The Agency Accelerator

Does your agency have a robust SEO and backlink strategy in place?  If not you should, and in this episode of The Agency Accelerator Podcast, I am joined by one of my clients and one of The Self-Running Agency Group members, Richard Kennedy, who explains why SEO and a backlink strategy is a must. Richard runs an e-commerce SEO agency, Arken Marketing. Arken helps SME e-commerce businesses grow and compete against the big players in the market, by utilising effective SEO. Richard shares how he started Arken Marketing and how he helps SME e-commerce businesses grow and compete using SEO and backlink strategies Time Stamp [1:11] Backstory in building an SEO agency and Richard’s future aspirations for Arken Marketing [4:24] How to figure out your niche when starting up an agency [6:36] Tips in niching down your business [9:17] Defining SEO in a broader context [10:37] What are the advantages of using SEO over PPC? [11:56] The importance of being ranked organically [12:24] Why SEO is an effective strategy for your business [13:05] Benefits of link building for your website [14:14] Understanding link building, domain authority rankings and backlinks [17:21] How to implement link building strategies [19:11] How to distinguish a good backlink from a bad backlink [22:21] What is the deciding factor if a link is worth pursuing or not? [22:50] Tips in creating SEO strategies for your business [24:11] What is the ‘dream 100’ system? [26:19] How to build good quality and trustworthy website [29:26] Why ‘focus’ is important for your business’ SEO strategy Quotations “I don't want to be too big, but I've always wanted it to fuel my other projects.” - Richard Kennedy “...not every business defines its success by how big it is or how fast it grows.” - Rob DaCosta “We only work with people that we want to work with and they want to work with us and it's made it a whole lot easier in the long run in the short term.” - Richard Kennedy “..the website needs to be trustworthy… approachable... Having good content makes everything so much easier.” - Richard Kennedy “..you just can't replicate success through copying.” - Richard Kennedy “..building your dream 100 list is actually one of the systems that we teach in The Self-Running Agency Group.” - Rob DaCosta 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: Richard Kennedy - LinkedIn; Arken Marketing Got questions for Richard? Email him at richard@arkenmarketing.com.ukRob Da Costa’s YouTube Channel The Self-Running Agency Implementation GroupGet in touch with Rob at robert@dacostacoaching.co.uk 

Why do so many agency owners aspire to build an agency that is less dependent on them (i.e a self-running agency) but completely fail? They end up building a business that they work for (instead of working for them) with the worst boss in the world! So in this episode of The Agency Accelerator Podcast, I explore how to ensure you build an agency on your own terms: one that you stay in control of and one that ultimately could be running itself. Time Stamp [0:00] The 4-day work experiment from Amy Porterfield’s online marketing made easy podcast [0:45] The concept of running a self-running business [2:26] Staying connected with your mission and vision statement [3:18] What does real success look like? [3:53] How to reconnect with your ‘why’ in running an agency [4:29] Transitioning from face-to-face coaching to online meetings [6:00] Why I can spend my winters in South Africa [7:43] The importance of focusing on the journey and not just the destination [7:57] How I am moving towards becoming a ‘digital nomad’ [9:05] What are the technical equipment I need  [9:59] Understanding how to best use a VA and the structures I use [11:47] What I am doing this year to take control of how I want to run my business Quotations “We are surrounded by stories of super successful entrepreneurs who make it sound so easy and have supposedly made their millions and are trying to tempt you to strive for the same thing - it’s almost as if - if we don’t aspire to that then we are failing.” - Rob DaCosta “..growth in a financial sense doesn’t always mean success.” - Rob DaCosta “..wait for some future point when everything will be better and forget to live my life within the constraints of what we are able to do now.” - Rob DaCosta 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: Rob Da Costa’s YouTube Channel Get in touch with Rob at robert@dacostacoaching.co.uk

Have you ever dreamt about earning passive income, (i.e. earning money that isn't directly connected to selling your time)? Have you ever thought about taking what you deliver for your clients and turning it into an online programme, a course, or a membership site? A number of my clients have so I thought it would be a great topic for a podcast. In this episode of The Agency Accelerator Podcast, I am joined by David Miles, CEO of The PPC Machine. The PPC Machine is an agency that helps mortgage brokers generate high-quality leads from their website using PPC and website optimisation.  David shares how he's taken his PPC services and developed an online membership programme. We explore why he choose a membership programme over other online models, we look at some of the tech he has in place to run his membership, and the challenges and pitfalls he experienced as he developed his programme. Time Stamp [2:37] What was the catalyst to begin exploring and creating an online programme? [4:43] How to explore different online models - from membership programmes to one-off courses.  [5:37] The reasons for choosing membership model over a standard course  [8:05] Understanding the structure of an overall online programme [13:04] How to encourage members to take action for online learning success [14:04] What is the current status of David Miles’ PPC online programme? [14:50] The biggest challenge in creating an online programme [17:40] The component parts and tech tools that best work for The PPC Machine [21:06] Tips in selling membership programme [23:38] What advice to give to the listeners who plan to take their business online? [27:21] Tips in pre-selling an online programme [29:20] What are the things that David Miles would have done differently if he were to start over again? [30:41] How to determine the pricing for an online programme [34:16] What would David Miles’ advice be to his younger self? Quotations “Moving your 1-2-1 services to an online programme makes your business more scalable. You can reach more people.” - David Miles “I think a really good bit of advice that you don't need to have everything ready at launch. In fact, if you're launching a programme yourself, you need to create a minimum viable offer..“ - Rob DaCosta “..no one is going to judge how good your programme is by the quantity of content. You don't need content about everything. You just need to have good quality content.” - Rob DaCosta “Launch with a minimum viable product so that don't don't feel you've got to spend six months or a year creating something huge before you launch, because the big risk if you do that you might be creating something that nobody wants and then you've wasted a year of your life, so decide what your minimum viable product is.” - David Miles 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: David Miles, The PPC MachineThrive ApprenticeVimeoScreencast-O-MaticZoom Mighty NetworksStrivveKartraMemberMouseKajabiRob Da Costa’s YouTube Channel The Self-Running Agency BookGet in touch with Rob at robert@dacostacoaching.co.uk 

One of the things that all agency owners, freelancers, and indeed any kind of business owner is short of is time. But how do we separate being a busy fool from using our time productively? In this episode of The Agency Accelerator Podcast, I want to share with you five (5) ideas and strategies that will help you become more productive. Now, these are ideas that I use in my own business, and I also teach my clients so I know that they will work, and I know where they will work for you. Time Stamp [1:57] How to be successful in running a business [3:01] The importance of having a plan for your business [3:56] 5 tips to becoming more productive [3:59] #1 Create a daily schedule [6:13] #2 Delegate, delegate, and delegate! [9:38] #3 Limit your email checking – ideally twice or 3 times a day [12:42] #4 Use technology to aid your productivity [15:46] #5 Create space for ‘thinking time' Quotations “..remember, if you want to make a difference to how efficient you are, you've got to do something different.” - Rob Da Costa “The golden rule is to make sure at the end of the day you have ticked off every item in your to-do list rather than just creating a longer list which feels very dispiriting and is a really typical scenario.” - Rob Da Costa “..my favourite expression which is, ‘Slow down to speed up.’” - Rob Da Costa “At the start, you really need to think about how you can make these ideas work for you rather than sitting there thinking why they won't work for you. You also need to be disciplined in implementing these ideas because, after all, it takes 21 days to change a behaviour. So, be determined to stick with your new strategies, and find a way of holding yourself to a count.”- 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: Marvin SaneBoxProductivity Pack: E-books and cheat sheet about mindset, delegation, and time managementRob Da Costa’s YouTube Channel Cloudways (enter AA20 to get a 20% discount off your first 3 months) Get in touch with Rob at robert@dacostacoaching.co.uk 

Recruitment is such a hot topic at the moment. I know everyone is finding it tough, so today we’ll be talking about the biggest challenges in recruitment. In this episode of The Agency Accelerator Podcast, we are joined by Ugis Balmaks, who runs his own recruitment company, Recruiter Mill that helps agencies hire great staff. He shares some interesting insights about the current state of the industry, the recruitment process, tips on how to recruit people, and how to give yourself the best chance to be successful. Time Stamp [02:50] Ugis Balmaks’ back story on how he started in recruitment: his first hired employee, his biggest learning experience in recruitment, and more about his company. [6:35] Pros and cons of hiring an in-house staff vs remote worker [9:00] How to recruit people during these challenging times in the U.K [11:16] Do’s and don’ts in recruitment [14:36] The marketing funnel steps in the recruitment process [18:58] Tips in filtering job applications [22:22] How to assess cultural competence during the interview [26:23] Why honesty is the best policy throughout the recruitment process [27:37] Difference between hiring employees directly and outsourcing through a recruitment agency [30:11] How to choose the right recruitment agency  [33:12] Why you should get involved in the recruitment agency decision making in hiring [36:08] What is Ugis Balmaks’ best recruitment advice?   Quotations “So often in life, learn the lessons in life the hard way and they are the best lessons that we learn.” - Rob Da Costa “..that's kind of was a huge wake-up call to what can happen if when hiring is done poorly, which it was at that time. And it led me to kind of start and explore how I could hire better.” - Ugis Balmaks “Hiring is such inexact science that someone can show up really well at the interview, but then they fail to deliver spectacularly once they start working.” - Rob Da Costa “Yeah, it's almost like any other marking funnel where you see the numbers and when something's not working, you can see exactly where it's not working, and then you go in and I can fix it.” Ugis Balmaks “You have the opportunity to learn from others’ mistakes and see what this that they're not, including kind of really try to put them into shoes of a person that would want to work with you, or that you would want to hire...” - Ugis Balmaks “My favourite expression which is ‘Slow down to speed up.’ Like take your time, go through these steps… because you want to hire right.” - Rob Da Costa “No one else knows your business better than you do… But your gut instinct is also going to give you a lot of safety and security.” - Ugis Balmaks “Hiring the best people you possibly can afford, so that you can delegate down and relinquish as much control today as possible.”- 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: Ugis Balmaks - Recruiter MillDownload Your Recruitment Summary Notes & Actions Rob Da Costa’s YouTube Channel Cloudways (enter AA20 to get a 20% discount off your first 3 months) The Self-Running Agency BookThe Agency Selling System (enter PODCAST10 for a discount) Get in touch with Rob at robert@dacostacoaching.co.uk 

Life’s been a bit crazy for me in the last few months. I’ve been juggling so many things that led me to feeling burned out. I realised I need to work smarter and start doing less whilst remaining as effective as I was before.  In this episode of The Agency Accelerator Podcast, I share what I have been doing to simplify my life and get renewed focus for my business.   Time Stamp [01:55] There are so many distractions and noise in life that put pressure on me to do more of so many things. I realised I need some kind of filter to work out what I really need to keep doing and what I can stop doing - all whilst remaining productive and effective. [04:10] Use the 4 Ds of Eisenhower’s Square to assess tasks - Can I DITCH this task? Can I DELEGATE it to somebody else? Can I DEFER it? I have to DO it. [04:52] I’ve added 2 more Ds and an A.  [04:56] The A is Automate. Are there tools or systems I use to run my business that can be automated? (Example: Appointment setting) [05:46] The fifth D is does a task make a DIFFERENCE? [05:57] The sixth D is do I enjoy DOING it? [06:17] Six things I’ve done in my business to simplify and give me renewed focus. [06:37] # 1: Reconnect with my vision. [08:06] # 2: Put a pause on a time-intensive mastermind group I’m part of.  [09:13] # 3: Choose the focus of my social media efforts.  I chose LinkedIn as my main social media platform. [10:24] # 4: Resurrect my Youtube channel. [12:17] # 5: Stop being distracted by new shiny objects! [12:59] # 6: Work with a project manager who will manage other specialists’ tasks for the business. Quotations “Is this really driving my business forward? If the answer is ‘I’m not sure’ or ‘No’, then we really need to ask ourselves why we’re doing it.” - Rob Da Costa “Doing something because you’ve always done it is not a good reason to keep doing it!” - Rob Da Costa “All of the things you’re doing are there to help you win new business and be excellent at client delivery.” - 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: Rob Da Costa’s YouTube Channel Cloudways (enter AA20 to get a 20% discount off your first 3 months) The Self-Running Agency BookThe Agency Selling System (enter PODCAST10 for a discount) Get in touch with Rob at robert@dacostacoaching.co.uk 

In this episode of The Agency Accelerator Podcast, I am excited to be joined by Michelle and Christian Ewen, owners of Write on Time Ltd, a Public Relations (PR) agency. They have a vision of helping business owners to grow and thrive through positive media coverage and industry awards recognition. This episode is all about PR and how it fits in your marketing strategy.  Time Stamp [1:39] Michelle and Christian’s story of crossing from journalism into the agency world  [2:45] Deciding factors in starting a PR agency business [4:52] How Michelle and Christian Ewen found their calling in the middle of the pandemic! [7:55] Importance of having PR in your marketing strategy. [9:20] When an established media or publication writes about you, it helps not only to amplify your message but also to strengthen your credibility. [10:21] If you can get your organization mentioned in an article in a key publication, it is a big help for your SEO strategy. [11:15] How to measure the effectiveness of your PR marketing strategy [15:24] How to manage clients in setting the right PR goals for their business [19:04] Tips and tricks on starting to do PR for your business [24:32] The Pros and Cons of a husband and wife working together [31:33] Stay tuned for ‘The 5-Day PR Challenge’ by Michelle and Christian Ewen [33:25] What advice would Michelle and Christian Ewen give their younger selves? 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: Connect with Michelle and Christian Ewen:LinkedIn: Michelle; ChristianWrite on Time LtdUpcoming The 5-Day PR Challenge (FREE)Cloudways (enter AA20 to get a 20% discount off your first 3 months) The Self-Running Agency BookThe Agency Selling System (enter PODCAST10 for a discount) Get in touch with Rob at robert@dacostacoaching.co.uk 

Today, I want to talk to you all about partnerships. Partnerships are a really smart way for small businesses to win new businesses. They give you reach far beyond your own audience, and managing one relationship can deliver several clients and new leads into your agency.  So in this episode, I want to share with you the two types of partnerships you should be pursuing and some dos and don’ts in finding and managing partners. Time Stamp [02:01] Why partnerships are such a good idea  [03:00] The two types of partnerships you should be focused on [03:44] What are marketing partnerships? [06:34] What are new business partnerships? [07:39]  How to create your ‘Dream 50 List - a target list of people that you would like to partner with either from a marketing or new business perspective [08:13] How to work out a strategy to approach your target marketing partners [12:26] The importance of addressing your potential partner’s fears of getting into the partnership and as well the benefits [13:18] 5 key benefits of partnerships  [14:07] 5 key fears your potential partner may have [15:18] Pitfalls to avoid in building partnerships and what to do to avoid these errors [20:23] Wrap up - Partnerships are a really smart way to reach a much wider audience. Quotations “If you have an amazing partner, then they deliver you multiple clients in one year.” - Rob Da Costa “Your ideal partner is someone who is targeting the same kind of customers that you are trying to reach but they are offering a different product or service.” - Rob Da Costa “When you’re doing your outreach, you have to answer that question of what’s in it for them.” - Rob Da Costa “Effort in is less than the results we get out.” - Rob Da Costa “Partnerships are a really smart way to reach a much wider audience.” - 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: Cloudways (enter AA20 to get a 20% discount off your first 3 months) The Self-Running Agency BookThe Agency Selling System (enter PODCAST10 for a discount) Get in touch with Rob at robert@dacostacoaching.co.uk 

In this episode of The Agency Accelerator Podcast, I am excited to be joined by Marcel Petitpas and we are discussing everything to do with your agency’s profits, pricing and margins. Another action-packed episode so grab a pen and paper and be sure to take notes! Time Stamp [1:02] Let’s start by welcoming Marcel Petitpas, our guest for today’s episode. He is the founder of Parakeeto, which aims to help agencies become more profitable. Parakeeto is a software platform that helps users to create data-driven estimates. [1:40] The importance of focusing on agency pricing and profitability. [4:11] At what stage of an agency’s growth should they start implementing time-tracking systems?  [7:06] The importance of understanding your business processes. [8:05] Pitfalls and tips to early prospect discussions [14:02] How to maximise profitability of a project [16:27] How to calculate Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) [19:07] What are key metrics for agencies to look at? Differentiate between Gross Margin and Average Available Rate. [25:20] How to make team members more commercial [28:51] How to implement the Agency Profitability Flywheel in your agency [33:32] A business paradox: Slow down to speed up [34:14] What are the best strategies to raise your prices [35:58] The ideal approach for value-based pricing. [36:34] Word of advice: “Say YES to things that scare you!”  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: Connect with Marcel Petitpas www.parakeet.comAgency Profitability FlywheelAgency Profitability ToolkitThe Agency Profit PodcastCloudways (enter AA20 to get a 20% discount off your first 3 months) The Self-Running Agency BookThe Agency Selling System (enter PODCAST10 for a discount) Get in touch with Rob at robert@dacostacoaching.co.uk

In this episode of The Agency Accelerator Podcast, I want to talk about how to avoid feast or famine in your agency. I’ve been through it twice myself and was determined there not be a 3rd time! So I developed a series of strategies that I now share with my coaching clients and am sharing some of them with you today.   So in today’s episode, I share 7 strategies to avoid feast or famine.    Time Stamp [02:00] Let’s start by painting a picture that you will no doubt recognise. It’s all about being stuck on the ‘client service hamster wheel of doom’! But how do you break this cycle and get off the CSHWOD? [03:17] The bad decisions we make when we are in a space of famine.  [03:45] My experience of being through the feast or famine cycle twice! [04:45] 7 Strategies to keep a consistent pipeline of new clients coming into your agency [05:35] Strategy 1: Ringfence time to work on business development [07:00] Strategy 2: Get clear on your ideal target customer [08:36] Strategy 3: Get your pricing right [09:49] Strategy 4: Build a robust biz development plan – do a few things and do them consistently well. Work out how to move them through the sales funnel of KNOW-LIKE-TRUST [12:40] Strategy 5: Focus on building your mailing list [14:50] Strategy 6: Build your brand so it's not just you (Your Self-Running Agency) [16:00] Strategy 7: Delegate as much client-facing work as possible [17:18] A quick recap of the 7 strategies [20:04] Outline of how The Agency Selling System can support your business development STOP PRESS! I will be running 3 live workshops on "How to Maximise Your Revenue & Profits Using 3 Pricing & Selling Strategies" in early June. Save your seat here (it's free!) 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: Establishing Your Niche (free guide)Defining Your Ideal Target Customer (free workbook)Cloudways (enter AA20 to get a 20% discount off your first 3 months) The Self-Running Agency Book