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

Are you planning to buy an agency as a growth strategy? Or, do you want to make your agency attractive to potential buyers? Today’s guest started his agency journey by buying an agency as an exit from his previous career in venture capitalism. He purposely sought out agencies, seeing them as cash flow machines. He looks back on that process and offers some valuable pointers and considerations for agency owners looking to buy or sell an agency in the near future. Nick Fraunfelder is the owner and CEO of Sure Oak Digital Marketing, an agency specializing in SEO, link building, paid media, and analytics. He shares his journey of buying a digital agency and transitioning from a career in venture capital to becoming a business owner. Despite skepticism from friends, his passion for revenue conversations, desire for freedom, and dictating his own future have led him on a highly successful path. In this episode, we’ll discuss: Using the MED framework for a successful agency acquisition. Recasting expenses to

Are you seeking the best approach to train your sales team? Have you considered implementing a foot-in-the-door offer? Today’s featured guest reflects on past mistakes made while attempting to step away from sales, and shares a recent success could lead to a complete overhaul of the sales funnel, resulting in a tenfold increase in the closing rate. Tune in to hear about the journey from startup life to agency ownership and the creative acquisition strategy he’s using to become his own client and create the ultimate success story. Jim Huffman is the CEO and founder of Growth Hit, a customer-centric growth marketing agency that specializes in technical marketing. He shares his journey of becoming an accidental agency owner, some lessons learned about building a sales team, and his careful approach to crafting a foot-in-the-door offer that could boost his agency’s sales funnel. In this episode, we’ll discuss: Lessons in crafting a successful agency team. The Power of the Foot-in-the-Door Offer. How to b

Are you making a mark in your specific niche? Have you taken the necessary steps to elevate your brand and attract your ideal customers? Our guest today, a seasoned agency owner with fourteen years of experience working with influencers believes these are areas where agencies could learn from influencers, who by heavily focusing on developing their brands can grow to compete with big brands that have historically overshadowed smaller competitors. Tune in to learn more about her agency’s approach to influencer marketing and why you should stop being a volunteer at your own agency. Casey Benedict is the CEO and founder of Maverick Mindshare, an influencer marketing agency with over 14 years of experience in the industry. Casey shares insights on working with influencers, emphasizing the importance of expertise, processes, safeguards, and quality assurance; she also talks about learning to delegate and the importance of finding your zone of genius and staying in that lane as a way for owners to always stay in

Are you considering narrowing your focus in the near future, or do you prefer to retain the flexibility to take advantage of growth opportunities in specific sectors? Our featured guest established a PR agency by recognizing the potential to connect forward-thinking companies with journalists. In the current uncertain economic climate, she opts for diversification and maintains the agility of her agency to capitalize on the expansion of emerging sectors. Gain insights into her journey of building a PR agency that harnesses technology to enhance brand visibility, her pivotal moments in realizing the agency's success, her strategies for solidifying its growth, and the ongoing learning curve inherent in the agency's evolution. Amy Jackson is the founder of TaleSplash, a PR agency focused on effectively helping startups and emerging brands. She shares her journey from working in corporate PR to starting her own agency, discusses the role of the media in times of change, and explains how the agency is using AI

Is your agency prepared for a strategic acquisition to accelerate its growth? What advantages does an acquisition offer compared to organic growth? Do you have the necessary resources to navigate the acquisition process while ensuring the continued growth of your agency? Our featured guest today will discuss his ongoing acquisition process, outlining his reasoning behind this move, sharing why this felt like the perfect moment for an acquisition, and how he kept his peace of mind during this time-consuming process. Manish Dudharejia is the founder and CEO of E2M Solutions, one of the largest white label services agencies with clients all over the globe. Manish is a friend of the podcast who’s been on previously talking about big decisions agency owners need to make and sharing hiring tips for agencies. On this occasion, he discusses the recent acquisition of a white label WordPress development company, adding over 80 new team members and 100 new agency clients to their existing roster. He explains the deci

Do you run a virtual agency or a more traditional in-office business? It all comes down to what suits your and your team’s work style, and one agency owner has found a way to incentivize in-office days. She also shares the lessons learned after two big clients left within weeks of each other. This feature guest has constantly been evolving and adapting to change. She shares her reasons for being an advocate for the collaborative and innovative environment that comes with a shared physical workspace. She also shares the challenges she has faced that forced her to diversify her client roster and empower her team to be independent. Sarah Segal is the CEO and founder of Segal Communications, a public relations, social media, and influencer marketing agency that specializes in crafting communication strategies spanning the events, hospitality, and food niche. She shares her journey from broadcast journalism to accidental agency ownership. Sarah also talks about why she established a hybrid agency show where

What does it take to be truly remarkable? Do you struggle with imposter syndrome? Even uber-successful entrepreneurs like Guy Kawasaki have had those moments. Transitioning from corporate giants like Apple, Inc. to crafting a legacy of remarkability, he has devoted the latter part of his career to unraveling the essence of extraordinary achievements and the secrets of remarkable personalities. Learn more from Guy Kawasaki’s reflections on navigating the dichotomy of being undervalued and overvalued throughout his career, his unwavering commitment to paying it forward, and his enduring quest to craft a legacy that transcends generations. Guy Kawasaki is a world-known marketer, author, speaker, and podcaster whose career has lately focused on empowering and inspiring people to reach their full potential. His expertise spans innovation, entrepreneurship, and social media, and he has worked with esteemed clients such as Apple, Nike, Audi, Google, and Microsoft. Currently serving as the Chief Evangelist at Canv

Have you considered the potential for growth through a strategic acquisition? How do you anticipate the agency owner's role evolving during an acquisition process? What steps can be taken to ensure a seamless integration once the deal is finalized? Our featured guest today has undergone a significant transformation, transitioning from white label to a more comprehensive service offering and shifting from project-based to retainer-based services. Now, she embarks on a new journey for her agency as she navigates a strategic acquisition. Tune in to hear about the evolution of her career and what she’s learned about setting the course for a smooth agency transition and post-acquisition planning. Leah Messina is the founder and CEO of Sinuate Media, a full-service digital marketing agency that works as equal parts data analytics, creative genius, and strategic mastermind for its clients. Leah recounts her transition from the entertainment industry to establishing her own agency in New Mexico, highlighting key m

Are you the bottleneck in your own agency's growth? Does the weight of every decision rest on your shoulders, leaving you overworked and your team underutilized? This guest is a successful agency owner who found himself in the industry after being laid off during the global economic crisis. He turned this setback into an opportunity and started his own business. However, as the agency expanded, he realized he was hindering progress. He had to shift away from the superhero mindset and empower his team to move forward. Tune in to learn how unexpected events can lead to new beginnings and the importance of seizing opportunities. Irwin Hau is a successful entrepreneur running two agencies: Chromatix, an agency focused on stunning web design that drives users to engage faster; and ConversionCow, a SaaS focused on lead conversions. He shares his journey from working at top ad agencies to starting his own businesses. Despite being made redundant during the Global Financial Crisis, Irwin took the opportunity to ve

Have you ever felt like a broken record with your team? Do you find yourself repeating the agency's goals and vision, only to be met with glazed-over expressions? Have you effectively communicated the agency’s direction and vision? It’s a common struggle for agency owners to feel they’re desperately trying to rally the troops behind a unified purpose, yet somehow missing that elusive "click" of genuine understanding and buy-in. Today’s guest is a specialist in the art of leadership alignment and how to foster authentic goal comprehension that permeates every level of your organization. Learn how leaders can achieve authentic goal understanding by talking, not just telling, and invest in aligning their teams to the business's direction for success. Julie Williamson is the managing partner at The Karrikins Group, a small boutique consultancy focused on helping leaders align and deliver on shared goals. She discusses the need for clear and easy-to-articulate goals, highlighting that repetition does not equate

What do you think is holding you back from scaling your agency? Have you received coaching? And if you have, have you implemented their recommended measures? On today’s episode we talk about agency owners’ accountability and why reaching out for help can be useless unless you understand what you want. Scaling an agency is hardly something you can do independently. You’ll need support and community along the way. A lot of the times the most important step to growing is figuring out if you’re ready to change. Get ready for some hard truths and expert advice. As Agency Scale Specialist on our team, Darby Copenhaver talks with hundreds of agency owners and finds a common thread when it comes to what’s holding them back from scaling their businesses. Seeking help is the first step, of course, but you’ll also need the right support and the willingness to make the necessary changes. Many agency owners get as far as knowing to ask for help but then don’t follow through, ultimately rendering any investment in coach

Are you establishing genuine connections with your target audience and clients? Have you developed a compelling brand narrative that resonates with your audience to cultivate a dedicated following? Our featured guest today played a pivotal role in shaping the iconic brand identity of Red Bull, which has become a benchmark for creating captivating content. He shares Red Bull’s strategy for creating engaging content, the initial missteps he addressed regarding staffing decisions and much more. Learn from his diverse experiences in the agency space and his insight into creating brand fandom. Geoffrey DeStefano is the founder and CEO of Brand Programming Studios, a strategic and creative content studio that bridges the gap between entertainment and marketing. Geoffrey is a seasoned professional with experience in both the advertising/marketing and entertainment/media industries. He shares insights from his time at Red Bull's media and creative agency during the brand's growth in North America. He discusses tra

Do you have a clear understanding of the client acquisition channels needed to grow your agency? Is your agency vulnerable to leadership or a client leaving? Today’s guest built his agency working with venture capitalists and private equity firms and found great success in that area, so much so that he never worried about client acquisition again. More recently, however, he’s been focusing more on setting up the channels that guarantee his agency’s growth and continued success. Learn more about his unconventional path to agency ownership and his commitment to quality over rushing to ship subpar work. David Baeza is the founder and CEO of Buttered Toast, an agency that works with the world's leading Venture Capitalists and Private Equity firms. They focus on growth architecture and lead generation, delivering powerful website designs, data-driven whitepapers, compelling ads, and customer testimonial videos. David shares his journey to becoming the founder of his own agency, his unique approach to pricing, a

Do you feel trapped in an operation tunnel vision? Are you ready to shift your attention toward strategies for agency growth? Our guest today initially viewed strategy sessions as a luxury she could only afford once her agency had achieved significant success. However, upon receiving guidance from a coach to address alignment issues, she and her partner began scheduling daily strategy sessions and prioritizing working on the business rather than just in it. Tune in to hear about her accidental path to agency ownership and her vision for the future after implementing more intentional planning for growth. Samantha Martin is the co-owner of Prime Marketing Agency, a female-led experiential agency that creates epic brand experiences that leave a lasting impression. She discusses her entrepreneurial spirit and how she navigated through different roles before landing in her current position. In this episode, we’ll discuss: Navigating cashflow constraints. Unshackling from RFPs and into a more relationship-bu

Are you considering starting an agency but feel like it might be too late to do so? Our featured guest today had a thriving career in PR and successfully managed an agency for nearly two decades before deciding the missing piece in that career was building and growing her own agency. With an extensive client network who already knew and trusted her work, her agency reached seven figures in just one year! Now, she contemplates the next steps for her and her team. Listen to discover how she achieved rapid agency growth and valuable tips for retaining key employees. Amy Littleton is the owner of Stretch PR, a full-service creative public relations agency that stretches to deliver results beyond expectations. Amy shares her journey of building a seven-figure agency in just one year, the lessons learned, and insights into why she decided to leave a long career in the industry successfully running a different agency to start her own. In this episode, we’ll discuss: Agency structuring for sustainable success.

What does it take for an agency to not only survive but thrive over decades? What mindset and approach enabled this agency owner to pivot and leverage new opportunities? In the challenging world of business, most companies struggle to reach the one-year mark, with even fewer making it to the five-year milestone. Hence, for an agency to make it beyond that it means the owner has weathered more than a few storms and learned to navigate and adapt to a constantly changing industry. Today’s guest has steered her business through over two decades of growth, demonstrating the ability to pivot, take calculated risks, and understand her agency's value to ensure its sustainability. From learning the importance of self-renewal to using the pandemic as a time to pivot and grow, tune in to learn about her journey and the changes in the marketing landscape over the past couple of years. Marlo Fogelman is the founder & CEO of Marlo Marketing, an integrated marketing agency specializing in all things hospitality, life

Are you interested in breaking away from conventional agency practices? Do you want an agency structure that best suits your team? Today’s guest established her agency right after college, without any prior experience working in an agency. She designed her agency's structure based on what felt right for her team rather than following standard industry norms. Emphasizing culture, and prioritizing raises and recognition over promotions, she has fostered a team of passionate individuals who love what they do. Learn about Scout's journey in building a thriving agency culture without hierarchies and how her approach to business helped her build a passionate team. Scout Driscoll is the founder of Design Scout, a branding agency with a rebellious edge. They work with clients across founder-driven industries interested in breaking the status quo. She shares insights on creating a thriving business culture without the need for traditional promotions or ladder climbing. With over 21 years of experience, Scout discus

Is the fear of failure the driving force that keeps you striving towards your goals? For too many agency owners, the relentless stress of this life corrodes their drive, fueling an unhealthy obsession with avoiding defeat at all costs. Putting together a great team and taking the time to stop and figure things out is often the only way to get out of that trap. Today’s guest managed to do this by implementing the lessons learned from the bike trails. She took the discipline and important insights learned from sports and translated them into business. As a result, she was able to improve her results and grow her agency. Tune in for insights on finding freedom and flow in business without being rooted in fear. Karley Cunningham is the founder, creative strategist, and growth accelerator of Big Bold Brand Inc., a marketing agency that works with innovators, disruptors, and changemakers who seek a strategic business advantage and desire bold differentiation. Her team helps these innovators sort out their busine

Have you ever wondered what it takes to scale an agency from millions to tens of millions in revenue? Or how to successfully pivot from services to products? Today's guest has walked that path - not once but twice. He’s built two successful agencies with the mission to lift brands up, tell compelling stories and recognize new products. As he reflects on his journey, he recounts the differences between scaling an agency to $25 million and to $50 million, as well as the pivotal decision of starting to sell a SaaS product. Tune in for valuable insights and inspiring stories from his entrepreneurial experience. Phil Case is the President and Chief Client Officer of Max Connect Digital, a digital marketing agency that combines the most extensive real-time consumer data sets with personalized and dynamic ads. Phil shares his journey of growing his first agency from $300,000 to around $5 million and then scaling his current agency from $18 million to over $50 million. He discusses profit margins, business growth

Are you debating the value of building your brand? Perhaps you're wary of the effort needed to establish your identity, only to feel confined to your business once you become the face of the agency. Our guest today specializes in helping clients effectively brand themselves and elevate their agencies. He understands the common fears and reservations surrounding personal branding and offers valuable insights into its benefits. Above all, he wants entrepreneurs to understand that personal brands should evolve continually, ensuring that they don't limit your growth. Tune in for expert advice on cultivating trust and credibility in the industry through consistent branding efforts. Jason Barnard is an entrepreneur, writer, and CEO of Kalicube, a digital marketing agency that makes your online brand representation irresistible to potential customers. Jason loves to solve the puzzle of how algorithms work and figure out how clients can use them in their favor. In this conversation, both Jasons emphasize the signi