Real stories from digital agencies about their journeys, the successes that defined them, and the failures they overcame. We talk about the highs and lows—and everything in between—on this crazy, roller coaster ride that is Agency Life.
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Welcome to M&G Agency Life, a journey through the dynamic world of marketing, design, and digital with hosts Aimee and Pete. Mearns & Gill, an Aberdeen-based agency, is the backdrop for insightful discussions and behind-the-scenes glimpses into agency life. Aimee, Pete and the team share insider knowledge, and explore topics ranging from brand strategy to media solutions. Join them as they explore the diverse landscape of agency work, serving clients across various sectors with creativity, e ...
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Learn how to get on the fast track to business success with real actionable advice. Joshua Strawczynski and team are digital marketing experts at the award winning JMarketing Agency who deliver outstanding results to multi-million dollar companies by letting consumer psychology influence the buyer decision-process.
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Hibana: The Japan Travel, Life & Culture Guide, The Official Podcast of Hikari Travel Agency (HTA)
Hikari Travel Agency, LLC
This podcast is dedicated to sparking your interest in all things related to Japan! JOIN US!, as we discuss travel, culture, language, daily life, history, work, cuisine and many other aspects of Japan. COME INTERACT WITH US!, as we share our personal experiences, opinions & advice for all travel and life within Japan. LET’S DISCOVER NEW THINGS TOGETHER!, as we interview Japanese friends, business owners and many others to explore their stories, advice & experiences relating to Japan. Feel f ...
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The AI Opportunity Your Agency Is Missing w/ Richard Banfield
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AI is disrupting every industry and maybe it’s caused a shake up or 2 in your agency over the last year. But there’s an opportunity that most agencies are likely overlooking. That’s according to today’s guest, Richard Banfield. Richard is a veteran of agency life, a self-described recovering CEO, multiple time author, now an investor and advisor. H…
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Bonus Episode - Are You Exhibition Ready?
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In this bonus episode of M&G Agency Life, we ask... Are You Exhibition Ready? Aimee, Pete and the team discuss how Mearns & Gill can help you stand out at your next exhibition. From stand management and media training to eye-catching merchandise and much more, we’ve got you covered! Get insider tips, elevate your game, and steal the show at your ne…
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Small Habits KILLING Your Pitch (Based on Science) w/ Tom Martin
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Scientific research shows there are common parts of your deck design and delivery that are causing your agency's pitches to fall on deaf ears. As today’s guest, Tom Martin explains, in some cases, that’s pretty close to literally true: your potential clients aren’t even hearing the words in your pitch as you deliver it. Tom fell into business devel…
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The Hire You Can’t Afford to Get Wrong w/ Galen Low
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There’s a role in your agency that has a bigger impact on your bottom line than you realize. Project Managers are often thought to “just” deliver client projects on time, on scope and on budget. But if you aren’t thinking bigger than that “just” mentality, you could be missing the impact of this important role on your agency’s profitability. Galen …
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Bonus Episode - Pixels, Paws and Pop Stars: Introducing Kevin!
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In this special bonus episode of M&G Agency Life, hosts Aimee and Pete introduce Kevin, the agency’s new digital lead. Prepare to be amazed as Kevin drops some mind-blowing digital insights that could take your strategy to the next level. But... things get a little weird when Aimee and Pete notice something odd about his glasses... turns out, Kevin…
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300% Higher Lead Conversion After One Change w/ Sean Sweet
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They increased lead conversion by 300%, they broke out of their agency’s growth slump and are now able to take on more right-fit clients for their agency. How did Sean Sweet and his team at Blend Marketing achieve all that from one year to the next? They made a hard decision that most agencies avoid. One that you might think would limit your agenci…
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The Real Reason Clients Are UNHAPPY w/ Guy Bauer
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If your agency does creative work, it’s easy to think that WHAT you deliver to your clients is all that matters. But according to Guy Bauer, Founder of Umault, a B2B video ad agency, that’s only half of the client satisfaction equation. The other half is something we neglect all the time. In today’s conversation, you’ll learn: The hidden reason cli…
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3 Ways to Manage "Client-ey" Clients
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Have you ever dealt with a client that was acting a little…client-ey? They’d demand you drop everything to meet at a moment’s notice. Maybe they’d beat you up over price all the time. Maybe, they were the type of client whose demands just kept escalating. If you’ve dealt with clients acting this way, you’re not alone. In a special episode of the po…
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The Lead Magnet That Pays for Itself w/ Chris DuBois
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Is your agency leaving nearly 2/3rds of your new client acquisition up to chance? If so, you’re not alone. But it doesn’t have to be that way. According to research from WordStream, 60% of most new agency clients are coming from a channel that you can’t directly control, let alone scale. That scary stat is exactly what today’s guest is helping agen…
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Episode 11 - The Grand Finale Q&A
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And that's a wrap on series 1 of M&G Agency Life! It's the grand finale and hosts Aimee and Pete are joined by MD Mike and PR account manager Sarah to recap on some of the best bits and answer some listener questions. Will there be a season 2? Will Pete ever get that mini-bar in the podcast room? Tune in because it's the last episode, and we're spi…
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In episode ten of M&G Agency Life the team discuss Media Solutions. Hosts Aimee and Pete are joined by account manager Isla, cameraman Roy and AV specialist Andrew to discuss Stream TV, Video Production, Podcasting and Media Training, a range of exciting services from the M&G Media Studio. So, don't have a media meltdown, tune in for media solution…
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The ONLY 5 Things Agency Owners Should Be Doing w/ Jason Swenk
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Your life as an agency owner is crazy–you’re hiring (and probably firing), doing business development, meeting with clients, preparing pitch decks, trying to lead your team and a million other things. But, did you know there are only 5 things you should be spending your time on–if you want to successfully scale or sell your agency? Jason Swenk is t…
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Episode 9 - The World of Events
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In episode nine of M&G Agency Life, Aimee and Pete dive into the world of events with Suz, the Account Director who heads up the events team. Joined by fellow team members Nia, Sarah, and Leanne, they uncover what happens behind the scenes at events, discuss sponsorships, awards ceremonies, exhibitions, and much more. Plus, Leanne, a huge Gary Barl…
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Episode 8 - Account Management Uncovered
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In the latest episode of M&G Agency Life the team explore the fundamentals of Account Management. Hosts Aimee and Pete are joined by Account Management Team Lead, Andrew who returns to the podcast to talk about AM best practice, client relationships, how to become a trusted advisor and lot's more. Fellow Account Managers, Isla, Graham, Sarah and We…
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5 Steps to Better Change Management for Agencies w/ Rob Sayles
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Do you feel like something’s not working in your agency? You’ve got processes that are outdated (or just plain not documented). You’ve got tools that aren’t the right fit or you’re not getting enough out of. Even though you feel the need for change, it terrifies you. If so, you’re not alone, I was at an agency-focused conference in Denver just a fe…
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Episode 7 - The Power of Public Relations
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In the latest episode of M&G Agency Life, Aimee and Pete are joined by PR Account Manager Sarah, who has a lot to share. From London PR stunts (spoiler alert - one involves a goat!) to reputation management, crisis comms, strategy, and more! Sarah gives the lowdown on how PR can significantly enhance your marketing efforts. Sarah reveals her most r…
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Episode 6 - Navigating the Digital Landscape
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In the latest episode of M&G Agency Life, Account Management Team Lead Andrew and Account Manager Graham make their debut on the podcast with hosts Aimee and Pete, diving into the ever-evolving digital landscape. The team share their thoughts on what it takes to create a successful campaign, touching on key aspects of digital marketing from email m…
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Stop Selling Implementation Services (& Do This Instead) w/ Max Traylor
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Agency clients often want more strategic consulting from the agencies they hire. At the same time, many agencies feel like the services they’re delivering are often undervalued by the clients they serve. If both of these are true, then why are so many agencies caught in what Pete Caputa calls the “Tactician’s Trap” where it feels like you’re on an …
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Episode 5 - The Wonder of Websites
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In episode five, Aimee and Pete are joined by Kirsty, the Web Team Lead, and Malcolm, the Business Development Team Lead, to explore the fascinating world of websites. From front-end to back-end and everything in between, including user experience and the importance of websites, the team unpack it all. They also debate the mystery of the missing Ch…
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What makes great design? In this episode of M&G Agency Life, Aimee and Pete are joined by Creative Lead Mairi and Designer Graeme as they delve into design. They get the lowdown on everything from fonts and different design styles to software and photography. Graeme drops the ultimate design C-bomb and there's also some random chat about ducks! So …
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50% Profit Margins Unlocked with Time-Tracking Data w/ @MarketingMax
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He went from working 70-80 hour weeks to building a 7-figure agency with 50% profit margins while only working about 1 hour per week. Today he’s the founder of GrowthDaily.com & AgencyReviews.io & he’s known by his 45,000 followers on X as @MarketingMax, but several years ago he was an agency co-owner struggling to make the sort of money he wanted …
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In episode three, hosts Aimee and Pete chat with Designer Poppy and Digital Team Lead Cam about all things brand! What is brand? Why is a brand needed? How should you approach a brand project? From look and feel to tone of voice, the team unpacks brand... They also discuss Cam's hair product of choice and Poppy's love of Chipstix! It makes for a br…
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Episode 2 - The Podcast About Podcasts
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In episode two of M&G Agency Life, Aimee and Pete welcome Account Manager Isla into the M&G Podcast Room to talk about podcasts! Isla is a bit of a seasoned pro with her very own podcast, and Pete geeks out and brings his broadcast experience to the table. The team discuss why podcasts are needed, what makes good content, Pete's Podcast Process and…
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The 3 Keys to Thought Leadership That Drives ROI w/ Susan Baier
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How can you leverage thought leadership to gain new followers, win new clients, keep them longer and increase referrals for your agency? Susan Baier, Founder of Audience Audit, where they help agencies create thought leadership content based on quantitative research that builds trust with potential clients, has seen thought leadership done well (wi…
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Episode 1 - Who Are Mearns & Gill?
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In episode one of M&G Agency Life, hosts Aimee and Pete talk to Mike Wilson, the Managing Director of Mearns & Gill. They set the scene for the series, discuss the history of the agency, talk about the unique culture, and explore what the future holds. Oh, and Pete asks an important question about the possibility of getting a mini bar for the podca…
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5 Overservicing Mistakes That Hurt Your Profitability w/ Alyson Caffrey
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Over 1/3 of agencies frequently struggle with overservicing clients. You’ve likely felt the pain yourself. When projects are going well out of scope and things are taking longer than your team planned, it can have a major impact on your agency’s profitability. Alyson Caffrey, Founder & COO of Operations Agency, has identified the 5 biggest scoping …
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Convincing Your Boss to Invest In CRO
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Diving into the nitty-gritty of CRO, we'll tackle the barriers and misconceptions that prevent businesses from embracing this essential strategy. With Rafa's expertise, we dissect the competitive necessity of CRO in a market where paid channels are battlegrounds, your competitors are relentless, and consumer behaviors shift like sand. Through a riv…
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How To Drive Client Results 70% Faster w/ Kate Vasylenko
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Clients who are “happy” may still leave you. But clients who are seeing results–and seeing them fast? Now, that increases the value you deliver and decreases the chances that new clients will churn. So, how did this digital marketing agency drive client results 70% faster, increase customer satisfaction scores and start getting glowing feedback fro…
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Boost Website Conversions With Secret Psychological Triggers
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Discover the alchemy of homepage design that magnetizes and converts with JMarketing's wizard of the web, Josh Strawczynski. Prepare to be enlightened as Josh imparts the esoteric knowledge of crafting a homepage that doesn’t just catch the eye but clasps the visitor in a persuasive embrace within the first few seconds. Josh demystifies the craftin…
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Boosting Conversions Through Clever Digital Forms
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Unlock the secrets to designing online forms that don't just grab attention, but elegantly guide users through to conversion. Today, we're joined by expert designer Nik, who sheds light on the art of crafting forms that strike the perfect balance between aesthetic allure and functional clarity. Step into a realm where each textbox and submit button…
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Hiring Secrets from an 8-Figure Agency CEO w/ Eric Siu
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Isn’t it refreshing when someone further down the path is willing to share the successes AND failures they’ve seen along the way? That’s exactly the type of conversation you’ll get from today’s episode with Eric Siu, CEO of Single Grain, Founder of Leveling Up and Co-Host of the top-ranked Marketing School Podcast. Eric’s journey has taken him from…
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Why Technical SEO is Important for CRO: Key Insights
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Get ready to turbocharge your website's performance as we unravel the mysteries of technical SEO with Umair. In a market where split-second decisions matter, we dissect the critical need for lightning-fast page loads, diving into how mere seconds could mean the difference between a bounce and a conversion. But it's not all about speed – join us as …
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The Must-Have Forecast Model to Grow Your Agency w/ Garrett Mehrguth
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Today he runs an agency doing $25MM in ARR with around 150 employees. But–as the story usually goes–this success didn’t come overnight & started with much more humble beginnings. From not getting paid by one of his first clients to gaining traction with small monthly retainers on Fiverr to now running a successful performance marketing agency for S…
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Mastering Color Psychology To Boost Website Conversions
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Unlock the secrets to skyrocketing your website's conversion rates through the subtle yet powerful influence of color psychology. This episode, featuring Nik from JMarketing, is your gateway to understanding how the right hues can sway user emotions and guide actions, ensuring your call-to-action buttons aren't just seen but felt. We dissect the nu…
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The 3 Client Communication Risks (& How to Avoid Them) w/ Susan Fennema
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It can be terrifying to allow your clients to “see how the sausage is made,” and this is one of the main concerns related to handling client communications within your project management or professional service automation software. While there are benefits to streamlining your client communications and inviting them into the system that runs your a…
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Boost Conversions By Understanding User Behaviour
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Unlock the secrets to captivating the hearts and minds of consumers with Josh Strawczynski, the managing director of JMarketing, who shares his expertise on the psychological underpinnings of customer decision-making. Our discussion ventures beyond the surface, exploring the subtle art of influencing behavior and ensuring that your marketing strate…
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Elevate Your Marketing Success Through A/B Testing
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Unlock the secrets to optimizing your website's conversion rates with the guidance of marketing analytics guru, Rafa Feliz. Our in-depth discussion peels back the layers of A/B testing, a cornerstone of Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), offering you the tools to make informed, data-driven decisions. We analyze how to refine marketing strategies a…
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How This Agency Reduced Churn by 50% (with AI's Help) w/ Erik Huberman
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Wanna know how a 200-person agency reduced churn by 50% from one year to the next? Even though Hawke Media is one of the most successful marketing agencies in the United States and they’ve scaled to hundreds of millions in annual revenue, their journey hasn’t been without bumps in the road. At the beginning of 2022, they saw client churn on the ris…
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Controlling User Flow Through Visual Hierarchy
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Unlock the secrets of web design that converts with the wisdom of Nik, a master of the digital canvas. We've all been to websites that leave us feeling lost or bored; our latest episode is here to make sure yours isn't one of them. Through an engaging discussion, Nik teaches us the art of creating a user journey that balances stunning visuals with …
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The 5 Financial Metrics Top Agencies Get Right w/ Ryan Watson
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What’s one mistake you’ve made as an agency leader you’ll never forget? Several guests on this show have shared the same exact answer: “I wish I’d invested in my own financial literacy sooner!” But, what financial metrics should you focus on the most? Even if you answer that question—how do you (and your team) impact those financial metrics that ma…
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Identifying & Interpreting The Key CRO Metrics
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Introduction - 00:26 Why CRO is so important - 02:35 JMarketing's innovative approach - 05:17 The 9 frictions - 07:09 Applying the 9 frictions to CRO - 12:24 Google Analytics is the main CRO tool - 17:49 Other CRO tools - 21:46 Segmenting your CRO strategy - 24:06 The world of metrics - 25:00 The influence of AI in CRO - 31:58 Final tips - 35:55…
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5 Steps to Win More Clients with Benchmark Data w/ Chris Nault
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Want to win more clients (and keep them longer) in 2024? Of course you do! Offering a free benchmark consultation as part of your sales process might just be the key to doing both this year. In this episode with Chris Nault, Founder and CEO of Growth, he breaks down the process and results from his agency's 5-week experiment of adding a benchmark c…
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The Secret To Successful Conversion Rate Optimization
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Intro - 00:27 What is Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO)? - 02:12 The Shortcomings Of Standard CRO Tactics - 04:21 Why Soft Conversion Points Are Effective - 07:56 Using the Nine Frictions for CRO - 10:41 Effective CRO Practices - 14:16 How Your Business Can Optimise Your CRO - 14:57Oleh JMarketing Agency
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The Importance of Topical Authority in Modern SEO
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00:27 - What is Topical Authority? 03:39 - Google's algorithm 07:53 - Recent changes 10:08 - AI and search engines 14:38 - Rewarding good content 17:56 - How to achieve topical authority 19:51 - Publishing high-quality content 22:27 - Achieving topical authority 24:45 - Spending your marketing budget smart 26:58 - Optimize your website 29:51 - Conc…
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The value of pitching your business 10,000 times | Special guest Alex Coe
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00:27 - Intro 02:24 - Alex's introduction 05:27 - Approaching a cold audience 07:04 - Difference between 'push and pull' 08:31 - Improving skills through scary situations 10:24 - Instagram in the sale process 11:53 - Know your client 16:09 - Social credibility 18:02 - Building a community 20:34 - Selling a solution to an underlying problem 22:04 - …
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How to Stop Overservicing Clients w/ Ken Yarmosh
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38% of agencies struggle with frequently overservicing clients. Of the 500+ agencies surveyed for the 2023 State of Agency Operations Report, 44% also said that client demands have become tougher to meet. Are you finding clients more demanding? Is overservicing happening more frequently in your agency? If so, 2024 can be different on both fronts. K…
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A Simple Formula for Setting Your 2024 Goals w/ Drew McLellan
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With your business, clients and the world changing so fast around you, it can be tough to know what your growth goals should be--or how to even approach setting them in the first place. Thankfully, Drew McLellan, CEO of the Agency Management Institute (and agency vet himself), joins the podcast today to break down the numbers in a simple formula yo…
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How to Maximize Agency Profitability w/ Megan Bowen
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Whether you're looking at 2024 with aggressive growth goals or simply trying to maintain your existing trajectory, one thing's for sure: It's about more than top-line revenue. No matter what your agency's size, maximizing your profitability is a key part of thriving (or even just surviving in 2024). That's why I'm excited to share my conversation w…
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4 Ways to Leverage AI for Growth in 2024 w/ Chris Mathieu
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Are you sick of content about AI that just talks about how big of a game-changer it is without giving you practical tips on what to do with this technology? We were too. That's why we hosted Chris Mathieu, Chief Services Officer at New Breed, an Elite HubSpot Solutions Partner onto our Agency Life webinar series to discuss: 5 specific ways they're …
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How 200+ Agencies Invest in Their Own Marketing w/ Pete Caputa & Karl Sakas
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What got you here won’t get you there. You’ve probably heard that phrase before. And it probably couldn’t feel more applicable than it does right now as we round out 2023. So, the question is: Are you going to keep doing more of the same? Or do something different in 2024? If you’re in that latter camp, then you’re going to get some encouragement (…
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