...𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗴. 𝗔 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁

Hosted by Chris Simmance

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Episodes

129

Latest episode

Jun 2024

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EN-GB

About the show

A series where Chris Simmance interviews current and former 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗢𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿/𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 to find out what makes them tick, the things that work well for them and what they wish they knew when they started. This podcast is aimed at those running a Digital Agency or those playing a leading role in one….. or anyone wanting to in the future. - Want to know what makes the best agency owners tick? - Always battled with an issue you thought only you had? - Fancy learning from other people’s mess-ups? If you thought yes to any of the above, this podcast is for you!

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60 recent

June 3, 2024Episode 2423 min

Episode 24 - Mike Coleman - Channable

Summary In this conversation, Chris Simmance interviews Mike, an account executive from Channable, a multi-channel e-commerce platform. They discuss the importance of being data-driven in the agency world and how Channable helps agencies optimize their performance. Mike emphasizes the need for agencies to constantly innovate and stay ahead of the competition. He also highlights the value of Channable's features, such as feed management, PPC automation, and image editing. The conversation touches on the challenges agencies face, the importance of data analysis, and the benefits of being part of Channable's agency partner program. Takeaways Being data-driven is crucial for agencies to succeed in the e-commerce industry. Channable offers a range of features, including feed management, PPC automation, and image editing, to help agencies optimize their performance. Innovation and staying ahead of the competition are key factors for agency success. Channable's agency partner program provides additional benefits, such as exclusive events and co-marketing opportunities. Agencies need to constantly analyze data and make data-driven decisions to improve client performance and retain clients. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview of Channable 02:50 The Importance of Being Data-Driven 07:57 Channable's Features for Performance Optimization 12:14 Innovation and Staying Ahead of the Competition 21:29 Articulating Data and Making Data-Driven Decisions

May 21, 2024Episode 8519 min

Epsiode 85 - Ollie Heum - Creative Director, Prospa

Summary Ollie Heum, the Creative Director of Prosper, a growth agency based in Manchester, discusses his journey in the agency and shares insights on managing and growing a business. He emphasizes the importance of finding a niche and being passionate about it, as well as the value of having a clear vision and effective communication within the team. Ollie also highlights the shift from focusing solely on running ads to taking a holistic approach and solving problems for clients. The conversation touches on topics such as operational management, onboarding processes, and the benefits of using tools like ClickUp. Takeaways Find a niche that you are passionate about and double down on it. Having a clear vision and effective communication within the team is crucial for success. Shift from focusing solely on running ads to taking a holistic approach and solving problems for clients. Use tools like ClickUp to streamline operational management and improve communication and efficiency. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Sunny Spirits 04:01 Successes and Lessons Learned 06:09 Advice for Younger Self 08:52 Supporting Each Other as Founders 09:50 Regrets and Key Business Practices 12:27 Operational Management with ClickUp 15:21 The Importance of Onboarding and Communication 16:21 Advice for Starting an Agency 19:26 Closing Remarks

May 1, 2024Episode 2123 min

Episode 21 - Harry Sanders - Studiohawk

Summary In this conversation, Chris Simmance interviews Harry Sanders, the founder of StudioHawk, an SEO agency. They discuss the differences in the SEO landscape between the UK, Australia, and the US, with a focus on digital PR. Harry shares his insights on the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of focusing on your zone of genius, and the need for continuous learning and adaptation. He also talks about his personal growth as a leader and his involvement in philanthropic endeavors. The conversation ends with a discussion on the future plans for StudioHawk in each market. Keywords SEO, digital PR, scaling a business, leadership, philanthropy Takeaways The SEO landscape is fairly similar globally, but there are some differences in specific areas like digital PR. Scaling a business requires strategic thinking, focusing on your zone of genius, and adapting to industry trends. Leaders should prioritize personal growth, philanthropy, and making a positive impact. StudioHawk is focused on expanding in the UK, building a presence in the US, and solidifying its position in Australia. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Catching Up 06:19 Scaling a Business and Challenges 10:48 Future Plans for StudioHawk Sound Bites "The UK is a lot further ahead on things like digital PR... Australia is still learning what the hell DPR is." "Who cares about the facts when you get a backlink?" "To get from one level of growth to the next is almost twice as hard."

April 22, 2024Episode 2223 min

Episode 22 - Patrick Hathaway - Sitebulb

Summary Patrick, the co-founder and CEO of Sitebulb, discusses the value of Sitebulb for SEO agencies and the importance of clear explanations in audits. He highlights the need for efficiency and proactivity in agencies and the benefits of Sitebulb's prioritization feature. Patrick also shares a funny feature request and emphasizes the importance of effective communication in agencies. He concludes by discussing the challenges of overcoming switching costs and the need for agencies to adapt and choose the right tools. Takeaways Sitebulb is a website auditing tool designed to make audits easier and more efficient for SEO agencies. Clear explanations and prioritization are crucial in audits to help agencies communicate effectively with clients and developers. Efficiency and proactivity are key traits of successful agencies, and Sitebulb helps agencies achieve these goals. Effective communication, both within the agency and with clients, is essential for implementing audit recommendations and improving websites. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Elevator Pitch 03:01 Sitebulb's Value for SEO Agencies 04:12 Sitebulb's Focus on Website Audits 06:04 The Importance of Clear Explanations in Audits 07:25 Training and Communication in Agencies 09:08 Efficiency and Proactivity in Agencies 10:43 The Tangible Benefits of Sitebulb 11:43 Weirdest or Funniest Feature Request 13:08 Prioritization and Efficiency in Website Audits 14:54 Choosing the Right Rabbit Hole in Audits 15:48 Effective Communication in Agencies 20:08 Overcoming Switching Costs in Agencies 23:06 Adapting and Choosing the Right Tools

April 10, 2024Episode 8421 min

Episode 84 – Seb Mackay – Soba: Private Label

Summary Seb from Soba Private Label shares his journey from being an in-house marketer to starting his own agency. He discusses the challenges of transitioning to agency life and the importance of positioning and copy for agencies. Seb also shares the lessons he has learned in the first year of running his agency and offers advice for those starting their own agency. He emphasizes the need for cash flow, watertight contracts, and direct debits. Seb also highlights the importance of seeking support and advice from the startup community and the value of productized services. He concludes by sharing his vision for the future of Soba Private Label. Takeaways Transitioning from in-house marketer to agency owner can be challenging, but it offers new opportunities for growth and learning. Positioning and copy are crucial for agencies to differentiate themselves and attract the right clients. Having a productized service with its own brand can make it easier to sell and deliver tangible results to clients. Qualifying leads and finding the right fit is essential for agency success and long-term client relationships. Seeking support and advice from the startup community can provide valuable insights and help navigate the challenges of running an agency. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:07 Transition from In-house Marketer to Agency Owner 04:22 Soba Private Label: Positioning and Copy for Agencies 05:19 Lessons Learned in the First Year of the Agency 07:19 Advice for Starting an Agency 09:17 Seeking Support and Advice from the Startup Community 11:08 The Importance of Productized Services 13:21 The Challenge of Delivering Invisible Services 14:19 Qualifying Leads and Finding the Right Fit 19:33 The Future Vision for Soba Private Label

April 8, 2024Episode 2026 min

Episode 20 - Ginny Nicholls - Interim Digital

Chris Simmance, The Agency Accelerator, speaks with Ginny Nicholls from Interim Digital on the digital agency podcast, delving into the transformative world of agency growth through external partnerships. They explore the unique model of Interim Digital, a collective of seasoned agency freelancers, and its mission to bolster agencies with senior-level support on demand. The conversation illuminates the evolving agency landscape, highlighting the strategic advantage of integrating freelance expertise to enhance capacity and skill sets without the commitment of full-time hires. Nicholls shares insights on the genesis of Interim Digital, born from a blend of agency experience and freelance flexibility, aiming to bridge the gap between agencies and high-calibre freelancers. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in fostering successful collaborations, emphasizing the importance of cultural fit, communication, and mutual respect to unlock a synergy that propels agency growth and innovation.

March 27, 2024Episode 8322 min

Episode 83 - Rin Hamburgh - Rin Hamburgh & Co

Summary In this episode, Chris Simmance interviews Rin Hamburgh, the founder of RH and Co., a strategic brand copywriting agency. Rin shares her journey of starting and growing her agency over the past seven years. She emphasizes the importance of working with expert-led businesses and the value of industry expertise in content creation. Rin also discusses the challenges of AI in the industry and the need for human expertise. She highlights the process of strategic brand copywriting and the importance of listening to experts. Rin shares her experiences of resilience and continuous improvement in agency ownership. She advises aspiring agency leaders to examine their motives and have a clear vision for their agency. Rin also emphasizes the significance of hiring the right people and learning from mistakes. She cautions against focusing on vanity metrics and encourages agency leaders to prioritize profitability. Takeaways Working with expert-led businesses and industry expertise is valuable in content creation. Human expertise is still essential despite the rise of AI in the industry. The process of strategic brand copywriting involves listening to experts and creating useful content. Resilience and continuous improvement are crucial in agency ownership. Examining motives and having a clear vision for the agency is important. Hiring the right people and learning from mistakes are key to agency success. Vanity metrics should not be the sole focus; profitability should be prioritized. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:02 Rin Hamburgh and RH and Co. 02:08 Expert-led Businesses and AI 03:20 The Process of Strategic Brand Copywriting 04:49 The Success and Challenges of the Past Seven Years 06:32 Continuous Improvement and Resilience 08:42 Advice for Starting an Agency 13:08 The Importance of Hiring the Right People 14:28 Learning from Mistakes and Structuring the Agency 19:31 Examining Motives and Having a Vision 22:23 The Pitfalls of Vanity Metrics 22:50 Conclusion

March 25, 2024Episode 2121 min

Episode 21 - Mark Colgan - Agency Sales Design

Summary In this podcast episode, Chris Simmance interviews Mark Colgan, an agency advisor and partner, about his experience in B2B sales and marketing. Mark shares his insights on building a pipeline and seeing results, as well as the value of working with agencies. He emphasizes the importance of onboarding and communication with clients, and highlights the need for agency owners to have confidence in their services and selling abilities. Mark also discusses his opinions on AI copywriting tools and the misconception of needing a high volume of leads. Overall, the conversation provides valuable advice and lessons for agency owners. Takeaways Understanding the ideal customer profile is crucial for building a pipeline. Focus on the closest opportunities in the pipeline and follow up with past business. The handover process and onboarding experience can make a significant impact on client satisfaction. Confidence in selling and the service being offered is key to success. Beware of the misconception that a high volume of leads is necessary for agency growth.

March 13, 2024Episode 8220 min

Episode 82 - Natalia Talkowska - Natalka Design

Summary In this podcast episode, Chris Simmance interviews Natalia Talkowska, the founder of Natalka Design. They discuss Natalia's journey in the industry, the importance of visual storytelling, and the power of connections. Natalia shares advice for aspiring agency owners and emphasizes the need to believe in oneself. She also highlights the value of collaboration and networking in the industry. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of building systems and organization within an agency. Takeaways Visual storytelling is a sought-after skill in today's complex business landscape. Believing in oneself is crucial for success in entrepreneurship. Building connections and networking are essential for growth and opportunities. Creating systems and organization within an agency is vital for scalability and efficiency. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:46 Getting Started in the Industry 03:05 Biggest Successes 04:39 Changes in the Industry 06:21 The Importance of Visual Solutions 07:24 Advice to Younger Self 09:24 Believing in Yourself 10:40 The Power of Connections 13:16 Collaboration and Networking 15:19 Building Systems and Organization 18:55 Advice for Starting an Agency 20:06 Conclusion

March 6, 2024Episode 1925 min

Episode 19 - Shane Hodge - TheCamel.co

Summary In this conversation, Chris Simmance interviews Shane Hodge, CEO and co-founder of The Camel Co, a Duda platform major solutions partner based in the Philippines. They discuss the agency's journey and how they have adapted to post-COVID challenges. Shane shares the key driver for their transformation, which was moving away from a master-slave relationship with clients and focusing on value-added partnerships. They also explore the importance of niche specialization and the rise of consultative selling in the digital marketing industry. Shane emphasizes the need for leaders to empower their teams and focus on their strengths. They conclude by discussing future plans and setting goals for the next 12 months. Takeaways Adapting to post-COVID challenges requires a reevaluation of business strategies and a focus on value-added partnerships. Niche specialization is crucial for agencies to stand out and provide specialized expertise to clients. The shift from basic services to specialist skills and consultative selling is becoming increasingly important in the digital marketing industry. Leaders should empower their teams and focus on their strengths, allowing them to work smarter and achieve better results. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Catching Up 01:02 Overview of the Agency 02:13 Adapting to Post-COVID Challenges 03:08 Transition to Value-Added Partnerships 04:09 The Driver for Change 05:20 Empowering the Team 07:32 Trends in the Digital Marketing Industry 09:01 The Importance of Niche Specialization 10:35 Working Smarter, Not Harder 11:49 The Rise of Consultative Selling 15:14 The Shift from Basics to Specialist Skills 19:00 Leadership and Empowerment 21:26 Future Plans and Growth 22:45 Celebrating Success in 12 Months 23:19 Closing Remarks