Agency Blueprint

How are you implementing software to improve operations and grow your agency? The sooner you start using the right software systems in your business, the quicker it will be to take care of your pain points. In this episode of The Agency Blueprint, I’m joined by Jamie Hawk, CEO, and Co-founder of Altitude Operation, Fractional COO, and operations expert. We talk about the impact of implementing software systems in your business, the types of software for agency owners, and how to evaluate their impact. Listen in to learn more about selecting the right software to benefit your agency’s individual needs.  Key Questions:   [1:47] How do you evaluate the type of impact software will have on your business? [8:50] What types of evaluation would you be thinking about when selecting a project management software system? [17:45] How do you get your people to want to implement the software systems and change their habits? What You’ll Discover: [2:04] The importance of starting with the right software sooner and giving it a thought. [4:36] How to plan for the future with software by looking at it as a stack and researching.  [6:48] Tips on selecting software that works for your agency’s needs.  [9:01] How to approach selecting a project management software system.  [12:16] Why ClickUp is the best agency-oriented project management system.  [13:57] Jamie shares how she recently transformed a company from paper to automation. [18:21] How to work with your team and get them to change and implement software systems.  [20:14] When to start looking at software and the software to prioritize as a new agency owner.Free Copy of The Practical Agency Book.Real Life Agency Success StoriesWeekly agency tactics YouTube ChannelProfitability Accelerator Call - If you're looking to make a change today schedule your profitability accelerator call to define what is possible for your agency in the next 90 days.

How To Create a Monthly Engagement with Your Clients That Allows for Creative Flexibility Wouldn’t it be great to develop an ongoing relationship that allows for creative flexibility with your clients? There are a couple of ways to set up monthly engagements that work around flexibility and allow your client to feel in control.  In this episode of The Agency Blueprint, I discuss two pricing models that create a retainer or monthly engagement with your clients and allow for creative flexibility. I explain the benefits of setting up an ongoing monthly relationship depending on where you are in your agency path, especially as you scale. Tune in to learn more about the credit and future planned-out pricing models.  Key Questions:  [2:47] How can you set up monthly engagements that work around flexibility with your clients? [9:35] What is best for the relationship between you and a client that helps them accomplish their goal? [14:18] Are you in a place where you feel you’re working hard to stay in the same place and want to get off? What You’ll Discover: [2:55] The credit model – you have some credits for a client based on their spending. [4:13] Think about how long you want the credits to run for and have it predefined. [4:49] The future planned out model – you have a predefined monthly amount a client is committing to.  [6:02] How the future planned out model offers the beneficial consultative nature relationship with your clients. [8:33] Stop focusing on how to sell to your client and focus on how to provide value.  [11:45] Be selective with who you work with to form a beneficial relationship with them. [13:42] The benefits of an ongoing monthly relationship with your clients as you scale. Free Copy of The Practical Agency Book.Real Life Agency Success StoriesWeekly agency tactics YouTube ChannelProfitability Accelerator Call - If you're looking to make a change today schedule your profitability accelerator call to define what is possible for your agency in the next 90 days.

What is the best pricing structure for your agency? Are you just at the start of your journey, or do you have a better understanding of your client and the deliverables? Each of the pricing models can be beneficial to your agency at different stages of your journey.  In this episode of The Agency Blueprint, I discuss the two most used pricing models: hourly and fixed pricing. I explain the pros and cons of each and at which stage of your agency you should consider each.  Listen in to learn which one between the hourly rate model and fixed pricing model suits your agency! Key Questions:   What do you have to consider to ensure you’re super clear on how the hourly rate looks like for you and your team? (4:18) What is the benefit for your team, agency, and you to build expertise and knowledge and do the work better? (9:21)  Are you further along in your journey as an agency to start using the fixed pricing model? (11:49) What You’ll Discover: The hourly model – billing the client for every hour of work you’re producing (1:14) The rate sheet – considering and billing based on the cost for every level of seniority (2:07) The blended rate – a simple way where you understand everything and what you can go for (2:34) The anxiety that comes with both the rate sheet and blended rate for clients (3:00) Things to consider to ensure you’re super clear on how the hourly rate looks like for you (4:18) The pros of the hourly rate in theory and practicality (5:20) The cons of the hourly rate model – difficult to scale and creates anxiety for clients (7:00) The fixed pricing model – used by agencies further along in their journey (11:40) Why you have to set client expectations very well with the fixed pricing model [12:56] The pros of the fixed pricing model – faster turnaround time and offers client value (14:46) The cons of the fixed pricing model – you can lose money as an agency (15:55)Free Copy of The Practical Agency Book.Real Life Agency Success StoriesWeekly agency tactics YouTube ChannelProfitability Accelerator Call - If you're looking to make a change today schedule your profitability accelerator call to define what is possible for your agency in the next 90 days.

Are you providing purpose and energy? Are you living in your true core expertise? Do you have authority within the space of who your ideal client is while still having profit and revenue assured? In this episode of The Agency Blueprint, we discuss the framework for building an agency that allows you to live in your core expertise and have true authority. We also explain how to approach selecting a niche, the power of owning your true authenticity, and differentiating your agency with your uniqueness. Tune in to learn more about selecting a niche and attracting and connecting with your ideal client! Key Questions:  What are the steps needed when selecting a niche and a specialization? (5:13) How do you assess if an industry can afford you, if it’s growing, and if there are enough of them? (7:41) What’s the authentic reason you’re here, and what’s your unique offer to the world? (9:47) How can you have a meaningful impact on a person’s life whether or not they decide to work or engage with you? (18:08) How are you carving out a pathway for you and your team to be successful? (22:40) What You’ll Discover: How to select your niche which allows you to have a true differentiator and provide meaningful impact (1:22) The right steps to follow when selecting a niche without too many variables (5:21) The process of brainstorming industries you’ve worked with and then eliminating and filtering (6:08) The three variables that you’re going to filter out your niche to end up with 3-5 industries (6:47) Think about the data behind an industry – can it afford you, is it growing, and is there enough of them (7:35) How to differentiate yourself by highlighting your unique expertise and experience (9:40) How owning your true authentic self attracts and connects you to your ideal client [11:24] How to nail your positioning by putting yourself in the position of your ideal client (16:33) The importance of organizing your operations by creating a repeatable process that works for you (21:22) How to get into a reoccurring revenue model that prioritizes scalability and chooses the right pricing model (23:13)Free Copy of The Practical Agency Book.Real Life Agency Success StoriesWeekly agency tactics YouTube ChannelProfitability Accelerator Call - If you're looking to make a change today schedule your profitability accelerator call to define what is possible for your agency in the next 90 days.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could be able to grow your agency while still onboarding new clients effortlessly? This needs a systematic approach and a true leadership mindset focusing on scalability.  In this episode of The Agency Blueprint, I explain the different things you can do to scale your agency. I talk about how to enhance collaboration, define roles, improve relationships with your clients, and much more.  Join us to learn more about your role as the agency owner during the scaleup journey.  Key Questions:   How do you provide greater value to the client to allow for you to build a relationship and grow together? [12:39] Are your intentions and expectations of the client and team clear on how to work together? [13:36] How are you working to build a culture of celebrating small wins to keep your team motivated? [16:47] What You’ll Discover: How to create productized services that effectively work with clients (3:08) Have a detailed system with a defined role for each of your team members (6:22) How to create a regular rhythm where everyone can collaborate [9:00] The importance of having project reports to help understand the state of projects (11:01) Have a rhythm around client meetings to develop a relationship (12:00) How to make your intentions and expectations clear to avoid time wasting (13:36) Celebrate small wins and do it more often to improve your momentum (15:43) The five key things to focus on at any given time to accomplish long-term goals (17:20) Free Copy of The Practical Agency Book.Real Life Agency Success StoriesWeekly agency tactics YouTube ChannelProfitability Accelerator Call - If you're looking to make a change today schedule your profitability accelerator call to define what is possible for your agency in the next 90 days.

If you want to build an agency that operates without you and allows you to live your desired lifestyle, you need to move from agency owner to CEO.  In this episode of The Agency Blueprint, we discuss how data and becoming a visionary are the two things you need to transition into a CEO. We also explain why time, impact, and freedom are the three cornerstones of a business.  Listen in to learn why you need to stop what you’re doing and start working towards where you want to be.  Key Questions:   Do you want your business to serve your life as opposed to it becoming your life? (1:16) Is the data you’re getting enabling you to monitor, measure, and consistently improve your business? (2:48) Are you empowering your team with the right information to help them help you run your agency? [15:06] What You’ll Discover: How to formulate the vision of your agency by creating a unified business purpose (2:54) Learn to adapt to a different role as your business continue to evolve (8:09) Get more acquainted with data points and KPIs as you get removed from the business [9:47] How to stop and start transitioning yourself to the visionary you want to be [17:09]Free Copy of The Practical Agency Book.Real Life Agency Success StoriesWeekly agency tactics YouTube ChannelProfitability Accelerator Call - If you're looking to make a change today schedule your profitability accelerator call to define what is possible for your agency in the next 90 days.

Do you have an onboarding system to help you avoid making costly mistakes? Having a system within your agency is a pivotal piece in your relationship with the client and how they continue working with you.  In this episode of The Agency Blueprint, I expound on the six-step client onboarding process that makes things uncomplicated. They include what you do as the owner and how you involve the team and the client.  Join us to learn more about these six items that are imperative for your agency. Key Questions:   What project management tools have you set up your new client’s project in and is it accessible to all team members? (11:05) What is your next step when going into a project to make it successful and satisfy the client? (15:40) What are the things you need to remove from your plate instead of focusing on processes as a small agency? [16:24] What You’ll Discover: Ensure all the legal compliance items are done before starting the onboarding process (1:22) Have your internal kick-off call and assign your team to the deliverables (2:36) How to provide your team with the tools they need to be successful (4:37) Introduce the onboarding questionnaire to engage the client (6:00) Have the project detailed in your project management tool (10:05) How to conduct the kick-off call to remind the client of project execution (12:19) Have a review with your team to ensure everything is clearly documented (14:10) Free Copy of The Practical Agency Book.Real Life Agency Success StoriesWeekly agency tactics YouTube ChannelProfitability Accelerator Call - If you're looking to make a change today schedule your profitability accelerator call to define what is possible for your agency in the next 90 days.

Simplifying your business operations will make your life easier. If you want to be successful in your agency, you have to learn to embrace and enjoy change, and change starts with simplicity.  In this episode of The Agency Blueprint, we talk about the importance of simplifying the operations of your agency. We also explain how to remove the clutter you didn’t create in your organization and focus on building operational efficiency.  Tune in to learn about the power of community, delegation, focus, and more.  Key Questions:   Did you choose the communication channels that you use, and are you ready to start making that choice? (4:02) How do you delegate in a way that better serves you and the other person? (12:28) Are you reinforcing your why to drive more energy and momentum to your business? (21:38) What You’ll Discover: How to create a bandwidth where you focus on increasing operational efficiency (4:02) Find your community to learn from so you don’t have to do it painfully alone (7:56) How to create more focus by reassessing your goals and prioritizing (9:39) The importance of understanding your destination to have a simplified process (15:08) How to reduce your work time and still do meaningful work (17:22) Recognize that it’s okay to have boundaries and reinforce your why (20:50)Free Copy of The Practical Agency Book.Real Life Agency Success StoriesWeekly agency tactics YouTube ChannelProfitability Accelerator Call - If you're looking to make a change today schedule your profitability accelerator call to define what is possible for your agency in the next 90 days.

Does the niche you’re in feel right and true to what you’re passionate about? Selecting a niche is about differentiating yourself from the competition, so you can attract the right clients and grow your agency intentionally.  In this episode of The Agency Blueprint, I explain the process of identifying your niche by evaluating what you’re passionate about. I also explain the questions you need to ask yourself to identify whether you’ve chosen the right niche that will allow you to make an impact.  Listen in to learn how to differentiate your agency and start competing on meaning and impact.  Key Questions:   What do you enjoy doing, and can you monetize it? (3:45) Is your industry growing with the global average, and are there enough people to help it grow? (6:18) What is your motivation in helping clients, and how is it that you’re going to make them accomplish their goals? (14:23) What You’ll Discover: Understanding niche-specific industries plus the benefit of selecting a niche for your business [1:54] Why you should focus on what you’re passionate about and monetize it (3:45) The step-by-step process of evaluating and establishing the best niche for you [4:45] Questions to help you identify whether your chosen niche is the right one (15:22)Free Copy of The Practical Agency Book.Real Life Agency Success StoriesWeekly agency tactics YouTube ChannelProfitability Accelerator Call - If you're looking to make a change today schedule your profitability accelerator call to define what is possible for your agency in the next 90 days.

Expectations are the foundation of the relationship between you and your client, so make sure you set the appropriate expectations from the start. Do not oversell or overpromise so you can have a long-standing relationship.  In this episode of The Agency Blueprint, I talk about client expectations and how to set them clear from the start to establish a long-lasting relationship. I also explain the importance of ensuring you and your client are the right fit for each other for the success of the project.  Listen in to learn about setting measurable goals and more in this episode.  Key Questions:   How do you ensure your client’s expectation exceed and the client is happy? (1:05) How qualified is a prospective client to be your right fit? (6:09) What do you need to know and understand about the project and your role in executing it? (9:18) Do you have the expertise to accomplish the end goal, and what it’s going to take? (9:53) What You’ll Discover: How to set your client’s expectations right from the beginning for success (0:48) Make sure you’re auditioning the client to pick the right one for them (6:09) The importance of spending time to understand the project [7:55] How to ensure you can accomplish your client’s end goal (9:53) Have defined inclusions and exclusions to ensure the project is a success [13:06] Don’t be afraid to set measurable goals for both your and your client’s benefit [14:40] Set some space in your timeline to enable you to complete the project [17:41]Free Copy of The Practical Agency Book.Real Life Agency Success StoriesWeekly agency tactics YouTube ChannelProfitability Accelerator Call - If you're looking to make a change today schedule your profitability accelerator call to define what is possible for your agency in the next 90 days.