Agency Trailblazer Podcast - The web design podcast

Struggling to break out of the feast and famine cycle? Do you feel like you're constantly putting out fires and not making the progress you want in your business? Brent is a seasoned agency owner who started his first digital agency at the tender age of 17. In this episode, he shares his journey of navigating the challenges of running an agency, from landing his first clients to eventually selling his business not once, but twice. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/freelancer-to-agency-owner/ Free training: https://ugurus.com/launch-live-training/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=leejackson&utm_campaign=q12024

Time tracking is often seen as a necessary evil - something that takes time away from doing client work or feels like micromanaging employees. In this episode I interview Ilia from Toggl to discover why those assumptions are wrong. We discuss real-world examples of how time tracking provides valuable data to help agencies work more efficiently, provide better project estimates, optimise team members' time, identify profitable versus unprofitable clients, and ultimately achieve better profitability and work-life balance. Ilia shares tips on how agency owners can implement time tracking in a way that gets buy-in from employees and avoids it feeling punitive. If you think time tracking is a drag that holds your agency back, this myth-busting episode will surprise you and highlight the many bottom-line benefits tracking time can unlock! Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/is-time-tracking-holding-you-back/

Running an agency is tough, but invaluable lessons can be learned from those who've spent years growing in the trenches. In this episode, I sat down with Jon Tsourakis, a veteran agency owner of over 15 years, who doesn't look a day over 30. (Had to say that in case he reads this.) As the founder of Oyova, Jon has led his digital marketing agency from humble beginnings to a thriving team of 30. He's made mistakes, evolved his offerings, and learned countless tips for building an agency poised for longevity. In an honest, insightful conversation, Jon shares the failures, adaptations, and wins he's experienced on his agency journey. Expect hard-won advice on finding your niche, leading remote teams, bouncing back from burnout, building community, and having the flexibility to grow successfully.  Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/lessons-from-an-agency-leader/

Do you feel like your website or brand is lost in the endless sea of search engine results? Does it seem like no matter what you do, you just can't break onto page one or get those coveted top rankings? Well, today's guest, Jason Barnard is here to help you finally stop getting buried by search engines. Known as the "Brand SERP Guy," Jason is an international authority on managing brand search optimisation and online reputation. In this info-packed episode, he shares insider tips to take control of how you appear on Google, Bing, and other search platforms. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/buried-by-search-engines/

Are you struggling to attract high-paying clients who see the immense value in what you offer? Do you find yourself exhaustively pitching potential clients who just don't get what makes you different? In this eye-opening episode, Helen Knight joins us to share her proven framework for positioning yourself as the obvious choice for your ideal clients. You'll discover new ways to identify and align with your dream clients, create offers tailored specifically to their needs, and leverage social media to establish yourself as the go-to expert in your niche.  Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/ideal-clients-obvious-choice/

Struggling to build your business? Cash strapped and wish you had investment? What if I told you, you already have everything you need to build an exciting and growing business? Meet Zara and Aaron, the founders of Choppity. They are building their business in public, keeping costs razor thin and laser focusing on their niche. The results are difficult to deny! A powerful solution, tonnes of potential, and a growing MRR. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/low-cash-growth/

The vast sea of online courses makes it challenging for any one course to stand out. But what if there's a method that not only grabs attention but also ensures course completion, builds trust, and positions you as an expert they can't wait to buy from? In this episode, we unravel the secret sauce behind course delivery that people are ignoring. Discover the transformative power of email-delivered courses and why they're growing in popularity. Learn how this simple shift in delivery can skyrocket course completion rates, deliver value to participants, and nudge them toward the right purchase. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/unignorable-courses/

Do you ever feel like your web agency is stuck in a cycle of one-and-done projects? You deliver an exceptional website, only to watch the client fade away, turning what could have been a fruitful, ongoing collaboration into a fleeting transaction. But what if there was a way to turn that one-time project into a long-term partnership? In this episode, we explore an often-overlooked tool that can transform your client relationships and significantly boost your agency's recurring revenue. Providing a website owners manual with web builds can help educate clients on what is involved in keeping their website maintained, performing, and delivering results for them. As clients recognise the value and what is involved, they are significantly more likely to take up your maintenance and support services, allowing you to develop a long lasting relationship. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/website-manual/

Struggling to make logo design pay? In this episode, we meet Ian Paget, the man behind Logo Geek, who turned his passion for logo design into profit. I ask: What does it take to go all in on logos? What can we learn from others? How can we improve our skills? How do we keep motivated? Ian delivers! Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/make-a-living-designing-logos/

Struggling to grow your agency or finding it tough to reel in new clients? Perhaps you feel conscious that your agency isn't yet what you'd hoped it would be? Simon Penson's journey is sure to inspire you. His own agency journey began at his kitchen table, of all places, where he faced and overcame a multitude of challenges, ultimately leading to the successful sale of his agency. His story highlights the importance of perseverance and the transformative power of a good mentor.  Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/simons-agency-exit/

Ever felt like you're on a never-ending hamster wheel of agency life? Trying to build a business that will support the life you want for you and your family, but never quite getting there? You're not alone. Many of us are caught in this relentless cycle, believing that success is just around the corner if we work harder, grow bigger. But what if there's another way? My guest in today's episode, Daniel Hutt, found himself in the same exhausting cycle. A seasoned content marketing expert and the current head of content for Zero to Mastery, Daniel dared to question the status quo. He realized that doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results, was a path to nowhere. With one powerful mindset switch, he decided to go against conventional wisdom and take a completely different direction. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/mindset-shift/

Creating website policies can feel pretty overwhelming. It's easy to think copying and pasting templates will do, but this shortcut can put both agencies and clients at risk. In this episode, I was really pumped to chat again with Hans from Termageddon. He walks us through his journey of building a tool that does the heavy lifting. He shares valuable insights into building a business on a firm foundation and developing relationships that last. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/privacy-policies/

Do you get anxious when updating your client's WordPress website, wondering what will break? Do you spend hours running tests in staging, before finally pushing everything live? In this episode, we explore WordPress maintenance and look at a solution designed to help developers and designers catch issues before they cause a real problem. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/streamlining-wordpress-maintenance/

Meet Michelle Frechette, a trailblazer in the WordPress community who is bridging gaps and building connections in ways you wouldn't imagine. Michelle, the Director of Community Engagement for StellarWP at Liquid Web, takes us on a journey from her first encounter with WordPress to her current role as a community leader. She shares her insights on the power of inclusivity, the thrill of her first WordCamp, and the delicate art of fostering diversity without tokenism. If you've ever wondered about the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the WordPress community or how to make a real impact in your own circles, this episode is a must-listen. Get ready for a conversation that will challenge your perspectives and inspire you to action. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/bridging-gaps-building-community/

Find yourself ignoring newsletters you receive? Think that having your own newsletter is therefore a waste of time? Think again. I was challenged when our guest Shiven shared insights into building your own newsletter and audience that I had never considered. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/newsletter-success/

Fed up installing fresh copies of WordPress to test themes, plugins or code? What if you could spark up a blank WordPress instance directly in your browser in seconds, without even needing a host? Watch the video: Today we dive into the exciting world of WordPress Playground with special guest Adam Zielinski, a WordPress core developer at Automattic. Learn how this web-based development environment revolutionizes WordPress site creation and modification without any setup required. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/wordpress-playground/

Introducing ChatGPT to our entire team has been a game-changer! While some folks worry AI will take their jobs, our team is thriving with enhanced productivity and an improved work-life balance. Discover how we're leveraging AI to supercharge our efficiency in coding, content creation, email management, translations, and beyond! Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/chatgpt-in-a-web-agency

As an agency owner, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day demands of running your business. But what happens when your work starts to take a toll on your health and happiness? For many agency owners, the answer is a frustrating cycle of too much work and not enough time for self-care. But it doesn't have to be this way.  Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/fit-with-small-steady-steps/

Feel like the internal communication at your agency is a little bit of a mess? Perhaps you're missing deadlines, upsetting clients, or duplicating your efforts internally. In this episode, Lee shares how stand-up meetings in his agency help solve these problems. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/implement-stand-up-meetings

Imagine a mastermind group that catapults your business to new heights, helps you make bold moves, and pushes you to reach your full potential. Lee shares his own incredible journey of growth and transformation, thanks to the power of these game-changing meetups.  Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/mastermind-effect-agency-transformation

Ever felt swamped, stressed, or on edge due to tough clients? In this honest and unplanned episode, our host Lee gets real about how his mental health has been impacted by tricky client relationships. Tune in to hear his personal story, insights, and advice on dealing with toxic clients and safeguarding your well-being in the digital world. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/toxic-clients-mental-health

Are you having a tough time providing top-notch support to your clients? In this episode, Lee spills the beans on how his agency, Event Engine, turned their messy support system into one with a perfect 100% client happiness rating. Discover the super simple process they put in place to bring order to their support system, improve communication, and take a more proactive approach to helping their clients.  Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/optimise-support-win-clients-hearts/

Have you ever been excited to receive a new lead in your inbox, only for the communication to fizzle out over time? As a web agency owner, this can be a frustrating experience. In this episode, Lee shares his agency's solution to this problem. By implementing a simple process using a CRM, they were able to track their communications and convert more leads. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/track-and-convert-leads/

Are you tired of trying to sell your web design services to potential clients, only to be met with hesitation and skepticism? It can be difficult to convince someone to invest a large sum of money in your services when they don't really know you yet. But what if there was a better way?  Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/selling-value-not-just-websites/

Are you tired of constantly comparing yourself to others in your industry? Do you struggle with defining success for yourself and staying motivated to achieve your goals? In this episode, Lee and Candy dive into the world of pricing, money, and success in the agency and freelancer space.  Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/defining-success-for-your-agency/

In this series, Lee looks at a range of WordPress tools that can add value to both the development process and client interactions. For each episode, Lee will define a problem, discuss his agency's solution, and share a use case. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/dont-fear-accessibility/ Join the conversation: https://trailblazer.fm/dont-fear-accessibility/#respond All WordPress tools to try before you die: https://trailblazer.fm/category/halloween-2022/wordpress-tools/

As an agency owner, it can be tough to decide whether or not to host your client's websites. On the one hand, there are some clear benefits to doing so - you have access to more data and can provide a better overall experience for your clients. However, there are also costs associated with hosting such as maintenance, support, and downtime risks. In this episode, we interview Austin from 20i about the pros and cons of hosting client websites. He helps us to understand the risks involved and provides insights into how 20i can help you make the right decision on a per-project basis. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/should-i-host-client-websites

As a third-generation business owner, Stephen knows a thing or two about the ups and downs of running a company. So when his family's business came to an end, he didn't waste any time getting back on his feet. In no time at all, he had launched a new venture as a copywriting provider.  He developed three core sources of leads: website, networking, and LinkedIn. But Stephen didn't stop there. He also took the time to build relationships with potential clients, often going above and beyond to provide value. As a result of his hard work, Stephen has quickly become one of the most in-demand copywriters in town. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/words-win-business

Having developed an agency focused on providing unique in-person experiences for their customers, Candy had to pivot her agency's unique service during the pandemic. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/from-in-person-to-online

In an awesome office with a growing team, situated a stone's throw from the beach, Barbara was living the dream life. Right? Barbara shares how she only works 10 hours a week and is more profitable. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/i-know-youre-busy-but

With raw honesty, Darren shares their journey from doing it all themselves to building a large thriving team. He describes starting with content and developing a range of digital services. And how they automated the most time-intensive task with a lot of initial coding elbow grease. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/invest-now-get-paid-later

Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/refocus-on-linkedin

Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/one-page-avatar

Full show notes : https://trailblazer.fm/spice-up-your-proposals