Navigating Agency Growth: Courage, Patience, and Strategic Partnerships

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Are you doing great work but still feel like your agency’s stuck in neutral? The truth is, talent alone doesn’t scale a business. In this episode our guest, Stephen Woessner—author, agency growth strategist, and founder of Predictive ROI—reveals why most agencies hit a ceiling... and how to break through with a smarter, more strategic approach.

From developing a true methodology to showing up with content that teaches, we dive into what’s working now (and what’s not) when it comes to agency growth, client expectations, and scaling with intention. If you’ve ever relied a little too heavily on referrals, be unsure of your niche, or found yourself winging it without a real system—this one's for you. Tune in to learn how to enhance your agency's approach to attracting clients and scaling your business!

Stephen Woessner is the founder of Predictive ROI, an agency that helps clients build predictable and repeatable ROI so they can focus on doing the work they love alongside clients they choose. With over 30 years of experience, including a six-year stint in academia, Stephen discusses what’s working right now to get more leads, why getting specific is vital for agencies, and why the journey to scaling your journey requires patience, as well as methodology.

Stephen also hosts the "Onward Nation" and "Sell with Authority" podcasts and is the bestselling author of five books, including his latest, “Sell With Authority".

In this episode, we’ll discuss:

• Why you should be ridiculously specific.

• Developing a true methodology to showcase your process.

• How a softer approach can lead to bigger wins.

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Sponsors and Resources

E2M Solutions: Today's episode of the Smart Agency Masterclass is sponsored by E2M Solutions, a web design, and development agency that has provided white-label services for the past 10 years to agencies all over the world. Check out e2msolutions.com/smartagency and get 10% off for the first three months of service.

The Power of Specificity (and Content That Teaches)

Stephen has had a long career in the agency world, starting thirty years ago, before ROI was a thing, and working alongside agencies and consultants — teaching them how to build their authority within the markets they serve. He worked six-years in academia while also sharing his knowledge in his first books on Viral Social Networking and SEO. The expertise shared in these books got him requests to work as a consultant for different businesses, which led to him starting his own agency in 2009.

At his agency, Stephen commonly works with agencies and consultants that are going about sales and new business development in the least effective, most painful way possible. In fifteen years, he’s seen a lot in the business and now brings his own perspective on what’s currently working in the agency space.

According to him, success comes from being ridiculously specific—about who you serve, what you offer, and how you market it. It’s not about flashy gimmicks or one-size-fits-all strategies. Agencies that clearly communicate their expertise and share their knowledge generously (even for free!) are the ones building long-term trust.

With the many AI tools available for marketers nowadays, there just isn’t a valid excuse for not putting your own content out there to attract clients with valuable tips that show your expertise. These should be small, actionable pieces that solve real problems. That kind of generosity leads to high-quality leads who already trust you by the time they reach out.

While the tools might not be polished yet, they show just how easy it is now to create content and show up consistently. The key is that agencies need to be intentional, have a point of view, know their clients’ real pain points and speak to them clearly.

Raise the Bar or Get Left Behind

Today’s clients are smart. They’re looking for specialized, strategic partners—not generalists who throw spaghetti at the wall. Agencies that develop a true methodology, a real system for delivering results, stand out. It’s not just about the work—it’s about the process behind it.

Simply put, a solid methodology builds trust. It shows prospects that you know what you’re doing and that you’ve done it before. And yes, it's a big part of what makes an agency sellable down the road.

If you’re familiar with games like “Age of Empires,” the process of building your methodology will be a lot like starting scrappy in the stone age—just you, maybe a freelancer or two. But as you gather resources (aka leads, a team, and tools) and build systems (onboarding, sales, and delivery processes), you level up. The methodology evolves as you grow—and mastering each stage is what gets you to the next one.

The path to growth requires structure, clarity, and an intentional approach. If you’re still winging it with no repeatable system in place it might be time to rethink the game plan.

How a Softer Approach Can Lead to Bigger Wins

Other than a methodology, the journey to the top will also require patience. Scaling an agency is rarely instantaneous and each stage of development comes with its own challenges and learning experiences.

Agencies at various levels of growth face unique challenges, and the aspiration to leap from a level two to level thirty-seven—is just unrealistic. You need to experience the wins and losses that truly gives you the expertise to sustain growth and learn to appreciate that they’ve prepared you for the next challenges and goals.

Jason was actually confronted with this lesson while preparing for his latest event, which although did eventually sell out, but did so much more slowly than he would’ve liked. In the end, the team made the decision to stop being pushy about promoting the event and instead try to be more inviting.

A pushy attitude will likely be met with resistance. Instead, a gentle nudge or an invitation to explore creates a sense of curiosity and openness. By reframing the conversation from one of pressure to one of invitation, he was able to build trust and rapport. People are more likely to engage when they feel they have the autonomy to make choices without feeling coerced.

This is the same principle that drives successful business generation. Instead of being pushy, make sure you’re sharing case studies, insights, or even hosting webinars that allow prospects to learn and engage with the agency's expertise. Trust that you’re offering great value that resonates with the target audience, encouraging your audience to lean in and explore further, rather than overwhelming them with hard sells.

Creating Content That Draws the Right Clients In

So what is the type of content agencies should be creating to get prospects to lean in? The first thing that may make you feel like you’re screaming into the void is trying to attract just any client who can sign a check.

Successful companies have shown that focusing on a select group of high-performing clients can lead to tremendous success. This does not mean that if you start to work with plumbers you’ll have to work with that niche in perpetuity. A niche can also be a specific problem you solve or an area you serve, not just an industry.

When you focus on "right fit" clients, you'll attract people you genuinely enjoy working with who choose to stay with your business long-term. When agency owners narrow their focus, they can tailor their offerings to meet the unique needs of their chosen niche. This not only enhances the quality of service but also simplifies the content creation process. Once the target audience is identified, agencies can generate relevant and engaging content that addresses the specific problems and pain points of their clients.

At this point, you can focus on sharing content that makes a lasting impression. By providing valuable information upfront, you’ll no doubt capture the attention of potential clients and build credibility.

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