Overwhelmed, overworked, on the brink of burnout? Agency life is known for its fast pace and demanding clients, and I know from personal experience how burnout can completely de-rail you. As I slowly return recovery, I invited Cat Burchmore onto the podcast to help me learn how I could prevent burnout as a business owner by leaning on automation more.

In this episode we explore how implementing automation strategies can help you avoid burnout and take control of your well-being. Cat shares her insights on how automating tasks like client onboarding, invoicing, and project management can free up your time, reduce stress, and improve your overall work-life balance.

Of course automation isn't just about making your life easier – it's also about providing a better experience for your clients. Cat shares how automation can help you deliver a more personalised and efficient service, without sacrificing the human touch. Heck in this day and age we all need a more human touch!

Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/can-automation-prevent-burnout/

Struggling to break out of the feast and famine cycle? Do you feel like you're constantly putting out fires and not making the progress you want in your business?

Brent is a seasoned agency owner who started his first digital agency at the tender age of 17. In this episode, he shares his journey of navigating the challenges of running an agency, from landing his first clients to eventually selling his business not once, but twice.

Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/freelancer-to-agency-owner/

Free training: https://ugurus.com/launch-live-training/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=leejackson&utm_campaign=q12024

Struggling to grow your agency or finding it tough to reel in new clients? Perhaps you feel conscious that your agency isn't yet what you'd hoped it would be? Simon Penson's journey is sure to inspire you. His own agency journey began at his kitchen table, of all places, where he faced and overcame a multitude of challenges, ultimately leading to the successful sale of his agency. His story highlights the importance of perseverance and the transformative power of a good mentor. 

Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/simons-agency-exit/

During the hard times, as a business owner the temptation is to chase something new. New tech, new business ideas, new markets and more. During the 2020 global pandemic, Marcy Karpowitz was able to double down and make what she does best work in significantly different times.

Full show notes - https://agencytrailblazer.com/focus-on-what-you-are-good-at/

For those folks used to the office environment, life has been turned upside down. No take out coffee, no chatting at the water cooler, no podcast on the commute and no cheesy banter being thrown across the room. Seeing the virtual head and shoulders of those you've grown close to over the years is not the same as being together.

Here in the UK we are going through our second nationwide lockdown. I'll be honest with you... I am finding this one really difficult. I miss my team and getting work done is often more of a challenge. Over the years of managing my mental health, I've leant heavily on some tried and true practices to keep productive despite these trying times.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-to-be-productive-during-lockdown

You might be doing it all wrong! Hear me out. Did your design hobby become a business because people started offering you money for your services? This is how many web design agencies were born, including my own and that is where the problem begins.

In this episode I will share with you some essentials for starting right. Set up your web design business for success with firm a foundation and with a clear strategy 

Full show notes - https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-to-start-a-web-design-business

Have you found yourself responding to emails late at night before bed? Do clients email you at the weekend expecting results first thing Monday? If these or similar scenarios ring true, then you have a boundary issue that could be affecting your health, your business, and your family life.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-to-set-boundaries-and-why-it-is-important

With times changing so significantly in 2020 and beyond, how can you build a business that owns its market? How do you discover the right market? How can you stand out and become an authority in your industry? These are all questions our wonderful returning guest, Brent Weaver tackles as we discuss us brand-new book "Get rich in the deep end".

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/own-your-market-and-how-to-find-it/

Over the last five years we've grown a huge content library and spend countless hours writing, recording and showing up online. When it came to growing the team to help us support all that we do we suddenly realised that we had no measurement for success. How could we employ somebody when we'd have no way of measuring their effectiveness. 

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/are-you-wasting-time-on-social-media

With so many web agencies, what makes you unique? What is it about your business that would attract clients to you rather than the competition? Like me you may have discovered that competing on price or extra services is not compelling enough to attract the right customers. Whilst the answer may be to create customer avatars and niche down, how does that work in the real world?

Full show notes - https://agencytrailblazer.com/discover-what-makes-your-agency-different/

So often our clients expect the world from us. Over time a line can be crossed and you find yourself at the beck and call providing help and support for things that are far outside your remit. What's worse is you may even be doing this free of charge in order to keep your client happy.

Full show notes - https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-to-manage-client-expectations

Your niche is not always obvious and it can take time to develop the experience, understanding and passion for a particular demographic. I share with you two occasions where I discovered my niche and how.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-i-discovered-my-niches-story-time/

With so many online events popping up, we have so much choice. How do we select the right events to attend and how do we ensure we get the most from them? Jan has been arranging online summits for many years and shares practical advice for getting the most out of attending an online event. He also deep dives into his own processes for planning an online summit.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/getting-the-most-from-an-online-event/

Ever felt like you're on a never-ending hamster wheel of agency life? Trying to build a business that will support the life you want for you and your family, but never quite getting there? You're not alone. Many of us are caught in this relentless cycle, believing that success is just around the corner if we work harder, grow bigger. But what if there's another way?

My guest in today's episode, Daniel Hutt, found himself in the same exhausting cycle. A seasoned content marketing expert and the current head of content for Zero to Mastery, Daniel dared to question the status quo. He realized that doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results, was a path to nowhere. With one powerful mindset switch, he decided to go against conventional wisdom and take a completely different direction.

Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/mindset-shift/

There are many ways you may be working for free. Some are by choice, others are not so obvious. In this episode we explore ways you could be devaluing your service and missing out on opportunities to charge for your expertise.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-to-stop-working-for-free/

"How do I generate more leads"? This is a common question in our community. In most circumstances I'd suggest you don't need more leads, you need better leads and a better nurture and conversion process.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/do-you-really-need-more-leads/

You've heard the phrase "fake it till you make it"? Many agencies take this and feel they have to project an image of a large, vibrant, successful and global business that is going places. Others in the agency space try to establish themselves as authorities whilst they are struggling with the very things they teach.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/fake-it-till-you-make-it/

Back in the late 00s, my agency at the time was struggling through the global recession. Our model included print management which would leave us responsible for paying printers long before our clients paid their final invoices. Throw into the mix clients disappearing, staff cost, rent, rates etc and you can see how quickly debt can form in your business.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/managing-debt-in-your-agency

In order to build influence, generate leads and grow our agencies need to build an audience. An audience is a group of people that are aware of you and whom consume your content.

As you build your platform and attract your ideal customers (your audience) you will find you begin to generate leads to your services and sales to your products.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-to-build-your-audience-and-why-you-need-to/

If you had to start your business from scratch, what would you do differently? What would you do again that worked? Having been in business you will have learned what works and what doesn't. These are valuable lessons that we can apply to an imaginary fresh start. Let's go on a journey of starting our business from scratch and see if there is anything from it you can use to make change in your business today.

I have burned out multiple times running my agencies. Why? Because I ignored the signs and kept pushing forward. I put deadlines, clients and my own pride before my health and mental well-being.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/signs-you-should-slow-down-and-how-to-do-it

When a new lead comes into your agency it is important to ensure the client has everything in place they need for you to be able to help them. Not every client will be a right fit and it's better to discover this before a project kicks off than when it is too late. Cathy Wassell joins us to share her process for filtering through potential clients.

Full show notes - https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-to-filter-potential-clients

There is a lot of advice out there from experts in the field. Whilst all have merit, there is something to be said for finding what works for you and pursuing it. Grant shares how he developed a way of growing his agency using partnerships and referrals. Instead of having to attend industry events, build a personal brand or attend multiple networking meetings, he found a system that worked for him.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/building-an-agency-your-own-way

As a teenager, I knew I wanted to be in business. My world was very small being the small UK town I live in so my game plan was to serve my local community as a web designer.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-i-landed-my-first-client

Creating website policies can feel pretty overwhelming. It’s easy to think copying and pasting templates will do, but this shortcut can put both agencies and clients at risk.

In this episode, I was really pumped to chat again with Hans from Termageddon. He walks us through his journey of building a tool that does the heavy lifting. He shares valuable insights into building a business on a firm foundation and developing relationships that last.

Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/privacy-policies/

I’ve been battling with my mental health many year. I’ve had a range of support including medication to keep me on track but things are still hard. Getting up in the morning is still an effort. A throw away comment from someone can still send me spiralling for days.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/running-an-agency-with-depression

We are exposed to typography on a daily basis. From signs in the treat to our computer screens. Without type, we would be unable to consume information and to act upon it. It's everywhere and it's important we get it right for our business and for our clients. A hard to read landing page can negatively impact it's performance. No thought into accessibility could hold others back.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/why-type-matters-more-than-you-think

The website is often seen as a checkbox on a long list of mundane and irrelevant marketing activities. It tends to become an online "calling card" with little to no thought on what it should actually do for the website owner. As agency owners we have an awesome opportunity to help build websites that help people achieve their objectives and we can do that from the wealth of experience we've had getting it right and learning from when we got it wrong.

Avoiding misunderstandings and ensuring you get everything down during the discovery process can be a nightmare! To help facilitate productive discovery sessions, we developed a framework that we've used on countless projects to ensure we capture as much as possible without missing the important elements.

Full show notes:

https://agencytrailblazer.com/website-discovery-framework/

Considering taking on an intern? Meet Sam, former intern and mentor for interns at P&W a design agency based in London. Sam shares her journey, experiences and best practices when looking for an intern. She also shares with us her exciting project called "Tern Heads" a community that is revolutionising access to creative internships and junior employment.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/the-benefits-of-internships/

We all have a personal brand, even if we don't fully understand what that is or what it looks like. Through networking, through attending events and through showing up online, I've developed a personal brand that attracts the right type of clients to the businesses I am a part of. For me it was accidental and as I try to become more intentional it made sense to connect with Nicole Osborne.

Nicole suggested a 5 day challenge to help unpack my personal brand more, and within minute we figured it would make sense to bring it to the community!

This episode is a recording of our live stream in the Facebook group. Nicole shares the 5 stages of unleashing your personal brand stories and we extend an invite for you to come and join in the challenge from the 8th - 12th of June 2020!

See you in the community!

http://agencytrailblazer.com/group

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/connect-with-your-ideal-audience/

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Without being a part of a mastermind I would not be where I am today, nor would I have the clarity focus and drive to push onto where I am headed. There is immense power in a small group of people, meeting regularly and holding each other accountable that can transform a business.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-to-create-a-peer-mastermind/

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When Jemma launched her VA business last year, she was not clear on who her ideal client would be. The first few months saw a range of clients and projects. These experiences and interactions highlighted the importance of niching to a particular client time and range of services.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/attracting-the-ideal-client/

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In 2012 my agency used multiple providers on multiple platforms. We'd created a support nightmare for ourselves and we knew we needed to change how we delivered our services. This podcast unpacks our journey into the cloud and the lessons learned along the way.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/agency-in-the-cloud/

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During Agency Transformation Live 2020, we interviewed Brad Morrison on how he developed his niche over time. Having started providing services within an industry that did not seem to be as commercially viable, his agency expanded into other sectors. They eventually landed upon the service niche of care plans.

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Do you get anxious when updating your client's WordPress website, wondering what will break? Do you spend hours running tests in staging, before finally pushing everything live? In this episode, we explore WordPress maintenance and look at a solution designed to help developers and designers catch issues before they cause a real problem.

Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/streamlining-wordpress-maintenance/

A product or service is more often than not measured by the quality of support provided. The reputation of a company can be its downfall should it provide poor after care. Yet I think there are ways that we can improve the support we get from the products that are essential to our business by changing our own attitude towards seeking help.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/getting-better-support/

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We are surrounded by negative messaging on the news and in social media. Global economies are being massively impacted by the pandemic, and as business owners, we may be feeling worried and concerned. I invited Nev Harris onto the show to share with us lessons we can learn from past economic crises.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/the-covid-economy/

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Are you getting burned out on online meetings? Many agencies are seeing their meetings increase as clients and team members seek assurances and companionship. Whilst lockdown may have removed the travel burden, regular and unproductive meetings can continue to have a negative impact on your productivity, motivation and mental health.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/productive-online-meetings/

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

During these uncertain times, income may be much reduced. I share how to manage your personal finances, make savings and enable your money to go further. We approach this both as a business owner and as an employee. Our audience are a wide mixture of agency owners and awesome staff members, therefore I'd like to cover all bases.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/managing-your-personal-finances/

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

No business has been untouched by the global pandemic of 2020. Some agency owners recognise a need in their business to pivot so they can add value to their customers, and weather these uncertain times. In this episode I will share a range of ideas to get you thinking on how you can pivot your offering.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/ideas-for-pivoting-your-agency/

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The world has changed within days, and you may be concerned about your business and the future of our industry. In this episode, I share with you how we are best positioned to help build the new digital community of tomorrow.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/the-future-of-web-design/

See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 2008 nearly the whole world fell into recession. Overnight we lost some of our biggest clients, and others drastically cut their investments with our agency. Fast forward to today. The global Pandemic is hitting the stock market, and it is predicted that another recession is round the corner for many nations.

What can an agency do to survive and thrive during difficult times? In this episode I share lessons we learned from 2008, as well as a range of practical steps you can take to strengthen your business.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/surviving-a-recession/

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Being intentional with social media allows you to build your brand. In turn you can build trust, and generate valuable leads for your agency. In this episode I will share with you the basics of planning your social media strategy...

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/planning-your-agency-social-media-strategy

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There comes a point in your agency when enough is enough. You cannot do everything and you realise you need outside help from a freelancer or virtual assistant. The thing is, you've heard horror stories from other agency owners and your last freelance experience was a nightmare.

How do you find, select and onboard the right contractor for your agency? If you are struggling, this episode is for you.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/how-to-hire-a-virtual-assistant/

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Do you know what is in your bank account, who owes you what, and what you have to pay out? It's likely you don't as running an agency is time intensive and demanding. Finances become something we dread at the end of our financial year as we hand over a box of receipts to our accountants, unsure if we will be able to pay our tax bills.

It need not be like that. In today's episode I am going to talk you through a very simple framework for managing the financial health of your business.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/podcast/managing-your-agency-finances/

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Meet Michelle Frechette, a trailblazer in the WordPress community who is bridging gaps and building connections in ways you wouldn't imagine. Michelle, the Director of Community Engagement for StellarWP at Liquid Web, takes us on a journey from her first encounter with WordPress to her current role as a community leader.

She shares her insights on the power of inclusivity, the thrill of her first WordCamp, and the delicate art of fostering diversity without tokenism.

If you've ever wondered about the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the WordPress community or how to make a real impact in your own circles, this episode is a must-listen. Get ready for a conversation that will challenge your perspectives and inspire you to action.

Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/bridging-gaps-building-community/

How do you keep motivated when things can be so stressful? Running an agency can be high pressure, and you may have experienced those days where you can't face it all. I know I have...

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/podcast/how-to-keep-yourself-motivated/

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How many plans have you made that you've never followed through with? What would you like to change in your agency or in your personal life that seems too overwhelming and un-achievable? I have struggled for years with procrastination, and have a graveyard of abandoned dreams behind me. Yet all that changed a few years ago, and I'm going to share with my strategy for getting things done.

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/podcast/how-to-get-the-big-things-done/

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"Plan for the worst, hope for the best" is a phrase I've often heard from family members as we go through life. There is no better place to ensure you can push through the rough times that in your business. What would happen if your office burnt down? What would you do in the case of a business partner passing away?

Full show notes: https://agencytrailblazer.com/podcast/planning-for-the-worst/

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