The Agency Accelerator

There is lots of talk of a looming recession so what should you do and what should you be focusing on right now to ensure that your agency is recession-proof? What is the difference between an agency that thrives in a recession and one that just scraps by? These questions and more are answered in this broad-ranging discussion in today's video. And I'm really excited to have with me, Ollie Duffy-Lee, who is the founder of the Authority Agency, the growth agency company that supports agencies with their business development strategies. Time Stamp [01:45] What should agencies be focused on right now as we are heading towards a recession? [02:35] Why you should never rely on referrals for new business - especially in a recession [03:55] Focus on client retention and stop expecting instant gratification [07:43] What are some of the smart non-negotiable strategies an agency must put in place? [09:02] Build a personal brand around you, the founder  [10:00] If we are not focused on lead gen how does the sales funnel look? [12:50] The importance of building and nurturing your email list [15:25] How to manage clients and your business during a recession [17:40] Don’t talk yourself into a recession! [19:00] Ask yourself “does my client see us as a safe pair of hands (a brief taker) or a strategic partner (a brief maker?)” [19:45] What does an agency need to do to be seen as a strategic partner by its clients? [21:06] What internal changes should an agency make in a recession? [22:23] The importance of knowing your data and metrics [23:43] How big a financial buffer should you aim for? [26:35] Ollie’s business advice to his younger self Quotations “If you want to retain your clients be a ‘brief maker’ not a ‘brief taker’” - Ollie Duffy-Lee “If someone says NO to buying from you TODAY, it doesn't mean they won’t buy from you TOMORROW” - Rob Da Costa “I am a big believer on BRAND over LEAD GEN - focus on being in ATTRACT mode rather than CHASING mode” - Ollie Duffy-Lee Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! How to leave a review on Apple Podcasts Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: Ollie on LinkedInMore info on Dean Jackson

One of the biggest mistakes we make when we start our agency is not surrounding ourselves with a group of other agency owners, experts and mentors who can guide us and help us avoid some of the common pitfalls so that we make the journey, especially in the first few years, so much smoother than it will otherwise be. In today’s podcast, we dig into the phrase “it's lonely at the top” and explore what we can do to ensure we, as agency owners, do not feel isolated or alone. Time Stamp [01:20] Why is it lonely and isolating for agency owners? [03:00] The value of The Self-Running Agency Implementation Group [05:06] The severe consequences of going it alone [05:43] Putting a senior leadership team in place [06:11] The impact of negative feelings and thoughts [06:45] Do not compare yourself to others it is not healthy! [07:50] Surround yourself with smarter people than you! [08:11] You don’t have a point to prove and you don't need to be ‘superman’ or ‘superwoman’ - so ask for help! Quotations “You are not admitting defeat if you ask for help, but rather, showing strength” - Rob Da Costa “People join a group coaching programme for the content but stay for the community” - Rob Da Costa  Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: The Self-Running Agency Implementation GroupHow to leave a review on Apple Podcasts

Running an agency doesn't have to be complicated or difficult. In this week’s episode I am joined by Simon Severino to discuss how to step into the role of CEO in your agency and the 3 habits every successful owner needs to develop and some that you need to let go of. Simon also discusses why 90-day ‘sprints’ are the right length to plan, focus and deliver. Time Stamp [02:00] The typical journey of a founding agency owner - Phase 1 is up to £35k and the focus should be operations and sales (build a conversion machine), and phase 2 is beyond £35k where the focus switches to marketing and branding [03:55] Simon’s dream of having a TED Talk and why that was the wrong focus [04:45] Advice on getting through to phase 1 - there are two bottlenecks: 1. The ego of the founder. 2. Your sales approach (farming v hunting) [07:45] Recognise your clients don’t come for you but they come for the solution (to their problem) and the process you offer [10:00] The best sales strategy for phase 1. A simple strategy that never changes [11:00] The 4 parts of a business: marketing, sales, operations and managing these parts [12:50] Never charge for time at the end of a project but instead, for results upfront [14:50] Derisking a client picking you to work with [16:05] Why is 90-day the right length to plan for? [17:07] Keeping each sprint simple - there should be 1 vision and 3 goals in each 90-day sprint [18:07] What is the success rate of doubling your revenue in a 90-day sprint? [18:54] What could stop someone from hitting this goal? [22:15] The importance of keeping your plans agile and reacting to the data in the dashboard [23:15] The 3 habits that a successful CEO must have [25:54] If you could go back in time and give your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be? Quotations “You, the agency owner, becomes the bottleneck to growth because you are limited by your time.” - Simon Severino “For every skill, the owner brings to get their agency started they quickly become the roadblock unless they can get out of the way.” - Rob Da Costa “Focus on the 5% that is in your control and not the 95% that isn't!” - Simon Severino Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people like you to move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! How to leave a review on Apple Podcasts Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: Strategy Sprints BookStrategy Sprint ToolsSimon’s YouTube AccountThe Self-Running Agency Implementation Group

In this bonus episode, I am very excited to let you know that the doors for the 2022 cohort of The Self-Running Agency Implementation Group members is now open. Let's cast our minds back to the reason why we started our own agency - we wanted CONTROL, FLEXIBILITY and FREEDOM. All things we didn't have in our 9 to 5 job. Yet as we grow, the need for control ends up being at the expense of flexibility and freedom - indeed all of our clients want us to work on their accounts and our staff (if we have any) are dependent on us to make all the big decisions and often frustrate us because they lack initiative. No matter what you have tried you feel like you constantly take one step forwards and one back. It doesn’t have to be this way! And that's why I created The Self-Running Agency Group to support you to grow in a sustainable and profitable way and put the systems in place to ensure no more feast or famine. Click here to read more about the Group Listen to what some of the members have to say about their experience in the Group

We can easily get seduced by so many ideas from supposed 'experts' telling us how to scale our agency, and that can be really confusing. We end up being run ragged, pulled in 100 different directions implementing the latest idea or trendy strategy.  But at the end of the day, there are only four foundational areas you need to focus on to build a robust agency that you can then start scaling using three advanced strategies. So that is what we are digging into today. Time Stamp [01:10] The dangers of chasing shiny new objects [01:56] The 4 agency foundations: [02:19] Foundation 1: Knowing your audience - the importance of having a clear niche [04:29] Foundation 2: Creating a clear living roadmap for your agency [06:27] Foundation 3: Build a repeatable marketing system to generate a consistent flow of new leads [07:45] Foundation 4: Convert your leads into loyal clients [09:48] Growth 5: Client retention: How to maximise the value of existing clients [10:15] Growth 6: Growing your team to get work off your plate [11:24] Growth 7: Getting work off your plate and make yourself redundant! [13:10] Join me on my FREE LIVE Masterclass: Elevate Your Role to CEO [15:00] Avoid being a busy fool and focus on the things that move the needle Quotations “In a recent poll I ran, 68% of respondents said they had one niche and 32% had several” - Rob Da Costa “Make sure you focus your limited time on the hot prospects and not the time wasters.” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: FREE LIVE Masterclass: Elevate Your Role To CEOThe Self-Running Implementation GroupNiching GuideLinkedIn Content Strategies Podcast

In today’s video, we explore what a self-running agency means. It doesn't have to be a pipe dream to build an agency that is less dependent on YOU. So I am going to dig into the foundational components of building an agency that runs efficiently even when you are not there. Time Stamp [01:05] We all aspire to build an agency that is less dependent on us yet most never achieve it. Why is that? [01:30] The typical journey of an agency owner in their first 5 years [03:48] 5 areas to building a scalable agency [04:08] 1. Having a GROWTH mindset rather than a FREELANCE mindset [05:46] 2. The importance of having a clear plan for your agency [07:48] 3. Hire the best/most expensive people you can afford who can take work off your plate [08:58] 4. Put a robust client management process in place so all clients have a consistent experience when working with your agency [09:36] 5. Robust documented and scalable systems are crucial to creating a platform for growth [12:10] These 5 strategies create a solid foundation for growth and enable you to step away without fear of things falling apart! [12:47] Join me on my FREE LIVE Masterclass: How to be the CEO of your agency  Quotations “If you don’t have a clear plan you will go around in circles taking one step forwards and one back!” - Rob Da Costa “If you want to scale your agency you need to document all those core processes that are intuitive to you and in your head!” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: Save your seat for my Masterclass, How to be the CEO of Your AgencyEp 95 Developing an Entrepreneurial MindsetHow to leave a review on Apple Podcasts

Did you swap your 9-5 job to work in your agency 24/7? This is the place many of us find ourselves in and if we are not careful, we not only end up working longer hours but also for a tougher boss!! So let's dig into this in today's podcast and outline 8 strategies you MUST focus on to ensure this doesn't happen to you. Time Stamp [01:13] Info about my brand new free live masterclass: How to be the CEO of your agency rather than a lowly paid employee [01:52] Why do most people start their own agency? [02:26] The need for control [03:15] Getting stuck on the Client Service Hamster Wheel of doom [03:27] How an agency typical grows [04:45] My journey as an agency owner [06:36] Start with a clear business plan [07:03] Hiring the best staff you can afford [07:38] Invest time in developing your team to be great client managers [08:06] Document your Standard Operating Procedures [08:53] Why you should hire a marketing person rather than a business development exec [09:32] Put a scalable repeatable marketing system in place [10:32] Create a senior leadership team as soon as you can and delegate responsibilities to them [11:22] Focus on your strengths - your ‘superpower’ [12:32] You don’t have to be tied to your business 24/7 - just implement the 8 steps outlined in this podcast [12:50] Learn more in my free masterclass at dacostacoaching.co.uk/ceo-masterclass Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: Save your seat on the FREE Masterclass: How To Be The CEO of Your Agency

I know it can be really ‘lonely at the top’ when you run your marketing agency. And I also know how exhausting it can be!  So that's what I am focusing on in this week's episode of the Agency Accelerator podcast. And to do that I am going to share my own story of when I ran my agency and suggest a few changes you can make so that you don't feel everything sits on your shoulders and you're not permanently stuck in client service mode on the “Client Service Hamster Wheel of Doom”. Time Stamp [01:31] Why did we start our own agency? And what happens over the first year? [02:00] The risks of organic growth (without a plan) [03:30] My story into agency life of building a 25-person agency [04:34] The consequences of a lack of a plan [05:00] Taking control of your agency: being in control of your destiny and not letting external factors dictate the direction of travel [05:51] What is your ultimate goal for your agency? [06:53] Make time to deliver your plan by stepping off the 'client service hamster wheel of doom'! [07:30] Creating strong boundaries with your clients [07:48] Changing your mindset [08:26] Splitting your time across 3-time pots: REVENUE, STRATEGY & ADMIN [11:09] You need to act and behave like the CEO of your agency, not a lowly paid employee [11:40] The need for control can be disastrous [13:31] One of the keys to being the CEO is to put a team in place [14:21] Recognise where you are today and what changes you need to make  Quotations “If you want to run a successful agency you need act and behave like the CEO of your agency, not a lowly paid employee” - Rob Da Costa “You need to focus on your “superpower” that is the tasks only you can do” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: Time Split CalculatorHow to leave a review on Apple Podcast

In today’s episode, we are discussing client management. We explore the journey you go when you are in a personal relationship and how comparable that is to the journey you go on in a client relationship - from the first meeting to keeping the relationship fresh. I am joined by Mark Young, author of the book ‘Date Your Clients” to dig into this further. Time Stamp [01:45] How did the title ‘Date Your Clients’ come about for your book? [07:07] The first prospect meeting  [08:00] Consider the first impressions at your first meeting [10:35] How do we move a prospect along the customer journey - to close the deal? [14:30] Don’t just chase money! Focus on fit first [15:30] The importance of trusting your instincts [16:20] Advice on keeping and growing existing clients [21:10] Building equal partnerships with clients (rather than the imbalanced customer-supplier relationships) [22:00] What can we do to bring relationships back on track? [27:30]The importance of balanced feedback [28:27] If you could go back in time and give your younger self, just starting out in business, a piece of advice, what would it be? Quotations “Any time you are dealing with a human you are dealing with emotions, needs and values - just like in business” - Mark Young “Make your first meeting all about the client, not about you!” - Rob Da Costa “If you only chase the cash you will always make bad business decisions" - Mark Young Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: Date Your Clients Bookmark@dateyourclients.comRyze Agency Free Client Management GuideHow to leave a review on Apple Podcasts

If you are stuck on the client service hamster wheel of doom and have no time to think let alone plan for the future then this episode is for you.  If you are thinking "I don’t have enough time to focus on the future of my agency because I am too busy servicing clients” then I want to help you out so listen on! Time Stamp [01:30] The consequences of being in ‘client service mode’ all the time [01:49] Serving clients is in your comfort zone but that keeps you away from other crucial areas [02:35] The consequences of over-servicing clients [03:20] Differentiating yourself based on pricing or promised service levels becomes a race to the bottom [03:50] Running a high service-level agency [04:40] How much should you be willing to over-service clients by? [05:09] Building strong boundaries with your clients [05:22] How to get your boundaries right from the start [05:57] How to say YES and NO to clients [07:15] How to reset expectations with clients [08:00] How to structure your week to maximise focus and efficiency [09:08] Blocking out time in your diary and sticking to it! [10:09] Challenging your mindset and beliefs [10:30] When should you hire additional resources? [12:00] Being resilient and in control Quotations “In the early days, we naturally gravitate to what we're good at, which is usually servicing clients but if you avoid other crucial areas you are heading for an iceberg” - Rob Da Costa “Going the extra mile is not a great value or USP and is not the way to differentiate yourself from the competitors” - Rob Da Costa Rate, Review, & Subscribe on Apple Podcasts “I enjoy listening to The Agency Accelerator Podcast. I always learn something from every episode.” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move towards a Self-Running Agency. Scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not subscribed, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now! Useful links mentioned in this episode: Winning Back Time - FREE GuideThe Self-Running Agency MembershipHow to leave a review on Apple Podcasts