Smart Agency Masterclass Podcast with Jason Swenk
Bi-weekly interviews, strategy, and advice for building your marketing agency the smart way.
The popular agency podcast has just turned 10 years old and covers everything from starting a successful agency to selling your agency.
We Host Some of the Smartest Minds in Agency World…
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Seth Godin
Best selling Author of Purple Cow, This is Marketing, Linchpin, Permission Marketing
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Guy Kawasaki
Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist of Canva an former Apple chief evangelist
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Gino Wickman
The creator of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and author of Traction.
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Mike Michalowicz
Best-selling author of Profit First and Clock Work
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Dan Martell
Author of Buy Back Your Time. Influential coach in SaaS startups.
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Neil Patel
Founder of CrazyEgg, Kissmetrics, and other multimillion dollar companies
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Amy Porterfield
Renowned online marketing expert and educator
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Jay Baer
Best Selling author of Talk Triggers, Hug Your Haters, and one of the best speakers
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Pat Flynn
The leaders in the podcast space
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Joey Coleman
Recognized for his expertise in customer retention & enhancing client loyalty
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Todd Herman
Coach to Elite pro athletes, leaders, and public figures
Attract & Keep a ROCKSTAR TEAM and CLIENTELE with Alex Melone & Andrei Marin | Ep #744
What if the secret to finding exceptional agency talent lies in conducting fewer interviews? Finding exceptional talent is perhaps the most formidable challenge in running an agency. When hundreds of applications flood in, the absence of an efficient screening process can transform talent acquisition into an exhausting ordeal of endless resume reviews and interviews. The same is true for prospective clients. Do you have a process for screening them to see if they’re the right fit? Or do you find out too late that you’re working with the wrong ones?
Today's guests went have found success in both hiring and client retention by developing a filtering process that not only saves time but consistently identifies great matches. Listen in as they explore the highs and lows of running an agency, the impact on personal relationships, and their commitment to a "business for good" initiative.
Break Free from the Grind to Build an Agency that RUNS WITHOUT YOU with Jim Matuga | Ep #742
Are you trapped in the exhausting cycle of "monthly chases," constantly pursuing short-term goals at the expense of long-term vision? Today’s featured guest stood on the brink of giving up, worn down by the relentless pursuit of monthly numbers and decided to shift focus with a ten-year plan to start building an agency that could run without him. marketing.
Clarity as the Catalyst for New Momentum and Agency Growth with Ed East | Ep #739
Have you ever felt like abandoning your agency? Overwhelmed or insecure about the direction the agency is headed? If so, you're not alone. At some point, we all face moments of doubt and struggle to keep momentum. Today’s guest is an agency owner who built his business over the past ten years. He recently experienced a downturn that led him to question whether he still enjoyed the work. It was a solid business plan and clear vision that helped him get the agency back on track. Learn more about why he needed clarity and communication to get his confidence back and what excites him about the new developments of generative AI and how it’s changing advertising.
Ed East is the founder of influencer marketing agency Billion Dollar Boy. He shares his journey into the agency world, creating a database connecting blogs with brands and agencies. Ed also discusses the low point that made him question his commitment to the agency, the realization that helped him rebuild his confidence, and the new tech that is already revolutionizing advertising and brand-audience connections.
In this episode, we’ll discuss:
How clarity builds new momentum for agency growth.
Leveraging generative AI to elevate the creative process.
How agencies can use creator advertising.
The Myth About Niching Down and How to Be Solution-Focused with Daniel Lofaso | Ep #738
Has your agency reached a growth plateau? Have you thought about narrowing your focus to enhance your marketing efforts? In this interview, you'll hear from an agency owner who relied on referrals for years until the post-pandemic landscape shifted. While his business thrived during the early pandemic, it faced challenges as larger clients began consolidating. In response, he strategically pivoted to specialize in the biotech sector. Tune in to explore his initial hiring challenges, the transformative effects of niching down, and his ongoing refinement of the sales process to secure more clients.
Hire Slow & Fire Fast: Investing Time in Building Your Agency Team with Bryant Walker | Ep #728
Have you ever rushed your hiring process out of eagerness to fill a position and delegate responsibilities? Did you later regret the decision to hire fast? There is a reason they say hire slow, fire fast. Finding the right people to fill the roles on your growing team is an integral part of growing. In this interview, learn from one agency owner who takes immense pride in cultivating a core team that shares his vision. However, getting there has not been without its challenges. One of the most valuable lessons he learned is that hiring takes patience and a well-structured process. Check out this thoughtful discussion on the importance of having the right people in the right positions to ensure success and peace of mind as the agency expands.
Mining Your CRM for Gold to Maximize Agency Growth with Wendy Lieber | Ep #726
What would you do to keep growing your business if you stopped getting new leads for ninety days? How would you guarantee increased business? How would you ensure continued success? Our guest today emphasizes the importance of revisiting your CRM as a vital tool for driving business expansion.
How Firing Toxic Clients Leads to Stronger Relationships with Susan Finch | Ep #725
Have you ever fired a client? If you could do so without fearing for your agency’s future, would you take that step today? Most agency owners have horror stories about toxic clients who created an unhealthy work environment for the team. Deciding to cut these professional ties can be particularly daunting, but will bring more benefits in the long run.
Should You Productize Agency Services? Navigating the Risks and Rewards with Matthew McIver | Ep #722
Have you clearly defined your service offering to the extent that you can productize it? Or do you prefer to customize your approach for each client’s needs? Which strategy aligns better with your agency's objectives and overall success? Today's featured guest transitioned from providing highly customized services, which impacted his team's ability to meet deadlines and adhere to budgets. He has since adopted a productized model and is currently exploring how to effectively present differentiated pricing tiers. Join us as we delve into invaluable insights on launching and scaling a creative agency, optimizing your service offerings, and gracefully managing a co-founder's exit.
Building a Global Agency Team and Scaling Against the Grain with Alina Vlaic | Ep #721
How much automation should be integrated into your agency's processes? When is automation a good idea, and when isn’t it? Are your agency services diverse enough to withstand a shifting market? In this interview, learn from one agency owner who has grown her agency making very conscious decisions about what she’ll need to build a business that stands the test of time. From avoiding heavy automation to building a team based primarily in the US while living in Romania, she considers all angles before making long-term plans and has pushed against some trends to find her path. In this episode, we delve into her journey and gather valuable insights on scaling an agency in the dynamic world of e-commerce.
Laying the Right Foundation for Eventually SELLING YOUR AGENCY with Ronik Patel | Ep #720
Are you thinking about an eventual exit from your agency? Curious about how to prepare for selling your agency down the road? Preparing for a potential sale well in advance can be beneficial, even if you ultimately decide to retain your business. Our guest had a clear vision of his goal: to grow his agency while waiting for an opportune moment to sell. He shares valuable lessons on how coaching accelerated his growth and why he wishes he had joined a mastermind group sooner to establish the necessary systems for a successful sale. He shares insights into building a thriving agency and navigating the industry with a strategic approach.
About the Show
The popular agency podcast has been around since 2014 and covers everything from starting a successful agency to selling your agency. What makes this podcast a must-listen is Swenk’s background as the founder and CEO of an agency for over a decade. Swenk brings his own experience to the table, besides the expertise of his guests. He mostly covers topics that help growing agencies scale to the next level.
YOUR HOST
JASON SWENK
Smart Agency Masterclass
Jason is a family man who also happens to have created a couple big marketing agencies, helped thousands of agency owners, and had a big agency exit too.
