rob Da Costa “Trust your people, invest in them and have high expectations of them” - Simon Isaac “Surround yourself with people who are better than you and don’t feel threatened by them” - Simon Isaac Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| 5 Easy Strategies to Implement Value Pricing & Selling in Your Agency | 12 May 2022 | 00:09:17 | |
Everyone talks about the concepts of value-pricing and value-selling and it sounds really good in theory. But in reality, a lot of agencies don't know how to apply it or are too scared to start taking a value pricing approach. So they go back to their tried and tested ways of pricing on fixed project fees or selling on time. So in today’s podcast, I want to give you five tips and strategies that you can begin using right away to start moving towards a value-based pricing and a value-based selling approach. Time Stamp [01:08] Today’s episode is sponsored by my free masterclass: “3 ways to raise your agency's prices and profits without losing clients”. I'm running this workshop 4 times this month (if you're listening live) or you'll be able to watch a replay. So check out the link below and invest 60 minutes of your time to learn some practical strategies that you can start implementing straight away. [01:33] A story of toothache to explain value-pricing [02:34] A definition of value-based selling [02:56] An example of quoting for a web design project [03:29] 5 strategies to move towards a value-based pricing and selling approach that will enable you to charge higher fees and create strong relationships with your clients [03:50] Strategy 1: From the first conversation you have with a prospect focus on the outcomes they are looking for and how they tie back to their business goals [05:45] Strategy 2: Make sure you understand how the wider business will assess the success of your campaign, not just the marketing resource that you might be dealing with. [6:19] Strategy 3: When you agree to write a proposal make sure you’re constantly referencing the outcomes that the client is seeking from your work. [06:38] Strategy 4: Price on the outcomes. This doesn’t mean you’re making any kind of guarantees or offering ‘payment by results’, it just means that you are getting everyone’s mind focused on the transformation the client is looking for from being in pain to not being in pain. [07:23] Strategy 5: Don’t discount! If they want a lower fee and discuss which aspects of the project they don’t want to include! [07:55] Pricing is 50% mindset and 50% application Quotations “Getting your pricing right is 50% mindset and 50% application” - Rob Da Costa “Brave agencies will spend 90% of their time in a prospect meeting in fact-find mode and 10% presenting their agency” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| Using Freelance Staff to Build Your Agency with Shahar Erez | 05 May 2022 | 00:34:46 | |
One of the most frequent conversations I’m having in my agency group and my private clients is around talent or the lack of it right now, and therefore the need to find more creative ways to find good people. And of course one of those ways is finding great freelancers. So that’s the topic for today’s podcast and I’m really excited to be joined by Shahar Erez who is Co-founder & CEO of Stoke, an on-demand talent platform empowering companies to adopt a hybrid workforce model that scales as quickly and efficiently as needed. In 2021, Stoke was acquired by Fiverr for $110M just 15 months after coming out of stealth mode. Time Stamp [01:22] The state of talent in the current market (spring 2022) [02:35] There is a workforce revolution taking place: 2018 research (in US) showed that Gen Z didn't want to take a full-time job but instead wanted flexibility and remote working opportunities [04:30] By 2030 60% of the workforce will be freelancers [06:10] Companies must evolve to recruit freelance staff as well as full-time employees. Their mindset must change [07:10] How should people be recruiting now? [09:30] Case study of how WordPress recruits [10:58] Freelancers work for a number of companies every year so they bring a wealth of knowledge and this helps the agency learn [12:12] How do you stay profitable when you are hiring (more expensive than FTE) freelancers? [16:20] How do you ensure freelancers fit in your agency, culturally? [18:44] A freelancer will always work hard because if they don’t they will be gone the next week! [19:30] How do you manage a freelance team member? [21:50] What is the best way to pay freelancers? [22:58] A cautionary tale of paying day rates to freelance staff. Advice to avoid issues [24:10] How do I find freelancers? [26:15] The recent acquisition of Stoke Talent by Fiverr and future plans [32:06] If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? Quotations “There isn't really a talent shortage, it's just most agencies are still trying to recruit the way they did 5-years ago and that no longer works.” - Shahar Erez “For agencies, it’s more efficient to hire expert freelancers than full-time staff equivalent” - Shahar Erez “Looking for a freelancer when you need one (without having built your database of freelancers) is like having a podcast and only recording an episode when you have something to say!” - Shahar Erez Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode:
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| Done Is Better Than Perfect | 28 Apr 2022 | 00:11:50 | |
Procrastination and perfectionism are two negative traits of agency leaders that stop us from getting things done - we often tell ourselves stories that something isn’t good enough or we’re not sure about it or we need to know more before we can create some content or launch a new product or service, and that keeps us stuck. So in today’s podcast I want to talk about one of my favourite expressions ‘done is better than perfect’. Time Stamp [01:26] The origins of ‘done is better than perfect’ [02:00] Perfectionism is a fast track to failure [02:40] Getting something done is so much better than hanging on to it because you feel it isn't yet perfect [03:28] When is good enough, good enough? Your target audience will answer this question [04:15] 10 reasons why you should get things done and off your plate [0429] 1. You get results faster! [04:47] 2. Getting something done is overwhelmingly satisfying while perfection may keep us tweaking something forever. [5:00] 3. Remember done is not over, you can still develop your craft, your idea, and your project [05:16] 4. Done rather than perfect means you avoid paralysis [05:43] 5. You're more realistic [06:11] 6. You save time [06:38] 7. You are more productive [07:03] 8. You stop procrastinating [07:25] 9. You overwork [07:45] 10. Ultimately, you get burned out [08:30] If you get lost in the detail then stop, and remind yourself of the context [09:20] Understand your minimum standard and start there [09:45] An example of getting a PDF guide designed [1-:43] Write DONE IS BETTER THAN PERFECT on a post-it and remind yourself of it frequently Quotations “No one is going to get rich off an idea that stays an idea (because you feel it isn't perfect yet” - Rob Da Costa “Take off your perfectionist hat and remind yourself of the purpose of the task at hand and who the audience is” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| Using Storytelling To Build Your Brand With Parul Banka | 21 Apr 2022 | 00:33:12 | |
We are talking all about storytelling in today’s podcast and I am excited to be joined by Parul Banka from Caramel Coaching, who shares her personal story as a great example of the power of storytelling. Why is using storytelling in your marketing so much more engaging and how is it going to make your messaging 22 times more powerful? Find out in today’s episode. Time Stamp [01:55] Parul’s powerful story about surviving cancer [04:00] Integrating work with joy and meaning [04:56] All we have is today [5:56[ The meaning of Go Further, Faster [7:03] How do you make sure you always live by this philosophy - even in your darkest days? [7:45] Ask yourself - is it really important and aligned to your vision? [8:50] You need to know your WHY [9:00] Money is rarely the key reason WHY you do what you do [9:44] What is storytelling? [10:20] The difference between a CV intro and a storytelling introduction [11:05] Research shows that when you use stories, your ability to be remembered increases by 22 times to standard messaging [12:46] Why are businesses scared of using storytelling? [13:55] Be willing to be vulnerable [14:35] How can an agency use storytelling in its messaging? [18:11] How do people find their stories? [21:40] How do I practically use my story? [23:10] How to make your story work in written content [26:13] Parul has changed her niche - why and how did she do it? [31:25] If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? Quotations “All we have is today. Which brings a sense of urgency to get on and live your best life” - Parul Banka “If you can understand your WHY you can stay connected to the important stuff” - Rob Da Costa “When you use stories, your ability to be remembered shoots up exponentially” - Parul Banka Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode:
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| Are You Speaking Your Customer's Language? | 14 Apr 2022 | 00:10:30 | |
A simple way to ensure your marketing hits home and resonates with your target audience is to use your customer’s language in all outbound comms. Sounds simple right? It is but it isn’t and so many get this wrong because they focus too much on their product or service. They do this because they don’t understand their client's pain points enough, so this is what we are digging into this week and I want to give you some pointers to help you get this right. Time Stamp [01:16] There is a time and a place to talk about your product and service in your marketing, but it isn't right at the start! [01:40] This issue typically starts with your website. Is your website full of ‘we’?!! [2:55] Think of your marketing like going on a date - you wouldn’t start by telling them all about yourself (and if you did they would run a mile!). [3:30] Do some research: Jobs to be done interviews [4:34] A story about MacDonald’s milkshakes [6:14] Record the client interviews so you can use their specific language in your marketing [7:02] Your research should uncover what matters to your clients and what keeps them awake at night [7:30] You want your messaging to hit a nerve with your customer and make them feel you really understand them [7:55] The importance of building KNOW, LIKE and TRUST [08:50] Don’t use jargon in your marketing [09:30] Understand what transformation your client is looking for [09:50] Now, go back and check all this against your website! Quotations “Your reader isn’t interested in your product or service until you have proven you can help them” - Rob Da Costa “Don’t use jargon in your marketing. You won’t impress your client you will just lose them!” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode:
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| Creating Your Own Podcast As A Marketing Strategy For Agency With Harry Morton | 07 Apr 2022 | 00:28:30 | |
In the 3rd and final part of my mini-series on podcasting, we explore how to start a podcast and why you should consider starting your own. I’m joined by Harry Morton, CEO & Founder of podcast production company, Lower Street. This episode is full of insightful advice including the systems and tech needed, how to record a podcast, how to stand out from the crowd, the ideal length, how to market your podcast and how to measure its impact. Time Stamp [02:14] Why should a marketing agency consider starting a podcast as a core part of their marketing strategy? A great way to reach your target customers [03:55] How do you ensure you always provide value to your audience? (clue: don’t have guests that just try and sell!) [5:20] “I am thinking about starting a podcast, where do I start and how do I create a podcast that is different?” [07:30] The importance of having a clear niche for your podcast [07:55] The details: format and length of a podcast, branding & packaging, and the tech needed to start a podcast [10:57] The importance of knowing who your ideal listener is [11:18] The ideal frequency and length of a podcast [14:20] How to market your podcast (hint: social media is not the best place to promote your podcast) [16:53] Partnering with other podcast creators [17:45] How do you measure the impact and effectiveness of your podcast? And what are the best metrics? [22:10] How do you monetise your podcast? And should you? [24:15] Be brave with your podcast - don’t be scared to be different! [26:28] If you could go back in time and give your younger self 1 piece of advice, what would it be? Quotations “Your podcast should be as long as it needs to be and not a minute longer” - Harry Morton “The average number of podcasts people create before they give up is 7!” - Rob Da Costa “Podcasting is still in its early days, the ‘wild west' of marketing strategies” - Harry Morton Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: Harry’s contact details
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| Why Are Agencies So Bad At Their Own Marketing? | 31 Mar 2022 | 00:09:32 | |
Why are agencies so bad at applying the smart advice they give their clients, to their own businesses? I’m on a mission this year to apply everything I teach my clients to my own business and this inspired me to record this episode. Time Stamp [1:41] It’s hard to remove yourself from the business and stand in the client’s shoes and be your best client [1:50] Are you stuck on ‘the client service hamster wheel of doom’? [02:06] Too many agencies rely on referrals and word of mouth [03:10] The result of a lack of consistent business development is we lurch from feast to famine [03:50] If you do your own marketing you demonstrate to yourself and your client that your advice actually works! [04:08] By doing your own marketing you can keep refining what you advise your clients to do [04:23] Share best practice with your clients and have the confidence to know that it works [5:00] My advice when you feel you don’t have time to do all this: [5:15] Put a system in place and do a few activities consistently [5:35] Don’t expect results immediately but ensure you are consistent at delivering the few activities you’ve chosen to do [5:50] Don’t get distracted by shiny new objects – there is no easy solution! [6:35] Outsource as much as you can [7:35] Try and be your own best customer [08:00] Do the things you enjoy doing and the things your customer is most receptive to Quotations “We live in an instant gratification world, yet most robust business development strategies deliver in the medium to long-term” - Rob Da Costa “Try and be your own best customer!” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| Podcast Guesting as a Marketing Strategy for Agency Owners with Alex Sanfilippo | 24 Mar 2022 | 00:31:03 | |
In part 2 (of 3) of this special series on podcasting we are discussing why guesting on other people’s podcasts is such a smart marketing strategy. Alex Sanfilippo joins me to explore how to identify and approach podcasts that you would love to guest on, as well as some Do’s and Don’ts. I learned a lot during this interview so I know you will too! Time Stamp [01:30] Introduction to Alex Sanfilippo [03:08] Why is guesting on other people’s podcasts a good marketing strategy? And why are many big brand social media platforms jumping on the bandwagon? [04:45] Why do people listen to podcasts? [05:55] How do you find podcasts to potentially guest on? Find your WHY first [07:41] Where to find podcasts to reach out to [08:40] Talk to your customers about what they listen to [09:13] Some Do’s and Don’ts of reaching out to podcasts you’d like to guest on [09:58] 1. Lead with value [10:58] 2. Make a meaningful request with clarity of what you can add [13:04] 3. Offer credibility (e.g. mutual connections) [13:35] 4. Mention you will share the episode [14:02] 5. Make it easy to say NO (to ensure you hear back) [15:15] Do your research first! [18:41] Make sure your bio is relatable to the audience the podcast targets [20:47] How do you measure the success of a podcast? [23:38] Podcasts are great for building KNOW-LIKE & TRUST [25:30] Create an intentional plan when starting out in your podcasting journey [26:40] Services to support with podcast guesting [28:17] What advice would you give your younger self, just starting out in business? [23:38] Quotations “Know your WHY first, before you start reaching out to podcasts to guest on” - Alex Sanfilippo “Lead with value first - be a person of value not of profit!” - Alex Sanfilippo “Podcasting is about creating legacy rather than instant wins” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| My Lessons Learned During 3 Years of Podcasting | 17 Mar 2022 | 00:15:57 | |
Back in 2019, I decided to start my own podcast. I have quite a lot to say about the agency world so thought it would be a great platform for me! 3 years later and over 100 episodes in, I thought I would share with you what I have learned and why podcasting might be a great marketing strategy for your agency. This is episode 1 in a special 3-part series on podcasting. Time Stamp [01:40] The average number of podcasts someone creates before they give up is 7! [02:10] 8 reasons why podcasting is a great marketing strategy [02:28] 1. Podcasts are easy to consume [03:04] 2. It’s a great way to build your audience and build KNOW-LIKE-TRUST [03:41] 3. It’s not expensive to start a podcast [04:00] 4. Use guests as a way to grow your audience [04:58] 5. Position yourself as an authority in your industry [05:40] 6. It doesn't take a ton of time to produce a podcast [06:25] 7. It’s fun and you will learn from your guests [07:00] 8. Podcasting is still in its early days so it’s a great time to get onboard [8:20] 9 lessons I have learned over the past 3 years [08:24] 1. Know WHY you are creating a podcast and what you want to achieve [09:19] 2. Be very clear about who your target listener is [09:27] 3. Tackle their pains in each podcast episode [09:40] 4. When recording an episode, imagine you are talking directly 1 on 1 with your listener [10:13] 5. Don’t give up - keep at it even if you feel like no one is listening! [11:12] 6. Have a plan to promote your podcast [11:50] 7. If you use social media to promote your podcast, make sure the post itself, adds value (even if they don’t listen to the podcast) [12:24] 8. As soon as you can, delegate/outsource the mechanics of producing your podcast [13:20] 9. It is hard to get decent analytics for your podcast Quotations “The average number of podcast episodes some produces before they give up is 7!” - Rob Da Costa “Podcasting is still in its early days and like the wild west, so it’s a great time to get started” - Rob Da Costa “Podcasting is a great way to build and leave your legacy” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| 12 Essential Steps to Productise Your Agency for Profitable Growth | 04 Jul 2024 | 00:34:56 | |
Is your agency struggling to keep up with clients who request highly-tailored bespoke services which end up eating into your profitability and efficiency? In an era where agencies are constantly juggling between custom projects and scalability, the transition to productised services can be a game-changer. Many agency owners find themselves overwhelmed, becoming bottlenecks in their own businesses and struggling with over-servicing without clear deliverables and scopes of work. Productisation expert, Melissa Morris from Agency Authority, joins me to explore this topic and discuss why smart agencies are productising their offerings resulting in easier to scale and highly profitable businesses. In this episode you’ll discover how to: 1. Identify when it's time to transition from bespoke services to standardised offerings, helping you avoid burnout and inefficiencies. 2. Create clear and consistent service packages that meet client needs without sacrificing your agency's flexibility and creativity. 3. Enhance your agency's profitability through efficient capacity management and clearer scope definitions, ultimately delivering better results for your clients. Take the first step towards a more streamlined and profitable agency today – grab your headphones and dive into the episode now! Questions answered in this episode Q: What are the key indicators that suggest an agency should consider moving away from bespoke services? Q: How does one balance creativity and customisation with the need to productise agency services? Q: Can you explain the actual process of transitioning from bespoke services to a more standardised, productised offering? Q: What are the potential pitfalls in moving towards productised services, and how can agencies avoid them? Q: How does productising services impact an agency's profitability and efficiency? Q: What steps should an agency take to ensure they are catering to their ideal clients while transitioning to productised services? Quotations "Moving from bespoke services to productised offerings isn't just a strategy—it's a lifeline for agency owners overwhelmed by customisation and burnout." - Melissa Morris "Start by identifying the clients you're getting great results for and truly enjoy working with. That's where the magic of productisation begins!" - Melissa Morris "Many agency owners struggle to let go of control, but embracing productisation can be a game-changer for profitability and efficiency." - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people like you to move towards a Self-Running Agency. How to leave a review on Apple Podcasts Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| The Challenges To Growing An Agency with Erik Huberman | 10 Mar 2022 | 00:38:11 | |
What’s it like to scale an agency? And what challenges do you need to overcome? That’s the topic of today’s podcast and I am joined by someone who is extremely qualified to answer these questions! Erik Huberman, CEO of Hawke Media and author of the brand new book, The Hawke Method. Erik went from making only $350 his first year in business to growing and selling two successful companies. Today Hawke Media is the fastest growing marketing consultancy in the US and has been valued at over $150 million with 250+ employees and offices across the world. Erik was very generous in sharing the knowledge he has gained, the mistakes he has made and some key tips for planning your agency’s growth. So grab your pen & paper, your favourite drink and let’s get on with the show. Time Stamp [02:30] Why and how Erik started Hawk Media and grew it to over 300 staff in 8 years [03:25] Why so many marketers and agencies are not great at what they do! [06:25] What were your plans for growing Hawk Media? [07:00] Hawk Media’s most painful years [08:30[ The importance of a simple business plan - use a scoreboard - don’t overcomplicate things [09:30] What are your future plans and how did Covid impact you? [16:25] Key challenges and hurdles that get in the way to agency growth [17:50] The importance of thinking of your agency as a SPORTS TEAM rather than a FAMILY [18:30] Don’t hire ahead (i.e. don't base recruitment decisions on projections rather than actuals) [19:15] Don't be the main salesmen as you grow [21:00} How do you define success? [23:45] Most successful business owners never sell their businesses (so build a self-running agency!) [24:50] The importance of work/life balance [30:35] Don’t think of the challenges your agency faces as ‘difficult’ - it's an unhealthy way to look at your business [32:29] Don’t get frustrated when your team don’t perform like you. They are not entrepreneurs! [33:28} Erik's new book: The Hawk Method [36:00] Don’t catastrophise the challenges your agency faces every day! Change your mindset from ‘problems’ to ‘challenges’ Quotations “99% of agencies and marketers have no idea what they are doing!” - Erik Huberman “We were in our puberty stage as an agency - everything didn't quite fit! Every agency goes through this as they grow” - Erik Huberman “Think of your agency as a sports team, not a family” - Erik Huberman Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| The Importance Of Living In The Present | 03 Mar 2022 | 00:09:45 | |
I’ve just come back from spending a month in South Africa. It’s something I’ve done several times before and I’m fortunate to be able to work from anywhere so this suits me really well and it allows me to escape some of the British winter! On this trip, I was reminded of how aware one is when you are on vacation because you’re in new surroundings and experiencing new things. I realise when we are out of our normal routine, we are much more present yet when we are in our usual day-to-day grind we can spend too much time thinking about the past or worrying about the future. This is really unhealthy. As Leo Tolstoy said, "There is only one time that is important - Now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power” so in today’s episode we explore more on this topic. Time Stamp [1:01] How I manage to spend a month in South Africa every year [1:53] Why is it when we are on vacation, we are so much more present? [2:20] Use all your senses to be much more present [2:40] Why is it important to live in the present? [3:40] My story of not living in the present [4:45] The consequence of not living in the present [5:45] We are creatures of habit, so you need to work on more positive habits (such as not living in the past or future!) [6:45] Time is not real it’s just a human-made construct [7:00] My terrifying flight – an example of living every moment! [7:55] Right now is the only time that is important, because this is time we can control [8:25] How this impacts day to day agency life [8:57] How walking my dog helps me be present [9:21] What can you consciously do to be more present? Quotations “Living in the past is just a memory you can’t change. Living in the future is a story we tell ourselves.” – Rob Da Costa “The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness” – Abraham Maslow “There is only one time that is important - Now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power" – Leo Tolstoy Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| How To Remove Yourself From Day to Day Client Work | 24 Feb 2022 | 00:16:14 | |
In a recent Self-Running Agency Group Call, I was asked how much time the owner should be investing in working on the future of their agency. I said approx 30% of the time. Many agency owners wish they could grow their businesses but are stuck on the “client service hamster wheel of doom” servicing clients and have no time to focus on the future of their agency. In today’s episode, I outline how you can start to change this. Time Stamp [01:35] Many agency owners are so entrenched in the day to day work - that is not a good way to run an agency! [02:05] Why so many agency owners are the bottleneck to growth? [02:05] 9 tips and ideas to start to change this [02:27] Tip 1: The importance of having a clear vision so you maintain control of the direction of your agency [03:56] Tip 2: Hire as soon as possible [05:02] Tip 3: Hire the best you can afford [05:50] Tip 4: Be a great delegator (unlike most entrepreneurs) [06:36] Tip 5: Build your brand rather than making the brand YOU [07:25] Tip 6: “Train your clients” - manage boundaries with them [08:27] Tip 7: Be less available to your clients and protect your time [10:25] Tip 8: Build a foundation for growth: put scalable systems & processes in place [12:51] Tip 9: Develop an entrepreneurial mindset from day 1 [14:43] Recap of 9 tips Quotations “Hire the best you can and don’t be scared of being challenged” - Rob Da Costa “Step off the client service hamster wheel by putting systems & processes in place” - Rob Da Costa “Develop your entrepreneurial mindset from day 1 - be willing to step out of your comfort zone” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| Moving Your Prospects Along The Buyer's Journey | 17 Feb 2022 | 00:11:56 | |
I want to start today's episode of the podcast with a bit of a rant: Why is it that many businesses think that they can do a little ad-hoc marketing and then get frustrated when they don't get enough leads or convert those leads into customers? So, in today's episode, I want to talk all about understanding and plotting your buyer’s journey and consequently being able to connect your sales & marketing functions together more effectively and generate & convert more leads. Time Stamp [0:57] This episode is sponsored by my new FREE email marketing masterclass that outlines 7 strategies to build, nurture and convert leads into loyal customers. You can save your seat here [1:41] ‘Jane’ is frustrated that her agency’s website isn’t converting more leads [2:06] The typical mistakes most agency websites make [2:55] The importance of providing value to your audience [3:35] Connecting your marketing function to your sales function [4:00] The 7 steps in the buyer’s journey [4:40] ‘Contact us’ buttons and forms on websites don’t work! [5:35] The importance of building KNOW, LIKE & TRUST before prospects will buy [6:15] Nurturing your leads with more value-added content (e.g., this podcast) [7:29] How might you change your website to support the buyer’s journey? [8:44] Plotting out your audience’s buyer’s journey – esp. steps 2,3 & 4 [9:32] The importance of getting your audience to make micro-commitments [10:40] Avoid jumping into sales too quickly! Quotations “The middle of the funnel is where you do your education-based marketing.” - Rob Da Costa “This podcast is a good example of education-based marketing.” - Rob Da Costa “It’s crucial to give your audience some quick wins.” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode:
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| Regional Agency Benchmarking with Rory Spence | 10 Feb 2022 | 00:31:19 | |
In this episode of the podcast we are exploring the differences between rural and city-based agencies as well as regional differences generally across the UK. We dig into the WOW Company’s new regional Bench Press Reports with Rory Spence. Time Stamp [01:06] The advantages and disadvantages of city v rural agency and differences regionally [02:01] The value of 3rd party market research data (i.e. The Bench Press Reports) [03:09] Interesting findings from the regional research especially the pricing league table [03:53] The UK average hourly rate for agencies is £91 but how does it differ in different regions? Some surprising results! [05:15] Gross Profit Margin analysis by region - again more surprising results [07:44] Do you think the regional differences are caused because of mindset? [09:02] Everyone can now compete with London Agencies! [10:22] What are agencies planning to do with their offices in 2022? [12:02] Lead with value to be able to charge higher fees (and compete with London agency pricing) [14:11] Are agencies planning to recruit remotely? [16:08] 83% want to keep their office yet 78% will recruit remotely! [18:04] How do you embed culture with remote workforces? [22:36] Rory shares his views on using freelance staff v in-house employees [23:43] The impact of IR35 [25:15] External support to hiring people on your team [27:49] What advice would you give yourself, just starting out in the agency world? Quotations
Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode:
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| Why And How I Work A 4-day Week | 03 Feb 2022 | 00:14:53 | |
In 2021 I moved to work a 4-day working week. Too many entrepreneurs go the other way and work a lot longer than the average 40-hour workweek, so in this episode, I want to share with you WHY I chose to move to 4-days a week and HOW I am managing to make it happen. Time Stamp [01:26] Why do so many entrepreneurs work such long working hours? But remember, we make the rules! [02:47] WHY did I decide to work a 4-day working week? [03:37] I have tried (and failed) this before, so what did I do differently this time? [04:01] A key tip is to have another project to focus on [05:43] Have clear boundaries with clients and get the right mindset [06:40] The importance of organisation (so you don’t end up working 4 x 10 hour days) [07:17] Use the 4Ds (Ditch, Delegate, Defer, Do it) to help prioritse your tasks [07:58] Keep meetings to 30 mins (which really focuses all the people in the meeting) [08:56] Learn to say NO [09:24] Communicate effectively to your team and your clients [10:33] Give your team the tools & training to effectively work a 4-day week (without working longer hours!) [11:02] Fill your 5th day with non work related tasks [11:39] Use these 3 questions to decide if a shorter week is right for you [13:15] The benefits I have found from working a 4-day week Quotations “It’s vital you know what you are going to do on the day you are not working” - Rob Da Costa “Being super organised is vital as it knowing the things you need to let go of” - Rob Da Costa “When you say YES to something you are saying NO to something else” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode:
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| Pricing Strategies with Rory Spence (Part 1) | 27 Jan 2022 | 00:31:52 | |
In this week's episode of The Agency Accelerator Podcast, I am joined by Rory Spence from The Wow Company. If you are in the agency world, there’s no doubt you have heard of The Wow Company and particularly the BenchPress market research reports they produce. Rory started out his career in the company as an accountant, and progressed to a client manager, and currently works as an account manager. He loves helping ambitious agency owners who want to grow more profitably and sustainably. He’s helped thousands of agencies across the UK, advising them on their pricing strategy, project management, and financial processes - all focused on helping them increase their profit. In this part 1 of a 2-part special, Rory shares his top tips on how to increase your prices. Many agencies think it is difficult to increase their prices (especially in a pandemic) so Rory shares his advice as well as what he is seeing across the industry. So grab a pen and get ready to take notes in the action-packed episode. Time Stamp [1:04] How the pandemic has affected agencies: Rory’s overview [3:27] Should we increase pricing every year? [5:18] The best time of the year to review your prices [5:33] Rory’s tip on how to avoid losing current clients when you increase your prices [7:00] 3 possible outcomes from increasing prices [9:21] Pricing is a confidence game [10:34] Value-based pricing: what is it? [13:04] Value-based pricing vs time & materials [14:54] How to implement value pricing as an agency owner [17:04] The 3-pricing-options approach: how to beat your competitors [21:44] The importance of anchoring prices [23:01] Rory’s view on tracking time within your agency [24:36] How to measure efficiency and capacity of your team [25:40] How to track your gross profit correctly [27:01] Target margins: what you should aim for [28:32] The importance of having a clear niche [29:28] Rory’s number one tip on pricing Quotations
Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode:
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| My Favourite Productivity Tools, Techniques and Hacks | 20 Jan 2022 | 00:23:13 | |
We are all time poor and need to use our time as wisely as possible. So in today’s episode of The Agency Accelerator Podcast, I’m going to share with you my favourite productivity tools, techniques and hacks to be more efficient with your time and focus on what really matters to ‘move the needle’ for your agency. These reminders are timely for me at the start of the year so I know you will find them useful! Time Stamp [1:18] Bigger picture first: start with a vision for your business and everything else will fall into place [2:22] The importance of breaking down your time into 3 categories: revenue, strategy, and admin [3:58] Plan out your day and assign time-slots to each task [5:50] Use morning and evening rituals and set your top 3 goals for the day [7:33] Stay focused with time blocking [9:09] Batch content: The ultimate productivity technique [10:15] There’s no such thing as multitasking - just multi distractions1 [11:30] So make sure you remove all the distractions [13:11] Saying YES to something means saying NO to something else [13:53] Clear out your inbox daily to start fresh the following day [15:01] Use your time wisely: qualify your prospects well [16:29] Delegate as much as you possibly can [18:34] Using the concepts of a ‘notional hourly rate’ [19:02] Use the right project management and communication tools [20:09] How my reMarkable has improved my organisation Have I missed any? I’d be curious to know what are your favourite productivity hacks? And as ever, if you found this episode useful, please consider leaving a review. Quotations
Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts If you enjoyed today’s episode please scroll to the bottom, tap to rate (with five stars :-), and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. Useful links mentioned in this episode:
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| 40 Agency Experts Share Their Best Business Advice | 13 Jan 2022 | 00:37:06 | |
Welcome to the 100th episode of The Agency Accelerator Podcast! This is a huge milestone & I am super excited we got this far. And we have only just begun! When I started this channel 2 years ago, I promised myself that I would commit week in & week out to record episodes, and it’s amazing how far we got. For this episode, I wanted to come up with something special. During this journey over the past 2 years, I've had over 40 guests on the podcast and, at the end of our conversation, I always ask them what piece of advice they would give to their younger selves starting out their business. So I decided to collate 40 of the best answers and give you an episode full of expert & valuable advice. Enjoy the episode and don't forget you can also download this as a free book here. Time Stamp [1:01] My idea for the 100th episode [3:09] Don’t be intimidated when you go to meetings. Sally Alexander (EP4) [3:52] Focus on your niche. David Miles (EP6) [4:31] Charge what you're worth. Sophie Walton (EP8) [5:15] Be yourself & know your identity. Lee Jackson (EP10) [5:57] Commit to a niche immediately. Roland Gurney (EP12) [6:28] Focus on what you’re good at & have fun. Steve Bustin (EP15) [7:29] Be clear about the outcome & be honest with yourself. Ian Laurie (EP17) [8:28] Develop a healthy relationship with failure. Miha Matlievski (EP19) [8:44] Learn from your mistakes. Laura Evans (EP21) [9:10] Speak to someone who has done it already. Pietro Ranieri (EP23) [9:42] Invest in learning how to run a business. Susan Boles (EP25) [10:40] Believe in yourself & listen to other people who have gone before you. Jez Kay (EP27) [11:02] Be patient. Dan Englander (EP29) [11:22] Remember that people are at the core of any good business. Grant Jennings (EP31) [12:14] Don’t be too regimented in your thinking. Chico Chakravorty (EP33) [13:33] Be as informed as possible: knowledge is power. Marc Convey (EP35) [14:21] Have enough capital to get through the first 6 months. Tracey Burnett (EP37) [15:31] Get a customer first. Jim James (EP39) [15:58] Start earlier. Brad Smith (EP41) [16:42] Focus your efforts on the things that only you can do. Darryl Sparey (EP43) [17:46] Be more strategic from the start. Lindsey Pickles (EP45) [18:03] Focus on what you love & what you are good at. Remeny Armitage (EP47) [18:46] Know what sets you apart from the competition. John Ashton (EP52) [20:22] Just do it, go for it! Lucy Snell (EP54) [21:08] Good enough is good enough. Miranda Birch (EP56) [22:07] Don’t procrastinate. Steve Slotow (EP58) [23:19] A good job doesn’t always speak for itself. Don’t wait to be tapped on the shoulder. Melanie Coeshott (EP60) [24:40] Find some people that you look up to & follow them. Sam Wright (EP62) [25:23] It’s okay to say NO to things. Brent Weaver (EP64) [26:23] You can be or do absolutely anything you want. Piccia Neri (EP66) [26:41] Everything is going to be alright. Romans Ivanovs (EP68) [27:20] Say YES to things that scare you. Marcel Petitpas (EP70) [27:52] Keep up with tech & know that it’s ok to seek help from others. Michelle & Christian Ewen (EP72) [30:22] Trust your employees more. Ugis Balmaks (EP74) [31:18] Niche your business & start building your email list. David Miles (EP76) [32:08] Focus on one thing at a time. Richard Kennedy (EP78) [32:42] ‘Try fast & fail fast’. Adam O'Leary (EP82) [33:35] Go with your gut feeling. If it doesn’t work, there are always other options. Anthony Burke (EP87) [34:42] Be braver, take action. Katie Street (EP89) [35:21] Be more confident. John Horn (EP91) Useful links:
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| 15 Tools & Apps to Help You Be More Productive | 06 Jan 2022 | 00:22:20 | |
Happy New Year! It’s that time of the year when I record one of the more popular episodes of The Agency Accelerator Podcast, So in this week’s episode, I'm sharing with you the top 15 tools that have helped me run my business more efficiently, get more organised, and provide a professional image to the world. I share with you which platforms I use to host webinars, manage my marketing campaigns, my email list, organise my calendar, and more. These tools have made my life so much easier and managing my business less stressful, so I hope you will find this useful. I’m curious to know which are your favourite tools and if they made a difference in your business? Time Stamp [0:55] #1 Go paperless with reMarkable 2 [2:32] #2 Kartra: all-in-one platform [4:57] #3 WebinarJam to host your webinars [5:53] #4 EverWebinar for on-demand webinars [7:33] #5 Master your email marketing with ConvertKit [8:50] #6 Amazing Marvin will make prioritising your days easier [11:04] #7 Zoom: the go-to for remote meetings [11:29] #8 Create screen recordings with Loom [13:05] #9 Finances made simple with Xero [13:47] #10 Don’t forget to upload your receipts on Dext [14:52] #11 Google Drive: my number 1 tool for document sharing [15:54] #12 Organise your most popular links with Toby [16:58] #13 Final Cut Pro takes your video editing skills to the next level [18:19] #14 Create professional-looking documents, social media posts and graphics on Canva [19:46] #15 vidIQ to improve and track your YouTube channel performance Quotations “A good tactic when you're running live webinars is to do them several times to refine them: improve the pacing and hone the content. When you've had the webinar live for a while and it's proven to work, then you can turn it into an on-demand webinar so that people can watch it at their leisure.” - Rob Da Costa “..my goal is to plan my day and make sure by the end of the day that every single thing is crossed off.” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links:
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| 3 Essential Strategies Every Agency Owner Needs to Stay Connected to Their WHY | 27 Jun 2024 | 00:13:59 | |
Do you ever wonder why you are running your own agency, stuck in the weeds and lurching from one demand or crisis to the next? In the fast-paced world of agency life, it's easy to lose sight of your core motivations and why you started your own agency amidst the daily grind. For agency owners and leaders, reconnecting with your deeper purpose can reignite your passion, drive meaningful decision-making and steer your business through turbulent times. That’s what we are digging into today. You’ll discover how to: 1. Uncover your unique "why" by reflecting on your passions, values, and long-term vision, bringing clarity and renewed focus to your day-to-day operations. 2. Develop practical strategies to regularly revisit and align with your core purpose, ensuring your agency stays on track even during challenging periods. 3. Communicate your "why" effectively to build a motivated team and foster a strong, values-driven company culture. Let's take a moment for introspection and realign with what truly drives you. Questions answered in this episode Q: What drives you and gets you excited to jump out of bed in the morning? Q: What kind of impact do you want to have on the world around you, and how does it shape your agency's mission? Q: What are your core values, and how do they act as a moral compass guiding your decisions and actions? Q: How do you practically stay connected to your why on a day-to-day basis? Q: Why is it important to communicate your why to your team and stakeholders, and how does it benefit your agency's culture and accountability? Quotations “Your WHY is the driving force that gives your work meaning and keeps you motivated, even when times are tough." - Rob Da Costa “Discovering your why is like finding a compass; it guides you through the inevitable challenges and obstacles in agency life." - Rob Da Costa “When you're truly connected to your why, you'll have an unshakable foundation that helps you weather any storm and emerge stronger." - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people like you to move towards a Self-Running Agency. How to leave a review on Apple Podcasts Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| My Year In Review (The Good, The Bad And The Ugly) | 16 Dec 2021 | 00:16:31 | |
It's that time of the year again, where I stop, take a pause to look back on my year and evaluate what went well, what didn't go so well and what I have learned. So that’s the focus of today’s episode. In this episode of The Agency Accelerator Podcast, I share all the things I did in my business that worked well, the not-so-good stuff and the key learnings. Based on these learnings, what am I going to do differently next year?. I know you can listen to lots of gurus online who claim to have all the solutions and paint an amazing picture of themselves and their business. But I wanted to be really honest in sharing this: the things that I screwed up with, the money I spent on things that I shouldn't have, the things that I did well, and the plans I have for next year. Time Stamp [00:55] What went well for me in 2021? [4:00] The importance of assessing metrics [4:34] My 4-day working week [06:00] What didn't go so well for me in 2021? [07:50] Fixing my website! [08:44] The importance of having a strategy and plan before jumping into execution [09:25] What are my key learnings for the year?
[11:23] What I am going to do differently in 2022
[14:00] Keep distractions at bay! [14:30] Use more batching [15:00] Keep focused and do less! Quotations “...there are no shortcuts. Every genuine, robust business development strategy delivers in the medium to long term, and so if you're looking for instant gratification, you're always going to be very disappointed...” - Rob Da Costa “...you need to keep focused, have a plan for the year as there are lots of shiny objects competing for your time and there are no quick fixes.” - Rob Da Costa “Remove all the distractions and keep focused on the task at hand.” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: | |||
| LinkedIn Content Strategies with Tracey Burnett | 09 Dec 2021 | 00:36:34 | |
What are the latest trends in creating compelling and engaging content on Linkedin? In this week's episode of The Agency Accelerator Podcast, I’m joined by one of my repeat and popular guests, Tracy Burnett. Tracey is a LinkedIn marketing expert, who helps business owners generate more business using LinkedIn. In this episode, Tracy shares the latest trends, ideas and tips in creating content strategies for LinkedIn. Make sure to grab a pen and paper for note-taking because this will be another action-packed episode. Time Stamp [02:15] Is it worth switching to Creator mode? [03:11] The key ‘new things’ in using LinkedIn [04:41] Why has LinkedIn limited the number of connection requests you can make each week? [06:09] How to publish newsletters on LinkedIn (new function) [07:36] The four (4) pillars in creating content [09:48] Understanding how to make the algorithm work for you [14:01] The importance of getting debates in your posts [15:03] Why are hashtags important and how many should you use? [15:38] How to research your hashtags [17:09] Why you should create your own hashtag [19:12 How many times a week should you post on LinkedIn? [21:10] Are Pods worthwhile? [24:58] The importance of creating high-quality content rather than any old content! [26:11] How to create content that your audience cares about [26:53] Being authentic & human in your posts [32:19] Tracey’s advice to her younger self Quotations “...every single, robust, deliverable business development strategy takes time.” - Tracey Burnett “I think that asking yourself this question when you're writing a post of ‘Will my audience care about this?’ is actually a really good benchmark to decide whether it’s a good post or interesting.” - Rob Da Costa “Don't feel you need to be everywhere... Keep your marketing simple.” - Tracey Burnett Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode:
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| Planning For The New Year | 02 Dec 2021 | 00:13:30 | |
As we head to the New Year, I wanted to share a few ideas with you to make sure that you start the new year in your agency or your freelance business on the right foot and with a robust plan. So in today’s episode of The Agency Accelerator Podcast, I dig into what you should be doing with your business's long-term vision and how to break it down from a year to quarter, quarter to monthly, and then weekly set of goals. Time Stamp [1:37] Am I a believer in having New Year’s resolutions? [1:58] The importance of having a plan [2:36] Tips to creating your vision [4:09] Why it’s vital to connect personal aspirations and goals with your business vision [5:57] Understanding finance, people and external factors in your planning [9:34] The importance of creating a dynamic business plan [11:28] How changing your environment can help you create an inspired business plan Quotations “You need to have a plan because you need to have a sense of where your business is headed.” - Rob Da Costa “Be in control rather than letting external factors dictate your direction.” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode:
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