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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

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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

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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 the exact roadmap to adding $20,000 in monthly recurring revenue to your agency—whether you’re just starting out, scaling past $100K/month, or somewhere in between. You’ll learn how to escape the one-time project trap, transition to a scalable revenue model, and position yourself as a high-value strategic partner instead of a freelancer.

If you want to escape the freelancer mindset, build a sustainable, scalable agency, and finally achieve financial freedom, this episode is a must-listen.

  

What You’ll Discover in This Episode

Why One-Time Projects Keep You Stuck – The hidden danger of unpredictable revenue.

Why Retainers Aren’t the Best Solution – Stop trading time for money and sell outcomes instead.

How to Package & Price Recurring Revenue Services – Three proven models that work for any agency.

The No-Brainer Pitch for Recurring Clients – A simple way to make your offer an easy yes.

How to Transition Existing Clients Into Recurring Plans – Turn past clients into long-term revenue.

The Secret to Selling Without Resistance – A risk-reversal strategy that eliminates hesitation.

How to Scale Without Overworking – Automate, delegate, and systemize for profitable growth.

 

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction02:45 - The Importance of Recurring Revenue05:30 - Common Pitfalls in Agency Models08:15 - Transitioning from Retainers to Value-Based Pricing11:00 - Crafting the Right Offer for Recurring Revenue14:00 - Packaging and Pricing for Profit17:30 - The No-Brainer Pitch Strategy20:15 - Starting with Existing Clients23:00 - Automating and Scaling for Profitability26:00 - Recap and Actionable Steps29:30 - Outro and Exciting Announcements

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

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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

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In this episode of The Agency Hour, Johnny Flash sits down with Thomas Amos, Founder of Design Box Studios and coach at Agency Mavericks, to explore how AI is revolutionizing the way agencies operate. Thomas shares his journey of embracing AI to transform daily workflows, save time, and enhance client experiences.

Johnny and Thomas dive into the tools and strategies that have reshaped Thomas’s agency, including creating custom GPTs for SOPs, email follow-ups, and digital roadmaps, which cut hours of work down to minutes. They discuss the power of using AI as an assistant rather than a replacement, sharing practical insights into how tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Fathom can amplify productivity while retaining a human touch.

Thomas opens up about the challenges of balancing innovation with quality and offers actionable advice for agency owners looking to stay ahead of the AI curve. From AI-assisted SEO content creation to voice-activated task management, the conversation highlights the endless possibilities for integrating AI into your business.

The discussion also looks ahead to the future of AI, including advancements in video editing, voice command integration, and personalized digital assistants that could revolutionize agency operations. Thomas’s candid insights and practical tips make this episode a must-listen for anyone eager to harness AI’s potential to work smarter, not harder.

Whether you’re curious about AI’s role in agency life or ready to implement new tools to streamline your workflow, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable strategies.

 

Handy Links

Design Box

Paid Discovery

 

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

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In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean sits down with Jamie Kritharas, Founder of Defiant Digital, to discuss how he transformed his career from international DJ to leading one of Australia’s top digital agencies.

Jamie shares his journey of building Defiant Digital from scratch, helping over 300 businesses generate hundreds of millions in revenue by combining creativity with performance marketing.

Troy and Jamie explore the challenges and triumphs of scaling a remote team of 30 A-players, the importance of aligning creative with ad performance, and how Jamie built a business that thrives without him.

Jamie reveals the mindset shifts and practical strategies that helped him step out of day-to-day client work, create a thriving team culture, and protect his agency by firing toxic clients.

The conversation also dives into Defiant Digital’s client acquisition strategies, the tools they use to maintain team cohesion in a remote environment, and Jamie’s approach to fostering a team-first culture.

Jamie’s candid insights and actionable advice are a must-listen for anyone looking to scale their agency sustainably while maintaining creative excellence.

Whether you’re an agency owner looking to step out of the weeds or an entrepreneur ready to build a business that runs without you, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration.

 

Handy Links:

Defiant Digital

Paid Discovery

WIX

 

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

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In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean sits down with Brandon Leibowitz, Founder of SEO Optimizers, to discuss how digital marketing is evolving in the AI era and what it means for agency owners and marketers. Brandon shares his proven strategies for driving traffic, building authority, and adapting to rapid technological changes like AI-driven content and search engine advancements.

 

Troy and Brandon delve into the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, Bard, and Gemini, examining their impact on SEO, content creation, and the value of human connection in digital marketing. Brandon explains how to use AI responsibly, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and personalization in content while avoiding common mistakes that could harm a site’s rankings. The conversation also highlights the enduring power of backlinks, how to leverage them effectively, and why video content is becoming a critical tool for engaging audiences and dominating search results.

 

Brandon shares his insights on the future of search, including why websites need to evolve into content-rich, audience-focused platforms to remain competitive. He also discusses actionable ways to future-proof your SEO strategy, from targeting high-value keywords to creating authentic, high-quality content that stands out in an increasingly AI-driven digital landscape.

 

Whether you’re looking to refine your SEO strategy, explore new ways to use AI in your agency, or stay ahead of digital marketing trends, this episode is a must-listen for agency owners and marketers alike.

 

 

Handy Links:

SEO Optimizers

Paid Discovery

WIX

 

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

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In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean sits down with Cannon Carr, Regional Director and Partner at EP Wealth, to explore strategic wealth-building and financial independence for agency owners. Cannon shares his innovative “Three R’s Framework” — Reinvest, Reward, and Repurpose — designed to help business owners create wealth beyond the agency, while building a sustainable, scalable business model.

Troy and Cannon dive deep into the crucial steps every agency owner should take to diversify income and protect their financial future. Cannon discusses why relying solely on agency profits isn’t enough and provides actionable insights on how to reinvest wisely for growth, reward yourself sustainably, and repurpose income to build a financial safety net outside of the agency. The conversation covers everything from creating a succession plan, to making your business less dependent on you, to planning for a profitable exit strategy on your terms.

Key highlights include Cannon’s advice on using diversified investments to secure financial freedom, understanding how to scale a business beyond the founder’s role, and navigating the complexities of selling or passing on an agency. Cannon explains how to avoid common pitfalls and use financial planning to turn an agency into a wealth-building engine that supports the owner’s lifestyle and goals.

Whether you’re an agency owner looking to grow, exit, or simply build a solid financial foundation, this episode is packed with essential strategies to help you secure long-term wealth and independence. // HANDY

 

Handy Links:

EP Wealth

Cannon Carr LinkedIn

Paid Discovery

WIX

 

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

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In this episode of The Agency Hour Podcast, Johnny Flash sits down with Laura Elizabeth, seasoned web designer and founder of Client Portal, to unpack the transformative power of paid discovery in building profitable, streamlined client relationships.

Laura shares her journey from freelance web design to launching Client Portal, a WordPress plugin that simplifies client communication and helps agencies deliver a professional, high-touch experience. Johnny and Laura dive deep into the role of paid discovery as a critical tool for qualifying clients, setting clear project expectations, and minimizing scope creep.

Laura explains how paid discovery not only weeds out low-commitment clients but also positions agencies as trusted advisors from the very start. She shares insights on structuring paid discovery sessions, creating actionable digital roadmaps, and effectively communicating project scope to ensure mutual alignment. They also explore best practices for creating a seamless client onboarding process that sets the stage for long-term partnerships.

Laura emphasizes small, impactful touches—like reusable email templates, regular project check-ins, and thoughtful offboarding—as key to maintaining client satisfaction and generating repeat business.

In this practical episode, Johnny and Laura highlight how agencies can elevate their client experience by implementing client portals to keep files, links, and deliverables organized in one accessible location, helping clients feel informed without overwhelming them.

From templates for difficult conversations to strategies for securing referrals, this conversation is full of actionable advice for agencies aiming to improve client communication and increase efficiency.

Whether you’re an agency owner or a freelancer looking to streamline client management, this episode provides essential tips for turning leads into loyal clients and maximizing agency profitability.

 

Handy Links

Wix

Paid Discovery

HighLevel

Client Portal

Laura’s Twitter: @lauraelizdunn

 

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

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In this episode of The Agency Hour Podcast, Johnny Flash sits down with Vladimer Botsvadze, a world-renowned social media influencer, keynote speaker, and startup advisor, to discuss how AI is reshaping personal branding and content creation.

Vladimer shares his journey from growing his Twitter following to over 57,000 followers through consistent organic efforts, to becoming a leading authority in digital marketing and AI-powered brand building. He highlights how the modern marketing landscape is all about balancing automation with authentic human connection.

Johnny and Vladimer dive deep into the challenges and opportunities of leveraging AI for content creation, with Vladimer advocating for producing 40-50 pieces of content daily across multiple platforms using AI tools. He explains how AI can help streamline marketing efforts, boost productivity, and scale businesses, while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining a consumer-centric approach to foster trust and loyalty. They also explore the importance of personal branding in 2024, especially in a marketplace where consumers are bombarded with advertisements and seek genuine connections with brands.

Vladimer introduces cutting-edge AI tools like Perplexity and Mixo.io, which are helping businesses build websites and create content at unprecedented speeds. He provides insights into how agencies can stand out by focusing on storytelling, emotional connection, and delivering value to their audience. In this insightful episode, Vladimer and Johnny also discuss how AI will impact job roles in marketing, how to stay ahead of the curve by embracing AI, and why building a personal brand is crucial for long-term success in a competitive digital world.

Whether you’re an agency owner looking to scale content creation, harness AI for business growth, or build a personal brand that resonates with your audience, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

 

 

Handy Links:

Vladimer Botsvadze

Wix

Paid Discovery

HighLevel

 

 

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

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