The Agency Hour

Ever wondered how AI could transform your digital agency? Imagine getting qualified leads directly from ChatGPT and Perplexity without extra effort. In this eye-opening episode, Simon Kelly reveals the game-changing ways his agency is leveraging AI to streamline operations and drive growth. Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. This conversation goes beyond buzzwords to show you practical applications that are working right now. Simon shares his exact framework (CRIT: Context, Role, Interview, Task) for crafting effective prompts that deliver results. Learn how Simon's agency is: Using AI as a powerful lead generation channel (yes, ChatGPT is sending clients!) Cutting sales process time from 4 hours to just 1 hour with strategic AI implementation Creating client roadmaps and deliverables faster without sacrificing quality Balancing AI automation with human talent for optimal results Don't miss Simon's insights on why selling AI roadmaps to clients could be your agency's most profitable new service offering in 2024.    What You'll Learn   Leverage AI to transform your sales process - from a 4-hour workflow to a 1-hour powerhouse of efficiency and effectiveness     Create AI-optimized client roadmaps - balance automation with human expertise for consistently impressive deliverables     Discover ChatGPT and Perplexity - on how they are becoming unexpected lead generation channels for forward-thinking agencies     Implement the CRIT framework (Context, Role, Interview, Task) - to get superior results from your AI prompts     Build an AI + talent + templates system - prevents delivery debt while maintaining quality control across client work     Develop AI roadmaps - that helps clients implement strategic automation rather than random tactical fixes     Position your agency as an industry specialist - by combining AI-powered execution with specialized knowledge that clients can't replace     Handy Links: MavCon - https://mvrx.link/mavconSimon’s Web Design Process - https://sgd.com.au/our-web-design-process/Simon’s Paid Discovery Page - https://sgd.com.au/digital-strategy-workshop/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

Stop treating your website like a brochure! Most businesses invest heavily in content creation but fail to evolve their website based on real customer conversations. Meanwhile, they're spending countless hours on social media and sales outreach without leveraging those insights to improve their most valuable digital asset. 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 sits down with Simon Kelly, CEO and Head of Growth at SGD, to explore how to transform your website from a static brochure into a powerful sales asset that gains value over time. You'll discover: Why your website is the only platform you truly control in a digital landscape How to incorporate sales conversation insights into your website content The importance of focusing on bottom-of-funnel content for maximum ROI Why consistency and "mastering the mundane" beats chasing marketing tricks Practical tips for creating one high-impact piece of content weekly The most successful agencies aren't looking for marketing shortcuts—they're systematically improving their websites based on real customer interactions, building a valuable asset that works for them 24/7. What You'll Learn Website as an Asset vs. Brochure - Most businesses treat their website like a static brochure instead of a dynamic sales tool that gains value over time through continuous improvement. Focus on Bottom-of-Funnel Content - Target the 5% of prospects ready to buy rather than the 95% who aren't ready; this provides the highest ROI for your content efforts. Accurate Business Representation - Your website must first accurately represent what your business does before any other improvements can be effective. Content Creation Strategy - Commit to creating one high-quality piece of content weekly that addresses common questions, shifts beliefs, and includes a call to action. Multiple Marketing Channels - Don't rely on a single platform; use at least two channels (LinkedIn and YouTube recommended for B2B) to protect against platform changes. Website as the Mothership - Use social platforms to attract attention but always direct traffic back to your website where you control the user experience and conversion process. Practical Action Item - Update your FAQs and process pages based on questions that arise in sales calls to preemptively address objections for future prospects. Handy Links: MavCon - https://mvrx.link/mavconSimon’s Web Design Process - https://sgd.com.au/our-web-design-process/Simon’s Paid Discovery Page - https://sgd.com.au/digital-strategy-workshop/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

Simon Kelly, CEO and Head of Growth at Seriously Good Design, shares his expertise on leveraging content assets for revenue generation. He discusses the importance of transforming existing content into valuable assets, revealing that many businesses are sitting on untapped resources. Simon introduces the 'Sell Your Sawdust' strategy, showcasing how agencies can monetize everyday byproducts of their work. The conversation also includes insights on creating a content asset ecosystem and personalizing client interactions to drive sales.

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