OfficeHours.FM

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Each week I take you inside the virtual offices of my amazing guests, where we talk about WordPress and entrepreneurship. This interview-style show is both entertaining and informative.

Carrie Dils


    • May 31, 2018 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 53m AVG DURATION
    • 164 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from OfficeHours.FM

    Balancing Automation

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2018 31:12


    Tonya Mork is the Founder of , with an impressive engineering background of 22 years building and leading teams in automating equipment and processes. In today’s episode, we discuss balancing automation and people, and measuring the cost of automation.  

    Nailing Down Your Process

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2018 32:33


    Brian Casel is the Founder of , a content marketing service that powers blogs from creation to publication, and host of . In today’s episode, we dive deep into the nitty-gritty details surrounding task breakdown and the level of detail it takes to create a systemized process that saves you time.

    You Need to Segment Before You Can Automate

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2018 40:00


    Chris Lema is the Vice President of products and innovation at the hosting company . He spends his time building out and . In this episode, we discuss how to segment your audience by their behaviors and interests, and the importance of segmentation before automation.

    Personalizing Automation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2018 38:53


    Founder of Double Your Freelancing and co-founder of RightMessage, Brennan Dunn is a creator in the true sense of the word. From freelancing to running his own web development agency, to creating software, and consulting, he has a wealth of experience to share. In today’s highly requested episode, we discuss why small tasks deserve automation, how to truly personalize automation, and soft segmentation.

    Automation in a Development Workflow

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2018 32:55


    Bill Erickson has been a Developer for 12 years, helping individuals, small businesses, and large companies build their sites. In today’s episode, we discuss all things code, from templates and automation to Bill’s perspective on time management.

    Building a Process, Episode 159

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2018 30:17


    Chris Ford is the Project Manager for Reactiv Studios. She began her career as a classically trained graphic designer, but soon fell into web development and has been in the field for 20 years. In today’s episode, we discuss how automation saves time, the importance of customizing automation, and how it’s not unlike muscle memory.

    Leverage Automation for a Better Customer Experience, Episode 158

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2018 34:32


    Jason Resnick, also known as online, is a web developer who specializes in helping ecommerce and online businesses boost their conversion rates. He also assists other freelancers in building a sustainable businesses. In today’s episode, we discuss how automation relates to the customer experience and the importance of crafting your content with hard data.

    What's your domino?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2018 40:35


    In today’s episode, Jeff Large shares why finding your domino can make your process more effective, advice that has inspired him, and why podcasting is not only powerful, but might be a key puzzle piece missing from your marketing strategy.

    What (and what not) to automate in your agency, Episode 156

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2018 36:13


    Troy Dean of  offers an interesting perspective on balancing automation with human creativity. In today’s episode, he shares what his years of experience of running a digital agency and online community have taught him about automation, business, relationships, and fatherhood.

    Automation in E-Commerce, Episode 155

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2018 37:38


    Welcome to the kick-off of Season 5, focused on automation. Beka Rice is Head of Product at and has an obsession with all things automated. Today, we discuss why automation doesn’t have to be inhuman, how the order confirmation is actually the beginning of the customer relationship and what questions to ask in a discovery meeting. Produced by Come Alive Creative

    Ongoing Client Services

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2017 33:07


    Project Plans, Episode 153

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2017 37:00


    Diane Kinney and I continue our conversation on project management.

    Project Management Strategies

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2017 37:50


    Contracts that CYA with Karim Marucchi and Rian Kinney, Episode 151

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2017 37:25


    On today’s episode, Carrie interviews Karim Marucchi and Rian Kinney about contracts and what to consider when you are preparing to work with a client.

    Proposals: Do you even need them?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2017 31:28


    Project Scoping: Going Wide and Deep, Episode 149

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2017 32:37


    On today's episode, Carrie is interviewing Troy Dean. This is Troy's second interview on .  Troy and Carrie are discussing project scoping and putting your business in the best possible position with the client that will make you (and your client) more successful.

    Jordon Rupp

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2017 30:18


    Join me as indepdent web contract Jordan Rupp and I discuss what goes into a formalized discovery process for a web project.

    WooCommerce Price Changes - What They Mean for You

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2017 39:24


    Onboarding Clients for Success

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2017 29:34


    In this episode, Carrie talks with Erin Flynn about Client Onboarding and how this process can be simplified by using templates and communicating regularly with your client.

    Growing Your Business through Contact Relationship Management, Episode 145

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2017 31:45


    In this episode, Carrie and Heather talk about Contact Relationship Management (CRMs) and how that applies to a freelancer or small agency. The discussion covers when you get that customer in the door and launch the project all the way establishing a retainer agreement with them.

    Future-Proofing Your Business with Lead Generation & Specialization

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2017 32:55


    In this podcast, Carrie interviews Brett Cohen CEO & co-founder of emagine, a digital agency located south of Boston, MA. Brett shares his insights of sales and marketing the “hard way” where there is no substitute for calling and meeting people face to face.

    After Hours, Episode 143

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2017 58:46


    The Client Whisperer, Episode 142

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2017 32:35


      What we talked about Managing expectations from the very first interaction with a client Taking ownership of every aspect of a project Addressing "issues" immediately (no festering) Adversarial relationship toward customers Handling hard conversations (and keeping the emotion out) The best (and worst) forms of communication

    Scaling Your Freelance Business, Episode 141

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2017 39:02


    What we talked about Using a business plan to decide what services you'll offer and what you won't Before choosing your ideal customer, you need to have customers to choose from :) When it's time to grow a team (and how to find the right people) Managing cash flow Business, communication, and tech tools used at WPRiders.com The importance of a mentor

    Freelancing Like a Pro, Episode 140

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2017 34:10


    What we talked about The process of developing a customer niche Just because you gear marketing toward your niche doesn't mean you can't serve others The three-level marketing strategy  How to get a client ASAP Building confidence in yourself The importance of content (and tips for getting into the swing of content creation) Vetting potential clients

    After Office Hours, Episode 139

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2017 61:41


    Solving all the problems.

    Leading, Empowering, and Inspiring

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2017 33:45


    What we talked about The origins of managed WordPress hosting Serving a niche in a crowded space Find your differentiators that set you apart from the competition Empowering others (teammates) to make decisions and take responsibility for the outcome Working through explosive topics (i.e. politics) with your team Expressing opinion as a company vs an individual Joshua shares what inspires him

    Tailoring Your Marketing Message, Episode 137

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2017 35:05


    What we talked about Going from solo owner/operator to a partnership Accountability in a partnership Inbound marketing Engaging with your site visitors Serving up content based on who's looking How to get someone into your marketing funnel

    Email Marketing and Automation

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2017 34:12


    Marketing is simply building trust and empathy with a group of people by talking to them. - Paul Jarvis What we talked about Email marketing as two-way communication We hate marketing because we don't understand it Alienate most people in order to get the right people on your email list Unless there's engagement, having a huge list is meaningless Email automation doesn't have to be intimidating Getting started with email marketing Episode links (and newsletter signup) (course)

    A Freelancer Helping Freelancers

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2017 32:28


    What We Talked About Freelancing "back in the day" Turning a passion into a revenue stream Opportunities to systematize repetitive tasks Opportunities to upsell clients (while offering great value) Quarterly "temperature" calls Defining your ideal client (and evolving that over time) Taking time away from work to work on your business Self/soul searching to figure out what it is we want to work on

    Stretch Goals and the Power of Live Events, Episode 134

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2017 31:48


    What we talked about Setting financial stretch goals (and achieving them) The power of saying your goals "out loud" Investing in your business Serving a micro-niche vs a general client base (and how that can help with content strategy) The value and importance of live industry events

    After Office Hours, Episode 133

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2017 64:31


    Write On, Episode 132

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2017 31:13


    What we talked about Getting out from behind the computer and meeting folk Expressing yourself through content Having a professional online persona Getting into the habit of writing with directive journaling v  Brainstorming content Promoting your content (and others)

    An Epic Rant on Being Different in a Crowded Space

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2017 33:34


    What we talked about Being different in a crowded space Internalizing what others are doing and then innovating on it Copying someone's motivation vs copying someone's results Be the freelancer that answers the phone! If your offer isn't interesting and compelling, get a job and learn new things Risk dynamic as a freelancer vs an employee Go deep, not wide

    Content Marketing is for Everyone, Episode 130

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2017 47:45


    What we talked about How to do your own content marketing by making a brand plan What to do if you started blogging before you had a brand plan The backstory behind Pamela's new book, Master Content Marketing Writing (confidently) even if you don't feel like a "writer" Content marketing as a creative act Education through content

    The Art of Account Management, Episode 129

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2017 37:23


    What we talked about You will never get the complete story from an email or a Slack message. - Karim Marucchi Account management for small agencies and freelancers Using account management as business development Differences between an account manager and a project manager Coming across to your clients as the expert The importance of "face time" vs email Using email as a followup to a conversation, not the conversation itself Tips for composure and "positive control" in tough conversations How to make client delays work in your favor

    After Office Hours, Episode 128

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2017 63:35


    Zen and the art of mental health maintenance, Episode 127

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2017 31:42


    What we talked about The isolation and anxiety many freelancers feel Online relationships vs real-world friends How to make connections online Being your true self online without oversharing Active listening Mental health maintenance How to find the right therapist Yoga!

    Serving a vertical niche, Episode 126

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2016 32:18


    What we talked about Benefits and challenges of serving a specific vertical niche Custom theme builds vs commercial Differentiating yourself in a crowded market Sustainable pricing Consolidation/tightening of the WordPress ecosystem Improving the "WordPress experience"

    Working with local clients and creating appetizing revenue

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2016 34:52


    What we talked about Educating prospective clients The unique challenge of offering services in a small community Preparing for seasonality (the lows and highs) Working locally (vs digitally) Goal setting Building monthly recurring client revenue

    Episode 124 with Gordan Orlic

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2016 37:52


    What we talked about White-labeling plugins Terrible plugin ideas GPL & software licensing A Black Friday rant about Envato Sustainable product sales The WordPress community outside the US

    After Office Hours, Episode 123

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2016 66:09


    What we talked about WordCamp US and the Patheon drama GoDaddy's year of acquisitions and partnerships LoopConf in 2017 WordPress 4.7 & REST API What's up with Calypso? Do we need to learn JavaScript deeply? Backend vs Front-end developers Tips from the panel

    All the Things, Episode 122 with Chris Coyier

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2016 43:56


    Episode 121 with Cody Landefeld

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2016 25:54


    Engineering WordPress, Episode 120

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2016 32:53


    A Web Agency That's Happy Staying Small, Episode 119

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2016 33:21


    Here's some of what we talked about: Working in a partnership Serving a niche audience Vetting clients Maintenance plans Design inspiration

    Startups & Entrepreneurship, Episode 118

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2016 38:22


    After OfficeHours, Episode 117

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2016 69:02


    Season 3 of OfficeHours.FM is here! My panel of guests includes Rebecca Gill, Diane Kinney, and Matt Medeiros. Sometimes irreverent, sometimes serious, we cover the WIX GPL debate, subscription-based business models, and the impact of the REST API on businesses.

    WordPress and Ecommerce, Episode 116

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2016 50:56


    This week I’ve got Beka Rice, Operations Manager for SkyVerge, Leading Contributor at Sell with WP, and Content Manager for Shop Storm. Somehow she manages to have free time and in that free time she’s traveling the world with her husband, eating at Chipotles along the way. On this final episode of Season 2, join us for a lively discussion on e-commerce in WordPress, what the product development process looks like for WooCommerce, and the unique challenges of working while traveling.

    Bending Words to Your Will

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2016 64:07


    Travis VandeNoord

    Hack the Entrepreneur, Episode 114

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2016 60:47


    Join me with podcast host Jon Nastor for a great discussion on podcast, sponsorships, and building business through relationships.

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