In this episode of "All Things MSP," hosts Justin Esgar and Eric Anthony dive deep into the critical topic of pricing strategies for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). They discuss the pressing question of whether MSPs should raise their prices in the coming months and why this is crucial in today's evolving market. Justin and Eric emphasize the importance of knowing your desired income goals, understanding your costs, and consistently reviewing pricing structures.The hosts explore various aspects of pricing, including the significance of regular price increases, the impact of vendor price changes, and the pitfalls of maintaining stagnant rates. They debunk the myth that pricing should remain unchanged for existing clients and assert that it's essential to factor in cost-of-living adjustments to contracts. Additionally, they touch on the Gary Vaynerchuk model of incrementally raising prices for new clients until reaching a cap.Justin and Eric provide practical advice for MSPs, whether they aim to maintain a lifestyle business or aspire to substantial growth. They stress the importance of knowing your numbers, setting clear revenue targets, and continuously evaluating your pricing strategy to ensure profitability and sustainability. The episode offers valuable insights into the financial side of running an MSP and provides actionable takeaways for MSP owners looking to thrive in a competitive market.

In this episode of "All Things MSP," hosts Eric Anthony and Justin Esgar dive into the  world of MSP marketing. They stress the importance of understanding your target market and tailoring your marketing efforts accordingly. Eric simplifies the marketing process into three key stages: Get, Do, and Keep. He further breaks down the Get phase into awareness, evaluation, and conversion.Justin shares his experiences with various marketing tactics, including postcards, LinkedIn messages, cold calls, and webinars, highlighting the importance of knowing your demographic and competition. He emphasizes that marketing isn't always a logical, straight path; it requires creativity and experimentation.The hosts discuss the significance of dedicating time and effort to marketing, even if you're not investing a significant amount of money. They encourage MSP owners to embrace marketing as a long-term effort, as it's all about gaining more eyeballs and building brand recognition over time.The episode also teases the upcoming ACEs conference, a valuable event for IT consultants looking to enhance their business acumen. ACEs conference covers a wide range of topics, including marketing, management, sales, and general business strategies.In conclusion, "Cracking the Code: Getting Started with MSP Marketing" provides insights and practical advice for MSP owners looking to improve their marketing strategies and attract the right clients.

Hey there, tech enthusiasts and business aficionados! Get ready for a candid deep dive into the world of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) on the All Things MSP podcast. Join hosts Justin Esgar and Eric Anthony as they navigate the maze of calculating revenue per employee and uncover the real-deal strategies for success in this dynamic industry.Picture this: Eric starts off by throwing out some eye-popping numbers for annual revenue per employee, and let's just say, Justin is not entirely convinced! The banter between these two seasoned pros is nothing short of entertaining as they dissect the nuances of these figures. Eric confesses he was baiting for some spirited discussion – and boy, do they deliver!But it's not just about numbers. It's about finding your own path to success. With a touch of humor, they debunk the idea that one size fits all in the world of MSPs. From tiered technicians to varying service offerings, they explore how different factors can impact revenue goals. They also ponder the age-old question: Is achieving the highest revenue per employee figure the ultimate measure of success?The key takeaway? Success is as unique as your business. Justin and Eric stress that while these figures and calculations can serve as benchmarks, they should never dictate your journey. Setting your sights on what truly drives you and your team is what matters most.So, whether you're a tech whiz, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just someone intrigued by the world of managed services, hit that play button and get ready for a rollercoaster of insights, opinions, and aha moments. Don't miss out on this engaging podcast that's all about defining your version of success in the MSP realm. Tune in, get inspired, and remember – there's more to success than meets the spreadsheet!

 In this episode of the All Things MSP podcast, we speak with Steve Petryschuk and John Harden from Auvik about their new SaaS management solution. They discuss the challenges of managing SaaS in a complex IT environment, and how their solution can help MSPs discover, manage, and secure their clients' SaaS applications.

- The increasing adoption of SaaS applications by businesses is creating new challenges for MSPs.

- MSPs need a solution that can help them discover, manage, and secure their clients' SaaS applications.

- The solution is easy to use and can be deployed quickly.

In this episode of All Things/MSP, Justin and Eric intended to talk about what we put in our home network racks as well as our preferred stacks for clients.  They quickly diverged into security on the road since they have both been traveling lately.  They also discussed wiring and punchdown schemas and they go on a little rant regarding wifi range extenders.

In this episode of the All Things MSP podcast, Justin Esgar and Eric Anthony discuss the pros and cons of hiring a technician or an admin as your first employee. They argue that the best person to hire is the person who can fill the void of what you can't do or do better than you. They also discuss the importance of outsourcing tasks to save time and money.Justin and Eric start by discussing the benefits of hiring a technician as your first employee. They argue that a technician can help you with technical tasks, such as troubleshooting problems, installing software, and managing servers. They also point out that a technician can help you grow your business by bringing in new clients.However, Justin and Eric also note that there are some drawbacks to hiring a technician as your first employee. They argue that a technician can be expensive, and that they may not be as good at marketing and sales as you are. They also point out that a technician may not be able to help you with non-technical tasks, such as managing finances or responding to customer inquiries.Justin and Eric then discuss the benefits of hiring an admin as your first employee. They argue that an admin can help you with non-technical tasks, such as managing finances, responding to customer inquiries, and scheduling appointments. They also point out that an admin can be less expensive than a technician, and that they may be better at marketing and sales than you are.However, Justin and Eric also note that there are some drawbacks to hiring an admin as your first employee. They argue that an admin may not be able to help you with technical tasks, such as troubleshooting problems or installing software. They also point out that an admin may not be as good at growing your business as you are.In the end, Justin and Eric conclude that the best person to hire as your first employee is the person who can fill the void of what you can't do or do better than you. They also stress the importance of outsourcing tasks to save time and money.

In this episode of the All Things MSP podcast, join hosts Justin Esgar and Eric Anthony as they delve into the world of digital organization with their guest, Shawn Lemon. Shawn, an expert in digital workflows, highlights the importance of file structure in optimizing productivity for MSPs. He emphasizes that having a centralized resource where all team members can access documentation, client files, and essential resources is key to streamlining processes.The discussion revolves around transforming the traditional approach of organizing files based on client names into a more efficient system based on tasks and functionalities. Shawn introduces the concept of creating a virtual workshop, where files are arranged according to how they are used, akin to having specific tools placed together for easy access. By doing so, MSPs can reduce redundancies, minimize the risk of lost documentation, and enhance collaboration among team members.The conversation also covers the significance of naming conventions in improving file accessibility. Shawn explains how naming files based on their content or purpose rather than specific clients allows for easy sharing of generic resources, such as password resets or common procedures, across multiple clients. Additionally, he demonstrates how adopting a flexible naming convention can help in categorizing expenses and other data with ease.Join the discussion to discover practical tips for reorganizing digital clutter, effectively onboarding new team members, and achieving unparalleled efficiency in MSP workflows.

Link to the material Justin mentioned: https://thedigitalorganizer.com/allthingsmsp

In what seems to be an innocent episode of Reddit Roulette of the All Things MSP podcast, hosts Eric Anthony and Justin Esgartake a sharp left turn into the world of project management and productivity hacks. They start by discussing "The Phoenix Project," a must-read book that tells a captivating  story while offering valuable insights into project management. Justin reveals that his company even includes the book as part of their employee onboarding package to instill essential project management skills in every new team member.The hosts then explore various project management software, with Justin expressing a preference for a physical Kanban board over digital tools like Trello or ClickUp. He emphasizes the importance of a tactile approach, as it helps keep tasks front and center, preventing them from being forgotten or buried within digital interfaces.Eric counters by sharing his experiences with transitioning from traditional bullet journaling to the digital equivalent, GoodNotes. While acknowledging the convenience and searchability of digital solutions, he still misses the tactile experience of pen and paper.The conversation concludes with a crucial piece of advice for anyone embarking on their project management journey: find productivity tools that suit your needs and stick with it for at least 90 days before making a decision.

Welcome to another episode of "All Things MSP." Join hosts Justin and Eric as they dive into the dynamic world of pricing and client value for Managed Service Providers. Discover how this pivotal aspect can significantly impact an MSP's success and reputation.In this engaging conversation, the hosts tackle the common issue of MSP pricing. They emphasize the need to review and adjust pricing regularly, asserting that failing to do so may result in undercharging clients. Justin and Eric provide real-world examples of how regional differences in pricing can affect the perception of service quality, making it essential for MSPs to set their rates accordingly.The hosts also underscore the power of personalization and the value it brings to clients. They stress that the personalized touch of a smaller MSP can never be replicated by larger tech firms. Demonstrating genuine care for clients through thoughtful gestures like birthday greetings or sending relevant articles fosters long-lasting relationships, making clients feel valued and heard.Justin shares insights on the benefits of gradually raising prices and the transformative impact it can have on an MSP's growth. While some may fear losing clients, Eric suggests that raising prices systematically can help identify the market price cap and attract the right customers who appreciate the value of the services offered.In this episode, Justin and Eric also advocate for a consulting-oriented approach instead of a race-to-the-bottom pricing strategy. By adding more value to clients' businesses and focusing on their profitability, MSPs can become indispensable partners.For MSPs looking to thrive in a competitive landscape, mastering pricing, and prioritizing client value are non-negotiable. So, tune in to "All Things MSP" and unlock the secrets to sustainable growth and success in the MSP world.

In this episode of the All Things MSP podcast we discuss the changing relationship between MSPs and tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Google. They discuss how these tech giants are making it more difficult for MSPs to do business by constantly changing the goalposts and demanding more from MSPs. They also discuss how MSPs may need to stop reselling these tech giants' products and services in order to maintain their profitability and stickiness with clients.The hosts conclude by saying that the relationship between MSPs and tech giants is changing, and that MSPs need to be prepared to adapt to these changes in order to survive.Here are some of the key points from the summary:
Tech giants are making it more difficult for MSPs to do business by changing the goalposts and demanding more from MSPs.MSPs may need to stop reselling tech giants' products and services in order to maintain their profitability and stickiness with clients.The relationship between MSPs and tech giants is changing, and MSPs need to be prepared to adapt to these changes.