Build a Better Agency Podcast

Humans are hardwired to belong, and the desire to be a part of something bigger than ourselves is in our blood. Whether we connect over shared values, a favorite sports team, a hobby, or even just from living near one another, we can find community and belonging all around us. These days, many of us are finding community online through social media and spreading our social nets wider than ever. This leaves a huge opportunity for agency leaders to build their own online communities to help others learn and share their experiences about business leadership, entrepreneurship, or any form of thought leadership in which they excel. Online communities should, first and foremost, be a way to bring people together with shared goals and interests, but the benefits reach far beyond that. With enough time and care, they can become robust sales and networking tools that do the prospecting work for you. But it's not for everyone, and that's ok. In this week's solocast, I'm doing a deep dive into the ins and outs of creating online communities, building an audience online, and how to make sure you're doing it all for the right reasons. With enough patience, online community building could become your agency's secret sales weapon that provides perks and benefits for the people in it. For 30+ years, Drew McLellan has been in the advertising industry. He started his career at Y&R, worked in boutique-sized agencies, and then started his own (which he still owns and runs) agency in 1995. Additionally, Drew owns and leads the Agency Management Institute, which advises hundreds of small to mid-sized agencies on how to grow their agency and its profitability through agency owner peer groups, consulting, coaching, workshops and more. A big thank you to our podcast's presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They're an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here. In This Episode: What is a community, and how does it relate to work? The difference between an audience and a community Online communities do the selling for you B2B brands have less competition in creating online communities Asking yourself the who, what, where, and why before starting a community How communities make biz dev easier for agencies Being a safe harbor for people as a community leader Community building isn't for everyone 3 questions to ask yourself to determine if you should build a community or an audience How to build an online community and spread the word about it Having a community is a long game — have a growth plan

Learn how personalized client outreach can help agencies stand out in a crowded market. Dan Englander shares insights on building trust, specialized agencies, and hiring sales teams. Discover strategies for effective communication and revamping sales processes to win new business.

In a sharp contrast to the earlier pandemic years, many agency owners said that in 2023, they have the best teams they've ever had and want to find ways to keep them around. This is great news, and we want to help keep your agency dream team alive and thriving. To help in that journey, HR expert Barbara Mason joins me to share what agency owners and leaders can do to help make their employees feel like valued team members while staying true to the agency's mission and values. She is a fountain of knowledge — from interviewing best practices and why HR experts need to be a part of your business to how to create the agency culture you want while caring for your agency employees as whole people. She'll even share her top 3 secret interview questions she uses to get potential hires thinking about how they fit into the agency's mission and values. This episode is full of practical and common-sense tips that will hopefully get the gears going and help you keep your agency dream team alive and thriving in 2024 and beyond. A big thank you to our podcast's presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They're an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Two simple things that will help you keep your agency dream team happy Transparency goes a long way with agency employees, but know the limits What makes a healthy agency culture? How more introverted business owners can engage and connect with their employees How benefits packages have changed post-Covid Creating agency culture in a hybrid or fully remote environment The importance of knowing what you're hiring for and interviewing accordingly Motivating agency employees to be more engaged in the work HR's role in having a succession plan for the business Interview best practices for agency leadership Exercising radical candor in agency communications Employment trends to keep an eye on in 2024 The biggest mistake agency owners make with their people

The podcast explores the rise of video as a key business development tool for agencies in 2024, emphasizing the importance of video content creation for prospecting and client engagement. Topics include connecting with audiences through video, using personalized videos for sales success, maximizing video efficiency, and tracking important metrics to enhance sales performance.

Chris Kocek, agency insights expert and brainstorming facilitator, shares techniques for generating insights and inspiring action during brainstorming sessions. The podcast covers the definition and different types of agency insights, as well as their role in creating impactful campaigns. Kocek also discusses selling insights in the agency business and the significance of storytelling techniques. The chapter 'Brainstorming Insights and Creating Brain Food for Team Meetings' highlights the importance of allowing our brains to work their magic and providing brain food for team members.

Drew McLellan, an agency management expert, discusses why daily timesheets are crucial for agencies. Timesheets help detect and solve problems, improve operations, and highlight areas for growth and training. Owners can identify inefficiencies, while employees can secure job security and recognition. Tune in to learn why daily timesheets are a game-changer for agency success.

Expert in natural intelligence for leadership, Rosie Tomkins, discusses the concept of natural intelligence and its application in business leadership. She explores the importance of self-awareness, adaptability, and recognizing natural tendencies. Tomkins also delves into understanding different animal behaviors in leadership and the shift in energy and mindset of agency owners. This podcast provides valuable insights on tapping into our inner wisdom for effective leadership.

HR expert Vicky Brown shares insights on hiring and managing talent in the new era of work. Topics discussed include remote work challenges, effective interviews, writing compelling job ads, and transitioning to hybrid and remote work. The importance of self-assessment, onboarding, and conducting a mid-year HR checkup is also highlighted.

Casey Meehan, an AI consulting powerhouse, discusses how agencies can become thought leaders and subject matter experts for their clients using AI tools. They explore the shift from traditional marketing to AI consulting, including AI-generated videos, cap cut tool, and creating long-form content. They also explain the process of using AI tools to generate and fact-check thought leadership blog posts, emphasizing the importance of credibility through third-party citations and expert promotion.

Content marketing strategy expert, Robert Rose, discusses the importance of strategy in content creation and the need for agencies to approach content marketing like a media company. He also explores how agencies can achieve growth by retaining and selling more to existing clients. The podcast delves into the significance of being a strategic partner and understanding AI, as well as the impact of AI on content creation and the potential of leveraging AI in content marketing strategies. Learn how to access Robert Rose's book and follow him on various platforms.