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Brad Ayres & Ken Ott

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Marketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow to Invest Your Time and Money Like a BossLearn how to get the highest returns on your time and money investments. The guys provide actionable tips on becoming a "time multiplier," maximizing conference experiences, starting a podcast, and aligning your efforts with principles that create exponential growth. Discover how to build assets that compound over time. Summary: In this episode, the guys discuss strategies for investing time and money wisely to achieve optimal returns. They talk about the concept of becoming a "time multiplier" by investing time upfront into tasks that eliminate repetitive work and create compounding returns. For example, spending time to automate processes...2023-10-2045 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastCharge more than ever beforeSubtitle:  Unlocking the Secrets to Success: Discover the transformative power of creativity, differentiation, and strategic pricing as the guys delve deeper into the concept of "10x-ing" prices. From the link between creativity and income generation to the art of effective communication and leveraging unique labels, this episode unveils the keys to delivering exceptional value and achieving unparalleled success in business. Get ready to revolutionize your approach and create happier, more satisfied customers along the way. The guys break down the role of creativity, AI, the power of labels, time, your unique superpower, and more on this week’s e...2023-06-3040 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow to use AI in your agency to save you timeSubtitle: When most people think about AI, they think of the dangerous robots or technology from movies that destroy the human race. Though AI does have the potential to be dangerous, it also has a lot of potential to assist businesses by creating content, cleaning up writing, and helping with research. Today, the guys dive into the practical uses and dangers of Chat GPT and AI. They also talk about communication, misinformation, human nuance, Wall-E, and more on this week’s episode.   Summary: In this week’s episode, Bob, Ken, and Brad...2023-03-3142 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastStop sabotaging yourself and start hitting your goalsSubtitle: Apologies in advance to Marvel fans. Today we break down our kryptonites and our superpowers and how they often tend to be two sides of the same sword. We talk about avarice, ego, lies, psychology, immunity, and more on this week’s special episode.   Summary: On today’s episode, we discuss the shadow side of our personalities, and how to not allow them to stand in the way of accomplishing our goals and dreams. The first step to do this is understanding who you are, what you’re called to, and wha...2022-07-0749 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastWhat to do when a key team member leavesSubtitle: Today we break down the practical and emotional sides of handling when someone with a leadership role leaves your business. We discuss feelings, redundancies, restructuring, communication with clients, and more on this week’s episode.   Summary: On today’s episode, we discuss all aspects of what to do when a key team member leaves your business. While having someone leave is challenging, it’s crucial to have a positive mindset and look for opportunities. There are always opportunities. To optimize, improve, and level up. It’s also important to have a record...2022-06-2252 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow do you build a healthy hybrid workforce?Subtitle: Today we dive into the world of all things hybrid, looking at how things have changed since the pandemic and whether those changes have had a positive or negative impact on our businesses. We dive into hybrid scheduling, standup, sheds, and more on this week’s episode.   Summary: On today’s episode, we explore working remotely and hybrid schedules since the pandemic as well as their effects on our businesses. We discuss some of the tools we use as well as some key tips and tricks to help your team all b...2022-05-0542 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow to give a TED TalkSubtitle: Have you ever wondered what goes into preparing for and giving a TED Talk? Being able to give talks on big stages can be a game changer for your agency. On this week’s episode, we dive into Bob’s TED Talk, “From Ambiguous Loss to Tragic Optimism, Journeying Through Our Collective Loss Together”. He breaks down the process of applying, writing, memorizing, and giving a TED Talk on this week’s episode.    Summary: On today’s special episode, Bob gives us an inside perspective on giving a TED Talk. He walks us th...2022-04-0636 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastThe Customer is Always Right... Introducing Agency Myth BustingSubtitle: Welcome to the 100th Episode of Agency Exposed! The agency world is riddled with myths and assumptions, and today we’re going to begin a series of episodes where we test some of the most widely believed myths about marketing, advertising, and agencies in general. We debunk some of the top agency myths and more on this week’s exciting episode.    Summary: On today’s episode, we begin to explore some of the myths people believe to be true about agencies. We’ve gone out to our listeners as well as the Goo...2022-03-1043 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastWhat’s your theme for 2022?Subtitle: With the beginning of a new year comes the organizing, goal setting, and planning. What is your theme for 2022? What do you want your year to look like for your business as well as your personal life? We discuss our themes for 2022, why we chose these phrases, and what they mean to us. We also talk about how control is an illusion, ambiguous loss, bioluminescent creatures, and our NEW agency myth busting podcast on this week’s episode.    Summary: What are your goals for 2022, and what is your mindset for the...2022-02-1646 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow will you make 2022 a success?Summary: On today’s episode we talk about the New Year, and some of the things we’re doing to create growth and success in our businesses. As time goes on, technology advances. It’s important to understand what the metaverse is in order to adequately prepare for it. The past two years have been challenging and have brought about a lot of changes. Although it may seem like a disadvantage, use this season to find opportunities for your agency, and prioritize them so that they can be efficiently accomplished in 2022. Don’t forget to check out our give...2021-12-3147 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastInflation-proof your businessSummary: On today’s episode we talk about inflation and how to prepare your business for it. With the new year right around the corner, it’s important to take time to consider what inflation will look like next year, and what modifications you need to make to combat it. It’s important to check on your profit margin and see what investment options are available that could help your cash’s value keep up with the inflation rate. Please know, we are not financial advisors, so please contact your real financial advisor to go over some options...2021-12-1645 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow will the Metaverse change business?Summary: On today’s episode we talk about the metaverse and predict what we think it is, what it does, and how business will change because of it. We discuss the differences between VR headsets versus Apple glasses as well as some of the ethics behind integration of technology into the human body. Technology has grown tremendously in the past 20 years, and if it continues along its growth pattern, the Metaverse is not far away. We believe that failure is a key part of success, but it’s hard to fail when all the answers are at your...2021-12-0250 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastStop doing RFPsSummary: On today’s episode we talk about RFPs and why we think they can and should be eliminated from your business strategy. RFPs can be genuine, but most of the time they’re cost comparing races, rigged making it impossible for you to win. When your agency is pursuing an RFP, consider the value of your team’s time, your resources, and potential clients the RFP could cost you. These are some of the reasons why we believe it’s best to seek an alternate route. When the inevitable RFP pops up, one of the best ways to...2021-11-1742 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastBlockchain will change marketingSummary: On today’s episode, we talk about blockchain technology and how it could impact marketing. First of all, what is blockchain? It’s a buzzword, not many understand. Blockchain is a decentralized technology that uses an online financial ledger, validated by the community. It is connected to past transactions using a hash to eliminate any fraud, interceptions, or manipulation. These “blocks” of financial information are all connected to form a blockchain. Translation: it’s VERY honest. As an agency, it’s vital that you conduct your own research about cryptocurrency and blockchain to improve your understanding of these rev...2021-11-0344 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastManipulation MarketingSummary: On today’s episode, we talk about the ethics of marketing, and the struggle of balancing unhealthy manipulation and effective marketing. The truth is, with so much noise, many use lies to cut through. This creates a downward spiral where people no longer believe marketing messages. One way to defend against this is by defining who you are as an agency and what matters to you. When your true values and goals are displayed in your marketing, you can create moving advertisements as well as genuine customer-brand relationships. It’s also important to have an aligned doub...2021-10-2042 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastNew laptop for you!Summary: On today’s episode we break down the pros and cons of investing in technology and other tools. It’s important to understand exactly what you’re investing in and what it will do to help accelerate your business. Technology is a vast, evolving field so it’s also important to ensure that your information and assets are thoroughly protected. One of the ways you can achieve this is through redundancy. Protect the information that makes your business unique by keeping an updated, spare copy. While technology and tools can really benefit your agency, allowing your business...2021-10-1351 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastSmart glasses, magazine ads and secret Facebook targetingSummary: In today's episode we talk about a variety of topics, but focus on three main ideas. The first is to never place your business solely on a platform that you don’t control. It leaves you subject to the whims of the company that owns the platform. This is a hard lesson to learn, but luckily there are some tricks. Because of the recent improvements made to preserve privacy, targeted marketing has recently been severely restricted by Facebook. Second, is to find some alternative Facebook targeting. We also talk about how the marketing circle is rotating ba...2021-09-3040 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow do you create predictable revenue?Summary: In today's episode, we break down some of the ways that we maintain predictable revenue. Retainers can be used by any agency to keep their income consistent. But they bring other potential issues. It’s also important to invest in a great team that consistently does great work. This is a simple yet effective way to increase returning clients and has the potential to increase your revenue. “Your journey towards predictable revenue is never over.” -Ancient Agency Exposed Proverb   Top 3 Curtain Pulls in this episode:    Use retainers. Retainers are the tradi...2021-09-2242 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastLet’s go deep on ecommerceSummary: In today's episode, we dive into the evolving world of ecommerce. Every agency should be executing their services on their own business to gain valuable experience and learn how to truly innovate. There’s no way to truly innovate if all you do is work on other people’s projects. We talk about channel diversification and marketing diversification. Although Facebook ads and Amazon can be helpful tools, you don’t want a primary source of your revenue dependent on 3rd parties. Ecommerce is more complicated than most people think and we jump into the advanced side of the...2021-09-081h 03Marketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastAre you maximizing your capital?Summary: On today’s episode, we talk about where we think an agency’s profit should go to bring the greatest return and maximize your resources. It’s how you bring stability and value to your business. Disclaimer: this is not financial advice. Consult with your financial professional doing anything. We are not financial professionals, and we do recommend finding a real advisor who is invested in you and has your best interests in mind. Your investments are for the long game. We as humans are often so focused on the short term that we forget what this i...2021-08-2555 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow to break into new verticalsSummary: Today we discuss how to break into new verticals. We also discuss whether you should break into new verticals. It can be challenging to close in on a client in a different industry when you have minimal experience there. On this week’s episode, we offer a few tips to help you jumpstart your journey through new verticals. It’s all about becoming a master translator. Even if you don’t have extensive experience or training in a certain industry, if you can sell your exclusive talent and how you applied it to a similar situation, you ca...2021-08-1840 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow to be happy even when people are jerks ;)Summary: Today we talk about the challenges of working with difficult clients or just simply not getting the feedback you expected from the people you serve. Unfortunately, as service providers we can’t control the happiness of the people we serve. We can only control our own actions - the work we do and the way we respond. Our first tip is to try to be empathetic. It seems a bit cheesy and retaliation is definitely easier, but remember that you only know a small part of their story and that inner struggles from other parts of li...2021-08-1150 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastAgencies are the best.Summary: Today we discuss the positive aspects of running an agency. When you work in an agency, you're essentially paid to play (if you do it right). You’re exploring unknown aspects of online marketing, branding, design, etc and that’s exciting! You have the opportunity to work with multiple clients per day which provides variety. Agencies have the ability to look at hundreds of marketing strategies and figure out which ones worked and which ones didn’t, apply their knowledge to their own business and others, AND get paid to do it! This is more valuable than a...2021-08-0433 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastThe 5 Dysfunctions of a TeamSummary: Today we analyze Patrick Lencioni’s “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team '' and discuss how to apply these principles in everyday agency life. We use a pyramid to model these 5 concepts because each level builds on the next. The foundation of the pyramid is trust. Everyone knows the saying “There is no relationship without trust”, and this also applies to business. The next level is healthy conflict. Healthy conflict is important because it allows your employees to freely share their differing opinions which can promote fresh ideas and more unity. The third segment is commitment. Without...2021-07-2837 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastThe Dangers of being a Lonely LeaderSummary: Today we discuss the lonely aspect of being a business owner or leader and some ways to prevent it. It’s a real problem. One way to fight it is to get into a group and have mentors. Whether it’s a mastermind group, or the Agency Exposed community, escaping isolation is key. We also discuss the challenges of firing in a small business, the balance in discussing business matters with employees, and how the ideal business owner model has changed over time. Although being an agency owner can be lonely and comes with many heavy resp...2021-07-2136 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow do you optimize your business for scale?Summary: Last week we covered how to scale your business without hiring. Today, we chat about how to make sure your agency is primed for scaling. The first step is to define what you want your agency to look like. Next, you need to put guidelines in place to protect your goals for your business. It’s also important to know what tasks give you energy, drain you of energy, and the ones in the middle. By being self aware and finding people who love the tasks you don’t, you can improve efficiency and limit fatigue. One...2021-07-0750 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastIncreasing Project Capacity Without Adding More PeopleSummary: In this week’s episode, we dive into how to scale your agency without hiring. Although hiring team members is required, it’s not the most effective and healthy way to scale. To increase capacity and profit, you must innovate. Old, out-dated techniques are one part of the problem. A technique that can help you scale your agency in a profitable way is to create a culture that promotes efficiency in your current employees. Using tools and processes to track your agency’s profitability is also key. Two other elements that can assist you with scale are ef...2021-06-3041 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastWill AI take over internet marketing? (Title written by AI)Summary: In this week’s episode, we explore the scientific world of AI and specifically AI copywriting. We discuss the pros and cons of AI in marketing and life. Throughout this episode, we dissect the importance of the human element, truth in marketing, the future, and false narratives. We also breakdown the difference between machine learning and AI. Although AI can eliminate tedious tasks and create opportunities for more creativity, there has to be a balance because, without failure, we will never improve or grow. It’s important to understand how to apply AI to certain areas of y...2021-06-231h 01Marketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow to take time off without hurting businessSummary: Today we’re continuing our series on agency fundamentals. Even if your agency is mature, this discussion is for you. One of the issues is the need to take time off without harming your business. The agency shouldn’t rely on any one person to survive. Three main ways to keep your agency running smoothly when you aren’t there are: a partner who can pick up the slack, systems and processes, and hiring a reliable team. Collaborating with other agencies is also an option that promotes more unity and gives your team the opportunity to benefi...2021-06-1645 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastThe Fundamentals of a Successful AgencySummary: Today we’re discussing how to start an agency and the 3 key components to be successful. These fundamentals are relevant to even verteran agencies. But first, what is an agency? Many businesses in this space are stereotyped as agencies but in reality, these “agencies” are not agencies at all but rather, teams of specialists. The three essential components to building a healthy and successful “agency” are to become specialists in your field, hire passionate and experienced people to manage your clients, and finally, you need a proactive organizational staff. We will talk about all of this and expose...2021-06-0950 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastCancel Culture’s Effect on AdvertisingSummary: Today we chat about how cancel culture impacts business, brands, and marketing. We talk about how truth is hard to find in the media and how we have the apparent ability to judge others as a massive group, which can be powerful and dangerous. We explore the importance of sincerity as well as the balance between being genuine and expressing an opinion about something that may overstep boundaries with your customers. Throughout this episode we chat about morality and acceptance and the role they play in advertising.    Top 3 Curtain Pulls in this ep...2021-06-021h 04Marketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastThe Marketing Benefits of iOS 14.5Summary: In today’s episode, we look at the benefits of the iOS 14.5 update to marketers and agencies as they serve their clients. We’ve heard all of the noise about how the privacy updates will kill digital advertising, but the truth is advertising was around way before the tracking that we currently know.    Top 3 Curtain Pulls in this episode:    Look to the good - the smart marketers aren’t the ones fighting against the changes. The smart marketers are the ones looking at how they can use the current updates to...2021-05-2640 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastAre we Really Fighting for Privacy?Summary: In today’s episode, we debate the difference between online privacy and online anonymity. It seems we may have the 2 confused in today’s culture. Where does privacy end and anonymity begin? And how does all of it affect us as advertisers? We discuss the difference between privacy and anonymity, the “Big Brother” fear that drives us to desire these things, and how maybe the lack of anonymity is a good thing.   Top 2 Curtain Pulls in this episode:    Understand the difference between Data Security and Privacy We often say one but mea...2021-05-2040 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastBecome a Student of the Data (A Day in the Life of Brad Ayres)Summary: Today we’re talking to Brad Ayres about his daily routine. We talk morning rituals- including reading business and finance news as well as staying up to date in the applicable industries for his clients. As a creative personality that also loves number crunching, Brad’s experience of Agency ownership is deeply dependent on delivering results. This means gathering, deciphering, and understanding the data on a daily basis, and lucky for Brad this is also deeply interesting and life-giving for him. He opens up about finding a balance of rational and emotional thinking when making important deci...2021-05-1251 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastDon’t be Afraid to Take Risks (A Day in the Life of Bob Hutchins)Summary: Today we’re talking to Bob Hutchins about his daily routine. We talk exercise, journaling styles, self-reflection, and finding creative inspiration- all before setting foot in the office. With experience on both ends of agency ownership, Bob delves into the benefits and challenges of having limited responsibilities as a Director versus full authority as a partner/owner. He opens up about taking risks and the importance of supporting your team’s education and passions, encouraging his own children to not let fear control their decisions, and lets us in on his mantra for living a life IN t...2021-05-0549 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastThe Power of Your Morning Ritual (A Day in the Life of Ken Ott)Summary: A specific morning ritual is a VITAL part of any business leader’s recipe for success. The ONE thing successful people have in common is the fact that they HAVE a morning ritual. And today we’re going through a day in the life of one of our hosts, Ken Ott. One of the keys to Ken’s day is everything that happens before the work-day starts. We talk: rituals, nutrition, intermittent fasting, bulletproof coffee, morning exercise vs afternoon exercise, weights vs cardio, meeting schedules, balancing various roles, the struggle of staying on track throughout the day, a...2021-04-2848 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastWhat’s Your Pricing Strategy?Subtitle: Understanding how to price your services is both complex and challenging, and there are a LOT of variables at play. Do you price based on effort or value? Do you prepare for haggling or give your final price upfront? Are you too expensive or not expensive enough? There are pros and cons with every decision and the lack of discussion around this topic makes for widely scattered strategies. Today we discuss how we price services and why.   Summary: In today’s episode we talk about the psychological implications of pricing str...2021-04-2154 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow do You Maximize during the Good Times?Summary: Last week’s episode was all about preparing for the next downturn- today we’re flipping the script. How do you prepare for good times? How do you prepare to bring about good times? And when those good times come how do you MAXIMIZE them and not squander them. As a business leader, complacency and lack of intentionality are a dangerous combination. Don’t lose sight of the discipline you developed during the hard times, because it will help fuel investment and create something of REAL value far into the future!    Top 3 Curtain...2021-04-1450 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow to Prepare NOW for the Next DownturnDisclaimer: In this episode we talk about our experience in reading the market and preparing. We talk about our interpretations of current conditions and what that means for our business, but this is not financial advice. Please consult your professional advisor before taking any actions based on what you hear.   Summary: In this week’s episode, we talk doom and gloom, and ode back to 2008 and 2020. Why? Because there’s extreme opportunity in downturns IF you are prepared for them. And when do you prepare for them? In the good times. Learn...2021-04-0750 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing with a ConscienceSummary: In this week’s episode, we discuss NFTs, the ongoing privacy vs marketing-tech saga, and get deep on the moral obligation of marketers.    Top 3 Curtain Pulls in this episode:  What on earth is an NFT? NFT stands for non-fungible token. “It's a digital asset that is on a blockchain and it’s yours. If you buy it, it’s your. And it’s indisputably yours.” They serve as a method of regaining personal control over original content. The ramifications of these becoming more popular are more wide-reaching than you’d think.  Understand finance...2021-03-311h 01Marketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastIs Silicon Valley Trying to Kill Facebook?Summary: In this week’s episode, we’re sharing our perspectives on privacy and how data tracking and targeting capabilities have shaped the advertising industry. We discuss what privacy means to us as consumers and as agency leaders, and we even explore how reduced targeting could actually be a good thing for our industry. After all, great content that tells a great story will always be what sells… and you don’t have to infringe on someone’s privacy to create an effective ad.   Top 3 Curtain Pulls in this episode:  “Privacy” is more important t...2021-03-2457 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastIs your Value Proposition... Valuable? With guest Jody Sutter, Agency CoachSummary: Jody Sutter is the owner and founder of The Sutter Company, a NYC-based consulting company that helps agency leaders tap into their strengths, clarify their strategy, and close more business. Through decades of experience in sales and operations for creative firms, Jody uniquely understands how to help agencies overcome their struggles with business development. In today’s episode, we dig into Jody’s philosophy on creating deep value in your agency’s offerings and honing your value proposition. Stay tuned!   Top 3 Curtain Pulls in this episode:  Repetition is the key to mastery...2021-03-1751 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastAre RFPs a Waste of Time?Summary: In this week’s episode, we discuss RFPs and how each of our agencies approach them. We talk about investigating whether an RFP is worth your time or not; we share our own experiences with assessing RFPs and guiding potential clients toward a better plan of action; we talk about speaking to clients’ needs in a way that inspires them; and we also share our framework for not just meeting RFP requirements, but creating a genuine connection and cultivating real relationships with potential clients.   Top 3 Curtain Pulls in this episode:  Don’t naivel...2021-03-1057 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastAre You the Same as Everyone Else?Summary: In this week’s episode, we’re diving into what it looks like to coach new clients through differentiating themselves. We explain our philosophies on creating a brand that’s unique enough to sell. We discuss questions such as: As agencies, how can we help our clients clarify their brand? If a client doesn’t know their “why,” what’s the next step? How can you help clients clarify their true purpose for their business? How can you guide potential clients through the brand building process while also establishing a valuable partnership? And how can you do all this fo...2021-03-0354 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastInnovate or dieSummary: This week’s episode explores the mindset behind innovation. Innovation can be hard because it’s a long term investment, it’s risky, and it takes dedicated time. It’s really ANOTHER job, but without it, you’re soon dead. We discuss how we maintain motivation to learn and grow, as well as the steps we take toward innovation regardless of circumstances. As agency owners, our mindset is our most critical tool for moving through uncertainty with confidence. If you want to empower your teams and clients to learn, grow, and stay ahead of the times, it all sta...2021-02-2456 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastThe Platform vs The People (Pt 2)... How to Become UnstoppableSummary: We’re back this week with part two of our discussion on “The Platforms vs. The People.” As agency owners, what changes should we make to protect our clients and ourselves from the whims of mega platforms? The key to becoming unstoppable may lie in having a healthy approach to creativity and innovation. Using platforms in your business isn’t bad, it’s GREAT, but you must be aware of your vulnerabilities. Sadly, most businesses have no idea how vulnerable they are. We talk often about the importance of diversification, but today we’re diving deep into the min...2021-02-1757 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastThe Platforms vs The People... How vulnerable are you?Summary: Never has there been more awareness of the power that platforms hold within our society - including our business society. Think about all of the platforms you and your clients critically rely on to do business. It can be downright scary, especially if you haven’t considered the path you would take if one of those critical platforms shut you down. But there is a way to win. If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that it’s time to expect the unexpected. Today we talk about breaking your addiction to immediate ROAS, educating your clients on the...2021-02-1053 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastThe Secret to Supercharging Your Business (and Life)Summary: In today’s episode we break down the importance of mental, physical, and spiritual health. We share our experience and secrets in training and putting your health FIRST. We show you why training like a pro athlete will be the key to your success. We also give practical tips on improving physical health, and offer advice for anyone seeking holistic health in their lives. How does diet really impact the way you run your business? How can you find time to work out without feeling guilty for taking time away from work? Is it possible to re...2021-01-271h 04Marketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastThe Marketplace RevolutionSummary: Michael Begg is the co-founder of AMZ Advisers, a Guadalajara, Mexico based agency that specializes in Amazon Marketing, Management, and Strategy. We pick Mike’s brain on how he wound up being an Amazon marketing agency, the biggest lessons he’s learned from his experience, his services structure, and even get into tips for effectively marketing products on Amazon.   Top 3  Curtain Pulls in this episode:  Diversification is important, but intelligent specialization of your agency is crucial in a world where so many agencies are everything to everyone. You must balance the two. Am...2021-01-2156 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastThe end of marketing as we know it… now what?Summary: Diversification is a hot topic for us- and for digital marketers especially, the coming years are going to be filled with challenges. Today we talk about our experience with single-platform marketing strategies and share the benefits and drawbacks of focusing on a single channel. We discuss how marketers need to be diversifying away from their laser-focus on platforms like Facebook and Google- and instead, focus on the messaging and VALUE they are adding to the lives of their customers. We discuss our thoughts on what the future holds for digital marketing, and give suggestions for how...2021-01-1358 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastNew Year, New Word: What’s your theme for 2021? [New Year Special]Summary: Happy New Year! Good riddance! See ya 2020! Today we are breaking down our themes for 2021 and how they were shaped in part from the events of this year. We all know there have been challenges and learning curves, major lessons learned, losses, and new opportunities. Today we talk about everything from breathing techniques to reorienting your brain to see opportunity instead of limitations- and that mindset shift is vital to entering into the New Year from a place of power and positivity. Let’s move into 2021 with intention and excitement no matter what your situation. ...2021-01-0639 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastWhat did we learn this year? [2020 Year-End Special]Summary: Today we’re looking back on the entire year, reflecting on the themes we chose at the beginning of 2020 before we knew anything about lockdowns and pandemics. We are reflecting on how those themes have played out for each of us this year- even if not in the way that we thought they would. We talk about our journeys through the challenging landscape that Covid-19 has created, and how we plan to approach 2021 through a different lens. Having a spirit of gratitude, a realistic awareness of your privilege, and pure intentions for your business and your cu...2020-12-3051 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow do you give bonuses, throw parties and more in 2020? [Christmas Special]Summary: In this episode we discuss how we are approaching normal end of year activities in a new remote-ish landscape in a time where profits may not be as plentiful and parties may not be as comfortable. We talk bonus structures, socially-distance parties (#thumbsdown), the absolute importance of diversification going into 2021, and the systems and processes that are part of creating predictable revenue.    Top 3  Curtain Pulls in this episode:  Profit doesn’t just happen, it takes people who are focused on creating real value. Encouraging value-creation on your team is critical. Reward and sh...2020-12-231h 00Marketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastWhat happens when your POC changes?Summary: The process of communicating with clients can be a tricky one to maneuver even in the best of times. Today’s episode focuses on experiences with new personalities (sometimes bad) entering on the client side. How do you deal with them? What are the guidelines you use? What are some strategies to win people over? How can you create an environment where your team feels supported and encouraged, while dialing down the client gossip that can create a toxic work environment? How can you create the BEST value for your clients, regardless of their lack of pl...2020-12-1652 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow has Ecommerce Changed the Landscape in 2020 (and beyond)?Summary: Today’s episode focuses on the new landscape of business in Q4 of 2020. This week’s episode should be extra good because we did it twice (only pressed record the second time… womp, womp). We dig into this year’s sales holiday as customers and as agency owners, talking about the mindset of clients when creating campaigns as what we can take away as Agency leaders. How can you use the same consumer psychology to grow your business?   Top 3  Curtain Pulls in this episode:  What does YOUR agency have to sell? “The product t...2020-12-0946 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastBrad got Covid! How did it impact his business?Summary: In today’s episode Brad shares his experience being sick with Covid-19, giving some first-hand experience. He shares the complexities of recovering and isolating while also running an agency. We talk about areas of vulnerability in your business, the value of having trust in your team, and what he learned about rest while he was sick. We ask Brad a LOT of questions, from details about day to day business operations to his biggest takeaways coming out the other side.   Top 3  Curtain Pulls in this episode:  Preparing your business for disruption means...2020-12-0245 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow do you sell creative services that are profitable?Summary: In today’s episode we break down the process of selling creative services. How you not only make the initial sale, but sell the concepts as well. We share experiences with past clients, challenges we’ve met along the way, and strategies to overcome those challenges. Helping your client think practically and objectively about something that is potentially so tied to emotion is the key. And having a clear process on how you walk someone through this in a consistent way that is profitable is even more important!   Top 3  Curtain Pulls in this e...2020-11-2553 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastWho makes a GREAT business partner? With guest Bob Strachan of MetacakeSummary: Today’s guest is Ken’s business partner, Bob Strachan. He’s here to fill in for Brad and also to dive into the secrets behind what has made his business relationship so successful. It’s great to get along with a potential business partner, to have similar interests and produce a successful business. But there is so much more to it than having complementary skill sets. Listen in as we break down Bob’s journey from Hong Kong to Nashville, how the accumulation of knowledge and experience outside of Metacake has added to the success of his cur...2020-11-1854 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow do you fire someone?Summary: Today share their thoughts and pain points around letting people go. How do we keep kindness in mind when letting go of someone who isn’t meeting expectations? How soon should you fire someone when you feel that they’re not a good fit? When the time comes to have the difficult conversation, what does that conversation realistically look like? And how can you change your processes to create a deeper trust with your and avoid firing being a surprise all together? These are all the big questions we tackle today- stay tuned!    Top...2020-11-1152 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastWe’re Tired… Are you tired? Combatting overwhelm.Summary: Ken shares the pressure he’s recently felt with several big projects that all require a lot of his time and attention AND they all demand to be the top priority. Brad shares similar experiences, and tells us about time blocking and time management to be intentional about his time. Bob challenges everyone to dig deeper into where the pressure really comes from- is it from others? From internal expectations? From past conditioning that no longer serves you? How can you as a business owner take steps to combat overwhelm, and allow your employees the same fr...2020-11-0448 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastWhy do YOU do what you do?Summary: In today’s episode we are diving into finding your WHY and how that’s the route to avoiding burnout. We talk about how we’ve maneuvered our professional experiences over time. We talk about burnout, innovation, the struggle to give yourself space for rest, maintaining boundaries between work and life, and so much more! With a reported 30-35% of professionals reporting job-related mental health concerns, how can YOU as an agency leader help to mitigate that burnout for yourself and create passionate, creative companies that serve not only your clients but your employees as well?   ...2020-10-2856 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastBe Weird w/ Guest CJ CasciottaSummary: Our guest CJ Casciotta is a well-known speaker, author, and Tedx alum. Today we talk about what it means to be weird and how embracing that can propel your business into a truly purposeful venture. Everything you do can be knocked off, but your unique weirdness, cannot. At college in Southern California during the birth of YouTube and the Twittersphere, CJ started out helping people develop their brands. Now he’s a brand consultant and has turned his specialities of leaning into purpose on himself- the result is Ringbeller Studios. Today’s episode is going to dig...2020-10-2155 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastClients Need to Buy Your Business, Not YouSummary: Today we’re diving into the topic of selling yourself vs selling your business, and the challenges that come with that transition. Passing the baton of getting work done on to your team can be confusing for your clients if not done well, especially after you’ve been so involved up to that point. Whoever is the front face in the sales role needs to be intentional about how they transition relationships so that you can scale and utilize the full benefit of having a team. Today we share a few strategies we use to ease this...2020-10-1552 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastWhat’s the key to delivering excellence at scale? The art of delegation.Summary: Today we are talking about the challenges of learning to delegate effectively. We all know that freeing up our time to focus on the things that we specialize in is the ultimate way to be effective- nobody wants to be stuck doing things they hate, or things they don’t find purpose in or aren’t good at. But failure to delegate properly can result in burnout, and not just for you!  It’s the opposite of snapping orders. When the leader is overwhelmed and uninspired, the whole team feels it. So listen in as we dissect...2020-10-0755 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow do you create a client success system?Summary: What is the ideal skill set, personality, and role for a client relations person? For some, this person is not a value add to the client, and merely manages communication. This can be a slippery slope. For others, there is no one dedicated to the client relationship. A healthy relationship is arguably the most important factor to success. And the skills and systems required to do this at scale are not easy to come by. Finding the right person for the role means not only the right experience, but also the right qualities and personality for...2020-10-0156 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastBalancing Work and Life for a More Effective ExistenceSummary: In today’s episode, we talk about how our home lives have shifted since Covid hit, highlighting the many positives and few negatives of working more from home with families right in the mix. We share our feelings of guilt when time is not spent wisely with family and business. We also discuss actionable ways that YOU can create a more balanced life, taking into account differences in personality and company culture. At a time when creating work/life boundaries is more important than ever, we explore that “perfect” balance for a more effective existence.  2020-09-2351 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow to Create Content that is true to your agency. With guest Calvin NowellSummary: In today’s episode, guest Calvin Nowell of agency C’Mon Creative is back to give us insight into his process for creating amazing, consistent, authentic content that he is well-known and recognized for. We talk content creation, repurposing pre-existing content to maximize results, and other agencies and businesses that are doing this really well for themselves already.    Top 3  Curtain Pulls in this episode:  Become a THOUGHT LEADER in your industry through content creation. Even if your content isn’t getting the engagement you’re hoping for, consistently presenting interesting, educational content that...2020-09-1646 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastWhat’s Your Agency Content Strategy? How do you produce great content that produces results?Summary: Understanding the importance of great content creation is the first step in moving towards a killer content strategy- everyone knows they should be doing it, but prioritizing content creation over client work isn’t always the most appealing prospect. In today’s episode, we dive into the DEEP value in creating your own content and how the process has worked for us in our own agencies.    Top 3  Curtain Pulls in this episode:  If the content you’re creating isn’t genuine and true to who you are as a business, people will pick up...2020-09-0953 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastSurviving Crisis and Coming Out Stronger with Guest Chris Brewer of OMG CommerceSummary: In today’s episode, we talk with Chris Brewer about the challenges his agency has faced since March of 2020. Chris breaks down the steps he and his team took to gain stable financial footing early on, the way that their team culture and mindset has impacted their client relationships throughout the pandemic, and the value that comes from creating loyalty with your team and clients in hard times.   Top 3  Curtain Pulls in this episode:  Don’t do business with jerks! Bring clients (and team members) on board that you know are aligned...2020-09-0256 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastEmployees vs Contractors - What’s the Ideal Team Makeup?Summary: In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the “image” of a giant advertising office with a giant team vs the reality. We hit on the pain points of proving yourself to new clients, managing dynamic work preferences in a changing work landscape, and the deep, long-lasting benefits of a blended team with varied levels of experience. How do you determine which roles require a full-time employee versus an independent contractor? How much access should those contractors have to your clients directly, if any? What are the pros and cons of each? We’re diving into all this a...2020-08-2657 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastWhy do People Hate Working for Agencies? With guest Taylor WattSummary: Today’s episode we’re diving into the various experiences of Agency culture with guest Taylor Watt, Marketing Manager at Metacake. After changing lanes from teaching to advertising, she began working for a large agency with a long history and big name. The experience wasn’t pleasant, to say the least, and after a tumultuous learning curve she found her place at Metacake. Today we’re talking about Taylor’s experience of working for two totally different companies doing somewhat similar work, the company culture has impacted her performance and life in general.   Top 3 Cur...2020-08-1252 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastProfitability (Part 2) - What are the systems and processes that help ensure profitability?Summary: Having an awesome project management system in place is just the beginning- there also have to be processes in place to track every bit of work that your company is doing for it’s clients. You can have all the tools you want, but if no one uses them or people HATE to use them, they won’t ultimately work. Creating an incredible product for your clients that is also profitable for your business means knowing who’s doing what work, how long they’re taking, and staying in a budget. What good is it knowing that a p...2020-08-0556 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastAre you profitable? (Part 1)Summary: Maintaining a steady profit margin is the key to a healthy, stable business. It’s how you survive in downturns, how you invest in innovation, how you market, and more. The classic model in the agency world revolved around tracking billable hours and racing towards commodification at every turn- today we are opening up about creating profit without losing sight of the human component of your business.    Top 3 Curtain Pulls in this episode:  Know your numbers! If you don’t have an accurate view of your current profit margin, you’ll never be...2020-07-2949 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMedia Buying is Broken (Part 2) - Rethinking the pricing modelSummary: In our last episode we started to unpack the current media buying model and discuss why we believe it’s no longer effective. In this episode we start to practically discuss what a re-engineered advertising model could look like for our agencies. We all know there is no perfect model, but there is a better one. One that takes into account the various platforms skills required, creative refreshes, budgets and more. The way we market has changed in the last 70+ years, with more platforms than ever the service structure of media buying needs to change as we...2020-07-2254 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMedia Buying is Broken (Part 1)Summary: In our coronavirus world, more and more businesses are turning to agencies for digital advertising. But the old model of percent of ad spend has a TON of flaws. It’s misaligned with the client, it doesn’t account for creative creation, creative refreshes, platform differences, and the list goes on. With the core platforms like Facebook being commoditized left and right, there is an increasing need for agencies to communicate their unique value in the equation. In today’s episode we are diving into the broken service model of media buying as we begin to rethin...2020-07-1555 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastWorking with Other Agencies to Grow Your Business with guest Jon TsourakisSummary: We all want new streams of new business, and today’s guest shares how they were able to build a healthy business serving other agencies. We’ve talked about the value of partnerships and collaboration with other agencies as a source of new business before and Oyova is a prime example of that. We also discuss the pros and cons of having business partners. And we get another look at how an agency is dealing with the effects of COVID-19. Tune in as Jon shares his experiences (good and bad) with business partners, talks about the impa...2020-07-0856 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastLet’s Talk Contracts and TermsSummary: Terms and contracts are overwhelming to begin with. No one wants pages of legal documents, but at the same time clear guidelines are essential to a successful and safe relationship. In some ways this can be the most intimidating part of business ownership, and it’s certainly one of the most important. There is a “traditional” route that advertising agencies have taken in the past, but it doesn’t always work. Most agencies have developed their own terms and contracts based on their unique experiences and services Today we are sharing some of the reasons for the part...2020-07-011h 04Marketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastLet’s Expose PricingSummary: When we began this podcast, our goal was to share and learn about the questions that many have but few talk about. There may be no more secretive or uncomfortable area among agencies than the topic of pricing. The result of this is many different pricing models, and clients that are comparing apples to oranges. This lack of conversation hurts the entire community. Today we’re breaking down some of those barriers. We are discussing pricing strategies, payment systems, the importance of educating your clients, true hourly cost, and more.   Top 3 Curtain Pul...2020-06-241h 08Marketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow can you speed your AR? [Special Events Episode]Summary: While we certainly don’t have solutions for all the issues we face, we know that we are ALL facing similar issues. So, we discuss them openly as well as our current strategies for dealing with them. One big issue is the slow down in B2B purchasing (i.e. agency services). Most companies just aren’t starting new projects, even in the most thriving industries. The uncertainty has caused a hesitation in the face of thriving business at times. While this certainly won’t last, what can you do to create certainty and close new busine...2020-06-1754 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastRemote Work - The Future of Agency Life or just a Fad?Summary: Now that everything everywhere has changed, let’s ask one of the burning questions: do you even need an office anymore? Would that huge expense be better placed elsewhere? Many companies are abandoning the office completely, so what exactly has changed? Why is it ok to not have an office now where it wasn’t 3 months ago? And is fully remote a good thing? Sure, it sounds great to work from the beach everyday, but is that really a reality that is sustainable? Today we debate these questions as we determine the new work conditions of our...2020-06-0356 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow do you stay in an Abundance Mindset during a Recession?Summary: In today’s episode, we are digging deep into the idea of maintaining a mindset of abundance when scarcity is all around. Ecommerce is growing steadily every day, products are being sold online at faster rates than ever before. Online sales alone are up 150% - that’s 10 years of growth in just under three months, yet still for most businesses and agencies these times are very difficult. The even harder part is, a scarcity mindset is essentially a slow death and you need to avoid it at all costs. In order to win new business you must...2020-05-2756 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastFinding the Good in the Virus (Part 8): How do you Set and Achieve Objectives in ANY business climate? With Guest, Jay Myers, Co-Founder of Bold Commerce.Summary: In today’s episode we have guest Jay Myers, co-founder of Bold Commerce - arguably the world’s largest ecommerce app company. Jay shares some of the secrets that have been key to Bold’s success as well as the method he uses to set and achieve business goals in any climate with a team of over 300 people. His business is a great example of experimentation, listening to the customer, and adjusting until they found their stride. Now he is able to passionately lead a team of over 300 people through the challenges of surviving and thriving in bus...2020-05-2056 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastWhat’s My ROI?Summary: ROI is more important now yet harder to measure than ever. Because of the uncertain economic climate, time between spending and making a sale has increased for most businesses. At the same time effort and marketing activities have had to completely change course to adapt. ROI is something every business leader (you and your clients) wants to know for good reason. But unfortunately the answer is not that simple, and we are tempted to sacrifice long term health for short term reward.    In today’s episode we break open the concept of bran...2020-05-1357 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastFinding the Good in the Virus (Part 7): Will doing business actually improve after the initial impact of our economic crisis passes? [2 MONTH CHECK-IN]Summary: Today’s episode is Part 8 of our COVID-19 / Corona series, where we’re uncovering the good in the current situation. We’ve had some amazing guests over the weeks and have some amazing ones coming in the next episodes. Today, we sit down to do a 2 month check-in check-in, focusing on questions like: What are we seeing, feeling, and observing in our clients and in our own businesses? What are our takeaways so far? How has it changed people? How has it changed business and marketing? How long will it last? What does the NEW normal look l...2020-05-0650 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastFinding the Good in the Virus (Part 5): How do you sell your services and market your business during the Coronavirus pandemic?Summary: More than ever, uncertainty from economic conditions caused by Coronavirus/COVID-19 has many businesses frozen in fear. Some for good reason, and others irrationally. Today we are breaking down those obstacles to taking action and sharing how we’re trying to “un-freezing” current and potential. We’re also talking about how we are marketing our own services in this time. Although there is enormous uncertainty- there is also enormous opportunity for Agency leaders to lean into their expertise, reestablish their passion, provide a unique perspective of experience for their customers, and train their eyes on the future...2020-04-2257 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastFinding the Good in the Virus (Part 3) - How to Strengthen Your Client Relationships Through Crisis w/ guest Brian DeMarco, former NFL player and current agency owner.Summary: Disruption is fast becoming a theme of our daily lives. As we seek out information to make decisions that will impact our businesses, it is more important now than ever to be in communication with our clients. To not only have a seat at the table, but to be taking charge of those relationships and offering stability to our clients in this time of incredible uncertainty. Brian DeMarco has been through the wringer of uncertainty in his life- and he has taken that willingness to adapt into the agency realm as well. In today’s episode we...2020-04-0859 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastFinding the Good in the Virus (Part 2): How do you lead and THRIVE through uncertainty and turmoil (Coronavirus or any other)? [LIVE EPISODE]Summary: Are you worried about how you’re going to make payroll? Are your prospects not buying? Are you afraid current clients will put things on hold? Are you unsure how to keep SELLING? We have the same questions. While these questions are real, the key is to LEAD well through the turmoil and find the opportunity in it. Doing that will separate you from the rest. When everyone is running around in chaos, it may feel counterintuitive to be calm, but that is where the opportunity lies.    Resources Ment...2020-04-0156 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow do you get and close more deals (even now)? With guest, Dominic Cummins.Summary: In this episode, we have our guest, Dominic Cummins who has been coaching agencies on how to close more business for years. We’re breaking down his process for not only getting more leads, but more importantly, closing more business. The key is changing mindsets around the sales pitch process. With a natural gift in sales and a deep desire to see companies succeed and flourish, Dominic dives into his coaching strategies for agencies of all sizes- from those making less than $1M per year, to those making $50M+ annually. What is the best use of co...2020-03-2557 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastFinding the Good in the Virus (Part 1): How will your business survive (and thrive) through Coronavirus? [SPECIAL EPISODE]Summary: We talk about "disruption" in business all the time, but we rarely expect disruption to come from the external. The population's reaction to Coronavirus / COVID-19 has disrupted everything including business. Some businesses are being affected in immediate ways, and others will see lagging affects, but no business is immune. Regardless, we know that seasons will come and go. Winter will always come, it will be hard, but the shedding will produce fruit IF we adapt appropriately. In this special episode we unpack how we are seeing the effects of Coronavirus in our businesses and...2020-03-181h 00Marketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastWho Needs an Agency? With guest David Dutton of the ReplaceYourMortgage craze.Summary: David is a self-made solo-preneur from right here in Nashville. With massive achievements inbusiness, marketing, celebrity branding, book publishing and more, David is helping us understand the other side of agency life. As someone who’s passion for business growth has propelled him to the forefront of his field, David helps us dig into the role agencies have played in his journey and drops some great marketing advice around value propositions, and using buyer skepticism to your advantage (even writing entire marketing campaigns based on those skepticisms!).   Resources Mentioned:  More about Davi...2020-03-111h 06Marketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastDo you Operate in Fear or in Truth?Summary:  Fear - the most detrimental emotion. What’s worse is making decisions in this irrational state. Yet so many people live and operate in this state daily. In business and in life, there is no shortage of things to incite fear. As an agency leader, you know more than most about the dangers of fear-based decision making. Honestly, most days you probably feel like King Solomon… “cut the baby in half!”. Balancing demanding clients, financial challenges, personnel issues, taxes, accounting, market shifts, and about 1 million other situations while inspiring an encouraging and transparent office culture that inspires...2020-03-041h 01Marketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastIs Agency Growth really a good thing?Summary: If you’re an agency leader, you’ve got a “how it all began” story. Whether you set out to be a mega-influencer in your field, or like many, you stumbled into owning a running a company as an afterthought of following your passion. Yet we’re all inundated with the notion that we HAVE to be getting bigger. If you’re not growing you’re dying, right? While that is true, growth doesn’t necessarily mean size growth. There is a point when you have to ask yourself “Should I be scaling this?” In today’s episode we break dow...2020-02-2653 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow does personality impact the way you do business?Summary:  In today’s episode we break down how increased self-awareness has had a positive impact on the way we do business. But what does self-awareness really mean? With a plethora of personality tests available these days, there is little excuse for having low self-awareness. When you know your personality type, your strengths and weaknesses, you have a more accurate picture of how you can improve and grow. Today's episode discusses the pros and cons of self-awareness, how better understanding yourself leads to greater understanding of others, and how self-awareness can lead to greater, more lasting success in...2020-02-1959 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastSelling an Agency, Behind the Curtain with Hannah Paramore BreenSummary: There are only 2 ways to gain wisdom: 1) learn from your own experiences and failures or 2) learn from the experiences of others. In this episode we discuss the reality of building and selling an agency with Hannah Paramore Breen, founder of Paramore Digital and author of Business Ownership- The Joy, The Pain, The Truth: A Survival Guide. This is a topic on the mind of any business leader. It’s something that’s often idealized, but rarely understood.    Resources Mentioned:    Business Ownership- The Joy, The Pain, The Truth: A Survival Guide by...2020-02-121h 11Marketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow do you innovate, grow, and serve fast moving clients?Summary: Bob Hutchins, Brad Ayres, and Ken Ott are talking about how to innovate, grow and serve fast-growing clients in an agency world that is both ever-changing and also static. Hyper-growth is idealized, but the truth is scale isn’t always good. You need healthy scale. How do you help businesses see the forest through the trees? How do you inspire some to think bigger? How do you get clients who are moving too fast to slow down and pay attention to what will create healthy growth? There is a delicate balance to establishing a strong, influential ro...2020-02-0559 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow do you Fund Agency Growth?Summary: Bob Hutchins, Brad Ayres, and Ken Ott are back with Episode #3 of Agency Exposed! Today they’re talking about funding agency growth- both fiscally and psychologically as well. They break down how important it is to have your team on your side and be profitable. We discuss the difficulties of maintaining a long-term vision with your team as they complete short-term goals, and how keeping your team motivated makes a world of difference.     Resources Mentioned:  The 4 Disciplines of Execution Resource The 3 Business Archetypes by Tony Robbins https://www.anthemrepublic.com/- Brad’s...2020-01-291h 11Marketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow do you Receive, Accept, and Give Client Feedback?Summary: Bob Hutchins, Brad Ayres, and Ken Ott discuss the art and struggle of getting client feedback, giving client feedback, and receiving client feedback in an agency. As you peel back the layers there is so much under this seemingly simple task.    Resources Mentioned:  7 Ways To Build A Happy & Healthy Agency Culture The (un)Agency Guide to Serving Clients Grow Brands That Matter t-shirt  https://www.anthemrepublic.com/- Brad’s Ad Agency https://metacake.com/- Ken’s Ecommerce Agency Metacake’s Ecommerce Growth YouTube Channel   Top 3 Curtain Pulls in th...2020-01-221h 02Marketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastNew year! What’s your word? What's your plan for this year?Summary: Bob Hutchins, Brad Ayres, and Ken Ott discuss the practice of setting a purpose and direction for your agency this year. In a world where you’re always worrying about your clients, it’s important to take the time to be intentional about your own business.   Resources Mentioned:  https://www.anthemrepublic.com/- Brad’s Ad Agency https://metacake.com/- Ken’s Ecommerce Agency Metacake’s Ecommerce Growth YouTube Channel Metacake’s 2020 Theme Team T-Shirt The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks   Top 3 Curtain Pulls in this episode: Ken’s word...2020-01-1354 minMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastHow do you consistently generate new QUALITY business as an agency?Summary: Bob Hutchins, Brad Ayres, and Ken Ott talk about (the struggle) of getting new business in episode #2 of Agency Exposed. They talk about their own pain points within their businesses, tools they can’t live without when it comes to new client acquisition, and maintaining balanced relationships with clients as a young agency.    Top 3 Curtain Pulls in this episode:  Referrals are always going to be the most powerful customer acquisition tools- the Power of Word of Mouth. No one client should make up too much of your overall revenue- work to balan...2019-12-311h 03Marketing Agency Exposed PodcastMarketing Agency Exposed PodcastWhat's your agency super power? How to be seen as the BEST in your field.Summary: Bob Hutchins, Brad Ayres, and Ken Ott talk about their Marketing Superpowers in the very first episode of Agency Exposed!  They share how they wound up in Nashville, discuss running your business based on your strengths and staying in your lane of expertise when it comes to working with new clients.    Top 3 Curtain Pulls in this episode:  Stay in your lane of expertise, play to your strengths and develop those to be the BEST at that thing.  Cultivate a mindset of ABUNDANCE (not scarcity) within your organization. Creating internal processes are a NEC...2019-12-3158 min