Want Actual Happy Clients? Here's How The Account Management Role Should Look & Work Inside Your Agency | with Craig Rodney

On the Happy Clients Podcast, let’s dive into a topic that’s going to transform the way you look at the Account Management function in your agency. This will make your clients genuinely happier, but also, your team. Today, we’re talking about the magic of account management with none other than *the* Agency Coach, Craig Rodney.

Successful scaling isn’t just about working harder; it’s about delegating effectively and empowering your team to take ownership of their roles. Here’s a secret: the real growth happens when you upgrade not just your clients but also your team.

In this episode, we tap into Craig's 15+ years of experience growing, scaling (and later) exiting an agency. He shares what he's seen work and not, which I'm confident you'll walk away with a notepad full of ideas to implement.

Welcome to a new episode of The Happy Clients Podcast! In this episode, we chat with Laurie from Everflow to chat all things partner marketing, tracking, and attribution platforms.

Laurie sheds light on how Everflow helps clients manage their partner programs and agency partnerships to achieve optimal results. The conversation dives into the importance of tracking, client retention, the challenges agencies face, and the benefits of using Everflow.

Tune in to learn more about how Everflow's tools can help agencies effectively manage campaigns and deliver value to their clients!

Imagine your agency, where your sole role is to be the CEO. Imagine!

Often times, as an agency owner, it can feel isolating. You know where you want to go, you just don't know what to do.

What's where Jason comes in. And, in this episode, he'll share with you some of the HOWs.

Jason's mission is to be the resource he wishes he had when he was building his first marketing agency. He understands the stress, uncertainty, and long hours we as agency founders put into growing a successful agency!

Jason Swenk is the agency advisor & coach who guides marketing agencies through a proven framework for growing their agency faster. Jason has written the book for growing a marketing company from nothing to 8-figures.  He is one of the most sought-after advisors to marketing agencies in the World, by showing them an 8 system framework that worked for growing his agency, working with brands like AT&T, Hitachi, Lotus Cars, and eventually lead to selling his agency.

Jason currently hosts the Smart Agency Master Class Podcast, the #1 Digital Marketing Agency Owner podcast. The show shares strategies and stories from real agency owners on what is working today in the agency world, and how they got to where they are now.

I learned a lot from this episode, and I know you will too (if you're serious about growing your agency).

Welcome back to another episode of The Happy Clients Podcast! Today, we’re excited to welcome Carl Smith, the driving force behind Bureau of Digital. Carl leads a vibrant community that’s all about connecting agency owners and professionals in the digital space—*cue the handshake*

In this episode, Carl shares his pivotal role at Bureau of Digital. We dive deep into the Bureau of Digital's story, exploring how it has grown from intimate in-person events to a bustling online community, especially thriving during the challenges of the pandemic.

We talk a LOT about the power of community (especially for us in the agency world). You won’t want to miss Carl's insights on how a robust, supportive network can be a game-changer in navigating the ever-evolving digital landscape.

If you’re eager to boost your community involvement or curious about the future of digital services, this episode is an absolute must-listen. Tune in!

Have you ever been misaligned on expectations with your client?

We *all* have.

But one of the things you can do to remove this barrier is to have a solid marketing plan for your clients. This exact strategy is what Corey Morris does for his clients at Voltage — and he's sharing it with you in this episode.

All I want for you is to improve your client experience, and learning what is really happening inside agencies is a fast-tracked way to make this happen.

Corey Morris is a dedicated professional and owner of Voltage. He has significantly evolved his business over the past few years. Initially serving a variety of direct end clients, Cory saw a remarkable increase in agency-to-agency collaborations. Recognizing the benefits of specialization, Cory strategically niched down his services to focus exclusively on both sides of search—organic and paid—and website development. This focused approach not only simplified his offerings but also deepened his expertise, making his company an invaluable partner in the digital space.

Listen in to this week's episode!

Our host Taylor sits down with agency coach Steven Gubeman to discuss the challenges agency owners face and how to take their businesses to the next level. I know, I know, you've heard it before from the gurus, but this guy has 25 YEARS of experience.

I'm all about learning from those who have gone before me, and that's Steven.

Steven shares insights from his 25 years in the agency space, emphasizing the importance of mindset, delegation, and setting meaningful goals (not just ones you think you should have). They dive into topics like building systems, hiring the right people, and overcoming control issues.

Steven's approach to building agencies focuses on accountability, realistic goal-setting, and creating a supportive community for agency owners.

Listening to this could save you years of trying to figure this thing out on your own.

Let's talk about something crucial for your agency: aligning your value proposition with the client experience. This isn't just about having a snazzy pitch; it's all about ensuring every touchpoint with your clients reflects the unique value you bring to the table.

Is this overwhelming? That's why we brought on Tim Kilroy to the podcast.

We had the honor of chatting with Tim Kilroy, a powerhouse in helping agency owners like you reach new heights. Tim spilled the tea on crafting effective systems, truly understanding client needs, and building a thriving team.

The success of your agency often hinges on one critical factor: positioning. How does your agency stand out in a sea of competitors? How do you communicate your unique value proposition to clients in a way that resonates and drives results? These questions are at the heart of every thriving agency's strategy.

Enter David Hoos from David Hoos from Haus Advisors. He helps agencies position themselves, build key strategic partnerships, and create content that converts.

David is a seasoned B2B services marketing leader with over 10+ years of helping expert service firms plan and build out marketing engines that bring in more consistent qualified leads. From agency differentiation to strategic partnerships, to designing engaging content, and beyond, David has not only a strong strategic background, but deep experience getting into the weeds of execution whenever necessary.

In this episode, David walks you through how he guides agencies to build their positioning for success.

Meet Todd

Todd is a seasoned professional specializing in M&A, working with agencies that generate between $1 million and $5 million in EBITDA.. His clients are often successful agencies seeking to grow faster or take their business to the next level. Todd helps them achieve these goals through strategic transactions that provide liquidity and equity in a larger company (usually). This approach allows agency owners to gain immediate cash while retaining a stake in a potentially more valuable enterprise.

Mergers and Acquisitions can be a transformative journey for agencies, offering growth, liquidity, and new opportunities. If you're an agency owner considering selling or simply curious about the M&A process, Todd's insights are invaluable.

The Most Important Hire in Your Agency (Don't Make This Mistake!)

If you're running an agency, you know how critical it is to hire the right people. Whether you're just starting out or have a team of A-players, each new hire can either propel your agency forward or set you back. 😮‍💨This week's episode we talk about the story of an agency owner who made a costly hiring mistake—one that set them back a year. Here's a sneak peek into what happened and what you can learn from it.

When it comes to agency roles, the Account Manager (AM) is one of the most pivotal positions (in our humble opinion). This person is the bridge between your clients and your team, ensuring that projects run smoothly and that your clients stay happy! Get it right, and you'll have clients singing your praises. Get it wrong, and you could be facing communication breakdowns, missed deadlines, and revenue losses— no fun.