Smart Agency Masterclass Podcast with Jason Swenk

Bi-weekly interviews, strategy, and advice for building your marketing agency the smart way.

The popular agency podcast has just turned 10 years old and covers everything from starting a successful agency to selling your agency.

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Clarity as the Catalyst for New Momentum and Agency Growth with Ed East | Ep #739
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Clarity as the Catalyst for New Momentum and Agency Growth with Ed East | Ep #739

Have you ever felt like abandoning your agency? Overwhelmed or insecure about the direction the agency is headed? If so, you're not alone. At some point, we all face moments of doubt and struggle to keep momentum. Today’s guest is an agency owner who built his business over the past ten years. He recently experienced a downturn that led him to question whether he still enjoyed the work. It was a solid business plan and clear vision that helped him get the agency back on track. Learn more about why he needed clarity and communication to get his confidence back and what excites him about the new developments of generative AI and how it’s changing advertising.

Ed East is the founder of influencer marketing agency Billion Dollar Boy. He shares his journey into the agency world, creating a database connecting blogs with brands and agencies. Ed also discusses the low point that made him question his commitment to the agency, the realization that helped him rebuild his confidence, and the new tech that is already revolutionizing advertising and brand-audience connections.

In this episode, we’ll discuss:

  • How clarity builds new momentum for agency growth.

  • Leveraging generative AI to elevate the creative process.

  • How agencies can use creator advertising.

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Leveraging AI to Create a HIGH IMPACT Foot-in-the-Door Offer with Abraham Bree | Ep #731
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Leveraging AI to Create a HIGH IMPACT Foot-in-the-Door Offer with Abraham Bree | Ep #731

Are you currently utilizing AI or fear it will replace digital agencies? Most agency owners fall into one of these two categories. However, those open to exploring this technology's potential and maintaining a sense of curiosity will lead the way in innovation. Today’s featured guest lost some clients who opted for in-house ChatGPT services over his agency's offering.

Instead of staying fearful of losing all his clients to this technology, he was prompted to explore how AI could be leveraged to enhance his services. Through experimentation, he created what has become a very effective foot-in-the-door to showcase good results with very little investment. Tune in to discover valuable lessons about creativity, collaboration, and the evolution of marketing strategies.

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WIN MORE Business by Crafting an Authentic Story with Matthew Woodget | Ep #718
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WIN MORE Business by Crafting an Authentic Story with Matthew Woodget | Ep #718

Do you know the power of intertwining your personal narrative with your business journey? Today’s guest is a narrative strategist who built his agency around helping entrepreneurs shape their stories to attract the right clients by communicating their goals and values. Discover how owning and sharing impactful stories can set owners apart from salespeople and lead to successful outcomes.

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Owning an Agency is an Extreme Sport with Karley Cunningham | Ep #700
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Owning an Agency is an Extreme Sport with Karley Cunningham | Ep #700

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 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.

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Enhancing Client Connections and Evolving Your Personal Brand with Jason Barnard | Ep #698
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Enhancing Client Connections and Evolving Your Personal Brand with Jason Barnard | Ep #698

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.

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Raising the Standards: The Importance of SOPs with Robert Brill | Ep #695
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Raising the Standards: The Importance of SOPs with Robert Brill | Ep #695

Are you prepared to elevate your agency team and pave the path to success? As your agency expands, the need to grow your team becomes inevitable, and having standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place beforehand can save you a lot of headaches.

Today’s guest went through a rapid growth phase with his agency and found he was ill-prepared to delegate responsibilities and clearly define tasks. As a result, he lost employees and clients but has since learned that SOPs should be in place before hiring and that a good SOP takes him out of the process as quickly as possible. Tune in to gain valuable insights on navigating the complexities of scaling an agency effectively.

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Losing Money as a Business Plan? Forging Long-Term Client Relationships with Kim Lawton | Ep #693
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Losing Money as a Business Plan? Forging Long-Term Client Relationships with Kim Lawton | Ep #693

Do you prioritize new clients or building lasting relationships? Would you be willing to lose money on a client in order to build a long-lasting relationship? Today’s guest has built two successful agencies banking on the power of planning for the long term instead of focusing just on the numbers. She’ll explain how she and her partner formed their vision of an agency where people could do their best work, clients felt heard, and it would all translate into business. Tune in to learn all about the visionary approach that led her and her partner to success.

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What Do All Successful Agencies Have in Common? How to Separate from the Pack with Tim Condon | Ep #692
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What Do All Successful Agencies Have in Common? How to Separate from the Pack with Tim Condon | Ep #692

What sets high-performing agencies apart from their low-performing counterparts? How are you positioning your agency for success? Our guest today is a seasoned business executive with extensive experience in product marketing and sales leadership. In his current role, he collaborates with agencies and gains insights into what separates successful ones from the rest. Tune in to gain valuable perspectives on agency performance and growth strategies.

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About the Show

The popular agency podcast has been around since 2014 and covers everything from starting a successful agency to selling your agency. What makes this podcast a must-listen is Swenk’s background as the founder and CEO of an agency for over a decade. Swenk brings his own experience to the table, besides the expertise of his guests. He mostly covers topics that help growing agencies scale to the next level.

YOUR HOST

JASON SWENK

Smart Agency Masterclass

Jason is a family man who also happens to have created a couple big marketing agencies, helped thousands of agency owners, and had a big agency exit too.