The Agency Hour

Welcome back to The Agency Hour podcast, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. In this episode, Johnny Flash welcomes Kasper Sierlev, Chief Creative Officer at ZITE, all the way from Copenhagen, Denmark. They dive deep into the evolving relationship between in-house marketing teams and external agencies, unpacking surprising insights from Zite's in-house Marketing Barometer report that surveyed over 1,000 marketing professionals. Discover how the creative landscape is shifting, why collaboration is replacing the traditional agency model, and how to position your agency as an essential partner rather than just a vendor. Plus, learn why treating your own agency like a client could be the key to unlocking long-term growth with your clients. What You'll Learn: The Rise of In-House Creative Teams - Understand how 65-70% of companies now have some form of in-house agency and what this means for external agencies The Collaboration Advantage - Learn why sitting together with clients to develop ideas creates stronger buy-in than the traditional "big reveal" approach Quality Over Quantity - Discover why creating fewer but more impactful creative pieces is becoming essential in an AI-saturated content landscape Building Long-Term Client Relationships - Practical strategies for maintaining valuable client partnerships through measurement, recognition, and collaboration Marketing Your Own Agency - How to overcome the common challenge of neglecting your own marketing while serving clients The Future of Creativity - Why real-world experiences and genuine creativity will stand out in an AI-dominated future Handy Links: Kasper Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaspersierslev/?originalSubdomain=dkZITE website - https://zite.agencyThe AI Advantage - https://go.agencymavericks.com/event-ai-implementation (Virtual event)E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com   Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help digital agencies escape the project-based rollercoaster and build predictable, recurring revenue. In this episode, Max Jeffcote and Simon Kelly dive into the art of content leverage for agency growth. Learn how to transform your expertise into powerful content assets that build authority and drive conversions. Whether you're struggling with content creation or overwhelmed by platform changes, you'll discover a practical framework for creating, repurposing, and distributing content that actually moves the needle for your business. If you want to stop creating "landfill content" that nobody remembers and start building valuable assets that generate leads and sales, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can implement immediately.   What You'll Learn: Why "Rented" vs "Owned" Assets Matter - How platform changes can destroy your marketing overnight The Content Leverage Framework - Turn long-form content into multiple high-value pieces How to Stand Out Without Overproducing - Why "less is more" beats trendy editing styles The Platform-Specific Strategy - Tailor your content for maximum impact on each channel Converting Content Into Sales - Create assets that directly support your sales process The Polarization Principle - Why "wallpaper content" fails and how to create memorable impressions Building Your Email List - The most valuable owned asset you can develop   Handy Links: The AI Advantage - https://go.agencymavericks.com/event-ai-implementation (Virtual event)E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. In this episode, Troy Dean and Simon Kelly, CEO and Head of Growth at Seriously Good Design, dive deep into actionable strategies for agency growth. They unpack powerful concepts from the Mavericks Club training, reveal untapped revenue potential within existing client bases, and break down how focusing on the right indicators can lead to predictable, sustainable growth. Plus, they explore how to manage a team mindset to ensure a positive and rewarding work environment. If you're looking to understand the critical difference between leading and lagging indicators, and how to leverage them for your agency's success, this episode is essential listening.   What You’ll Discover in This Episode: Leading vs. Lagging Indicators Defined – Understand the difference and why it matters. Why Focusing on Lagging Indicators Can Be Detrimental – The trap of revenue focus and weight loss goals. The Power of Leading Indicators – Actions and activities that drive results. How to Identify Leading Indicators in Your Agency – Practical examples and strategies. The "No Leads" Embargo- Reframing how to view leads. Client Management – Setting expectations around leading vs. lagging indicators. Team Motivation – Keeping your team focused even when results are delayed. The Importance of Vision – Aligning your team around a purpose bigger than metrics. Rewarding the Right Behaviors – Incentivizing leading indicator completion. The Power of "Because"- Explaining the why behind the task. The Element of Surprise- How to reward the team. The Roger Federer Mindset – Staying present and focused on the process. Avoiding Comparison – Focusing on your own progress, not others' highlight reels. SGD's success story- How they achieved their best month ever.   Handy Links: The AI Advantage - https://go.agencymavericks.com/event-ai-implementation (Virtual event)E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin

In a sudden move, DigitalOcean has shut down UGURUS, leaving many digital agency owners feeling lost and abandoned. In this special episode of the Agency Hour podcast, Troy Dean acknowledges the incredible impact UGURUS founder Brent Weaver had on the agency world and offers condolences to those affected. Troy shares the history of UGURUS and its parallel journey with WP Elevation (now Agency Mavericks), highlighting their pioneering roles in the agency coaching space. He expresses his disappointment in DigitalOcean's handling of the shutdown and extends a heartfelt invitation to former UGURUS members to find a new home at Agency Mavericks. What You'll Discover: The history and impact of Ugurus and WP Elevation/Agency Mavericks. Why DigitalOcean's decision is seen as detrimental to the agency community. How Agency Mavericks' GPS model (Grow, Package, Scale) supports agency growth. Strategies for building authority, packaging intellectual property, and scaling operations. The importance of community and mentorship in navigating agency challenges.   Handy Links: The AI Advantage - https://go.agencymavericks.com/event-ai-implementation (Virtual event)E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin

  Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help digital agencies escape the project-based rollercoaster and build predictable, recurring revenue. In this episode of The Agency Hour, Johnny Flash and Karen King dive into what it really takes to build a location-independent agency without feeling overwhelmed. You’ll discover how Karen built a business that allows her to work from anywhere in the world—all while prioritizing her family and skiing several days a week. This episode will help you break free from the “always-on” mindset, design a business that supports your ideal lifestyle, and leverage automation and AI to free yourself from the day-to-day operations. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: The Secret to Running a Business From Anywhere in the World How to Automate and Systematize Your Agency for Maximum Freedom Why AI is a Game Changer for Agency Owners How to Escape the “Always-On” Mindset and Prioritize Your Life The Power of Building a Business That Supports Your Ideal Lifestyle Chapters:00:00 - Introduction and Topic Overview02:30 - Meet Karen King: World Traveler05:45 - From Brick-and-Mortar to Freedom09:15 - Embracing Automation for Business12:30 - Simplifying Business with Tech16:00 - Overcoming Tech Overwhelm19:30 - Balancing Work and Travel23:00 - Building a Supportive Team26:30 - Outro and Key Takeaways Handy Links: The Escapepreneur - https://www.theescapepreneur.com/Gold Star Pro - https://www.usegoldstar.comWP REMOTE - https://wpremote.comE2M - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericks/ Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help digital agencies escape the project-based rollercoaster and build predictable, recurring revenue. In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean breaks down why having a simple, easy-to-understand offer helps you close more deals, while long-term success comes from providing unique value beyond the first sale, and how growth plans keep clients invested for years. If you're looking to make your agency services easier to sell, create a clear roadmap that keeps clients engaged, and build a business that grows without constantly chasing new leads, then this episode is for you. What You’ll Discover in This Episode The Power of Simple Offers: Why clarity is key to closing deals and attracting referrals. Building Long-Term Relationships: How to transition clients from one-time projects to ongoing growth plans. The Importance of Paid Discovery: Setting the stage for recurring revenue from day one. Scaling Beyond One-Time Projects: Transforming your agency into a strategic partner for client success. Avoiding Common Pitfalls: Mistakes that can hinder agency growth and how to avoid them. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction03:00 - The Importance of Simple Offers08:00 - Fire Starters and Accelerators - Wedge Products14:00 - Clarity Wins20:00 - The Power of Growth Plans23:00 - Why Clients Want More Than Just a Website26:00 - Common Mistakes Agencies Make Handy Links The AI Advantage - https://go.agencymavericks.com/event-ai-implementation (Virtual event)E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help digital agencies escape the project-based rollercoaster and build predictable, recurring revenue. In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean breaks down why traditional high-pressure sales tactics just don't work, and how to close more deals with less resistance by building trust with leads. If you want to find more clients without feeling salesy, build trust with leads so that they finally stop ghosting you, and create a business where people want to buy from you and your team, then this episode is for you. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: Why People Don’t Like Being Sold To How To Close More Deals With Less Resistance Make the Client Feel Like It’s Their Idea Help the Client Understand It’s Their Idea Why You Need to Stop Chasing Clients Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction02:12 - We Love To Buy Once We’ve Found Something That We Want03:06 - Offer Market Fit08:57 - Common Reasons People Don’t Buy12:05 - Make the Client Feel Like It’s Their Idea13:24 - Lead with Value, Not Features19:23 - Stop Chasing Clients20:12 - Be So Valuable People Seek You Out24:38 - Three Ways To Close More Deals Without Selling28:45 - Paid Discovery and Growth Plans Handy Links The AI Advantage - https://go.agencymavericks.com/event-ai-implementation (Virtual event)E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean chats with Stephen Schneider, co-founder and CEO of Trio SEO, about the future of SEO in the age of AI. They discuss whether AI will completely take over SEO or if human expertise will still play a crucial role. They also explore who we're really optimizing for in today's search landscape, the importance of relevant search volume, and practical steps to integrate SEO into your agency's offerings. If you're an agency owner wondering about the role of AI in SEO, how to prove the value of SEO to clients, or how to build a successful SEO service offering, this episode is a must-listen. What You’ll Discover in This Episode The future of SEO in the age of AI. The importance of relevant search volume and high-intent keywords. Practical steps to integrate SEO into your agency's offerings. How to prove and communicate the value of SEO to clients. Strategies for dealing with clients whose sales teams aren't utilizing leads effectively. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Stephen Schneider and Trio SEO02:59 - The Genesis of Trio SEO and Identifying a Market Gap04:34 - The Impact of AI on SEO and the Human Element06:18 - The Evolution of Search and Optimizing for LLMs08:27 - The Importance of Authoritative Content and Credibility12:43 - The Future of Search and User Experience14:36 - Identifying Clients Who Are Not a Good Fit for Content Strategy16:32 - Proving the Value of SEO and Retaining Clients21:08 - Addressing Sales Team Inefficiency and Lead Utilization24:34 - Strategies for Businesses with Low or No Search Volume Keywords28:53 - Key Considerations for Adding SEO to Your Agency Offering31:11 - Building an Effective SEO Team and White Labeling Services35:36 - Staying Up-to-Date with SEO Trends and Best Practices39:06 - Stephen's Content Strategy on LinkedIn40:31 - Stephen's Biggest Frustration and Excitement44:16 - Outro and Next Week's Guest Handy Links Trio SEO: https://trioseo.com/The AI Advantage - https://go.agencymavericks.com/event-ai-implementation  (Virtual event)E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin

Discover how one-time projects can trap your agency in a cycle of unpredictability. Learn the importance of transitioning to a model with recurring revenue to achieve financial stability. Explore effective methods for packaging services and implementing risk-reversal strategies that make clients eager to commit. Find out how to turn previous clients into long-term contracts and scale your operations without burnout. This insightful guide provides the roadmap for transforming your business into a high-value partnership model.

Welcome to the first episode of 2025! We’re kicking off the year with a deep dive into one of the most pressing topics in the agency world: AI. Will it replace creative roles? Will clients bypass agencies for AI tools? Or is it the ultimate tool to help you scale, boost creativity, and increase profits? In this episode, Troy Dean breaks down the real impact of AI on agencies—cutting through the fear and focusing on the opportunities. Plus, we’re unveiling some exciting changes to The Agency Hour podcast, including more in-depth training, frameworks, and insights from the Agency Mavericks team. Whether you’re an AI skeptic or an enthusiast, this episode will give you a clear game plan to future-proof your agency and use AI as a growth accelerator rather than a competitor.   What You’ll Learn in This Episode: AI Isn’t Coming for Your Job—But It Will Change How You Work How to Use AI to Increase Profits Without Lowering Prices The #1 Most Valuable Skill Agencies Need to Stay Relevant Why Strategy & Relationships Will Always Win Over Automation How Agencies Are Already Using AI to Save 15+ Hours a Week The 3 Biggest AI Myths That Are Holding Agencies Back Practical Steps to Integrate AI Without Overcomplicating Your Workflow   Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and AI Fears03:00 - Changes in the Agency Hour Podcast06:00 - Partnerships with E2M and WP Remote09:30 - Addressing AI Concerns and Misconceptions13:00 - AI as a Tool, Not a Threat17:00 - Enhancing Productivity and Creativity with AI21:00 - Busting AI Myths and Strategic Integration24:00 - Conclusion and Future Opportunities   Handy Links The AI Advantage - https://go.agencymavericks.com/event-ai-implementation  (Virtual event)E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com   Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin