In this breakthrough episode, Dan Proczko reveals the social media strategy that led to a 400% increase in page visits and a 600% increase in reach in just two weeks. He argues that low engagement isn't because your content is boring; it's because your strategy is wrong. 

This episode introduces a simple, 1-hour-a-day framework built around a core truth: social media platforms hate links and love comments. 

Learn the four-part post structure and the crucial commenting strategy that rewards you for being social, signaling to the algorithm that your content is valuable and should be shown to new audiences.

Listeners will discover:

• How to "tickle the algorithm" to expand your reach.
• The structure for a high-engagement post
• Why your posts should never include a link (and where the link should go instead).
• The commenting amplification strategy
• The WTB Moment of the Week

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Hosts
Daniel Proczko - myPocketMarketing
Brigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial

In this highly personal episode, Dan Proczko and Brigitte Vegter dive into the unspoken truth of entrepreneurship: the guilt tax that comes with growth. They discuss the constant tension between building a business and being present for family, acknowledging the feeling of being "on a treadmill that never shuts off." This episode provides the 5-Point Guilt Detox Plan, a clear action strategy to regain control, set boundaries, and build a sustainable business that supports the life you want, rather than consuming it.

Listeners will discover:

• The danger of the mindset: "If I just push a little harder, my time will open up" (and why that's a lie) .
• The 5-Point Guilt Detox Plan: From performing a time audit to creating a rigid "no list".
• Why you must schedule your non-negotiables (family, health) first and let work fill the remaining allotted time .
• The three levels of vacation, and why you must schedule a Level Three (total disconnect) .
• WTB moment of the week

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Hosts
Daniel Proczko - myPocketMarketing
Brigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial

 We made it! For our 100th episode, Dan Proczko and Brigitte Vegter are getting completely candid, sharing the 5 absolute truths that have shaped their businesses over the past three years. They confess to over-functioning for clients, the misery of burnout, and the mistake of thinking revenue solves all problems. They remind every tired, but determined business owner that it's okay that things are messy, and that growth comes from commitment, not perfection. 

The 5 Foundational Truths

1. More Revenue Does Not Equal More Peace: Stress and coordination challenges grow with your business. If you can't hire and get your time back, your pricing is broken
2. Most Business Problems Are Actually Decision Problems: Indecision is expensive, leading to burnout, sickness, and lost clients. Successful leaders make decisions quickly and confidently
3. You Can't Want It More Than Your Clients or Team: Over-caring leads to burnout, not better outcomes. Boundaries create sustainability, and caring does not mean carrying the burden
4. You Need a Money System with Your Marketing Funnel: Marketing without financial clarity is chaos. Start with clean books to lead your strategy, hiring, and scaling efforts
5. Consistency is Greater Than Complexity: You don't need complicated funnels or a massive website. You need a clear message, one real offer, and a rhythm to repeat it consistently\

What's Next for the Podcast

• New Segment Launch: Introducing The Audit Trail (WTB Moment of the Week), a weekly segment where Dan and Brigitte share a recent, raw business interaction (win or crash) and analyze its immediate impact on business growth and profit .
• The Next 100: Deep diving into resilient profitability, money and marketing audits, leadership growth (especially boundaries and burnout), and sharing tools that truly simplify, not overcomplicate, your business path .

Listener Resources

• Top Episodes: Check the show notes for links to the most listened-to episodes that inspired these truths, including 
  • "Stop Chasing Revenue," https://whatthebiz.com/stop-chasing-revenue-the-shocking-truth-about-profit-margins/
  • "The 3 Numbers Every Business Owner Needs to Know," https://whatthebiz.com/the-3-numbers-every-business-owner-needs-to-know/
  • "How to Launch Your Business" https://whatthebiz.com/ep-2-take-the-leap-and-become-an-entrepreneur/
• Share Your Moment: Listeners are encouraged to share their own "WTB Moments" via whatthebiz.com to fuel the new weekly segment.

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Hosts
Daniel Proczko - myPocketMarketing
Brigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial

In Episode 99 of "What the Biz?!," hosts Dan Proczko and Brigitte Vegter expose the urgent crisis facing small business marketing. Dan reveals the "Great Decoupling"—how AI Overviews are stealing up to 70% of organic clicks, while new privacy laws are making paid ads legally risky (up to $7,500 per violation ) and ineffective. This episode provides the strategic blueprint for moving off "rented land" and building your own secure, profitable First-Party Data Fortress. Learn the only way to gain economic resilience and predictability in a chaotic market.

Key Takeaways

• The Great Decoupling: AI Overviews are stealing up to 70% of organic clicks, causing traffic to plummet and making content investment less valuable for SEO.
• The Privacy Mandate: Stricter privacy laws are making targeted advertising ineffective and carrying massive legal penalties (up to $7,500 per violation ). Compliance applies based on the customer's state.
• First-Party Data is the Solution: It is the only asset you own. It provides Compliance (clear consent), Personalization (tailored messaging), and Economic Resilience (retaining customers is 5x cheaper than acquiring new ones).
• The Mindset Shift: Stop paying rent (ads, social followers) and start investing in an asset (your list). Ask what valuable product requires an email to function.
• Activation: Use Email (36X ROI) for detailed nurturing and SMS (98% open rate) for urgent communication and high-response engagement.

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Hosts
Daniel Proczko - myPocketMarketing
Brigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial

Is your email list collecting dust? Do you have great clients, but haven't emailed them in months? In this episode of "What the Biz?!," Dan Proczko and Brigitte Vegter get candid about the power of email. Dan explains why "silence is probably worse than a bad email," and Brigitte confesses that she, too, struggled with the mental block of "overthinking" what to say. They share the exact 5-day plan Dan uses to get back on track, ensuring you never let your most valuable asset (your list) go cold again.

You'll uncover:

• Why your subscribers forget you exist—just like you forget about a great TV show waiting for the next season.
• The importance of unsubscribes: they are good because they prune your list down to the people who truly want to hear from you.
• The 5-day kickoff plan: Day 1 is a brain dump of client questions; Day 2 is sending a "we're back" email to trigger unsubscribes (and warm up the list).
• Brigitte's tip to write the email as if you were talking to your best friend to overcome writer's block and keep your voice authentic.
• The "ugly" truth: you don't need fancy designs; simple, text-based emails are often the most effective for building a relationship.

Show Notes

In this episode, Dan and Brigitte explore why email is a critical, high-ROI marketing channel and provide a 5-day action plan to get your newsletter back on track.

Key Takeaways

• Email ROI is Massive: On average, email returns $36 for every $1 spent.
• The Problem is Mental: Many struggle with overthinking or the fear that "nobody is reading this". Silence, however, is worse than a rough email.
• Quality is Key: A great small business newsletter is simple, culture-driven, valuable, and consistent. Avoid trying to be clever; be clear.
• 5-Day Reignition Plan:
  • Day 1: Brain Dump. List all client questions and problems for months of content ideas
  • Day 2: The "We're Back" Email. Warm up your list, explain your absence, and set expectations for future value.
  • Day 3: Map Your Next 3 Topics. Outline the next three emails to build momentum.
  • Day 4: Write & Schedule. Write the three emails from your unique perspective (not AI) and schedule them to go out on a consistent day and time.
  • Day 5: Build a Template. Save a simple, reusable template to eliminate future distractions and make sending easy
• Don't Fear Unsubscribes: They are a natural and healthy part of the process, helping you prune your list to the most engaged audience.
• Focus on Conversation: Write emails as a two-way street, not a broadcast. Encourage replies and low-friction engagement.

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Hosts
Daniel Proczko - myPocketMarketing
Brigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial

In Episode 97 of "What the Biz?!," hosts Dan Proczko and Brigitte Vegter provide a crucial guide for any business looking to hire a marketing agency. Flipping the script from last week's financial focus, they present nine essential questions to ask before making this "high-stakes hire." This episode helps listeners vet a potential partner based on their commitment to growth metrics and overall business success, not just on a flashy pitch or vanity numbers.

Listeners will discover:

• The foundational difference between a marketing agency focused on vanity metrics (likes, followers) versus one focused on growth metrics (conversions, LTV).
• Why the agency's team structure and your dedicated point of contact are critical for accountability and preventing communication lag.
• How to ensure the agency's definition of success aligns with your business goals, and a story about an agency that cared more about a "pretty looking picture" than results.
• The red flags of an undefined onboarding process and why a great agency will prioritize a seamless, educational setup.
• How an agency handles strategic disagreement by being willing to A-B test your ideas against their own, using data to drive the final decision .
• The importance of reading the fine print and asking how they handle client churn to ensure you own your assets and have a clear off-boarding process.

Show Notes

In this episode, Dan and Brigitte provide nine essential questions every business owner should ask when hiring a marketing agency to ensure they find a partner committed to real business growth.

The 9 Essential Questions

Part 1: The Foundational Questions (Vetting the Philosophy)

1. What is your marketing philosophy? (Focus on growth metrics, not vanity metrics) 
2. What's your team structure, and who will I be working with? (Look for accountability and a consistent point of contact)
3. How do you define success for a client? (Ensure they prioritize your business outcomes) 

Part 2: The Strategic Questions (Vetting the Work)

1. What does your onboarding process look like? (A clean, defined process prevents missed steps) 
2. What metrics do you track, and how do you report on them? (Look for a commitment to regular, proactive reporting) 
3. What is your communication policy? (Clarify response times and preferred communication channels) 

Part 3: The "What If" Questions (Vetting for Longevity)

1. How do you handle a creative or strategic disagreement? (A good agency is willing to A-B test ideas and be guided by data) 
2. What happens if we outgrow your services? (They should have a plan to scale with you or refer you to larger partners) 
3. How do you handle client churn or a project that isn't working? (They should have a clear, non-malicious off-boarding process)

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Hosts
Daniel Proczko - myPocketMarketing
Brigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial

In Episode 96 of "What the Biz?!," hosts Brigitte Vegter and Dan Proczko tackle a topic nobody tells you about until it's too late: what to ask before hiring a bookkeeper. Moving beyond a simple conversation about price, they provide a list of ten essential questions that will save you time, money, and regret. This episode is a guide to finding a strategic financial partner, not just a data-entry person, who can help you grow your business.

Listeners will discover:

• The crucial difference between a CPA, a bookkeeper, and other financial roles, and why you need to match your business's needs to the right expert.
• Ten questions to ask a potential bookkeeper, from their philosophy and industry experience to how they handle cleanup work and onboard new clients.
• The red flags to watch out for, including partners who gate access to your own financial data.
• How a good bookkeeper can spot a $3,000 billing error and why that level of attention is essential for a growing business.
• Why you should look for a partner who offers a "grow with you" model and has a plan for when you outgrow their services.

In this episode, Brigitte and Dan provide a list of ten essential questions to ask before hiring a bookkeeper, saving you time, money, and regret.

Top 10 Questions:

1. What is your bookkeeping philosophy? Look for someone who is strategic, not just reactive.
2. Do you work with businesses like mine? Industry specialization can lead to better advice.
3. What software do you use? A provider who specializes in one software is often better than one who claims to do it all.
4. What will you need from me each month? Look for a partner who uses streamlined tools to make your life easier.
5. How do you handle corrections or catch-up work? Ask about their process and whether they bill a flat fee or hourly.
6. What happens if I outgrow your services? A good partner should have a plan for your growth.
7. Who will I be working with on your team? Clarify who is accountable and who you'll be communicating with.
8. What does communication look like? Ask about their preferred communication channels and response times.
9. How will I know if my books are correct? Ensure they provide monthly reports and give you on-demand access to your data.
10. What does your onboarding process look like? A clean, streamlined process is a sign of a professional firm.

Red Flags to Watch Out For:

• Saying "don't worry about it" when you ask for clarification.
• Using confusing accounting jargon instead of plain language.
• Gating your access to your own financial reports.
• Ghosting you or having poor communication.

Host Projects & Insights:

• Brigitte's Business: Preparing to launch a new "backwards bookkeeping" program for accountants. She also offers business wellness checks to help owners review their current books.
• Dan's Business: Recently onboarded six new clients and is preparing to speak at a marketing event.
• Personal Insights: The hosts discuss the welcome change in Michigan weather from 85 degrees to 66 and

Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at WhatTheBiz.com.

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Hosts
Daniel Proczko - myPocketMarketing
Brigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial

Stop unknowingly sabotaging your team's trust and commitment. In Episode 95 of "What the Biz?!," Brigitte Vegter and Dan Proczko deliver a strategic blueprint for intentional leadership. This episode will empower you to recognize the subtle "leaks" in your leadership and provide a clear, four-step plan to fix them. You'll learn how to transform your leadership from one that creates chaos and confusion into one that builds trust, clarity, and a winning culture.

Discover the keys to intentional leadership:

• Recognize the seven behaviors that signal "I don't care," including having inconsistent expectations and ignoring feedback.
• Learn to take ownership of your mistakes as a leader, a simple act that can rebuild trust and respect.
• Master the art of consistent communication, and "beat the drum" of your vision and mission until your team not only hears it but understands it.
• Embrace the power of small actions to build trust and show your team you are paying attention.
• Understand why giving up control and allowing your team to make mistakes is a critical step for growth and delegation.

Show Notes:

In this episode, Brigitte and Dan provide an introspective look at leadership, identifying subtle behaviors that can unintentionally undermine a team’s trust and culture.

Key Takeaways:

• The 7 Leadership Leaks: The hosts identify seven behaviors that quietly say, "I don't care," including showing up late to meetings and never following up on issues.
• Chaos vs. Clarity: Leaders must consistently "beat the drum" of their vision and mission. By the time the leader is bored of saying it, the team is just starting to understand it.
• The 4 Solutions:
  1. Name It: Own the problem and take accountability with your team .
  2. Start Small: Focus on fixing one behavior at a time to rebuild trust .
  3. Invite Meaningful Feedback: Ask specific questions instead of vague ones to get actionable advice .
  4. Clean Up the Chaos: Create a log of issues and decisions to provide context and show your team you're working behind the scenes.

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Hosts
Daniel Proczko - myPocketMarketing
Brigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial

You found your rockstar employee—the reliable, high-achiever who's great at their job. So you promoted them to a manager… and now they’re awful. In this candid episode of "What the Biz?!," Bridget Vector and Dan Prochko get honest about the pain of promoting the wrong person. Based on a post from a small business owner, they break down the reasons this happens and reveal a 3-step solution to fix it without losing a valuable employee or hurting your business.

You'll uncover:

• The trap of promoting an "A-player" into a role they may not be a good fit for or even want.
• How a lack of proper training and a leader's inability to let go and delegate are often the real reasons a promotion fails.
• Three paths forward: a lateral shift, redesigning the role to focus on their strengths, or having a painful but necessary off-ramp conversation.
• A simple but effective framework for how to have the difficult conversation with honesty and compassion, framing it around what's best for the employee.

Show Notes

In this episode, Bridget and Dan tackle a common dilemma for small business owners: what to do when you promote the wrong person.

Key Takeaways:

• The A-Player Fallacy: Don't assume that a high-achieving individual contributor will be a great manager. These are two different roles that require distinct skill sets .
• The Pitfalls of Promotion: Promotions often fail due to a lack of proper training and a leader's inability to delegate and allow for mistakes.
• Solution 1: Redesign the Role. Look for a way to redesign the employee's role to leverage their strengths, keep their new salary, and take away the management responsibilities .
• Solution 2: The Lateral Shift. Frame a move into a new, equally important role as a positive opportunity for the employee to contribute in a new way .
• Solution 3: The Honest Off-Ramp. If there is no other option, have a clear, honest conversation about parting ways. This is painful, but keeping someone in the wrong seat is harmful to them and the organization .
• The Hard Conversation: Brigitte provides a framework for the conversation: be honest, talk about their strengths, and reframe the issue as something that is pulling them away from the work they are amazing at.

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Hosts
Daniel Proczko - myPocketMarketing
Brigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial

Stop letting shiny objects and vanity metrics distract you from your business's true potential. In Episode 93 of "What the Biz?!," Brigitte Vegter and Daniel Proczko deliver a strategic blueprint for mastering your marketing data. This episode will reframe your understanding of what's important, moving you from tracking vanity metrics to focusing on a handful of numbers that drive real growth and profit. Learn to build a marketing system that is not only effective but also measurable, scalable, and ultimately a "money printing machine" that helps you grow with intentionality.

Discover the keys to transforming your marketing:

• Master the conversion rate to know if your message is resonating and whether your marketing efforts are working.
• Learn to track CAC and LTV to understand the true profitability and sustainability of your business model.
• Gain confidence in your ad budget by tracking ROAS to see which campaigns are performing best.
• Use your lead-to-close ratio to diagnose whether you have a marketing problem (bad leads) or a sales problem (ineffective closing).
• Hear why you should create your own marketing "dashboard" to get a quick, clear picture of your business's health.

Liked this show? SUBSCRIBE to this podcast on Spotify, Apple, Google and more. Catch past episodes and show notes at WhatTheBiz.com.

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Hosts
Daniel Proczko - myPocketMarketing
Brigitte Vegter - Vegter Financial