Smart Agency Masterclass With Jason Swenk: Podcast For Digital Marketing Agencies

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Does your digital agency a strong social media presence? Wondering which content types and platforms deliver the best results? Today's featured guest runs a social media agency that focuses on a carefully selected roster of clients. She began her career as a stay-at-home mom with exceptional social media instincts and built a thriving agency in just five years. She views social media as a necessary evil for brands and has successfully guided clients with strategically planned and curated content. Join us as she shares what's currently working in social media, her proven strategies, valuable advice for agency owners, and why she personally avoids social media in her spare time. Elizabeth Stone is owner of SociaSavvy, a boutique social media marketing agency who got into the business wanting a challenge and a creative outlet. Now with nearly five years of experience, she reflects on what she’s learned ab

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Does your emotional attachment to your agency makes it difficult to make growth decisions? When you remove emotion from the mix and make decisions objectively, your realize more growth. After 21 years of running his business, today’s guest realized he needed emotional distance and accomplished this by creating an alter ego who could assess the agency from an impartial point of view. This experiment proved remarkably successful. He’s come to realize his true role in the agency and that much of it means working for his team, rather than the other way around. George Arabian is the CEO and founder of NVISION, a full-service digital marketing agency based in Toronto, Canada. He shares his journey into the world of digital marketing, how he managed to stop making decisions based on emotion, and how his transition to agency CEO has meant a bigger focus on how to help his team be the best they can be. In this

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training It’s always easier to retain existing clients than constantly landing new ones. Do you want to know the secret one agency has that has helped them hold onto clients for over 20 years? This interview highlights an agency owner’s whose client retention philosophy involves a candid, honest, and sincere approach which has helped them retain some clients for over two decades. In this conversation, we explore his struggle to balance entrepreneurial business development with satisfying his creative instincts. He reveals how he eventually established systems that removed him from being the bottleneck in agency operations while allowing him to choose his involvement in the processes. He also shares the clarity he found that inspired a subscription-based product offering that maintains healthy cashflow. Join us for this insightful conversation about agency growth, creating freedom through systems, maintaining lo

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training What is the best way to speak to your target audience? How can you make a compelling case to work with your agency? With proper storytelling techniques, you will reach your prospects and clients in a way the resonates with them. Every successful agency owner needs a persuasive "Who am I" narrative, along with educational and vision stories that speaks directly to potential clients. However, the task can feel overwhelming, leaving many owners unsure where to begin. Today’s featured guest specializes in transforming scattered narratives into strategic stories that create meaningful connections. She'll reveal the essential types of stories every agency owner should develop to attract clients, while emphasizing the power of simplicity—demonstrating why less truly is more when it comes to impactful storytelling. Tune in to learn the art of strategic storytelling that positions your agency as the obvious cho

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Are you focusing your energy on growing existing client relationships or acquiring new ones? Building strong client relationships requires a commitment to proactive communication from the very beginning, as today's featured guest clearly demonstrates. Our guest runs a brand agency that prioritizes nurturing and growing client relationships through three key strategies: establishing clear expectations, maintaining proactive communication, and implementing careful qualifying processes to ensure they partner only with the right culture fits. This intentional approach has made her agency irreplaceable to clients. Discover the specific strategies and insights that have contributed to her success in building lasting, valuable client partnerships that stand the test of time. Charlene Coughlin is president and partner at Twist Creative, a thriving brand agency founded by a husband and wife duo who combined the

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Would you consider a merger or acquisition as a growth strategy? What does it look like to acquire another agency? How can you ensure success for the buyer, seller, and existing clients? Today’s featured guest demonstrates how this approach can be highly effective when executed thoughtfully. He started his agency after realizing he would never get the recognition he deserved while working for somebody else, which drove him to establish his own agency where he now thrives. Recently, he expanded through the strategic acquisition of three agencies, focusing primarily on their client portfolios. His acquisition strategy emphasizes the importance of relationship continuity, specifically seeking arrangements where previous owners remain involved during the transition period, allowing his team to gradually build trust with the inherited client base. Learn from his valuable insights on entrepreneurship and the

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Are you prepared to sell your agency if the right opportunity presents itself? Making your business sale-ready requires more than just financial preparation—it demands emotional readiness and the ability to set ego aside. With pleasure, we are featuring a long time mastermind member on the show who, after recently selling his agency, now describes himself as a “recovering agency owner”. It was an unexpected opportunity that turned into an amazing deal for the seller and buyer. Jordan discusses the way he took control of his agency’s future by pursuing the sale, what he’d change about the process, and the importance of having a plan for post-sale integration. Our guest is Jordan Choo, a recovering agency owner who previously founded, built, and sold Kogneta, a digital marketing firm focused on helping local businesses grow effectively. He is a longtime friend of the podcast who was mastermind member for

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Could an internal succession be the right choice for your eventual agency exit? What could that sort of deal structure look like in order to ensure you’re leaving the agency in the best hands possible? As one agency owner transitioned to out of the agency day-to-day, an unexpected result was an organic exit from the business with an employee buyout. A shining-star employee with the potential to be a great owner was the buyer in mind. Now the challenge was helping him get to a place where he could make the purchase. Listen to the inspiring story of adaptability and structuring the right deal to sell your agency to the right person. Eric Holter is the CEO of Cuberis, a specialized web development firm focused on the museum industry. He shares his journey from studying traditional illustration to working in web development and launching his first web company, the reasons he decided to sell and follow othe

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training How do you measure your agency’s success? Awards and accolade? Top-line revenue and big name clients? What if we told you a more focused and lean approach could be the best path. Today’s featured guest realized the importance of finding a "sweet spot" in the agency world, so he moved to focusing on quality over quantity. He talks about the challenges of maintaining a small client roster and the benefits it brings. In his business model, his agency is providing consistent, high-quality work and building strong partnerships. Learn valuable insights on leadership, innovation, and the importance of a good relationship building. Nick Francis is the Chief Visionary Officer of The Franchise Group, a strategic marketing and creative agency that does a comprehensive range of services, including video production, web design, graphic design, and event production. He recounts his journey into the agency world, beg

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Are you integrating AI in your agency processes in the most effective ways? What sort of opportunities are you missing by not integrating AI into your agency’s systems and processes? There’s no going back from AI, so you might as well embrace it as it continues to evolve the ever changing agency landscape. While many agencies have begun incorporating AI tools, numerous opportunities remain unexplored, and the technology's full potential is still emerging. Today's featured guest brings unique insights as an agency owner who has fully embraced AI's transformative power. Through his continuous study and practical implementation of AI solutions, he has gained valuable perspectives on how this technology is fundamentally altering agency operations—from team structures to client expectations. Tune in for practical insights for agency leaders looking to harness AI's potential while adapting to the evolving de

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Have you defined the who in your agency’s growth journey? What are you using to guiding the type of team that will grow your agency to it's full potential? In today’s episode, our featured guest shares his experience of co-founding a digital agency two decades ago with a group of former colleagues. By bringing clients from their previous agency and leveraging a steady stream of referrals, they were able to launch and grow their business. However, he quickly discovered that attracting the right talent—especially individuals excited to join a small, fledgling agency—was far more challenging than expected. Learn the valuable lessons he’s learned about hiring, the qualities he looks for in candidates to drive his agency’s success, and why he emphasizes the importance of acting swiftly when a hire isn’t the right fit. Justin Hall is the co-founder and managing partner of Voxus PR, a B2B tech PR, social medi

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Have overwhelm or frustration ever made you want to sell your agency? When you’re burned out, the grass might look greener — but one agency owner learned that it’s not. Discover why he sold after just two years plus why the acquisition was dissolved and he grew his original business back to 5X within the next four years. Learn more about his reflections on why his initial burnout came to be, the reasons that partnership failed, and how he managed to rebuild his agency even stronger by surrounding himself with the right people. Alex Polamero is the founder of Ninestone Partners, an agency focused on the middle of the funnel. They build marketing and sales automation systems that help clients scale and effectively nurture prospects to closing. He discuss the evolution of his career, going from solopreneur to building and selling his agency and remaining as an equity partner. Alex also dives into his mind

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Have you hit the limit of the growth you can single-handedly bring to your agency? What steps are you taking to ensure you continue to be your organization's MVP? For many agency owners, reaching hitting a glass ceiling on growth signals the need to bring on a skilled operator to help eliminate low-value tasks from their schedule. Today's featured guest specializes in operations hiring and has developed a systematic approach to identifying and delegating low value tasks that consume CEOs' time and energy. As an expert in operational efficiency, she trains operators to create effective processes that free founders to focus on strategic growth. She shares her secret to a great hiring funnel, what results to expect from an operator’s first 90 days in your agency, and the #1 thing an operator does for their agency founder. Learn actionable insights on breaking through operational bottlenecks and building a

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Do your employees have a clear path for growth within your agency? Do they feel supported, empowered, and fulfilled in their role? Today's featured guest shares insights from his journey transforming his agency team structure that resulted in thriving for the business, his team, and himself. After years of struggle, this agency CEO took ownership of his role and developed a strategic approach to employee motivation and development. By reimagining annual reviews and creating meaningful growth opportunities, he shifted from an environment of stagnation to one of continuous improvement. In this interview, learn the benefits of offering a clear path for growth within your agency, and how to improve your team’s experience during annual reviews. He also shares how to get yourself out of sales — if that’s something you want — and why you need to keep doing what you love. Warren Wilansky is the president and f

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Is your agency in need of a rebrand? Many of us are accidental agency owners who threw together a brand without fully understanding our niche or service offering; starting with just a basic name and logo. As the agency evolves this may signal the need for a strategic brand refresh. Today’s featured guest runs a rebranding agency and shares the scenarios that could justify a rebrand, the difference the right will name make for clients to differentiate you, and share some rebranding strategies to keep in mind. Jim Heininger is a seasoned agency owner based in Chicago who runs two agencies: Dixon James, a strategic communication and change management firm, and the rebranding specialists known as the Rebranding Experts. With over 25 years of experience in the public relations industry, Jim discusses the importance of building a strong agency presence, why your name matters, and when is the right time to th

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Do you need to get yourself out of agency operations so you can work ON the agency rather than in it? Are you stuck in processes and fulfillment when you should be looking at growth? It might be time to hire for the role of COO to ensure your agency's success. A Chief Operating Officer plays a pivotal role in an agency's development, significantly reducing the CEO's operational burden. However, timing is crucial – agencies should carefully consider their growth stage before initiating the search for a COO, and thoroughly understand the position's complexities to ensure an ideal match. Our featured guest brings a unique perspective to this discussion. Having served as both COO and now CEO at her current agency, she offers valuable insights into the essential qualities needed for the role. Her experience illuminates the delicate balance required between the visionary (CEO) and the executor (COO), demonst

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Is artificial intelligence revolutionizing business operations or threatening the carefully crafted storytelling techniques developed over decades? As many businesses struggle with integrating AI while maintaining authentic connections, today's featured guest offers valuable insights from his perspective as both an agency leader and AI advocate as well as someone who can see some of the fatigue caused by the ever-growing demand for constant information that has been aided by AI and the availability to create content faster and efficiently. He shares the ways he is integrating AI technology into his own agency, and why he believes it won’t work when it comes to replacing the human touch. Learn about his vision for AI use in business, the trends he sees changing in consumer preferences in social media, and how agencies can adapt to AI. Marc Beckman is the co-founder and CEO of DMA United, a New York City

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Are you leveraging public speaking to grow your brand? Have you considered expanding your reach by having team members represent your company at events or interviews? Today’s featured guest has transformed public speaking from a marketing tactic into a primary source of new business leads. In just three years, he went from getting most of his business from webinars to getting most of his leads from his speaking engagements. In this episode, learn the common fears that keep agency owners from speaking at more events, the type of speaker you should be to attract more business, and why you should consider building a team willing to share their expertise and promote your agency at events or interviews. Dale Bertrand is the founder of Fire & Spark, a Boston-based SEO agency with a team of 25. He shares his journey from being a software developer to diving into the world of digital marketing. He also sha

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Have you dedicated time to ensure the health of your email list? If you've built a 15,000-person email list for your business—that's a huge accomplishment! But what if that list isn't performing? If your open rates are as low, that number becomes meaningless. It's not about the quantity of subscribers, but the quality of your engagement. Moreover, if you’re not consistently delivering valuable content that keeps you top-of-mind as a problem-solver, then you're not maximizing the potential of your list. Today's featured guest shares his insights on effective email marketing strategies, including optimal content delivery frequency, list maintenance best practices, and how his agency has evolved over the past decade. Drawing from his experience, he advocates for email marketing as a reliable channel that doesn't depend on unpredictable social media algorithms. He believes many companies are overlooking a

Would you like access to our advanced agency training for FREE? https://www.agencymastery360.com/training Do you face a lot of skepticism from clients who have been disappointed by agencies before? How do you go about gaining their trust? After seven years running his agency, today’s featured guest still lists that mistrust as one of his primary challenges and talks about his strategic approach to overcoming this hurdle: combining client education with precise problem identification to deliver time-saving solutions that truly impact their businesses. This approach not only helps rebuild trust damaged by previous agency experiences but also positions marketing as a genuine catalyst for business growth. Join us as we explore how agencies can move beyond surface-level marketing solutions to become trusted partners in their clients' success stories. James Loomstein is the managing partner of Rogue Marketing, a digital agency based in Dallas that serves mostly mid-market B2B companies across various sectors. Th