The Agency Accelerator

Ready to hire your first member of staff and expand your agency? Read on…

In today’s episode of The Agency Accelerator Podcast, I am talking all about hiring your first member of staff. I have seen the 'good, the bad, and the ugly' of recruiting: how not to do this, make this a very expensive mistake and how to find the perfect fit candidate.

So today we will be exploring: 

• When you should hire your first member of staff.
• Whether it should be a freelancer or an in-house member of staff.
• Some of the processes you need to follow in order to make sure you are giving yourself the best chance for you to find the right person and for them to be successful. 

How To Recruit Your First Member Of Staff

02:00 Feeling like you need an extra pair of hands for your agency? You need a documented vision outlining where you want your agency to head, and the triggers to hiring team members.

02:51 Hiring freelancers comes with pros and cons. Can they fit into the culture of your business and do they see your vision?

05:36 Wondering if hiring a freelancer is the right move for you? There are two times where you might need to use freelance staff. 

07:18 Create clear roles and responsibilities in order to find the right person for your agency. 

11:18 Once you’ve hired someone that isn’t the end of the problem, but the start of the journey. Are you prepared to spend time getting your new member of staff up to speed and embedded into your agency?

14:30 You need to set smart time-bound objectives, as well as giving feedback to make sure that your new member of staff develops in their role.

Useful links:

Download the Recruitment app & Retention Book

***BRAND NEW AGENCY TRAINING***

3 strategies to fill your pipeline with ideal leads in just 90-days

Save Your Seat here: https://buff.ly/3p6lmeG

Download The Self-Running Implementation Book

Subscribe & Review

Are you subscribed to my podcast yet? If you’re not, please do so to avoid missing out on any episodes!

You can subscribe/follow on Apple, Spotify or directly from my website.

I would be very grateful if you left me a review too as they will help other people to find my podcasts and it's also great to read your comments!

Thanks so much and see you next week!

Rob

In today’s episode of The Agency Accelerator Podcast, I am chatting with Steve Slotow from Globital Marketing.

We are talking about everything to do with resourcing and working with white label partners:

• how to pick a partner
• when you should outsource and
• why you should outsource.

This is another actioned-packed episode with lots of practical tips and guidance.

Show Notes 

01:20 Steve introduces himself and Globital Marketing 

05:14 What are the benefits of working with partners vs hiring in-house talent to grow your business?

10:40 How broad should your agency's offering be?

15:20 Why it's important to have clarity on the direction of your agency

16:40 How to ensure a white label partner provides quality deliverables; managing quality assurance 

21:12 Tips for agencies to find outsourcing partners 

26:21 Steve’s thoughts on upcoming trends for agencies 

29:34 Steve’s business advice to his younger self 

Useful links:

Globital Marketing

The Digital Marketing Dream Team

The Digital Marketing Collective

Steve's Instagram

Contact steve: [email protected]

***BRAND NEW AGENCY TRAINING***

3 strategies to fill your pipeline with ideal leads in just 90-days

Save Your Seat here: https://buff.ly/3p6lmeG

Download The Self-Running Implementation Book

Subscribe & Review

Are you subscribed to my podcast yet? If you’re not, please do so to avoid missing out on any episodes!

You can subscribe/follow on Apple, Spotify or directly from my website.

I would be very grateful if you left me a review too as they will help other people to find my podcasts and it's also great to read your comments!

Thanks so much and see you next week!

Rob

In today's episode of The Agency Accelerator Podcast, I am talking about everything to do with delegation.

This is an important topic, whether you have a one-person agency or have a team of 20+, and something so many leaders and managers do poorly - after all, we are rarely trained in the art of delegation!

This episode is packed with practical and actionable tips to help you further your agency's development and success. 

Time Stamp

01:52 The concept of a 'notional hourly rate' 

02:49 The 4 D’s: Ditch, Delegate, Defer, Do it

03:42 Automating tasks 

04:17 Why we don’t delegate 

08:32 The 9-steps to effective delegation 

Useful links:

Download The Art of Delegation Book

***BRAND NEW AGENCY TRAINING***

3 strategies to fill your pipeline with ideal leads in just 90-days

Save Your Seat here: https://buff.ly/3p6lmeG

Download The Self-Running Implementation Book

Subscribe & Review

Are you subscribed to my podcast yet? If you’re not, please do so to avoid missing out on any episodes!

You can subscribe/follow on Apple, Spotify or directly from my website.

I would be very grateful if you left me a review too as they will help other people to find my podcasts and it's also great to read your comments!

Thanks so much and see you next week!

Rob

In today's episode of 'The Agency Accelerator Podcast’, I get together with Miranda Birch, founder of Miranda Birch Media; a company helping business tell stories to better engage with their clients. Today we talk all about the importance of storytelling in your marketing and also the value of great customer testimonials. This episode is packed with actionable items, so I know you're going to find it really useful and insightful.

Time Stamp

01:22 Miranda Birch introduces herself, her background, and why she loves stories 

03:01 The power of storytelling for agencies wanting to connect with potential and existing clients 

06:07 What makes a good story 

08:17 The role of customer testimonials in an agency’s sales process 

13:28 The best format for testimonials 

14:50 How to maximise the value of a video testimonial 

16:14 What point should an agency approach a client for a testimonial 

21:25 What to do when a client does not want their name published in relation to a testimonial 

24:20 The do’s and don’ts of getting, interviewing and creating testimonials 

26:15 Miranda’s new online courses about testimonials and how to capture stories that convert 

32:38 The benefits of getting in front of the camera 

35:40 Miranda’s advice to her younger self starting out in business 

Useful links:

***BRAND NEW AGENCY TRAINING***

3 Sales Strategies That Work!

​​​​​​​How to fill your pipeline with ideal leads in just 90-days

Save Your Seat here: https://buff.ly/3p6lmeG

Useful links:

Miranda Birch Media

Attract more clients with 10 minute testimonials with Miranda Birch

Miranda's email series: Pick My Brain

Connect with Miranda on LinkedIn

Download The Self-Running Implementation Book

Download The Lead Generation System Book

Download The Strategic Email Marketing That Gets Results Book

Join my Facebook group ‘The Agency Accelerator’

Download the 'Creating A Sustainable & Profitable Agency' book

Subscribe & Review

Are you subscribed to my podcast yet? If you’re not, please do so to avoid missing out on any episodes!

You can subscribe/follow on Apple, Spotify or directly from my website.

I would be very grateful if you left me a review too as they will help other people to find my podcasts and it's also great to read your comments!

Thanks so much and see you next week!

Rob

In today’s episode of ‘The Agency Accelerator Podcast,’ I am revisiting a topic which I spoke about at the beginning of last year; email marketing. If you want a robust business development strategy that delivers a continuous source of ideal leads, then email marketing should be at the top of your agenda. 

Time Stamp 

01:22 The importance of email marketing 

03:02 The importance of building your social media profiles and moving your followers into your email list 

04:54 The 8 do’s of email marketing 

10:11 The 8 don’ts of email marketing  

15:40 Focussing on the growth of your email list 

Useful links:

***BRAND NEW AGENCY TRAINING***

3 Sales Strategies That Work!

​​​​​​​How to fill your pipeline with ideal leads in just 90-days

Save Your Seat here: https://buff.ly/3p6lmeG

Download The Lead Generation System Book

Download The Strategic Email Marketing That Gets Results Book

Download The Self-Running Implementation Book

Join my Facebook group ‘The Agency Accelerator’

Download the 'Creating A Sustainable & Profitable Agency' book

Subscribe & Review

Are you subscribed to my podcast yet? If you’re not, please do so to avoid missing out on any episodes!

You can subscribe/follow on Apple, Spotify or directly from my website.

I would be very grateful if you left me a review too as they will help other people to find my podcasts and it's also great to read your comments!

Thanks so much and see you next week!

Rob

In today's episode of the Agency Accelerator Podcast, I’m really excited to have this week's guest, Lucy Snell with me.

We’re talking everything to do with business development and some of the dos and don'ts of things you should and shouldn't be doing in your agency in 2021.

Time Stamp 

01:05 Lucy introduces herself and her background 

05:22 Why business development is a longterm game 

09:42 Trends that happened for agencies in 2020

12:31 The difference between an agency that really succeeded last year and an agency that has stumbled or even failed

16:34 Using email as a tool for business development 

20:46 The ‘Client Service Hamster Wheel of Doom’

22:17 What agencies should be doing this year from a business development perspective

25:27 Finding things that work and engage with your target audience 

27:50 Things that agencies should not be doing this year from a business development perspective 

32:30 The ‘Mastermind Group Coaching’ programme

Useful links:

***BRAND NEW AGENCY TRAINING***

3 Sales Strategies That Work!

​​​​​​​How to fill your pipeline with ideal leads in just 90-days

Save Your Seat here: https://buff.ly/3p6lmeG

Cherry Business Consulting

Lucy Snell Online

Download The Self-Running Implementation Book

Join my Facebook group ‘The Agency Accelerator’

Download the 'Creating A Sustainable & Profitable Agency' book

Subscribe & Review

Are you subscribed to my podcast yet? If you’re not, please do so to avoid missing out on any episodes!

You can subscribe/follow on Apple, Spotify or directly from my website.

I would be very grateful if you left me a review too as they will help other people to find my podcasts and it's also great to read your comments!

Thanks so much and see you next week!

Rob

My business development strategy using LinkedIn

In today’s episode I am talking all about LinkedIn and specifically exactly what my LinkedIn strategy is and why I think if you are in a B2B space, it is the most important social media platform you can use.

Time Stamp

01:16 The dos and don’ts of using LinkedIn for business development and outreach

01:29 Treating LinkedIn as a sales funnel

03:16 Finding who your ideal target customer is on LinkedIn

05:05 Strategic posting on LinkedIn

05:50 Investing time into LinkedIn on a regular basis

06:30 Keeping your connections clean

07:26 The balance of 80/20 and what that means

Useful links:

***BRAND NEW AGENCY TRAINING***

3 Sales Strategies That Work!

​​​​​​​How to fill your pipeline with ideal leads in just 90-days

Save Your Seat here: https://training.dacostacoaching.co.uk/webinar

Download The Self-Running Implementation Book

Join my Facebook group ‘The Agency Accelerator’

Download the 'Creating A Sustainable & Profitable Agency' book

Subscribe & Review

Are you subscribed to my podcast yet? If you’re not, please do so to avoid missing out on any episodes!

You can subscribe/follow on Apple, Spotify or directly from my website.

I would be very grateful if you left me a review too as they will help other

people to find my podcasts and it's also great to read your comments!

Thanks

so much.

Rob

​In today’s episode of the agency accelerator podcast I’m extremely excited to have John Ashton with me.

John is the founder of copywriting agency, ‘Write Arm’, he has written a book, ‘The Kitchen Table Method’, and is also the mastermind behind the ‘Kitchen Table Community’ concept.

Time Stamp

01:05 John gives his thoughts on many people starting their freelance journey in 2020 

07:24 John explains what the ‘Kitchen Table’ method is

11:06 Why culture is so important for your business 

14:43 How to maintain your culture as your agency grows 

19:42 Growing an agency solely with freelancers

24:50 What is ‘’The Kitchen Table Community’?

32:00 John’s piece of advice to his younger self

Useful links:

Sign up for my FREE live Masterclass

Download The Self-Running Implementation Book

Join my Facebook group ‘The Agency Accelerator’

Download the 'Creating A Sustainable & Profitable Agency' book

The 'Kitchen Table Community'

John's copywriting and content writing agency: Write Arm

Subscribe & Review

Are you subscribed to my podcast yet? If you’re not, please do so to avoid missing out on any episodes!

You can subscribe/follow on Apple, Spotify or directly from my website.

I would be very grateful if you left me a review too as they will help other people to find my podcasts and it's also great to read your comments!

Thanks so much.

Rob

Good riddance to 2020, I am looking forward to a happier and more balanced 2021. Let’s not take for granted all the freedoms that we had pre-2020, once we start getting them back this year – fingers crossed!

In today’s episode, I talk about having a plan for the year, as well as putting a robust business development strategy in place so you can get a consistent pipeline of leads, prospects and new clients – and you don’t need to rely on word-of-mouth and referrals.

Time Stamp

01:34 Two key areas to have in place in order to take back control and get a better work-life balance

02:00 How to get a plan in place for the year ahead 

04:40 The 7 areas that your plan should incorporate 

07:00 How to break down your plan into quarters 

08:03 Breaking your quarterly strategies into a monthly plan

08:49 The importance of your plans being dynamic 

10:00 Why you need a consistent pipeline of leads, prospects and new customers for your plan to work 

11:05 The foundations of creating your pipeline 

Useful links:

Sign up for my FREE live Masterclass

Download The Self-Running Implementation Book

Join my Facebook group ‘The Agency Accelerator’

Download the 'Creating A Sustainable & Profitable Agency' book

Subscribe & Review

Are you subscribed to my podcast yet? If you’re not, please do so to avoid missing out on any episodes!

You can subscribe/follow on Apple, Spotify or directly from my website.

I would be very grateful if you left me a review too as they will help other people to find my podcasts and it's also great to read your comments!

Thanks so much.

Rob

We made it to Episode 50!

In this episode of ‘The Agency Accelerator’ podcast, I am joined by the extremely talented and savvy Lee Jackson.

Lee is our first-ever repeat guest, and today he will be sharing with us his insights into what he sees coming down the road in 2021. 

The last time we spoke, Lee joined us in Episode 10 of the podcast, where we were talking about growth and transformation.

If you haven’t listened to that episode, Lee helps web agencies fall back in love with their businesses, he runs ‘Agency Transformation Live’, is the co-founder of Events Engine, and if that wasn’t enough he is also the host of the ‘Agency Trailblazer’ podcast. 

Time Stamp

02:00 What are the typical trends you’ve seen happening this year with agencies? 

02:07 Most agencies have been surprised that they have been able to continue throughout 2020!

02:45 For most agencies, their clients reached out for help 

03:07 Agencies helped clients move from the physical to the digital space 

03:56 Some agencies thought they could hibernate and tread water, and some agencies were afraid to sell their services because they thought it was in bad taste! 

04:38 Small businesses struggling to sell things online 

05:32 A digital renaissance - businesses are realising that being online is imperative 

06:05 Two aspects: technology and marketing 

07:58 Using social media to build a new audience of consumers 

08:34 People working out how to pivot

10:00 Lee’s clients are events organisers - they have embraced online and created incredible digital experiences 

14:32 If you can really understand what your clients what to achieve, you should be getting out there and helping them 

15:25 Lee tells us more about the 2021 ‘Digital Renaissance’

16:26 Businesses will start focussing on what’s important 

16:40 One of Lee’s agencies is going full virtual now 

17:10 Lee is still concerned about the high street and thinks they might still struggle in 2021, but he thinks the high street will also change and more service-based businesses will appear 

18:30 Many entrepreneurs get seduced by starting projects and not finishing them. How will agencies figure out what is important? 

19:13 To start a business you need to work out your identity, then your values, the message and output. If you look at 2020, think about what your strengths, missions and passions are. Who are you helping and what are you solving? 

21:37 The importance of niching 

25:00 Not everyone can start an agency, there’s a lot of fake competition tarnishing the industry 

25:55 Marked increase in the low cost of entry in the industry 

27:18 Lee, if you could go back in time and give your younger self a piece of advice, what would it be? 

Useful links:

Download The Self-Running Implementation Book

Join my Facebook group ‘The Agency Accelerator’

Subscribe & Review

Are you subscribed to my podcast yet? If you’re not, please do so to avoid missing out on any episodes!

You can subscribe/follow on Apple, Spotify or directly from my website.

I would be very grateful if you left me a review too as they will help other people to find my podcasts and it's also great to read your comments!

Thanks so much.

Rob