The Agency Hour

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities. In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean chats with Stephen Schneider, co-founder and CEO of Trio SEO, about the future of SEO in the age of AI. They discuss whether AI will completely take over SEO or if human expertise will still play a crucial role. They also explore who we're really optimizing for in today's search landscape, the importance of relevant search volume, and practical steps to integrate SEO into your agency's offerings. If you're an agency owner wondering about the role of AI in SEO, how to prove the value of SEO to clients, or how to build a successful SEO service offering, this episode is a must-listen. What You’ll Discover in This Episode The future of SEO in the age of AI. The importance of relevant search volume and high-intent keywords. Practical steps to integrate SEO into your agency's offerings. How to prove and communicate the value of SEO to clients. Strategies for dealing with clients whose sales teams aren't utilizing leads effectively. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Stephen Schneider and Trio SEO02:59 - The Genesis of Trio SEO and Identifying a Market Gap04:34 - The Impact of AI on SEO and the Human Element06:18 - The Evolution of Search and Optimizing for LLMs08:27 - The Importance of Authoritative Content and Credibility12:43 - The Future of Search and User Experience14:36 - Identifying Clients Who Are Not a Good Fit for Content Strategy16:32 - Proving the Value of SEO and Retaining Clients21:08 - Addressing Sales Team Inefficiency and Lead Utilization24:34 - Strategies for Businesses with Low or No Search Volume Keywords28:53 - Key Considerations for Adding SEO to Your Agency Offering31:11 - Building an Effective SEO Team and White Labeling Services35:36 - Staying Up-to-Date with SEO Trends and Best Practices39:06 - Stephen's Content Strategy on LinkedIn40:31 - Stephen's Biggest Frustration and Excitement44:16 - Outro and Next Week's Guest Handy Links Trio SEO: https://trioseo.com/The AI Advantage - https://go.agencymavericks.com/event-ai-implementation  (Virtual event)E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin

Discover how one-time projects can trap your agency in a cycle of unpredictability. Learn the importance of transitioning to a model with recurring revenue to achieve financial stability. Explore effective methods for packaging services and implementing risk-reversal strategies that make clients eager to commit. Find out how to turn previous clients into long-term contracts and scale your operations without burnout. This insightful guide provides the roadmap for transforming your business into a high-value partnership model.

Welcome to the first episode of 2025! We’re kicking off the year with a deep dive into one of the most pressing topics in the agency world: AI. Will it replace creative roles? Will clients bypass agencies for AI tools? Or is it the ultimate tool to help you scale, boost creativity, and increase profits? In this episode, Troy Dean breaks down the real impact of AI on agencies—cutting through the fear and focusing on the opportunities. Plus, we’re unveiling some exciting changes to The Agency Hour podcast, including more in-depth training, frameworks, and insights from the Agency Mavericks team. Whether you’re an AI skeptic or an enthusiast, this episode will give you a clear game plan to future-proof your agency and use AI as a growth accelerator rather than a competitor.   What You’ll Learn in This Episode: AI Isn’t Coming for Your Job—But It Will Change How You Work How to Use AI to Increase Profits Without Lowering Prices The #1 Most Valuable Skill Agencies Need to Stay Relevant Why Strategy & Relationships Will Always Win Over Automation How Agencies Are Already Using AI to Save 15+ Hours a Week The 3 Biggest AI Myths That Are Holding Agencies Back Practical Steps to Integrate AI Without Overcomplicating Your Workflow   Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and AI Fears03:00 - Changes in the Agency Hour Podcast06:00 - Partnerships with E2M and WP Remote09:30 - Addressing AI Concerns and Misconceptions13:00 - AI as a Tool, Not a Threat17:00 - Enhancing Productivity and Creativity with AI21:00 - Busting AI Myths and Strategic Integration24:00 - Conclusion and Future Opportunities   Handy Links The AI Advantage - https://go.agencymavericks.com/event-ai-implementation  (Virtual event)E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericksWP Remote - https://wpremote.com   Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin

Join Thomas Amos, Founder of Design Box Studios and a coach at Agency Mavericks, as he reveals how AI is transforming agency operations. He discusses his journey of integrating AI to streamline workflows and enhance client experiences. Learn about creating custom GPTs for tasks, the potential of AI for SEO and content creation, and the myth of AI replacing jobs. Thomas shares innovative tools for boosting creativity and productivity, while looking ahead at the future of voice-activated task management and personalized assistants.

Jamie Kritharas, founder of Defiant Digital and former international DJ, shares his incredible transformation from music to marketing. He discusses building a thriving digital agency that has boosted revenues for over 300 businesses. Jamie dives into challenges faced while scaling a remote team of 30, emphasizing the importance of team culture and strategic client selection. He provides practical insights on stepping back from day-to-day tasks, fostering creativity in a remote environment, and the value of going against the grain for innovative growth.

Brandon Leibowitz, the Founder of SEO Optimizers, shares his expertise on how AI is revolutionizing SEO and digital marketing. He discusses the importance of integrating AI tools responsibly while maintaining human connection in content creation. The conversation explores the power of backlinks, the rise of video content for audience engagement, and strategies to future-proof SEO efforts. Brandon offers practical tips on targeting valuable keywords and creating high-quality content to stay competitive in an increasingly AI-driven landscape.

In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean sits down with Cannon Carr, Regional Director and Partner at EP Wealth, to explore strategic wealth-building and financial independence for agency owners. Cannon shares his innovative “Three R’s Framework” — Reinvest, Reward, and Repurpose — designed to help business owners create wealth beyond the agency, while building a sustainable, scalable business model. Troy and Cannon dive deep into the crucial steps every agency owner should take to diversify income and protect their financial future. Cannon discusses why relying solely on agency profits isn’t enough and provides actionable insights on how to reinvest wisely for growth, reward yourself sustainably, and repurpose income to build a financial safety net outside of the agency. The conversation covers everything from creating a succession plan, to making your business less dependent on you, to planning for a profitable exit strategy on your terms. Key highlights include Cannon’s advice on using diversified investments to secure financial freedom, understanding how to scale a business beyond the founder’s role, and navigating the complexities of selling or passing on an agency. Cannon explains how to avoid common pitfalls and use financial planning to turn an agency into a wealth-building engine that supports the owner’s lifestyle and goals. Whether you’re an agency owner looking to grow, exit, or simply build a solid financial foundation, this episode is packed with essential strategies to help you secure long-term wealth and independence. // HANDY   Handy Links: EP Wealth Cannon Carr LinkedIn Paid Discovery WIX   Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin

In a captivating conversation, web designer Laura Elizabeth, founder of Client Portal, shares her journey from freelancer to product innovator. She highlights the power of paid discovery in qualifying clients and setting clear expectations. Laura explains how it positions agencies as trusted advisors, minimizes scope creep, and enhances client relationships. The discussion also touches on practical tools, like client portals and email templates, that streamline communication and keep projects organized, leading to happier clients and repeat business.

In this episode of The Agency Hour Podcast, Johnny Flash sits down with Vladimer Botsvadze, a world-renowned social media influencer, keynote speaker, and startup advisor, to discuss how AI is reshaping personal branding and content creation. Vladimer shares his journey from growing his Twitter following to over 57,000 followers through consistent organic efforts, to becoming a leading authority in digital marketing and AI-powered brand building. He highlights how the modern marketing landscape is all about balancing automation with authentic human connection. Johnny and Vladimer dive deep into the challenges and opportunities of leveraging AI for content creation, with Vladimer advocating for producing 40-50 pieces of content daily across multiple platforms using AI tools. He explains how AI can help streamline marketing efforts, boost productivity, and scale businesses, while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining a consumer-centric approach to foster trust and loyalty. They also explore the importance of personal branding in 2024, especially in a marketplace where consumers are bombarded with advertisements and seek genuine connections with brands. Vladimer introduces cutting-edge AI tools like Perplexity and Mixo.io, which are helping businesses build websites and create content at unprecedented speeds. He provides insights into how agencies can stand out by focusing on storytelling, emotional connection, and delivering value to their audience. In this insightful episode, Vladimer and Johnny also discuss how AI will impact job roles in marketing, how to stay ahead of the curve by embracing AI, and why building a personal brand is crucial for long-term success in a competitive digital world. Whether you’re an agency owner looking to scale content creation, harness AI for business growth, or build a personal brand that resonates with your audience, this episode is packed with actionable insights.     Handy Links: Vladimer Botsvadze Wix Paid Discovery HighLevel     Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. Gameplan.agencymavericks.com Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin

In this episode of The Agency Hour Podcast, Troy Dean sits down with Tom Fanelli, Founder and CEO of Convesio, a niche platform built on WordPress that empowers e-commerce businesses and agencies to scale and grow seamlessly. Tom shares his journey from being an early customer of WordPress to becoming a specialist in hosting solutions for high-traffic e-commerce sites. He discusses how Convesio offers a unique, full-stack alternative to traditional hosting platforms, including specialized support through Convesio Convert (a marketing automation platform) and Convesio Pay (a new payment processing solution). Troy and Tom dive deep into the complexities of managing high-performance WordPress sites and how Convesio’s expert team helps agencies by acting as a technical SWAT team. Tom explains the critical differences between Convesio and other hosting companies like SiteGround or WP Engine, emphasizing Convesio’s ability to scale sites for clients who demand top-notch performance and reliability. They also explore Convesio Convert, a marketing automation tool designed to work seamlessly with WordPress and WooCommerce, offering website personalization and behavior-triggered marketing. Tom introduces Convesio Pay, a revolutionary payment solution that not only simplifies payment processing for e-commerce stores but also offers agencies a new revenue stream by sharing a portion of the payment processing fees. In this insightful episode, Tom and Troy discuss the challenges within the WordPress ecosystem, the impact of AI on digital marketing, and why AI could "ruin" written content. Tom provides valuable advice for agencies on how to differentiate themselves by building strong, community-focused brands. Whether you're an agency owner struggling with complex e-commerce solutions, looking to provide value-added services like payment processing, or seeking to leverage AI for business growth, this episode is a must-listen. Handy Links: Convesio Paid Discovery HighLevel Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your Agency Take this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next. https://mvrx.link/yt-gp-p Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin