Agency Insights for Scaling Your Marketing Agency
Pepsi Paid $2 Billion for Gut Soda?! Here’s What Your Agency Should Be Doing Right Now
Pepsi just dropped $2 billion to acquire Poppy.
Let that sink in.
A gut-health soda brand that didn’t even exist a decade ago is now a multibillion-dollar player—without some bloated VC war chest or Super Bowl ads. Why? Because they didn’t just sell a drink. They sold vitality without boredom.
Just like Liquid Death isn’t selling water. They’re selling rebellion in a can.
This matters to you because your agency clients are still playing the safe game. Bland branding. Forgettable messaging. Funnel tweaks and ad spend tricks. But the world doesn’t reward better. It rewards different. And that’s where you come in.
Built a $100M Agency in 3 Years—Then It Went Bankrupt. Here’s What I Wish I Knew
Ever dreamed of building a $100 million agency, selling for a massive payday, and seeing your name in headlines? It sounds like the ultimate win. But what happens when that dream starts to crack under pressure?
I’ve live through that and it fell apart fast. Not because we didn’t grow but because we skipped the hard stuff. The boring stuff. The stuff that no one talks about when you’re scaling fast.
If you’re an agency owner chasing scale, considering a sale, or wondering if your current path is sustainable, this is the truth bomb you need.
Mark Zuckerberg Declares War On The Advertising Industry! Here's What Smart Agencies Are Doing Next
I’ve been paying an agency to run our Meta ads and for some time Meta itself has been reaching out to take over the account. Let that sink in. The same platform your agency relies on is actively trying to cut you out of the picture.
The worst part? This is just one example of a much bigger shift. Big tech is building tools that create entire campaigns—copy, design, video, testing—without a human in sight. Your strategist? Replaced. Designer? Replaced. Copywriter? Gone.
I get it. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but it isn’t necessarily the end of agencies. It’s just the end of the ones that built their model on tasks.
So what’s the future for agencies?
How to Build a Custom AI Assistant for Your Agency (Before Everyone Else Does)
Have you ever wished you could clone your marketing brain?
Most agency owners rely on their gut, but what if you could replicate all he experiences and knowledge that makes your unique perspective and pass that on to your team and partners by training an AI that actually thinks and writes like you? Sounds wild, right? But that's exactly what I did by building a custom AI agent trained specifically for my agency.
This AI agent is trained on our brand guidelines, customer insights, success stories, and all the elements that make our marketing work. And the best part? It’s way easier to set up than you think, and the more your team uses it, the better it’ll get.
Recession-Proof Your Agency: Grow While Others Panic
Are you concerned about the economic prospect this year presents for businesses overall? How are you preparing to face the uncertainty? With all the talk about a recession going on since last year, it’s natural for agency owners to feel uneasy. Recessions often bring budget cuts, client churn, and hiring freezes and they feel they’ll lose everything they’ve built. We’re all wondering what will happen with the tariffs and with AI improving each day.
How to Hire the Right People to Scale Your Agency the Right Way
Are you spending too much time trying to find the right talent for your agency? While I’ve typically avoided outside recruiters due to their large commissions, I’ve also realized sometimes the amount of time spent filling important roles equates to missed opportunities for the business. You have to figure out how much your time is worth.
Finding the right people is one of the biggest challenges in scaling any business, whether you're hiring for your marketing agency, bringing in a virtual assistant, or expanding your creative team. Making the wrong hire can be costly in both time and resources, which is why having a strategic hiring process is essential.
40K Podcast Listeners & More Clients? Here’s EXACTLY How I Did It!
Want to grow your podcast audience but not sure where to start? One of the most effective strategies to building a podcast is leveraging other podcasts in your niche. Rather than directly pitching yourself as a guest, start by inviting successful podcasters in your space to appear on your show. This approach helps build genuine relationships while avoiding the saturated pool of guest pitches most hosts receive.
Struggling to Land Bigger Retainers? Follow These 5 Steps
Are you struggling to land bigger agency retainers and maximize your digital agency profit margin? You're not alone! In this video, you’ll get a proven step-by-step process to help agency owners like you convert more leads, negotiate better deals, and become a trusted advisor to your clients—so you can earn larger retainers and create predictable, long-term revenue.
The path to this predictable revenue requires becoming more than just a service provider—it demands evolving into a trusted advisor for your clients. This transformation begins with gaining clarity about your ideal clients and developing a service offering that precisely matches their needs. These steps will help you navigate this evolution.
Ready to SELL YOUR AGENCY? Answer These 6 Questions and Find Out
When I’m buying an agency I analyze the business and look for several things that should be clear if you’re looking to sell.
So if you’re an agency owner that plans to sell in the near future, ask yourself these questions, because potential buyers will be asking them as well.
30-Day Challenge: GET BIGGER CLIENTS
Want to double your current monthly revenue? Start by identifying ideal clients who could benefit from higher-tier services, then implement this strategic outreach approach designed to capture their attention through personalized value delivery.
BEST of 2024: Wrap Up of Smart Agency Masterclass Wisdom
The Smart Agency Masterclass podcast reached new heights in 2024, delivering game-changing insights from entrepreneurs who transformed their challenges into triumphs.
From battling impostor syndrome to scaling revenue and reclaiming personal freedom, our guests didn't just share their success stories—they offered a blueprint for agency owners walking the same path they once traveled. Industry titans like Guy Kawasaki and Gino Wickman brought their hard-earned wisdom to our listeners, creating moments that resonated deeply with our community.
As we reflect on this remarkable year, I'm excited to share some of the most powerful conversations that shaped our 2024 season.
The Offering Ladder: How Small Wins Lead to BIG AGENCY SUCCESS
How do you start landing big clients? How do you start to build trust with the client and ultimately prove yourself to be a great asset to them? Breaking into work with large companies often requires a strategic "foot-in-the-door" approach rather than attempting to immediately displace existing agencies. Success typically begins with identifying and solving specific, manageable pain points within one department.
Employee Bonuses, How Much is TOO MUCH?
How do you calculate your employees’ bonuses? Do you base it on the agency’s overall results over the year or maybe consider longevity as a factor?
Designing an effective employee bonus structure requires careful consideration of both short-term rewards and long-term sustainability. The best performance bonuses change every year because the business will likely change from year to year.
Why You Need a LINE OF CREDIT Right Now
Do you have a line of credit? I’m here to tell you that as an agency owner you should get one RIGHT NOW.
A line of credit is not merely a financial tool; it’s a safety net designed to get you out of hard situations. The key here is timing: secure your line of credit before you actually need it. Banks are unlikely to approve credit when you're in the midst of a financial emergency.
Investing in Growth: Why Your Agency's Budget Should Match Your Future Vision
Is your marketing budget holding your agency back? Could a strategic marketing investment be the key to unlocking your full potential? The approach you take to budgeting and investment can significantly influence the trajectory of growth and success.
Scale Secrets: Do You Have the Right Support to Grow Your Agency? 3 Benefits of Community
Do you need guidance in your agency journey? Could a coach be the game changer your agency needs? Maybe so, but maybe not. Many agency owners naturally turn to a coach for support and growth advice. And, while coaches excel at addressing specific challenges, their impact often plateaus after a few months due to the inherent limitations of single-perspective coaching.
How Agency Owners are DOMINATING with AI in 2024
Are you concerned AI will replace digital agencies? Will it replace you? This is a question I get a lot as people worry these innovations will basically push them out of the market. However, AI can actually be a powerful tool for agency owners who are open to embracing this technology.
In this video, we present various perspectives from different agency owners who are discovering ways to harness AI to their advantage. Discover how they are leveraging AI technology in 2024 to achieve unprecedented success.
How to DOUBLE Your Agency’s RETAINERS with This 3-Minute REVENUE HACK
After 25 years in the industry and having successfully built two agencies, I can say one of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen agency owners make is clinging to the traditional model of agency-client relationships of month-to-month retainers, which can lead to a lack of commitment from both parties.
So let's talk about a strategy that'll help you close more clients faster and easier while doubling your agency retainers.
Agency Owners Reveal the BEST TIME to Hire & Hiring Strategies for Success
Do you feel stuck in your agency’s day-to-day operations? Is now the right moment to consider hiring for key strategic roles? Are you worried about the financial strain of hiring new employees even though it could turn out to be a great decision?
Hiring is a complex and tiring process but one you’ll have to face at some point in your growth. Whether you're a seasoned agency owner or just starting, understanding when to expand your team can significantly impact your agency's growth and efficiency.
I’ve been interviewing agency owners from all over the world for the past decade and now I’m bringing some of the best advice they’ve offered over the years regarding hiring, training, and filling the right roles to get out of day-to-day operations.
What is the BEST NICHE for a Digital Marketing Agency that will CRUSH IT in 2025?
Have you found your ideal niche? Do you believe you’d be better off with a wide variety of services to secure ongoing work? If you're curious about the most promising niches that can generate significant demand, I have some insights for you.