Agency Bytes Podcast
Agency Bytes is a video podcast series that packs a ton of important agency information on one topic, from one expert into a 25-minute brief.
Why 25 minutes?
Because who has the attention span for much more these days, and you can squeeze in a listen between meetings with time for a bathroom break or coffee refill before your next meeting.
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Ep 095 – Chip Griffin, SAGA – Agency Ownership Pitfalls
In episode 095 of Agency Bytes, I’m joined by Chip Griffin, founder of the Small Agency Growth Alliance (SAGA). With over 30 years of experience as an agency owner and entrepreneur, Chip shares how small PR, marketing, and creative agency owners can build businesses they truly love.
We dig into some of agency owners' pitfalls, including why chasing “copycat goals” and outdated benchmarks often leads to burnout, and why focusing on profit and personal satisfaction is key. Chip also breaks down his “floor-to-ceiling” pricing model, the importance of time tracking, and how finding focus (a.k.a. niching) can make your agency more efficient and profitable. Plus, we discuss how owners can step back from the grind and take control of their day-to-day.
If you’re ready to rethink your approach to running your agency, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you grow sustainably and love what you do. Tune in now!
Key Bytes
• Commit to building a business you want to own.
• Define personal goals to shape your agency.
• Focus on profit, not just revenue or headcount.
• Time tracking is essential for understanding costs.
• Pricing should be based on project budgets and value.
• Finding focus helps improve efficiency and results.
• Agency owners often work too many hours on the wrong tasks.
• Control your day to enhance satisfaction.
• Selling an agency is often not a life-changing event.
• Life is too short to be miserable in your work.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Agency Growth
06:36 The Importance of Time Tracking
12:51 Pricing Strategies for Agencies
19:23 Common Pain Points for Agency Owners
25:19 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts
As the founder of the Small Agency Growth Alliance (SAGA), Chip Griffin helps small PR and marketing agency owners build businesses that they want to own. He works with them to grow profits, eliminate overwork, and improve their overall satisfaction.
As an experienced entrepreneur and agency owner himself, Chip shares the wisdom of his successes and the lessons from his failures. He understands the challenges and opportunities that face agency owners because he sat in the same chair and faced similar decisions.
Chip joined his first agency 30 years ago as a Junior Account Executive and has had an appreciation for the highs and lows these firms experience ever since.
Contact Chip:
Ep 094 – Chris DuBois, Dynamic Agency OS – The Three O’s of an Agency
In episode 094 of Agency Bytes, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Chris Dubois, a seasoned marketing expert and non-founder CEO. Chris shares his fascinating journey from being an infantry officer to leading a successful agency that not only got recognized as an Inc 5000 honoree but also earned the prestigious Two Comma Club award. During our conversation, Chris dives deep into the Dynamic Agency OS, his framework for helping agencies achieve alignment and growth. Key areas of focus from the podcast include:
• Transformational Leadership: How Chris advanced from head of operations to CEO and his insights on effective leadership.
• Strategic Specialization: The importance of niching based on problem-solving and creating differentiated offers.
• Team Optimization: Evaluating and leveraging team strengths to maintain high standards and improve agency culture.
• Quarterly Planning: The benefits of conducting quarterly strategy sessions to stay aligned with client goals and maintain focus.
• Practical Tools: Chris's take on invaluable tools like the AI-powered calendar tool, Motion, and its impact on productivity.
Tune in to explore valuable strategies and actionable insights that can help marketing agency owners thrive and grow their businesses.
Key Bytes
• Chris DuBois transitioned from military service to agency leadership.
• The Dynamic Agency OS framework focuses on operators, offers, and operations.
• Agencies often struggle with client requests outside their expertise.
• Leadership in agencies is about maintaining a strong culture and standard.
• Hiring the right people is crucial for delivering quality work.
• Understanding client needs requires digging deeper into their problems.
• Quarterly strategies help keep clients focused and accountable.
• Soft skills can be broken down into quantifiable hard skills for training.
• Delegation is key for agency owners to focus on growth.
• Networking with other experts can provide valuable insights and solutions.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Agency Bites and Chris DuBois
06:32 The Dynamic Agency OS: A Framework for Success
12:51 Navigating Client Requests and Agency Expertise
23:39 Personal Insights and Recommendations from Chris DuBois
Chris DuBois helps marketing agencies build a solid go-to-market foundation while avoiding common roadblocks by aligning business design with personal goals through the Dynamic Agency OS. A former head of operations and non-founder CEO at an agency, he is an INC 5000 honoree and 2 Comma Club awardee.
Contact Chris:
Ep 093 – Jonathan Stark, Ditcherville – Ditching Hourly
In Episode 093 of Agency Bytes, I sat down with Jonathan Stark — a former software developer turned pricing consultant — to dig into a topic that trips up so many agencies: hourly billing vs. value-based pricing.
Jonathan shared how he made the shift from trading time for money to focusing on the value his work delivers. What started as a few talks with agencies grew into a full-blown movement — writing books, delivering content, and building a thriving community of creative professionals ditching the hourly model.
We talked about why hourly billing holds agencies back, the importance of deeply understanding client needs, and how to craft pricing options that reflect the true value you provide. Jonathan’s insights on uncovering client motivations and taking a more strategic approach to pricing will help you build stronger client relationships and increase profitability.
If you’re tired of being stuck in the “billable hour” mindset, this episode is packed with actionable advice you won’t want to miss.
Key Bytes
• Hourly billing limits income potential.
• Understanding client outcomes is crucial for pricing.
• Scope should be defined after understanding client needs.
• Value-based pricing can lead to higher profits.
• Creating multiple pricing options can attract clients.
• Time tracking is unnecessary in a value-based model.
• Client motivations should drive the sales conversation.
• Different levels of engagement affect pricing strategies.
• Value pricing enhances client relationships.
• Being unique in your offering is essential for success.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Ditching Hourly Billing
06:01 Understanding Client Needs and Outcomes
11:45 Creating Pricing Options for Clients
17:47 Uncovering Client Motivations
23:54 The Home Run of Value Pricing
Jonathan Stark is a former software developer who is on a mission to rid the world of hourly billing. He is the author of Hourly Billing Is Nuts, the host of Ditching Hourly, and writes a daily newsletter on pricing for independent professionals.
Ep 074 – Iggy Odighizuwa, Founder of Ai-setters.com – Sales Systems by AI
In Episode 074, I sat down with Iggy Odigizua, CEO and founder of AISetters.com, to explore how agencies can harness AI tools to book qualified appointments effortlessly. Iggy shares insights from his Leeds Management System, a done-for-you service that helps agencies streamline their operations. We dive into his entrepreneurial journey, from dominating the health and fitness industry to coaching and building successful online businesses. Iggy reveals the benefits of the Leeds system, the challenges agencies face in adopting AI, and why embracing technology is crucial for boosting efficiency and productivity.
Key Takeaways
• The Leeds Management System is a done-for-you service that uses AI to book vetted and qualified appointments for service-based businesses like agencies.
• AI technology can improve efficiency and productivity in agency operations by automating lead management and follow-up processes.
• Adopting AI tools in agencies can be challenging due to the learning curve and fear of technology replacing human jobs.
• Using AI in agencies can help bridge the gap between sales and marketing, improve lead quality, and enhance client results.
• The key to success in business is understanding your target audience and focusing on the boring, but essential, work that gets results.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
04:23 Building High-Ticket Online Coaching Businesses
07:56 Automating Lead Management with AI
10:43 Overcoming Barriers to Adopting AI in Agencies
13:36 Bridging the Gap Between Sales and Marketing with AI
16:11 Enhancing Lead Quality and Client Results with AI
25:24 AI in B2C and D2C
27:24 Rapid Fire Questions
29:32 Invaluable Business Advice
Iggy Odighizuwa, CEO and Founder of Ai-setters.com and The Leads Pre-Conversion System a DONE FOR YOU Service That Uses Charlie Ai To Book Vetted & Qualified Appointments For Coaches, Consultants, Agency Owners and Service Based Businesses.
Iggy Built his first 7-figure high ticket online coaching business called "Tril 80 Coaching” Since then Iggy has helped to build 20 other 7-figure online coaching businesses and helped build two 8-figure online coaching businesses one of them called "The 4% Club," and over 100 6-figure online coaching businesses. Iggy spent 8 years of his life in Benin a small village in an African country called Nigeria.
Contact Iggy:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/iggy-odighizuwa/
Ep 073 – Rachel Gertz, Louder Than Ten – Empowerment in Project Management
In Episode 073, I sat down with the brilliant Rachel Gertz, Co-founder of Louder Than Ten, to uncover the real power behind project management. We didn’t just talk about deadlines and deliverables—we dove into how effective project management can transform your agency from the inside out. Rachel shared game-changing insights on leadership, empowering your team, and rethinking the way digital agencies operate. From hiring the right talent to using the right tools for growth, this conversation is packed with strategies you can start using today to take your agency to the next level. Tune in now!
Key Takeaways
• Project management is a powerful conduit for empowering individuals and driving project success.
• Leadership challenges within digital agencies often stem from a lack of delegation and a scarcity mindset.
• The integration of project management tools and the development of financial literacy are crucial for effective project management.
• The role of project managers extends beyond traditional project delivery, encompassing strategic thinking, revenue growth, and team empowerment.
• Personal growth tools, such as journal trackers, can provide valuable insights and self-awareness for professional development.
Rachel Gertz is a Co-founder and Director of Delivery and Growth at Louder Than Ten. She helps small to medium sized digital agencies transform their digital PM operations through hands-on training and consulting. Her mission at Louder Than Ten is to propel tech workers through an uncertain future by training digital companies how to give power to the people leading their projects.
Contact Rachel:
