In episode 081, I sit down with David C. Baker, a renowned consultant, author, and speaker in the advertising agency world. We explore David's journey from grad school to founding his consultancy, Punctuation, and later bringing his son into the business. David shares key traits that drive successful agencies—courage, discipline, strategic positioning, and effective team management. We discuss business resets, lead generation, and the science behind agency positioning, along with the advantages of running an agency with future acquisition in mind. Beyond business, David talks about his personal passions like motorcycling, woodworking, and photography. Tune in for valuable insights into managing and scaling a creative agency.

Key Takeaways

• Courage and discipline are key traits for agency leaders • Positioning is crucial for agency success and requires testing and refinement • Running an agency as if you're going to sell it can lead to better overall performance • Woodworking, motorcycle racing, and photography are David's hobbies • Stop things that no longer serve you and simplify your life

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 03:07 The Importance of Courage and Discipline in Agency Leadership 06:29 The Process of Positioning and Testing 11:17 Keys to Making an Agency Attractive for Sale 15:16 David's Hobbies: Woodworking, Motorcycle Racing, and Photography 18:20 Advice for Agency Owners: Stop and Simplify

David C. Baker is an author, speaker, and advisor to entrepreneurial creatives worldwide. He has written 6 books, advised 1,000+ firms, and keynoted conferences in 30+ countries. His work has been discussed in the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Forbes, USA Today, BusinessWeek, CBS News, Newsweek, AdWeek, and Inc. Magazine. He lives in Nashville, TN. His two most recent books are at http://www.expertise.is and https://www.tradecraft.is His work has also been featured in the NY Times, where he was recently referred to as “the expert’s expert”. He co-hosts the most listened-to podcast in the creative services field (2Bobs).

Contact David on his website, or LinkedIn, or learn about his MYOB Conference.

In episode 080, I had a great conversation with Kevin Rapp, co-founder and chief creative officer of Ultra Friends. We dive into the exploitation of creatives and the crucial role of valuing creativity in business. Kevin shares his journey from working in agencies and studios to going in-house at a fast-growing startup, where he learned to focus not just on the craft, but on delivering real value to the business.

We discuss why creatives should stop pitching for free and start advocating for the true worth of their work. Kevin’s key takeaway? Understand and confidently articulate the immense value that creativity brings to the table.

This episode is a must-listen for any creative professional looking to elevate their impact and take control of their worth in the business world!

Key Takeaways

• Creatives need to shift their focus from the craft alone to delivering value to the business. • Pitching for free devalues creativity and sets an unhealthy dynamic in client relationships. • Understanding and articulating the true value of creativity is crucial for success. • Advocating for fair compensation and valuing creativity leads to better career opportunities and financial growth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 03:30 Transitioning from Agency to In-House Startup 06:09 Shifting the Focus to Value and Business Impact 09:55 Starting Ultra Friends and Optimizing Creative Content 15:05 The Importance of Not Pitching for Free 20:59 The Devaluation of Creativity and Self-Worth 26:00 Setting the Tone and Advocating for Fair Compensation 31:53 Understanding and Articulating the True Value of Creativity

Kevin is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of the creative agency Ultra Friends. He's an accomplished creative leader with almost two decades of experience in the field. And he's built a mild reputation for himself by shouting into the internet void on Linkedin.

Contact Kevin on his website.

In episode 070, I got to dive into the world of agency mergers and acquisitions with Jonathan Baker, the head of the M&A practice at Punctuation. Jonathan uncovers the secrets behind successful deals in the marketing services industry, shedding light on common pitfalls like leadership changes and cultural mismatches that can derail even the most promising mergers.

Discover the key elements that make an agency stand out to potential buyers, including the power of recurring revenue and strategic positioning. Jonathan shares his expert insights on valuation and talks through the sellability index, a tool that helps agencies measure their readiness for acquisition.

We explore the latest trends in M&A, the art of succession planning, and why it's crucial for founders to delegate and step back from daily operations. Whether you're looking to buy, sell, or simply learn more about the dynamics of agency mergers, this episode is packed with valuable information and actionable advice.

Bytes of Interest

• Factors that can cause deals to fail include leadership changes and cultural fit issues. • Recurring revenue and positioning are important factors in making an agency attractive for acquisition. • Valuation should be done annually as part of the business planning process. • The sellability index can help agencies track their progress towards becoming sellable. • Trends in M&A include a higher number of interested buyers than sellers. • Succession planning should consider factors such as age, long-term goals, and the presence of a capable successor. • Founders should delegate and extract themselves from day-to-day operations to enable growth. • Personal goals and fulfillment should guide business decisions.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 02:11 Factors that Impact the Success of M&A Deals 05:59 The Importance of Recurring Revenue and Positioning in Agency Acquisition 08:41 Valuation and the Sellability Index: Tools for Agency Planning 19:58 Succession Planning: Considerations for Founders 22:38 Delegation and Growth: Extracting Founders from Day-to-Day Operations 25:02 Aligning Business Decisions with Personal Goals

Karl Sakas helps digital agency owners ‘Work Less’ and ‘Earn More’… while rewarding their best employees. Drawing on his background in agency operations, Karl has personally advised hundreds of agencies on every inhabited continent. An international speaker, he is the author of three books—including 'Work Less, Earn More'—and more than 400 articles on agency management. When he’s not helping clients, Karl volunteers as a bartender on an antique train.

Contact Karl:

Articles: https://sakasandcompany.com/adding-new-services/

Freebies: https://sakasandcompany.com/free-resources-for-agencies/

Book: https://worklessearnmorebook.com/

Workshop: https://sakasandcompany.com/agency-lead-gen-training/

In episode 070, I got to dive into the world of agency mergers and acquisitions with Jonathan Baker, the head of the M&A practice at Punctuation. Jonathan uncovers the secrets behind successful deals in the marketing services industry, shedding light on common pitfalls like leadership changes and cultural mismatches that can derail even the most promising mergers.

Discover the key elements that make an agency stand out to potential buyers, including the power of recurring revenue and strategic positioning. Jonathan shares his expert insights on valuation and talks through the sellability index, a tool that helps agencies measure their readiness for acquisition.

We explore the latest trends in M&A, the art of succession planning, and why it's crucial for founders to delegate and step back from daily operations. Whether you're looking to buy, sell, or simply learn more about the dynamics of agency mergers, this episode is packed with valuable information and actionable advice.

Key Takeaways

• Factors that can cause deals to fail include leadership changes and cultural fit issues.

• Recurring revenue and positioning are important factors in making an agency attractive for acquisition.

• Valuation should be done annually as part of the business planning process.

• The sellability index can help agencies track their progress towards becoming sellable.

• Trends in M&A include a higher number of interested buyers than sellers.

• Succession planning should consider factors such as age, long-term goals, and the presence of a capable successor.

• Founders should delegate and extract themselves from day-to-day operations to enable growth.

• Personal goals and fulfillment should guide business decisions.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:11 Factors that Impact the Success of M&A Deals

05:59 The Importance of Recurring Revenue and Positioning in Agency Acquisition

08:41 Valuation and the Sellability Index: Tools for Agency Planning

19:58 Succession Planning: Considerations for Founders

22:38 Delegation and Growth: Extracting Founders from Day-to-Day Operations

25:02 Aligning Business Decisions with Personal Goals

Punctuation is a small advisory practice working exclusively with small- to mid-sized independent marketing services firms. Founded by industry veteran David C. Baker, Punctuation helps firms with positioning, lead generation, benchmarking, valuation, and succession planning.

Jonathan heads up the M&A practice at Punctuation. He has worked on dozens of deals both inside and outside the industry and brings a unique perspective as a fellow owner who has gone through the process himself.

He graduated from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School in 2005. His career began working at a small boutique marketing strategy consultancy. There, he was able to do marketing strategy and positioning work for many well-known Fortune 500 CPG companies.

In 2011, he left to start a craft brewery, Monday Night Brewing where his focus was on marketing, sales, and taprooms. After helping his business partners grow to 180+ employees and numerous locations, Jonathan stepped away from the day-to-day to head up the M&A practice for Punctuation.

He loves cocktails, music, and hiking, and lives in Atlanta with his wife, two kids, and entitled rescue Australian Shepherd, Oscar Snugs.

Contact Jonathan:

Website: https://punctuation.com/

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathandavidbaker/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearepunctuation/

Podcast: https://punctuation.com/insights/

In episode 069, I had the pleasure of chatting with Taylor McMaster, the founder of Dot and Co. Taylor shares her inspiring journey from launching her own agency to revolutionizing it into a fractional account management service for other agencies. Her story is full of valuable insights and lessons for anyone in the industry.

Taylor dives into the importance of proactive communication and strategies for expanding client accounts. She sheds light on the often daunting task of hiring and training account managers, revealing the incredible advantages of outsourcing this crucial role. Her advice to agency owners? Hire individuals who complement your weaknesses rather than those who mirror your strengths.

But it's not all business! Taylor also shares her passion for golfing and how she recently integrated a fractional sales director into her company, adding a new layer of expertise to her team.

Join us for this exciting conversation with Taylor McMaster, filled with actionable tips, personal anecdotes, and a fresh perspective on agency growth and management.

Key Takeaways

• Proactive communication is crucial in account management to keep clients informed and satisfied.

• Outsourcing account management can help agency owners focus on other aspects of their business and achieve a better work-life balance.

• Hiring account managers who complement your weaknesses can lead to a more well-rounded team.

• Golfing can be a fulfilling hobby and a way to relax and recharge.

• Bringing in a fractional sales director can provide expertise and support in growing your business.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:49 Starting Dot and Co and the Genesis of the Fractional Model

08:31 Integrating Account Managers into Agency Culture

11:36 Stepping into Existing Systems and Optimizing Processes

22:26 Personal and Professional Insights

25:06 Rapid Fire Questions

27:39 Valuable Business Advice

Taylor McMaster is the founder of DOT & Company where she and her team help digital marketing agencies keep their clients happy—and keep agency owners focused on what they do best—with full-service client account management (CAM) services.

Taylor leads a team of Client Account Managers at DOT & Company, training the CAMs to work with different agencies. To date, they have helped dozens of digital marketing agencies free up their time to prioritize the money-makers in their businesses, while the DOT & Co. team ensures their client experience is smooth like butter.

She is also the host of The Happy Clients podcast, where she interviews top names in the industry, diving deep into what makes clients happy in the agency world.

Contact Taylor:

Press: www.dotandcompany.co/press Email: taylor@dotandcompany.co Website: www.dotandcompany.co Podcast: www.dotandcompany.co/podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dotandcompany Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylormcmaster/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dot_and_company/ YouTube: ​​https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9_2hri1R1uaNTGeZr0Oyxg/ X: ​​https://X.com/CompanyDot

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Anne Green, the CEO of GNS Business Communications. We met in an airport lounge and talk about the value of putting oneself “out there” to meet new people and discover new opportunities. Anne shares her journey to becoming CEO, revealing her unique leadership style rooted in compassion and empathy. We dive into the challenges of leadership and the importance of overcoming the 'us versus them' mentality.

Anne opens up about the value of curiosity, enthusiasm, and making meaningful connections in the agency world. We explore the significance of understanding one’s purpose and staying focused amidst rapid technological changes. Anne stresses the importance of agencies revisiting their culture, mission, and values to stay aligned and impactful.

Our conversation also highlights the need for trust-building, inclusivity, and open communication within organizations. Anne’s leadership style, characterized by vulnerability and openness, fosters an environment where team members feel comfortable speaking up. We wrap up by discussing the importance of self-compassion and finding joy in the dynamic world of agency life.

Join us for an engaging and insightful discussion with Anne Green, filled with practical advice and heartfelt reflections on leadership and agency dynamics.

Key Takeaways

• Transitioning to a CEO role requires learning leadership at scale and managing a collaborative matrix style.

• A leader's style should be warm, empathetic, and open, with a focus on being of service and making connections.

• Resisting the 'us versus them' mentality is crucial in both internal agency dynamics and agency-client relationships.

• Compassion and empathy are essential in understanding and supporting clients, as well as fostering a positive agency culture.

• Curiosity and enthusiasm are key traits for agency leaders, as they drive learning, collaboration, and problem-solving. Understanding purpose and staying focused is crucial in the face of technological advancements.

• Agencies should revisit their own culture, mission, and values to stay relevant.

• Trust-building, inclusivity, and open communication are essential for a strong and effective organization.

• Leadership should embrace vulnerability and openness to create an environment where people feel comfortable speaking up.

• Self-compassion and enjoying life are important for personal fulfillment in the agency industry.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

05:33 Transitioning and Learning Leadership at Scale

14:23 Resisting the 'Us Versus Them' Mentality

27:39 Building Trust and Fostering Inclusivity

36:54 Self-Compassion and Enjoying Life in the Agency Industry

Anne Green taps 30 years of experience in integrated marketing communications in her role as CEO and partner at G&S Business Communications. She is responsible for ensuring excellence across all areas of agency performance and operations, from client service to the agency’s integrated offerings to cultivating a vibrant and growth-oriented culture. Anne was previously President and CEO of CooperKatz & Company, Inc., an award-winning agency she helped to build for more than two decades before it was acquired by G&S in 2018. She began her career with Burson-Marsteller in New York City. In her alternative lives, she would be a singer or literature professor - but agency life ensures she's always creatively engaged.

Connect with Anne on the G&S Communications website or LinkedIn.

In episode 067, I had an enlightening conversation with Jenny Magic, founder and author of "Build Better Change." We delved into the tough but crucial challenges of implementing internal change within organizations and explored how agencies can play a pivotal role in fostering adoption. Jenny passionately emphasizes the significance of building long-term client relationships and partnering through the change and adoption journey.

Jenny sheds light on the necessity for agencies to identify potential roadblocks early and engage in difficult conversations upfront to ensure smooth implementation. She shares invaluable tips, such as validating project needs with multiple stakeholders, conducting confidential inquiry interviews to uncover hidden challenges, and prioritizing trust and rapport with clients. Jenny also underscores the importance of empathy, employee engagement, and psychological safety within organizations.

This episode is packed with practical advice and insights for agencies looking to drive successful change and make a lasting impact. Don’t miss out on Jenny’s expert strategies and thoughtful perspectives!

Key Takeaways

• Building long-term relationships with clients is crucial for agencies to ensure successful implementation of projects.

• Agencies should surface potential roadblocks and have difficult conversations early on in the process.

• Validating the need for a project with multiple stakeholders and obtaining senior-level buy-in is important for successful adoption.

• Conducting confidential inquiry interviews can help uncover potential challenges and build trust with clients.

• Empathy, employee engagement, and psychological safety are key factors in fostering adoption within organizations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

07:08 The Impact on Agencies

12:11 Surfacing Roadblocks: Having Difficult Conversations

23:11 The Importance of Relationships and Change

27:04 Final Advice: This Too Shall Pass

When leaders want to win back employee willingness, accelerate innovation, and reduce change fatigue, they call Jenny Magic. As a nationally recognized speaker, author, and advisor, Jenny is the founder of Build Better Change and co-author of the organizational change bestseller, Change Fatigue: Flip Teams From Burnout to Buy-In (2023). She has successfully led extensive projects with renowned organizations throughout her career, including Sesame Workshop, AARP, Citrix, Prudential, Acxiom, Alcon, Purdue University, Experian, US Bank, Cisco, and many others. She loves using the marketing strategies she's honed over two decades to motivate teams to do their best work.

Contact Jenny on her website or LinkedIn and learn about her book here.

In this episode, I had the incredible opportunity to interview Gabe Levine from Matchstick Legal, a top-notch attorney specializing in representing creative businesses. Gabe brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, making this a must-listen episode for anyone in the creative industry.

We dive deep into some of the hottest topics facing agencies today. Ever worried about protecting your creative work from copycats? Gabe shares essential strategies and legal insights to safeguard your intellectual property. We also tackle the crucial task of reviewing and updating contracts to ensure they’re airtight and up-to-date with the latest legal standards.

Gabe unpacks the complexities of GDPR and privacy regulations, breaking down what they mean for your agency and how to stay compliant. He also emphasizes the importance of perspective and leverage in negotiations, providing practical tips to help you navigate these often challenging discussions.

Whether you're an agency owner, creative professional, or just interested in the legal side of the creative world, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice. Don't miss out on this engaging conversation with one of the leading legal minds in the industry!

Key Takeaways

• Having a relationship with an attorney as an agency owner is important for protecting creative work and navigating legal issues.

• Registering trademarks and copyrights can help protect creative work from copycats.

• Contracts should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure they align with the agency's current practices and protect their interests.

• GDPR and privacy regulations are important considerations for agencies, and compliance can be complex.

• Having perspective and creating leverage are key in negotiations, but sometimes compromises need to be made to secure work.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

05:28 Protecting Creative Work from Copycats

11:38 Reviewing and Updating Contracts

Gabe is an attorney specializing in representing creative and technical businesses in commercial transactions. He's a shareholder in and president of Matchstick Legal, Inc. Gabe lives in Marin County, California with his wife Holly, daughter Kate and dog Scully. He's a very average gravel cyclist but enjoys it quite a bit.

Connect with Gabe on his website and LinkedIn

In Episode 065, I have the exciting opportunity to speak with James Martin, also known as Made By James, a talented UK-based designer renowned for his dedication to design education and his candid presence on social media. I invited James because I deeply admire how he’s grown his following and how he communicates with his audience.

James shares his journey from a solopreneur to becoming a design partner at Lincoln Design, highlighting the evolution of his career and the importance of giving back to the design community. He openly discusses the range of emotions he experiences during the design process, including imposter syndrome, and provides valuable Adobe tips and tricks.

In our conversation, James talks about understanding your worth and pricing your services appropriately. He emphasizes the fear of saying no and its impact on self-worth, sharing his 13% rule for pricing to help increase confidence in charging higher rates. James also underscores the importance of setting the right prices and not undervaluing oneself.

Finally, James reflects on the significance of letting go to grow and the importance of celebrating achievements along the way. This episode is packed with insights for designers at any stage of their careers, offering practical advice and inspiration for building a successful and fulfilling design practice.

Key Takeaways

• Building a community and giving back through design education can lead to personal and professional growth. • Consistency and authenticity in sharing your work and knowledge on social media can help establish your personal brand. • Transitioning from a solopreneur to working with an agency can provide new opportunities and a larger team to collaborate with. • Understanding your worth as a designer and pricing your services accordingly is crucial for sustainable business growth. • Saying no to clients who don't align with your value and pricing can lead to better opportunities and a stronger business. Don't let fear and self-doubt dictate your pricing. Set the right prices based on your value and expertise. • Use the 13% rule to increase your prices incrementally and build confidence in charging higher rates. • Focus on proving your value to clients through case studies and demonstrating the impact of your work. • Let go of certain tasks and responsibilities to allow for growth and scalability in your business. • Take the time to celebrate your achievements and enjoy the journey rather than constantly chasing the next goal.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 02:06 Starting to Share Work on Social Media 05:00 Evolution as a Designer 06:45 Transition to Working with Lincoln Design 09:11 Giving Back and Building a Community 12:09 Transition from Solopreneur to Agency Partner 19:15 False Sense of Security on Social Media 21:22 Knowing Your Worth and Evolving as a Designer 23:15 Saying No to Clients to Say Yes to Yourself 23:47 The Fear of Saying No and Self-Worth 25:06 Setting the Right Prices 26:28 Proving Your Value to Clients 27:27 The 13% Rule for Pricing 29:22 The Evolution of the Partnership with Lincoln 30:28 Focusing on Helping Designers 33:29 Letting Go to Grow

James Martin, better known as Made By James, is transforming the design education landscape with his rebellious creativity and relentless determination. He has dedicated 20 years of his life to achieving creative excellence, being sought after by clients for the impact his work has on businesses and the meticulously crafted experiences he delivers.

He now has one purpose: to build the best designers on the planet.

Through his real-world experience, he understands that to land your 'dream client,' you first need to become a 'dream designer.' The status quo within the design education space is focused solely on external outcomes when the real focus should be on internal transformation. He knows if he can help designers become comfortable with the unpredictability of the real creative world, then the predictable stuff becomes even easier to manage.

His full focus is as an educator to brand designers, but he is also a best-selling author, public speaker, and creative partner at Lincoln Design Co., where the team works daily with the likes of Disney, Liquid Death, and Nike. He is dedicated to guiding the next generation of designers with action, honesty, and love, creating a future where designers and clients thrive together.

Connect with James on his website or Instagram.

In Episode 064, I had the pleasure of having an inspiring conversation with Justine Clay, a business coach and ADHD life coach for creative entrepreneurs. Justine shares her journey from working in the creative industry to launching her own coaching business, and how these experiences have shaped her current work. She delves into the unique challenges and strengths of individuals with ADHD and the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. Justine discusses the need for leadership to understand and accommodate neurodivergent team members and examines the impact of remote work on those with ADHD. Throughout the conversation, Justine emphasizes creating spaces that foster connection and meaningful experiences, and the importance of being present and taking care of ourselves in our daily lives. She also shares valuable business advice on focusing on solutions rather than problems and keeping the client at the center of our thoughts and messaging.

Key Takeaways

• Understanding the unique challenges and strengths of individuals with ADHD is crucial for creating a supportive work environment. • Leadership should strive to accommodate the needs of neurodivergent team members and provide them with the tools and resources they need to thrive. • Remote work can be beneficial for individuals with ADHD, as it allows for greater flexibility and control over their work environment. • Creating an open and inclusive culture where individuals feel comfortable communicating their needs is essential for fostering productivity and well-being.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 03:00 Becoming an Independent Creative Professional 06:00 Starting a Creative Management Agency 09:00 Transitioning to Coaching 13:00 Becoming an ADHD Coach 15:00 ADHD as a Superpower, or not 19:00 Supporting Neurodivergent Individuals 21:00 Coaching Leadership on Working with Neurodivergent Team Members 25:00 The Impact of Remote Work on ADHD 35:00 Personal Hobbies and Tools 38:02 Creating Spaces for Connection and Experience 39:12 Focus on Solutions, Not Problems

Justine Clay is a speaker, writer, business coach, and ADHD life coach for creative entrepreneurs and freelancers. Justine’s lifelong passion for supporting creatives started as a career in talent management, where she got to work with some of the best independent talent in New York City. Seeing a need in the market to empower freelance creatives with the business and marketing skills they needed to thrive, Justine launched her coaching business in 2010 and has not looked back since.

Using her actionable Profitable by Design framework, Justine helps creative entrepreneurs of all stripes and neurotypes identify and articulate their unique value and build a fulfilling, efficient, and profitable creative business.

Contact Justine on her website, download a Free guide: How to get more high -quality clients and get paid what you're worth, or find Justine on Instagram or LinkedIn.

In this episode I have a great conversation with Selena Thiele, the founder of Office Mercenary, about why the key to winning is delegation. She discusses the concept of virtual assistants and the benefits they bring to businesses. She shares her own experience of feeling overwhelmed as a small business owner and how she started Office Mercenary to provide specialized support to entrepreneurs. Selena emphasizes the importance of finding the right virtual assistant and building long-term client relationships. She also highlights the challenges of delegating tasks and setting boundaries. Selena provides insights into the types of tasks Office Mercenary handles and the role of standard operating procedures (SOPs) in effective delegation. She concludes with valuable business advice, including the importance of letting go of perfectionism and striving for good enough.

Key Takeaways

• Virtual assistants can provide specialized support to overwhelmed small business owners.

• Building long-term client relationships is beneficial for both the client and the virtual assistant.

• Delegating tasks and setting boundaries are essential for effective collaboration with a virtual assistant.

• Standard operating procedures (SOPs) can streamline delegation and ensure consistent quality.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 01:02 The Concept of Office Mercenaries 02:23 The Impact of the Pandemic on the Virtual Assistant Industry 03:08 The Importance of Finding the Right Virtual Assistant 04:06 The Benefits of Long-Term Client Relationships 04:49 The Transformation After Delegating Tasks 06:16 The Types of Tasks Office Mercenary Handles 08:42 The Challenges of Delegating and Setting Boundaries 11:05 The Importance of Letting Go and Accepting 85% Quality 13:03 Low-Hanging Fruit for Delegation 15:44 The Definition of a Good Virtual Assistant 17:54 The Role of SOPs and Systems in Delegation 19:59 Misconceptions About Virtual Assistants 22:57 Rapid Fire Questions 25:35 Invaluable Business Advice

Selena Thiele, with her business partner Alyssa, combined their almost 30 years of experience in office administration to found Office Mercenary in 2019. She is an expert in virtual assistance, bookkeeping, business services, and helping business owners get out of their own way. She and the Office Mercenary team provide various services to businesses that help them conquer their day-to-day struggles and focus on the most important goals. Online Business Management services are also provided for those ready to take the next step in growth, organization, and kicking butt. Selena enjoys her pets, travel, video games, reading, and gardening in her spare time.

Contact Selena on her website, Instagram, Facebook, personal LinkedIn, company LinkedIn, or TikTok.

In this episode, I had a great chat with Jared Gibson, co-founder of Outworks.io. Jared takes us through the journey of how Outworks.io came to be and how it shifted its focus to LinkedIn engagement for B2B professionals. We dive into the common struggles small business owners face in drumming up new leads. Originally, Outworks.io was all about email lead generation, but they soon found their sweet spot on LinkedIn. Jared shares why building trust through LinkedIn engagement is key and gives us some tips on what kind of content really clicks on the platform. He also shares some top-level strategy on how to leverage relationship building tactics on LinkedIn to convert comments into sales. Plus, he talks about the importance of having an abundance mindset, being your true authentic self, and the benefits of working with competitors. Don't miss out on Jared's valuable insights!

Key Takeaways

• Outworks started as an email lead generation service before pivoting to focus solely on LinkedIn engagement for B2B professionals. • Building trust through engagement is key on LinkedIn, and it is important to take a networking approach rather than a sales approach. • Posting valuable and authentic content on LinkedIn can help establish credibility and attract engagement. • Optimizing LinkedIn profiles and engaging with other users' posts can help break through the noise and build relationships. • Having an abundance mindset and collaborating with competitors can lead to new opportunities and growth.

Chapters

00:00 Origin of Outworks.io 01:00 Starting with Email Lead Generation 02:27 Pivoting to Focus on LinkedIn 03:42 Combining Email and LinkedIn Strategies 05:11 Posting Organic Content on LinkedIn 06:54 Engaging with the LinkedIn Algorithm 09:26 Types of Content that Work on LinkedIn 11:16 Bringing Authenticity to LinkedIn 13:56 Building Relationships and Trust on LinkedIn 17:07 Breaking Through the Noise on LinkedIn 18:24 Optimizing LinkedIn Profiles 20:18 Having an Abundance Mindset on LinkedIn 23:15 Personal Favorites and Tools 27:39 Invaluable Business Advice

Jared lives in Chicago (with his wife and two kids 5,7) where he is well-networked within the Chicago business community.

He co-founded a company called Outworks. They work with B2B CEOs, Entrepreneurs, and Sales & Marketing leaders who are looking to generate revenue through LinkedIn. He's a big believer in the power of networking on the platform to generate warm leads and has built a healthy engagement system that focuses on relationship-building over pushy sales tactics.

He's spent his career building and scaling businesses using these growth marketing and selling systems and decided to take that experience and provide the same value and support for other small to midsize businesses.

Connect with Jared on LinkedIn or on the Outworks.io website.

In episode 079, I had the pleasure of speaking with Nicole Ayres, founder of Jumpsuit and creator of Jumpboards. After leaving the big agency world to freelance, Nicole built her own thriving agency—Jumpsuit—with zero paid ads and zero employees. She has since developed Jumpboards, a revolutionary end-to-end solution for agencies that streamlines everything from discovery calls to project handoff.

Nicole shares how Jumpboards empowers freelancers to confidently pitch larger projects and helps agencies operationalize business development, scoping, budgeting, and resource allocation. At the heart of her success? A strong belief in her team and a culture of collaboration and empowerment.

This episode is packed with insights for anyone looking to scale their agency or improve operational efficiency. Don’t miss out on Nicole's inspiring story and the game-changing strategies she’s developed!

Key Takeaways

• Building an agency without paid ads or employees is possible by leveraging a network of trusted freelancers. • Jumpboards is a technology that streamlines the agency process and allows freelancers to pitch larger projects. • Trust in your team is crucial for agency success. • Creating a culture of collaboration and empowerment leads to a more fulfilling and productive work environment.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 08:21 Transitioning from Freelancer to Agency Owner 19:19 Introducing Jumpboards 27:31 The Future of Agencies and Freelancing 32:01 Personal Interests and Advice

Nicole Ayres left the big agency, freelanced (500k first year, built an agency with zero paid ads and zero employees that runs itself, now building technology to democratize it all.

Contact Nicole at Jumpsuit Agency or Jauntboards.

In this episode, I got to interview Brooke Sellas, CEO of B Squared Media, a boutique digital marketing agency. We discuss Brooke's journey of starting her agency, the importance of social care, and bridging the gap between marketing and sales. Brooke shares valuable insights and advice for agency owners from her book, “Conversations that Connect.” and insights on how they leverage social care for their clients. We also briefly touched on navigating the intricacies of working side-by-side with a spouse.

Key Takeaways

• Starting an agency requires taking risks and seizing opportunities. • Social care is about acquiring and retaining customers through social media. • Social engagement is crucial for building brand loyalty and trust. • Bridging the gap between marketing and sales is essential for business success.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 03:00 Starting B Squared Media 06:00 Working with Spouse and Team Dynamics 09:00 Brooke's Role as CEO and Visionary 12:00 Defining Social Care 16:00 The Importance of Social Engagement 20:00 Bridging the Gap Between Marketing and Sales 28:00 New Hobbies, Tools, and Business Advice

Brooke Sellas is shaping the future of digital marketing, one conversation at a time. As a CEO, she's the visionary behind B Squared Media, a boutique digital marketing agency that's redefining 'social care' for industry giants like Brother International, Endless Pools, and BCU. With her groundbreaking 2022 book, "Conversations That Connect," she's charting a course for authentic digital interactions. Dive into her insights on the Marketing Agency Show podcast, or from one of two courses she teaches at the University of California, Irvine.

Contact Brooke and download B Squared Media’s 2023 Social Care Report here.

In this episode, I got to talk with Rahul Raj, founder of 5&Vine. They help challenger brands win. It’s in their DNA and their whole reason for showing up each day. Our conversation dug into the nuances of living in your niche, how to define the edge of that niche, and how they evaluate wavering outside of the laser focus of who they work with. Rahul spoke about the inherent risks of being too deeply niched what tier diversification means to them, and how they define it. We went on a side tangent about the lack of authenticity in personal communication, specifically on social media.

Takeaways

• Building a purpose-driven agency focused on helping challenger brands make a positive impact in the world • The importance of authenticity, community, and engagement in brand building • Challenges of staying true to a niche and the risks and opportunities presented by AI • The responsibility of leveraging privilege to help others

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 01:10 The Journey of Five and Vine 05:23 Building Brands that Better the World 06:18 Staying True to a Niche 09:27 The Importance of Authenticity and Learning from Mistakes 11:18 Diversification and Engaging the Team 14:51 The Role of AI in Branding 22:41 Navigating Risks and Opportunities 26:09 Final Thoughts and Rapid Fire Questions

I help Challenger Brands win.

I started 5&Vine to help build, launch and grow meaningful brands that disrupt categories and better society. To date, our impact has helped our partners close over $1.6B in follow on financing, and two have gone public.

My expertise in Challenger Brands was born from my time as CMO at ecobee, where I helped transform the brand from relative obscurity into the #2 thermostat brand in North America with a 30% share and developed a playbook on how Challengers could take down industry incumbents.

I know what a brand needs to take on Goliath. Prior to ecobee, I ran an incubator for Walmart in San Francisco. After seeing an opportunity to extract more value out of products that already existed, I built a refurbishing infrastructure that turned costly customer returns into a multi-billion dollar revenue stream. For these efforts, I was honored with Walmart's Innovation Champion Award, a fellowship with the Aspen Institute, and by GOOD magazine as 1 of 100 people pushing the world forward.

My commitment to bettering the world started when I was young. At the age of 17, I founded and developed Meal Exchange to build healthy, just and environmentally sustainable food systems across Canada. Our work has been recognized by TIME magazine as "revolutionary”.

Today, alongside my work at 5&Vine, I'm actively engaged in inspiring and empowering others to make their own positive impact. As well as being on the Design Team of the Aspen First Movers fellowship, I mentor entrepreneurs at First Round Capital, Tech Stars, the American Marketing Association, the University of Toronto’s Venture Mentoring Program, the Presidio Graduate School, and delivered a TEDx talk on the power of Challenger Thinking.

Contact Rahul at www.5andvine.com

In this episode, I sat down with Aalap Shah from 1o8, a minority-owned digital agency. Aalap shares his journey to agency ownership, starting with his background in accounting and e-commerce. He discusses how he fell in love with marketing and eventually started his own social media agency. Aalap also talks about the recent acquisition of Heart Creative, which adds content production capabilities to 1o8. He emphasizes the importance of the pillars of values that his organization stands for, how culture and community are imperative in his agency, and the value of certifications like being a minority-owned business. Aalap also shares his passion for giving back and his love for running and nature.

Key Takeaways

• Agency ownership can happen by accident, as it did for Aalap Shah, who started his agency after realizing he wanted to work for himself • Acquiring another business can help fill gaps in services and provide new opportunities for growth • Building a strong culture and community within an agency is essential for success • Certifications, such as being a minority-owned business, can open doors and lead to new business opportunities • Giving back to the community and being involved in philanthropic efforts can be a valuable part of an agency's mission • Finding a hobby or activity, like running, can provide personal fulfillment and balance in the midst of running a business

Chapters

00:00 Accidental Agency Ownership 05:35 The Meaning Behind 1o8 09:35 Building Pillars of Expertise 13:36 Driving Consumer-Based Traffic 22:33 The Power of Looker Studio for GA4 26:27 The Value of Niching Down

Aalap Shah is a Chicago-born entrepreneur, public speaker, philanthropist, and the founder of 1o8, a fresh digital marketing start-up focused on deepening brand awareness and increasing sales for amazon + e-commerce companies nationwide. Aalap and his team at 1o8 have worked with companies like Gildan, Sweet Leaf Tea, Vetnique Labs, OHi Superfood Bars and Tio Gazpacho—just to name a few.

Aalap happily shares his personal entrepreneurial story and his passion for crafting digital strategy, creating content, navigating the ever-evolving digital marketplace, and captaining the entrepreneurs’ life at events far and wide. As a registered CPA and the child of Indian immigrant-entrepreneurs, business is a key part of Aalap’s DNA and integral to his own personal American Dream. Aalap started his first business, a toy store, at the age of 23. Maneuvering the marketplace while building his business’ brand awareness sparked a love of marketing and promotion. Aalap worked in digital marketing for years thereafter, and is now the strategic brain behind 1o8, an amazon and ecomm focused growth agency in Chicago.

He has served as a keynote speaker, workshop moderator, and panelist at engagements with the National Business Education Association, Clickz, Social Media Week, Media Post, and Bloggers Week Summit and for companies such as Sears, Northwestern University, and DePaul University.

Contact Aalap on his website for 1o8 Agency, Heart Creative, or on LinkedIn.

In this episode I got to sit with Mary Ann Pruitt, CEO and president of Mosaic Media, and discuss the need for specialized media buying expertise in the agency space. She explains how Mosaic Media helps agencies by providing media buying services without the high overhead costs. Mary Ann emphasizes the importance of collaboration and partnership between agencies and specialized service providers. She also discusses the evolution of media consumption and the impact of COVID-19 on media habits. Mary Ann recommends the book 'Miracle Morning' and advises listeners to trust their gut instincts in business.

Key Takeaways

• Specialized media buying expertise is crucial in the agency space to optimize return on investment.

• Collaboration and partnership between agencies and specialized service providers can lead to stronger client outcomes.

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated changes in media consumption habits, with older generations embracing online platforms and younger generations rediscovering traditional media.

• The book 'Miracle Morning' offers valuable insights on establishing morning routines for personal and professional growth.

• Trusting your gut instincts is important in business decision-making.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

07:01 The High Overhead Costs of Media

13:04 The Impact of Data and Micro-Targeting

27:24 Hobbies, Tools, and Business Advice

Mary Ann Pruitt is the CEO and President at Mosaic Media, a collection of media-buying experts and creative strategists who negotiate, purchase, and monitor advertising space and airtime. Mary Ann started her career in media by working as a senior sales executive for some of the nation’s largest media outlets. After discovering her talent and love for all things media strategy, she founded Mosaic as a way to provide niche expert experience to agencies and marketing departments across the country.

Her hard work and savvy strategy skills have led Mosaic to year-over-year growth, and have expanded her impact as an industry leader in all things traditional, digital, and everything in between. Reflecting this is a 2020 award from Cynopsis Media naming her as a Top Woman in Media.

Mary Ann has helped develop effective marketing strategies for agencies of all sizes, small businesses, service businesses, private educational institutions, and legal and professional services businesses along

with many others. She is passionate about passing on the experience that she has gained to eager professionals looking for actionable marketing tips.

Contact Mary Ann on her website.

In Episode 57, I had the privilege of sitting down with the dynamic duo behind Casa Davka – Emily Cohen and Hunter Vargas. This episode is jam-packed with valuable insights for agency owners looking to master their positioning, niching, and client relationships. We dive deep into strategic approaches for expanding expertise and fostering stronger client connections. From navigating business development to addressing harmful industry practices, we cover it all. We also explore the evolving landscape of remote work and its impact on team effectiveness, while emphasizing the importance of fair compensation and trust-building in remote agencies. Plus, we discuss the advantages of global talent, vertical niching strategies, achieving work-life balance, and fostering a culture of trust. As always, expect a no-nonsense conversation that cuts through the noise. Don't miss out on this episode!

Key Takeaways

• Clients are taking longer to close deals, so patience is key.

• Strategy is becoming increasingly important in the design industry.

• Ethical business practices, such as fair contracts and pricing, are crucial.

Work-life balance and setting boundaries are essential for personal and professional well-being.

• Capturing metrics is important to measure success and prove the value of design.

• Take action and don't wait for perfection.Chapters

Emily Cohen, Founder & Partner at Casa Davka, is a no-nonsense business consultant who has partnered with 500+ leading creative firms worldwide. At Casa Davka, Emily offers customized business solutions to creative businesses so they are able to: envision and plan for their future, position themselves to stay competitive, attract and qualify new business prospects and talent, refine, evolve, and elevate their organizational structure and reimagine existing processes to increase efficiency and effectiveness.

Emily is a frequently requested main stage speaker within the creative industry and has spoken at hundreds of international, national, and local conferences and events for organizations such as Creative Mornings, AIGA, Association of Registered Graphic Designers (RGD), and Creative South.

In 2018, she self-published her business book for creatives, Brutally Honest: No-bullshit business strategies to evolve your creative business. Brutally Honest has become a go-to business book for creative industry professionals worldwide and several universities use it as a teaching tool.

Emily is a designer by degree, an avid reader, a dog-lover, a trend-spotter, a connection-builder, and an industry advocate.

After working with multiple creative firms, Hunter officially joined Emily’s practice in Summer 2022 to grow our practice, elevate our offerings, and provide a fresh perspective to our clients. Her experience as a marketer, project manager, client partner, and business development manager paired with her on-the-ground insight and unique, younger perspective is a huge asset to our consulting practice. Hunter truly knows our industry inside and out.

She also happens to be Emily’s daughter and can read her mind so they work together seamlessly, complementing each other in many ways.

Contact Casa Davka on their website, or Emily or Hunter’s LinkedIn pages.

In this episode, Wayne Pelletier, founder of Resonant Pixel Co, discusses the process of productizing agency services and the benefits it brings. He shares his journey from being a marketing assistant to launching his own agency and explains why he chose to focus on Squarespace as the platform for his services. Wayne emphasizes the importance of niching down and serving a specific audience, as well as the mindset shift required to transition from a project-based model to a subscription-based model. He also highlights the challenges and rewards of productization and the potential for scalability and growth.

Key Takeaways

• Productizing agency services involves niching down and focusing on a specific audience or platform.

• A subscription-based model can provide more predictable revenue and eliminate the feast and famine cycle of project-based work.

• Choosing the right platform, such as Squarespace, can offer stability, scalability, and the ability to hire predictably for talent.

• Productization requires a mindset shift from being a designer to being a business owner, focusing on access to expertise and lifetime value.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Pronunciation 08:10 Transitioning to a Subscription-Based Model 12:54 The Benefits of Productization and Lifetime Value 23:04 Serving Small Businesses and Providing Relief

Wayne came up working at world-renowned digital agencies as a designer, art director, and creative director. He has helped some of the world's best brands with award-winning strategic design and customer experiences. After 24 years of agency life, he founded Resonant Pixel Company in 2020 and is helping small businesses go beyond brochure-ware websites. And he's doing it with a productized subscription business model.

Contact Wayne on his website or on LinkedIn.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jacob Cass from JUST Creative about his remarkable journey from digital nomad and designer to his current roles as an agency owner, educator, and blogger. We delve into how Jacob manages to juggle multiple ventures while maintaining focus and standing out in the industry. His pursuit of creative freedom drives him to embrace new technologies and innovative ideas, such as the AI bots he's developed to support branding efforts for agencies. We also explore topics like affiliate marketing, value-based pricing, marketplace positioning, and more. Tune in for the full conversation and gain insights from Jacob's wealth of experience!

Key Takeaways

• Embrace AI in design and see how it can improve your process and productivity.

• Diversify your revenue streams to create a more stable and sustainable business.

• Consider value-based pricing to reflect the value you bring to clients rather than charging by the hour.

• Reflect, recalibrate, and refocus regularly to adapt to changes in the market and set new goals.

• Try new tools and don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

08:24 The Role of Design in Jacob's Business

23:55 Experimenting with Tools and Embracing Change

Jacob Cass is a brand designer, strategist, educator, podcaster, business coach, community builder, and the founder of JUST Creative, a branding & design consultancy that doubles as an industry-leading blog and community.

Jacob helps grow brands strategically and has worked for clients such as Disney, Nintendo, and Jerry Seinfeld however he is now focused on bringing this global brand experience to smaller businesses.

For Jacob, design is a lifelong journey of continuously honing his craft, as well as empowering other fellow designers & entrepreneurs to build on theirs, which has allowed him to build a large and loyal following, including his JUST Creative website which has been viewed over 70 million times.

Jacob has spoken at TEDx and been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, and a number of high-profile design books including The Best of Logo Lounge Master Series.

Jacob holds a Bachelor of Visual Communication (Graphic Design Major) from The University of Newcastle, Sydney, Australia, and a Brand Master Certification from Brand Master Academy, and over 17 years of experience in the industry with multiple awards on his belt.

Jacob co-hosts the JUST Branding Podcast which helps designers & entrepreneurs grow brands.

He also coaches creatives in his Inner Triangle Coaching Program, either 1:1 or in a group mastermind setting. Yahoo! recently declared him as the “Best Brand Coach”.

Jacob also runs the membership community Exponential Creatives which helps creatives grow exponentially.

Jacob is a digital nomad and travels the world now isolated in Sydney with his family of four while running JUST Creative.

He has visited 88 countries thus far with travel guides most of them available at his travel blog, JUST Globetrotting.

Contact Justin on his website, listen to his podcast, download his newsletter.

In this episode, I got to sit with Mark Riggs from Pemberton, a consultant and coach for agencies. He shares his insights on shifting from the RFP rat race to building organic growth of existing and new clients. He emphasizes the importance of solving client problems and being proactive in account growth. Mark discusses the need to set expectations with clients from the beginning and continuously communicate and collaborate with them. He also highlights the value of focusing on organic growth and investing the same energy and innovation into existing clients as in winning new business. Mark advises agency owners to start out with defined principles and have patience in their journey. Tune in to hear his top secrets on nailing organic account growth.

Key Takeaways

• Focus on solving client problems and being proactive in account growth.

• Set expectations with clients from the beginning and continuously communicate and collaborate with them.

• Invest the same energy and innovation into existing clients as in winning new business.

• Start out with defined principles and have patience in your agency journey.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:04 Shift in Biz Dev and Account Growth

09:36 Setting Expectations and Scoping

14:21 Operational Scoping and Profitability

23:08 Lessons from Marketing During Downturns

25:49 Invaluable Business Advice

Mark is the founder and CEO of Pemberton which is a management consultancy that exists to be the go-to resource for marketing/communications agencies to discover and reveal pathways to organic growth while changing the mindset of an RFP-obsessed industry.

Before starting Pemberton, Mark spent 20-plus years in the agency world working for IPG’s Mullen Lowe, an Ad Age A-List Agency, Taylor, the Holmes Report’s Consumer Agency of the Decade, MWWPR and French/West/Vaughan, the Southeast’s largest independent agency.

Mark has spent a career learning the art of integrated communication developing and executing award-winning consumer programs for brands and companies like Allstate, Honda, Ford, Kimberly-Clark, Polaris, Coke, Diageo, RJ Reynolds, SunTrust Banks, the U.S. Navy, the Atlantic Coast Conference and ESPN, to name a few.

Mark has a reputation as a business-builder and a strategic counselor and has experience in leading client services, insights and planning functions, as well as developing talent. A creative thinker and problem-solver, Mark believes that great thinking can “come from anywhere,” it’s the ability to harness it and leverage it for clients that makes the intellectual property of the agency valuable and an integral part of the marketing mix.

Contact Mark on his website, his personal LinkedIn, or his company LinkedIn.

In this episode, I got to speak to Nick Pretroski from Promethean Research and we dig into the topic of recurring revenue generation for agencies. Nick breaks down some Revgen strategies and talks about how essential it is to build a machine (AKA a system that works for YOU) that companies can use to repeatedly generate new leads, converting them into sales, bringing them through delightful delivery processes, and turning them into evangelists. We talk about the four key areas of Revgen and the owners’ role in these areas, and ways to shift some of those responsibilities off of the owner's plate to expand the efforts of the team. Nick also lays out some of the key metrics to keep your eye on to measure the results of your RevGen efforts.

Key Takeaways

• Having a system in place for repeatable revenue generation (RevGen) is crucial for digital agencies to grow reliably and with higher margins. • Transitioning from a practitioner role to a business development leadership role is essential for agency owners to focus on strategic growth. • The RevGen system consists of four roles: biz dev, sales, account management, and marketing, each responsible for specific stages of the client lifecycle. • Avoiding bloated spending and tracking key metrics are important for the success of the RevGen system. • Being methodical in building a RevGen system can help alleviate stress and make running a business easier.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 03:44 Understanding Repeatable RevGen 09:14 Transitioning from Practitioner to Biz Dev Leadership 13:49 The Four Roles in the RevGen System 16:18 Implementing the RevGen System 20:16 Key Metrics for RevGen Success 24:16 Hobbies and New Tools 26:01 Valuable Business Advice

I’m Nick. I run Promethean. A boutique consultancy that helps digital agencies grow more reliably with higher margins and simpler operations.

Since 2015, I’ve been helping digital firms better understand their industry and chart more effective paths to success.

Prior to co-founding Promethean, I worked as an equity analyst at a Wall St. firm where I covered the enterprise software and semiconductor industries. Before that, I spent a bit of time in corporate finance.

When I’m not in the office, you can find me backpacking around the Midwest or making fancy firewood in my woodshop.

Contact Nick on his website, on LinkedIn, or learn about repeatable RevGen for Digital Agencies here.

In this episode, I got to talk to Tracy Goodheart from The PR Accelerator about her journey from being a journalist to helping individuals and brands attract sustained media attention without a publicist. She discusses the evolution of social media and its impact on journalism, emphasizing the importance of earned media over social media for brand credibility. Tracy also highlights the value of creating a messaging system and leveraging ghostwriting to elevate thought leadership within agencies. She advises agency owners to seek external validation and shares her insights on standout strategies in the marketplace.

Key Takeaways

• Earned media is more valuable than social media for brand credibility. • Creating a messaging system can help streamline communication and ensure consistency. • Ghostwriting can elevate thought leadership within agencies and humanize senior leadership. • Seeking external validation can boost self-confidence and protect against workplace bullying.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 03:16 The Evolution of Social Media and Journalism 06:46 Leveraging Social Media and Earned Media 09:21 Creating a Messaging System 10:59 Ghostwriting and Thought Leadership 13:30 The Impact of Ghostwriting on Agency Culture 20:36 Random Rapid-Fire Questions 24:06 Invaluable Business Advice

Tracy Samantha Goodheart is the founder of The PR Accelerator, a different kind of PR company. Simply put, she helps individuals and brands nail their messaging and attract positive, sustained media attention without a publicist. She also teaches marketing globally for the University of Chicago and has advised more than 75 brands on their marketing and communications.

A journalist by training, Tracy has 15 years of media experience working in every type of newsroom. She began her career as a reporter at TIME Magazine, where she covered the rise of Facebook and developed new methods for reporting breaking news. She also created a blog network for the Chicago Tribune, led global social media strategy for Crain Communications – the publisher of titles like Ad Age, InvestmentNews, and Modern Healthcare – and has trained hundreds of working journalists how to find original story ideas. Tracy has also been a frequent TV commentator and taught graduate journalism school.

A Chicago native, she now lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where she and her husband are renovating a historic general store and starting a lavender farm.

Contact Tracy through her website or on LinkedIn.

In episode 078, Jhana Li, founder of Spyglass Ops, shares her inspiring journey from living van life to building her own successful operations consulting company. She talks about how she helps agency owners scale their businesses while regaining personal freedom by mastering the power of operations.

Jhana highlights how crucial operations are for growth and profitability, explaining how optimizing team performance, delegating tasks effectively, and implementing solid systems and processes allow founders to focus on high-value activities that drive real results. This episode is packed with practical insights for anyone looking to scale their agency while building a more efficient, sustainable business.

Key Takeaways

• Operations is crucial for scaling an agency and maximizing profitability. • Optimizing team performance and implementing systems and processes are key to success. • Founders should focus on high-value activities and delegate tasks to free up time. • Raising the bar for success and setting higher standards can lead to team growth and success.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 03:04 The Importance of Operations in Scaling 08:23 Maximizing Team Performance 17:23 Raising the Bar for Success

Jhana Li, founder of Spyglass Ops. Jhana started as a COO for multiple startups - while living van life. After seeing countless founders stall out & trap themselves without the proper Operations, 3 years ago Jhana decided to start Spyglass Ops. Since then she has helped more than 100 businesses scale past 7 & 8-figures. Through Operations consulting, recruitment, and training, Spyglass Ops empowers founders to simultaneously scale their businesses while regaining their personal freedom.

Jhana Li started as a COO for multiple startups (while simultaneously traveling full-time in a converted van through N & S America). After seeing countless founders stall out & trap themselves without the proper Operations, 3 years ago Jhana decided to start her own company, Spyglass Ops. Since then she has helped 100+ businesses scale past 7 & 8-figures. Through Operations consulting, recruitment, and training, Spyglass Ops empowers founders to simultaneously scale their businesses while regaining their personal freedom.

Contact Jhana on their website, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

In episode 051, I had the great privilege of speaking with my long-time friend, Debra Rizzi, partner and president of Rizco, a women-owned brand-led marketing agency. We got to discuss the launch and evolution of her agency nearly 25 years ago, the benefits of becoming a certified woman-owned business, and the integration of new tools and processes like EOS. She emphasizes the importance of community involvement and maintaining core values and culture in her agency. She also talks about her day-to-day responsibilities and offers business advice, including the significance of gratitude and self-acknowledgment.

Key Takeaways

• Launching a business can arise from unexpected circumstances and opportunities. • Becoming a certified woman-owned business can open doors and provide access to funding and resources. • Integrating new tools and processes can enhance efficiency and effectiveness. • Community involvement and maintaining core values and culture are essential for long-term success. • Expressing gratitude and acknowledging personal achievements are important for personal and professional growth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 01:08 The Launch of Rizco 05:47 Certification as a Women-Owned Business 07:04 Benefits of Women-Owned Business Certification 09:34 Integration of New Tools and Processes 10:17 Business Development Opportunities 12:40 Involvement in the Community 20:53 Day-to-Day Responsibilities 25:23 Binging and New Tools 27:15 Business Advice 29:36 Gratitude and Self-Acknowledgment 29:59 Closing Remarks

Debra Rizzi has over 25 years of experience in developing brand strategies for local, national, and international companies. She is a partner and president of Rizco, a woman-owned, brand-led marketing agency, which she co-founded in 2000.

Upon graduating from Bucknell University, Debra worked in the finance department of corporate Lord & Taylor. Later, she managed the creative department of the global public relations firm, Porter Novelli.

Debra is a past NJ Biz “40 Under 40” recipient and 2020 NJBIZ’s “50 Best Women in Business” Award. She is a member of many business organizations, currently serves on Wall High School’s Business and Finance Academy’s Advisory Board, and served 8 years on Bucknell University’s Alumni Association Board of Directors.

On a personal level, Debra’s partner in life and in business is her husband, Keith, and together they balance the lives of their three daughters, Mia, Marley, and Monroe.

Contact Debra through her agency website, Facebook, Instagram, or on Linkedin.

With the launch of Season Two of Agency Bytes, I'm thrilled to introduce an extraordinary guest for this momentous occasion – Ilise Benun from Marketing Mentor. Ilise is not only a longtime friend but also someone I've admired for decades. In this episode, I had the privilege of delving into Ilise's invaluable insights on her "Simplest Marketing Plan" and how she guides creative professionals to success by helping them focus and identify their market. We discuss the importance of cultivating a deep, focused niche and Ilise lays out actionable steps to achieve this.

Ilise believes that building your business should be enjoyable and shares her observations on why many agency owners struggle with their marketing efforts due to being too close to their businesses. We dissect the difference between horizontal and vertical niches, exploring how the latter can significantly boost marketing endeavors. Ilise also emphasizes the significance of sub-niches and provides guidance on expanding into new niches.

Furthermore, Ilise outlines her comprehensive program focusing on marketing, money, and mindset, identifying these as key areas of weakness for most creatives. We also challenge the notion that referrals are always beneficial and discuss strategies to overcome complacency in business development.

Tune in to uncover some of the invaluable secrets Ilise has accumulated over her more than 30 years as a creative business coach. This episode is packed with actionable insights and wisdom you won't want to miss!

For the past 35 years, Ilise Benun has made it her business to teach basic business skills – that is mindset, money, and marketing – to creative professionals and solopreneurs who should have learned them in school but, alas, did not because it’s not taught in school. This has, for years, perpetuated a “starving artist” mentality amongst creative professionals, who are naturally talented and could easily bring their creativity to the business side of their business, if only they knew how. That’s the mission she’s on with all of her work through marketing-mentor.com, including The Simplest Marketing Plan, The Marketing Mentor Podcast, 7 books including The Creative Professional’s Guide to Money, multiple online courses for Creative Live and Domestika.org and much more.

Contact Ilise: https://bit.ly/agencyoutsight-qt https://www.marketing-mentor.com/ https://quicktips.marketing-mentor.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/iliseben

In this episode, I had the privilege of speaking with Robert Patin, an agency expert and coach from Creative Agency Success. Robert's expertise centers on benchmarks and the comprehensive analysis of agency performance, emphasizing measurable metrics. Together, we explore key metrics that every agency should be monitoring. We delve into the absence of essential systems that many "accidental" agency owners overlook at different stages of their business evolution.

Robert guides us through activities that can optimize agency operations, aiding in the focus on ideal clients and the reasons behind those choices. During our discussion on agency differentiation, Robert candidly points out that most agencies tend to sound alike, offering valuable insights on how to authentically stand out in a crowded market.

Robert Patin is the founder of Creative Agency Success, a consulting firm dedicated to helping creative agencies scale. Robert is known for being a deeply inquisitive and analytical leader with a distinct ability to devise solutions that elevate companies and lifestyles. He is a two-time international best-selling author and is passionate about sharing his next-level strategies so that creative agency leaders will find fulfillment and growth.

Contact Robert and download agency freebies here.

In Episode 48, I engaged in an enlightening conversation with Kelly Berrk, a passionate advocate for brand strategy and yoga. We explored Kelly's journey of resetting after experiencing burnout, and the profound impact it had on her creative inspiration following a much-needed period of refocus. Kelly delved into the concept of brand therapy, an integral part of her brand strategy process, influenced by her commitment to self-care and life balance. She shared insights on how these practices serve as tools to connect the dots, helping brands articulate their messages and define their "why" and purpose.

Throughout the episode, Kelly emphasized the importance of exploration and connection with others to identify the common thread that ties together brands and relationships. She encouraged listeners to reflect on how they are fostering connections, practicing empathy, and building bridges to create meaningful openings in both professional and personal spheres.

Kelly is an entrepreneur, writer, and teacher who is interested in the study of consciousness and introspection. She is a brand strategist working with agencies and brands operating in the health, wellness, and lifestyle markets. Her background leading marketing and communications teams at public relations agencies, tech startups, and lifestyle brands in combination with her functional movement expertise through the disciplines of yoga, Pilates, and bodywork – fun fact she was the lead curator of the yoga program at the U.S. Department of State and teacher to athletes including the Washington Mystics – informs the way in which she approaches developing brand stories and verbal brand identities for her clients.

Contact Kelly on her website or Instagram.

In this episode, I got to speak with Dan Antonelli, President and Chief Creative Officer of KickCharge Creative. Dan’s agency is by far one of the most deeply niched teams I know of, literally owning the home service branding space and having written the book on it. Dan and I dug into the difference his agency saw once they declared ownership over that space, stopped chasing service-based work that they didn’t find profitable, and rebranded themselves to drink their own cool-aid. Dan experienced a near-death event a few years ago and he spoke about how that was a driving force for him to realign some of his priorities and team structure so they can have more impact and help more people. He also shared how that led to selling some equity in the agency by bringing on a partner this summer and the benefits that will have for KickCharge. Lastly, Dan’s team faces regular copyright infringement, mostly from freelancers stealing their designs and using them as their own. Dan shares how they deal with that, as well as what not to do in instances like that.

Dan Antonelli is the President and Chief Creative Officer of KickCharge Creative, an award-winning New Jersey-based branding agency that specializes in helping home service businesses redefine themselves and stand out with disruptive brands. Dan is a nationally recognized speaker and expert on home service branding, with several books on branding to his credit, including Building a Big Small Business Brand and his new Amazon best-selling book, Branded Not Branded: KickCharge Your Home Service Brand. During more than 25 years running his own agency, Dan’s marketing expertise has been featured on MSNBC and in industry magazines including Entrepreneur, SignCraft, HVACR Business, Plumbing & Mechanical, and Contracting Business, among many others. His signature wrap style that integrates disruptive branding has served as a model for superior home service fleet branding throughout the world. With more than 2,000 home service brands under his belt, Dan and his team have overseen the branding of more home service businesses than any other brand agency in the world.

Contact Dan on his website, LinkedIn, and Instagram, or grab a copy of his book.

In this episode, I got to speak with Alyson Caffrey of Operations Agency about how she works with agencies to operationalize their business, allowing owners to live a life outside of their agency. She introduced her new book, The Sabbatical Method: How to Leverage Rest and Grow Your Business in our conversation and talks about the need for rest, repair, and rejuvenation after working hard and breaking things. Tune in to learn why she’s often referred to as “The Wolf” by her clients.

Alyson Caffrey is the founder of Operations Agency, co-creator of the Operations Simplified™ Framework, and best-selling author of The Sabbatical Method: How to Leverage Rest and Grow Your Business. She's commonly called ‘The Wolf' among her clients because she just gets sh*t done. Alyson is best known for helping streamline the back-end ops for many brands and digital and creative agencies.

As a fractional COO for many high-growth businesses, Alyson fell in love with the results that clear ops bring to a service business. She and the team at Operations Agency are determined to help businesses thrive profitably, serve more clients, and create high-performing teams. Alyson is a mom to two sons and enjoys spending time at home with her growing family.

Contact Alyson on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, her website, LinkedIn, or her personal Instagram.

In this episode, Leslie Compacho introduces us to EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System). As an EOS implementer working with agencies, Leslie shares the benefits of implementing such a system. Leslie shares how EOS, or a system like it, can get an agency ready for scaling by helping build a leadership team that is all rowing in the same direction, towards the same vision while giving visibility to properly prioritized goals, and how to lead meetings that have true substance and encourage difficult decisions where teams are supporting each others challenges.

Leslie is a Professional EOS Implementer® with 25+ years leading entrepreneurial companies as an owner, CEO, COO/Integrator, and coach. He helps teams implement a simple set of tools and principles to get them in charge and control of their business so they can have a big impact and build a legacy that honors their values — without sacrificing themselves, their team, and especially their families.

Contact Leslie on Linkedin or his website.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of conversing with Ilia Markov, the head of the marketing team at Toggl, a widely-used time-tracking tool. Together, we explore the dynamic realm of time-tracking and challenge the notion that it's a dull subject. Brace yourself for a deep dive into the advantages of meticulous time tracking, emphasizing its significance as a top-down, culturally-driven initiative within a team. Drawing from his agency background, Ilia shares valuable insights into optimal practices for agency time tracking, shedding light on how they foster more efficient teams, heightened capacity awareness, robust utilization support, and enhanced forecasting accuracy. Tune in for a fresh perspective on the excitement inherent in mastering the art of time tracking.

Ilia is leading the Toggl marketing team on a mission to help knowledge-based service businesses bring transparency to their time, bill clients with precision, and plan capacity and utilization free of stress and burnout. He believes agencies, consultancies, and everyone who sells their time only stand to benefit from understanding how their time is spent.

Contact Ilia on Twitter, LinkedIn, or grab a discount on Toggl – use code “BRIEFS” for 20% off any annual plan for new clients, good through Feb. 11, 2024

In this episode, I had the pleasure of conversing with Liz Young, the founder of StudioLabs, a 20-year-old custom software development agency with 45 dedicated team members. Liz's journey began in a unique way when, at the age of 25, she launched her agency on the spot in her first client's lobby. At that time, she was among the few women in the industry. In this episode, she shares the intriguing story of StudioLabs' inception and how she now leads the agency.

Liz delves into the day-to-day operations of the agency, highlighting the systems that keep everything running smoothly. She emphasizes the agency's deliberate efforts to cultivate strong leaders and maintain a vibrant company culture. Tune in to gain insights into how Liz has transformed StudioLabs from a trusted resource for other agencies into a powerhouse that develops software solutions for some of the world's most prominent brands.

After graduating from the University of Hartford as a two-sport D1 athlete, majoring in graphic design and minoring in illustration, Liz started her career in New York City with work ranging from digital design to illustration and storyboarding. Along the way, she learned frontend web development technologies and began building the things she designed. Liz’s passion for technology grew and began to change the way she approached creative conception and execution.

From 2000 until 2003, Liz was fortunate enough to have been part of an incredibly talented, visionary team of creative and engineering professionals who hopped from the agency world, to the publishing world, and back to the agency world again, creating award-winning digital products for Fortune 500 companies and some of the world’s most recognizable brands. It was as part of this team that Liz had the opportunity to help design and build the world’s first-ever live webcast of an international sporting event - the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

In 2003, at the age of 25, Liz founded StudioLabs, a product design and development studio that focuses on creative technology. Through her work at StudioLabs, she has helped create software applications, mobile applications, websites, games, and other digital products for clients such as Estee Lauder and ESPN, and she’s partnered with some of the world’s most talented creative teams at agencies like Ogilvy & Mather and RG/A.

Liz’s current responsibilities as CEO and Creative Director have her tasked with leading both creative strategy and business operations. She works hand-in-hand with the StudioLabs internal team and the client-side stakeholders, ensuring that the team is delivering well-designed, smart, engaging digital products that resonate with the end user.

Liz is also a co-founder, board member, and investor in multiple other companies and startups, predominantly in the SaaS (Software as a Service) industry.

Contact Liz.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of conversing with Claire Hutchings from Chime Agency in the UK, renowned as the marketing agency for agencies. Claire and her team have developed a remarkable agency benchmark, showcasing how an agency can effectively create content for thought leadership and pipeline development. At the time of this recording, Chime had witnessed an astounding 100X increase in revenue in its pipeline. Furthermore, they secured speaking engagements and other opportunities, all stemming from this thought leadership initiative. Claire delves into the investment her agency made in this project and reveals the remarkable return on investment (ROI) it yielded. Spoiler alert: It's a no-brainer!

Claire is on a mission to solve the challenge all agencies face – their own marketing. She has 15 years of experience spanning boutique independents like We Are Collider, HLabs, Climbing Trees, and Quickfire Digital to global networked agencies Publicis Groupe, Hotwire, and Fleishman Hillard.

She has a passion for content, bridging strategy and delivery seamlessly bringing her extensive agency knowledge to all of Chime Agency’s clients.

Claire won Best New Business at the 2022 Women’s Business Awards and was Commended at the Global Women in Marketing Awards 2022.

Contact Claire on Linkedin, the Chime Agency website, the Chime Agency LinkedIn page, or grab your copy of the Agency Marketing Report.

Episode 077 features David Durer, an expert in training and development. He shares insights on empowering people to reach their maximum speaking potential. He discusses the principles of adult learning theory, including ownership, complexity, and primacy and recency. He also provides tips for engaging virtual audiences and delivering impactful presentations. David emphasizes the importance of understanding the audience, practicing, and using relatable stories. He also highlights the challenges of virtual presentations and suggests incorporating theater of the mind techniques. Lastly, he advises taking things one step at a time and not getting overwhelmed.

Key Takeaways

• Understand your audience and deliver your message in a way that connects with them. • Practice, practice, practice to improve your presentation skills. • Use relatable stories to engage your audience and make complex concepts more understandable. • In virtual presentations, incorporate theater of the mind techniques to compensate for the lack of visual and auditory cues. • Take things one step at a time and avoid getting overwhelmed.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 03:46 The Principles of Adult Learning Theory 07:08 Engaging Virtual Audiences and Delivering Impactful Presentations 16:17 The Importance of Opening and Closing a Presentation 26:18 Advice for Business Professionals

With over 30 years of experience in training and development, instructional design, leadership, corporate training, public speaking, and an expert in the Adult Learning Theory, David is passionate about empowering people to reach their maximum speaking potential.

Known for his engaging style and ability to connect with his audience, David is in high demand as a speaker and trainer at industry conferences, corporate events, and educational institutions nationwide.

He has a knack for simplifying complex concepts and delivering practical insights that enable his clients to elevate their presentation skills.

Contact David on his website, on LinkedIn, or grab his free eBook, “Eight Principles of Engagement”

In this engaging episode, I'm joined by fellow agency coach Danielle Fauteaux for an insightful conversation about the world of agencies. We dive deep into the importance of niche specialization and how it can transform agency dynamics. Danielle shares valuable insights on how agencies can harness their niches to establish a stronger position, and effectively direct their marketing efforts within that space. We explore how this strategic niche focus can steer agencies away from the common "new business plateau" and optimize their overall operations.

Danielle also reveals her approach to helping agencies not only grow but also cultivate resilience and stability. Much like my philosophy, she empowers agency owners to define their unique vision of success and lets that vision guide their strategic efforts. Tune in for a rich discussion on agency dynamics and how to chart a course for lasting success.

Danielle is passionate about helping creatives recognize their value and place in this world; passionate about helping leaders regain control over their responsibilities; passionate about encouraging others to live more meaningful lives; and passionate about doing more with less.

While serving in support, client-facing, and leadership roles at multiple agencies, Danielle realized nobody really knows what they are doing; everyone’s just doing the best that they know how.

From there, she became determined to participate in the iterative building and optimization of various agencies to “level up” the entire ecosystems they likewise service through their own books of business.

A fellow agency coach, Danielle guides agencies through the Momentum Framework to achieve their revenue and profit goals while falling back in love with the mission they originally set out with.

Contact Danielle and listen to her podcast on her website.

In this episode, I had a fascinating conversation with Ben Guttmann, the author of "Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win – and How to Design Them." We delved into Ben's journey of founding, managing, and eventually selling his agency, Digital Natives. He discussed the strategic steps they took during the agency's exit, including segmenting sales with different partners to ensure every employee found a new job and every client had a smooth transition. Ben also shared valuable insights into the reasons and goals behind exiting and acquisitions, offering guidance for those considering a similar path.

Additionally, we explored Ben's role as a professor at Baruch College, discovering why it's more than just a paycheck for him – it's a fulfilling passion. He discussed his aspiration to become an author and what drove him to write his book. Furthermore, Ben emphasized how his agency experience equipped him with the necessary tools for a successful writing endeavor. Tune in for the full story and gain valuable insights from our conversation.

Ben Guttmann is a marketing and communications expert and author of Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win — and How to Design Them. He’s an experienced marketing executive and educator on a mission to get leaders to more effectively connect by simplifying their message. Ben is a former co-founder and managing partner at Digital Natives Group, an award-winning agency that worked with the NFL, I Love NY, Comcast NBCUniversal, Hachette Book Group, The Nature Conservancy, and other major clients. Ben teaches digital marketing at Baruch College in New York City and consults with a range of thought leaders, venture-backed startups, and other brands.

Contact Ben on LinkedIn or grab his book or sample chapter.

In this episode I got to speak to Steve Jeffreys from Your Shift from across the pond. We dug into how his big agency experience led to his big shift and why he made the life changing shift of focus into helping develop people into breakthrough leaders. He outlines some of the aspects that define a true breakthrough leader - in and out of the agency space. Steve believes that everyone on the team has the ability to be a creative force for good and how that can help a recruitment team can lean into raw talent of candidates. He believes there’s no better way to build the leaders of tomorrow than by asking them to “give things a think” and encourage them to be curious so they can learn to be brave.

Steve Jeffreys spent 18 years in marketing agencies leading client relationships across Financial Services, Telecoms, Retail, and Not-for-profit. Through this, he found that his passion lay with connecting with and developing people - something he now does full time in his work helping people in their first step up into leadership - in the marketing industry and beyond.

Contact Steve on his website or LinkedIn.

In this episode, Traci and I talk a lot about what drives people to make life-changing shifts in their lives, whether being personal or professional. And how people can look at their lives to see if they’re living them with intention and significance. Traci shares about the ups and downs of being part of the launch of a billion-dollar media empire and what her driving force to suddenly leave that life to live one of more significance is. We talked about how success is different for everyone and how Traci’s program and book help people find better paths forward than being driven by success.

Traci Schubert Barrett is an author, speaker, business owner, and podcast host. She is the President and founder of Navigate the Journey, a business consulting firm that comes alongside entrepreneurial companies helping them scale their businesses and build healthy teams and leaders. She was also one of the founders of the national cable television network HGTV. She enjoyed the amazing ride of taking a fledgling idea and turning it into a billion-dollar media empire. She spent over 20 years in the television industry before taking the leap of faith to create a new path. She writes about that journey in her new book, What If There’s More? Finding Significance Beyond Success.

Contact Traci on their websites, tracischubertbarrett.com, and navigatethejourney.com.

In this episode, I got to speak with Owen Williams from Outside Lines, a creative industry talent strategy and recruitment company. We spent time talking about how Outside Lines helps transform agencies with their experience in building solid and nimble teams. Owen shares how important it is to focus on roles that develop skills in rising stars and how lessons can be learned from all experiences, no matter how good or bad they seem to be. He breaks down how vital it is to approach recruitment from a strategy standpoint, to dig under the hood of the shop, and to get a deeper understanding of the day-to-day and long-term goals and how recruitment can help accomplish them. We also dug into the need for more diverse leadership in the industry and how we’re already seeing a shift in the lower third of the teams being developed now.

Owen has led global organizations in attracting, hiring, and retaining talent. He has restructured and opened new offices in the United States, EMEA, LATAM and APAC regions, and has built recruiting departments from the ground up.

His career has been driven by his passion for cultivating great teams who go on to make things that affect and change the modern culture. Before founding Outside Lines, Owen had the privilege of working for some of the world’s best creative agencies, including TBWA\Media Arts Lab, Mother, and 72andSunny.

It was in those leading organizations that he honed his craft for identifying unique, divergent talent, in and out of the advertising industry, shaping teams that would go on to create world-class work.

When not working, you can find him spending time with family and friends, introducing his son to art and design, golfing (whenever possible…), and eating his way through cities across the globe.

Contact Own on his website or on Instagram.

In this episode, I got to speak to Matt Wolach from Ringbot. We dug into the benefits of SMS marketing and outreach and how it dovetails into bigger picture marketing strategies. Matt breaksdown how consumers interact with SMS vs. email, web chats, and other communication tools that brands are using. He leans into conversational vendor lead generation for building funnels and how to continue the one-to-one conversation.

Meet Matt, CEO of RingBot (a texting tool that helps agencies get better results for their clients), and personal Coach to business owners.

With 3 startup exits, he has a lot of experience to share. His focus is primarily on growth including sales, marketing, and specific tactics for increasing revenues quickly.

Contact Matt on his website or on Twitter.

In this first-ever two-part episode, Sherri, Reuben, and I talked about how they paved the way into their niche by following a passion that took their marriage to the next level. How implementing EOS lead to a rebrand and informed their overall agency messaging and niche targeting. They shared some of the secret sauce on how they successfully navigate running an agency as a married couple who both have chronic illnesses and ADD. The Fly Duo shared about a few of their side passion projects and how the ambition of eliminating stigma and having sex-positive conversations happen to also be fueling their agency growth. Tune into both episodes to hear the full conversation!

Reuben and Sherri Johnson, affectionately known as the FlyDuo®, are partners in life, love, crime, and everything in between. They are co-founders of Atlanta’s premier award-winning, sex-positive brand agency Fly Media Productions®; co-founders of SexTech n’ Chill™, a handpicked selection of news, products, and experiences thoughtfully curated by the couple for pleasure seekers; and co-hosts of the podcast-style web show The FlyDuo Sex Project™.

In addition to their own projects, Reuben and Sherri currently serve as official ambassadors for The Bureau of Digital and Erika Lust’s “The Porn Conversation”.

Contact the FlyDuo on their websites, FlyMediaProductions.com and ST&C Special Project Website, on LinkedIn for FlyDuo, LinkedIn for FLy Media, Instagram for FlyyMedia, Instagram for ST&C, and on X.

In this first-ever two-part episode, Sherri, Reuben, and I talked about how they paved the way into their niche by following a passion that took their marriage to the next level. How implementing EOS lead to a rebrand and informed their overall agency messaging and niche targeting. They shared some of the secret sauce on how they successfully navigate running an agency as a married couple who both have chronic illnesses and ADD. The Fly Duo shared about a few of their side passion projects and how the ambition of eliminating stigma and having sex-positive conversations happen to also be fueling their agency growth. Tune into both episodes to hear the full conversation!

Reuben and Sherri Johnson, affectionately known as the FlyDuo®, are partners in life, love, crime, and everything in between. They are co-founders of Atlanta’s premier award-winning, sex-positive brand agency Fly Media Productions®; co-founders of SexTech n’ Chill™, a handpicked selection of news, products, and experiences thoughtfully curated by the couple for pleasure seekers; and co-hosts of the podcast-style web show The FlyDuo Sex Project™.

In addition to their own projects, Reuben and Sherri currently serve as official ambassadors for The Bureau of Digital and Erika Lust’s “The Porn Conversation”.

Contact the FlyDuo on their websites, FlyMediaProductions.com and ST&C Special Project Website, on LinkedIn for FlyDuo, LinkedIn for FLy Media, Instagram for FlyyMedia, Instagram for ST&C, and on X.

In this episode, I got to speak to Melissa Morris from Agency Authority where she works with agencies on process and system optimization. Melissa and I talk about how agencies can leverage the proper systems, tools, and processes to grow healthily and use these tools to optimize agency availability and profitability. Melissa shares some of the benchmarks and areas that agency owners and operations managers should watch for in a growth stage in order to avoid some of the pitfalls that come with scaling.

As the founder of Agency Authority, a project management and operations consultancy for agency owners, I use my 10 years of agency experience to help business owners maximize their teams, increase their productivity, and grow their profits. Firmly committed to breaking the ‘long hours and bad pay’ stigma that plagues the agency world, my team and I help business owners and their team members do the work they love without sacrificing client satisfaction, the bottom line, or their own sanity.

Connect with Melissa on their website, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

In this episode, Ryan Watson from Upsourced Accounting delivers an exciting talk about agency numbers, accounting, benchmarking, and things to watch for in agency growth. He and his team are deeply niched as an agency accounting firm and he shares some of their viewpoints on how they help agencies monitor the “right numbers” at the right stage of their lifecycle. These lifecycle stages bring forth the hierarchy of financial needs for agencies and how they differentiate from stage to stage.

Ryan is an experienced operations and finance leader for creative agencies and venture-funded startups. As a partner at Upsourced, he helps scaling agencies build better plans, see the future, and drive profits. Prior to Upsourced, Ryan led operations and finance for a large influencer marketing and ad agency, Ahalogy, where they built the team to over 50 people and $10M in annual AGI before selling to Quotient Technology (NYSE: QUOT) in June 2018.

Connect with Ryan on their website, YouTube Podcast, and blog.

In episode 076, I got to sit with Lisa Mullis from Paraphrase Communications. Lisa and I got to discuss the importance of effective brand messaging and copywriting for creative professionals. Lisa shares her journey from running a graphic design studio to focusing on copywriting and helping clients communicate their message. We discuss the challenges of writing copy, especially for oneself, and the impact of poor copy on sales. Lisa also emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to brand messaging and the role of mindset work in business success.

Key Takeaways

• Effective brand messaging and copywriting are crucial for creative professionals to attract and convert clients. • Writing copy can be challenging, especially when it comes to writing about oneself. • Poor copy can negatively impact sales and the overall perception of a brand. • A comprehensive approach to brand messaging is necessary, addressing all aspects of the business. • Mindset work is essential for overcoming resistance, fear, and anxiety in business.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background 03:06 Challenges of Writing Copy 05:39 Positioning and Communication Challenges for Creative Professionals 10:44 Common Challenges Faced by Creative Professionals 14:27 The Impact of Poor Copy on Sales 26:10 The Importance of Mindset Work in Business Success

As a strategic brand coach and copywriter, Lisa helps service-based professionals clarify their messaging and streamline their marketing so they work with better clients, regain their time, and take home more money.

Lisa brings a unique skillset that encompasses both sides of brand messaging—the visual and the verbal. As a kid she lived in the world of language, exploring its many forms through writing, art, and music. You could find her either scribbling stories in notebooks or sketching doodles in art pads. At university, she was formally trained as an ad copywriter through her Journalism degree and as a graphic designer through the Fine Arts program.

During the first 18 years of her career as a graphic designer and owner-operator of a design studio, Lisa witnessed many clients struggle with what to put on their websites and other marketing collateral—in other words, the words. Keen to help and flex her moves as a wordsmith, she started helping clients develop sales-savvy language. In 2016, she officially transitioned her primary focus from design to copywriting.

Today as the head of Paraphrase Communications, Lisa supplements her decades of messaging, design, marketing, and small business acumen with a team of tech specialists for full support from brand strategy to execution. Together they help coaches, consultants, and creative professionals build their businesses through words that win clients—online and in real life—and high-converting marketing funnels that increase productivity and profitability.

With a do-it-together approach to brand messaging and implementation, clients gain much-needed clarity through the process, feel emotionally connected to their message which helps them sell more effectively, and grow their impact through an essential business-building skill—writing—which serves them for the life of their business.

Throughout the year, Lisa holds live events on messaging, copywriting, and marketing strategies for service providers and shares actionable ideas through her weekly newsletter. To stay in the loop, join her here: https://www.paraphrasecomm.com/em-signup

Contact Lisa:

Email: lisa@paraphrasecomm.com Web: https://www.paraphrasecomm.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/paraphrasecommunications/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhmullis/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/paraphrasecomm

Are your words winning or costing you clients? CLIENT CONVERSION QUIZ – Gain instant insight into the gaps in your messaging and marketing so you can improve your connections and conversions. Takes less than 5 minutes and it's free! https://paraphrasecomm.scoreapp.com/

For the first time in the history of this podcast, I got to have two guests on board when I spoke to Chris Puma and Steph Hasting of the Inturnship. The Inturnship is their response to the impact of covid on student internships and how they're flipping this part of the industry on its head. Acting as an agency, led by seasoned agency veterans, The Inturnship is pulling in talented interns who are mentored to do real-world client work – for pay. Competing with the “mock-up world” of most ad schools, their teams handle creative assignments ranging from full brand strategy and identity to ongoing social content to interactive websites and content strategy. To date, The Inturnship has a placement rate of nearly 90%, delivering well-trained interns into their first “grown-up” jobs in the industry.

Chris Puma is Associate Creative Director at BASIC/DEPT® the most webby-awarded agency of the past decade. In 2020, he Co-Founded The Inturnship to help create a new process and pipeline for emerging talent. When he’s not working on his own career, or helping others begin theirs, you can find him tending to his indoor plant collection or snowboarding at Mt. Hood.

Steph Hastings is a Senior Web Designer at prAna Living, a small active clothing brand based in Southern California. The right mix of good storytelling and functional design is a beloved daily practice and one that we focus closely on at The Inturnship. When not leading the charge with design projects, Steph is walking her corgi jasper, or hitting the trails for distance runs.

Connect with The Inturnship here.

In this episode, I spoke with Khalil Stults from Lima Partners and I Know a Guy about his career path that lead to him discovering his entrepreneurial bug and how he leaned into it. He shares some of his experience in growing a digital marketing agency by 240% after buying into it as an equity partner. He also talks about how he leverages capital through liquidity events for growth strategies. Khalil is an M&A advisor and expert and shared his insights on the ideal DNA of a sellable agency and how to get to that stature. He shares how owners can put their company through the “vacation test” to see how the business will collapse or thrive in their absence, and what those results mean for the growth and possible acquisition of the company.

Khalil Stultz is an Investor | Growth Consultant | Actively Acquiring & Growing Small to Medium-Sized Businesses If You're In Need of an Exit or Expansion...I'm the Guy.

Connect with Khalil on LinkedIn or his website.

Does your agency respond to RFPs for business development? If so, you have to dig into this episode where I get to speak to Yolanda Tucker, from Tucker Trained, about how to navigate the ins and outs of procurement, RFPs, and the nuances that can give your agency the edge in these otherwise painful business development efforts. She shares some of her tips on how agency owners can disrupt the RFP process to get ahead and what procurement teams look for in a potential winner of an RFP. Yolanda’s expertise in understanding where to find and how to navigate RFPs, contract negotiation, and procurement processes helps businesses go far beyond winning RFPs and how they can lead to higher revenue and profits. She also shares about the benefits of small business certifications, including women-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned, to name a few, that open doors to billions of dollars of business opportunities.

Yolanda M. Tucker has over twenty years of procurement experience as a Contracts Manager in various industries. Yolanda holds an MBA in Business Administration, a second Master’s degree in Acquisition and Contracts, and a Certification of Transportation Regulatory Law from the Florida Coastal School of Law.

Connect with Yolanda on her website.

In this episode, Brandon and I talk about how playing with Legos can help explore any topic within a workshop. Brandon talks about how building and reverting back to your childhood playtime can build metaphors to answer prompts. By exploring what creativity means to each person, Serious Play can be implemented in an agency, corporate environment, or any other space, to dig into a business’s challenges. Building strategy and exploring values with Legos allows the process to remove the emotion from the results through a flow state under the facilitation of Brandon's expertise. This process allows the process to get at the nuanced insights from a group of people, without the meeting after the meeting.

Brandon Wetzstein is an energetic founder with a futuristic mindset. He believes that everyone has the capacity to be innovative and creative when given the right tools, support, and environment. He is driven by curiosity, makes a mean chili, and loves a good book that shifts his mindset.

Connect with Brandon on his website and on LinkedIn.