The AltAgency Show

You're likely self-sabotaging your sales.Most people don't even recognize they are guilty of this when selling their agency services...So if you're not getting new clients and increasing your revenue, watch now to see if this is the reason you're holding yourself back.

Outside of paid traffic and our email list, building and managing our own free private Facebook™ group for our prospects has become one of the most valuable assets in our businessIt helps us nurture prospects, shorten the sales cycle and turn leads into prospects and then into clients.In this video, I'll break down the 3 ways we're using our group to generate leads and how you can get started doing the same.Are you using your own Facebook group yet? Comment below.

It's not about productizing.It's not about Facebook™ ads...It's almost ALWAYS because of this one thing.Math.In today's video, I want to break down the exercise - that when skipped - leaves agencies in that "glorified freelancer" state of business.

I've had a lot of ups and downs in business and not too long ago I felt like I was losing a race I didn't even know I entered...That's when I learned the ugly truth about success.If you don't define success for yourself, you'll blindly adopt someone else's.

That's what a client asked me.If making 7-figures in your business is a goal of yours and you've dreamed what it would be like...You've played it out in your mind exactly how much better things would be...You'll want to watch this video.I have been chasing the 7-figure goal for a while and we hit it last year and I wanted to share some of what has actually changed.I think you might be surprised.I was...

In fact, you know you should and need to be creating more content in order to attract your ideal clients vs relying on referrals.But, what should you say?What type of content should you be consistently sharing?In today's video, I'll break down the 4 types of content that help turn prospects into buyers.

That's it.If that's the ONLY way you're nurturing leads into prospects then you're missing the boat in 2021.With most industries averaging below 20% email open rates, you can't just rely on email.In today's video, I break down 6 places you should be building and using to nurture your leads into prospects.

"The lumber industry sells what used to be waste — sawdust, chips, and shredded wood — for a pretty profit. Today you’ll find these by-products in synthetic fireplace logs, concrete, ice strengtheners, mulch, particleboard, fuel, livestock and pet bedding, winter road traction, weed killing and more."Jason Fried, Basecamp.You might recognize that name.Basecamp was the "waste" or byproduct of Jason Fried's web agency.They needed to better manage their client projects.So they built software.That software is now one of the most successful project management platforms for small business owners.Guess what, they don't do services anymore.One that can and will eventually replace and surpass your core services.Selling your by-products is even more lucrative in tough economic times. We saw that first hand for our clients in 2020.Finding new revenue streams from things you’ve already created helps pad your cash flow and keep the business churning.Maybe it’s a workshop on how you do things or built something.Maybe there are some templates or assets in there you can turn into something else that’s profitable.It's how we made the transition from agency services to coaching and training and you can too.

For me, it's fairly new.AKA I'm still figuring it out as I go.We went from a team of 3 to a team of 11 in about 8 months.This led to a record year and some lessons and tips I want to share with you so you can avoid some of the mistakes I've made along the way.I honestly think growing a team is one of the most challenging and rewarding things we can do as entrepreneurs.I know many give up way too soon or shy away from building a team at all if they had trouble the first time...But, for me, my team is amazing and I wouldn't be where I am without them.It's challenged me to grow as a leader...And a leader is what you'll need to become to build the right team.Have you grown a team?If so, I'd love for you to share your tips in the comments below the video.

Well, as you begin to package your IP (intellectual property) into things like training, programs, workshops, consulting, coaching, courses, and more...Pricing can be a little “mysterious”.I get it.Well, in this episode I want to break down the only 3 things you can sell, how those get packaged up by the most successful, and what you can be charging for them.

The number of digital and creative agency owners that I talk to that think SOPs (standard operating procedures) are the "key" to removing themselves from their business have it all wrong.I know, cuz I've been there.You learn of SOPs and start documenting everything you do.The problem?You do too much stuff as it is so you end with thousands of SOPs but you never USE them FREQUENTLY enough to benefit from having them in the first place.It's death by 1000 SOPs."But, Greg, having SOPs will make my business run without me?"Nope."But, Greg, my agency is more likely to sell if everything is documented".Wrong.You're wasting your time if you spend countless hours documenting things.In today's video, I'll break down the fast and simple way to delegate things and remove them from your plate.

Showing up to your new client kickoff call without a plan puts you at risk of starting the relationship off on the wrong foot.This can lead to refunds.Scope creep.Projects taking longer than they need to.Unhappy clients.Clients that yell at you... (ouch)So, if your new client onboarding experience is cobbled together at best — you need to install this campaign.It's simple.It works.It will help you create better clients.Ones that follow instructions and allow you to do your best work as efficiently as possible.Report back once you apply this to your business.You're welcome. ;)

In today's video I wanted to give you a glimpse into the high-level process we use as well as many of our clients.There is one KEY ingredient to our goal-setting process that has changed how we set goals and make sure we hit them.Honestly, it's one ingredient that most leave out and that's why they end up burnt out, exhausted and want to give up before ever reaching their goal.So, check out today's videos and leave a comment sharing how YOU set goals.

No joke, I love hearing how successful people organize and manage their day.Stop lying, I know you do too.So, it got me thinking...Which of my which habits are the highest Return On Investment (ROI)?So, instead of walking you through my day or week...I wanted to share the HIGHEST ROI Habits that have helped me in building a 7 figure business.Here's the thing.These 10 habits are so simple that you can start using them immediately.So, in today's video, I'll break down each of these 10 habits.

I just put together a training on the 6 mistakes digital and creative agencies make that have them stuck in fulfillment unable to grow profitably......and the 6 steps to fix it.  Here's what I'd like you to do  Step 1: Watch the trainingStep 2: Use the link below the video to schedule a call with our team if you find yourself nodding your head to any of what I said in that video.  We'd like to help you get unstuck.  And quickly.  So, talking to a real human about how that might work for YOUR agency would be a very good use of your time.  #realtalkSound good?

Especially when you're launching something new to your clients or your market.Should you price high?Low?Free?In today's episode,  I shared a snippet from one of our weekly coaching calls inside of our 90 Day Foundations Program discussing how I'd think about and approach pricing your first high-ticket consulting offer.Oh, and I also cover why so many gurus just want you to charge as much as possible. ;)So there's that.Let me know your biggest takeaway.

In a recent coaching call, we covered this and I wanted to share a short snippet from that call to discuss where I see most people get it wrong when it comes to doing organic.What do I mean by organic?If you want to build an audience, influence and authority you have to share your point of view.There are a lot of ways to do that.You can start a YouTube channel, a podcast, etc but the fastest and lowest tech ways are things like:Written posts on your social profiles.Going live.Telling stories etc.But, if you're doing it with the sole purpose of getting sales...You're doing it wrong.

2020 only accelerated that by like 2 years. lol.We've all been on a ton more zoom meetings.Events have gone virtual.Workshops? Virtual.People are consuming more educational and entertainment content online than ever before.So, we want to 1) stand out and 2) make sure out content that was once interactive doesn't feel stale and like a high school lecture.In today's video I want to share the TWO most important tips for you to up level your content in 2021 and moving forward.This applies whether you're:Hosting virtual workshops or bootcampsSelling virtual eventsDelivering training and coaching onlineCreating free content like Youtube or Facebook lives.

And it starts with putting your client SECOND! Yup.While counter-intuitive, I'll show you how this principle allowed us to escape the feast and famine rollercoaster of income.Have a watch, and leave a comment with your biggest takeaway.------

Execution is increasingly becoming a commodity.So, if you fall into 1 of 2 buckets below you're gonna want to listen.Bucket 1:Take payment 1 and develop the strategy and or audit for your client.Then sell them again for payment 2 to execute the strategy.Bucket 2:Give away strategy and or audit for free in hopes of getting paid to execute.Both of these are bad moves.In today's video, I'm going to share why it's important for you to bundle your strategy with execution.And, how It's actually a win-win for you and your client.

Well, we did it. We crossed the 7-figure mark in a year.Apparently, only 3-4% of small businesses ever do that so we're pretty pumped to finally get there ourselves but...I'll be real with you...it's been a journey.So, I put together today's video breaking down how the journey looked.I don't do this to brag in any way and honestly, I can see much clearer and bigger now.But we came a long way.We aren't one of those Facebook ads you see promising to get 7-figures in 8 months or any of that...cuz, honestly...it was hard.And I break down our revenue from 2017 to now.You'll see some ups...and sometimes we went backward.Which I think is more likely the real story for the majority.But, the reason I'm sharing this is because looking back we've done some things right and some things wrong.Check out the video so you can avoid the mistakes and learn my 4 key takeaways.

Maxed out in your agency?At capacity?Well, that's nothing to write home about.There is a lot of lost revenue and people you just can't help that need it.So if that's the case AND you're still working over time and not KEEPING enough of that money - keep reading.Now, maybe you're fine with that in which case you won't like the video cuz you can't help more people or make more income...But ask yourself..."Am I ok with this?""Am I happy with the revenue and impact i'm making?"If you're like most agency owners the answer is "No" because while revenue is great it's an "ego metric".How much are you taking home?How many hours are you working?If you're working over 40 hrs a week and barely making any money - your DELIVERY model needs to change.Check it out.

Some are faster than others.1 requires cash.The rest — require time, consistency and volume.They all work.You shouldn't use only one.But you shouldn't start by trying to do all of them.Which will you focus on?Comment below and let me know.Oh, and if you want help applying these to your business let me know and we can chat.

If you say things like:"I build websites""I create funnels""I build marketing strategies"You are thinking and speaking like a DOer.If that's all you thought you were it's time to change how you think.You KNOW HOW to do.Once you get that, you'll realize you have many more options on how to get paid.In today's video, I'm going to show you the options you have to get paid for your know-how and add a new revenue stream to your agency.

"Real wealth doesn't come through hours. It comes through starting a company or investing" - Naval Ravikant.The problem most agency owners have is that they got the "starting a company" part right but their company is based on hours.Aka Selling their hands.In today's video, I want to break down Naval's 3 classes of leverage that can help you become a wealthy agency owner.

You have to build a marketing machine.Depending on where you hang out online, you likely hear funnel this, funnel that...blah. blah. blah.Funnels are important but it doesn't have to be mysterious and it's really just like any other machine.You have the core system which is an asset and you're going to have the inputs that feed that system/asset.In today's video, I'm sharing a clip from one of our coaching calls where I sketch out the core pieces of the machine you need.Warning: This is probably going to seem simpler than you're expecting. And that's the point.Don't be fooled to think that this has to be complicated.We constantly remind our clients to "Start Simple. Get Ninja Later".The best part is that the "simple way" can get you to 6-figures a month.So...no real need to ever get ninja.

It makes "selling" way simpler...and NOT feel like selling.In this video, I want to break down the 3 things we've done to make that happen like clockwork so that we attract the RIGHT clients each and every month.The best part?You can get started doing these things today.

It's a message that might just be the kick in the butt that you need.That's the only reason i'm sharing it.Cuz...You are probably over complicating things...And it's hurting you.Bad.So...I said what I had to say as a coach and mentor to our clients.We call these #realtalk or #toughlove moments.Listen if you want a kick in the butt. (Warning: it's 28 minutes. Cuz that's how long the message needed to be)

I fell into this trap a long time ago, so I know how it feels.I recently just had a client that was dealing with this very issue.In today's episode, I'll share how he was falling in love with his solution and not the problem and what he could do to turn things around.

If so, we'd probably get along great.Just recently I started using Notion.First, I started using it to manage my days/week.That's what this video is about.But since, our entire team has started using it and it's helping us run our 7 figure business way more effectively.So today, I wanted to share how I use Notion.

The most common is called "Unlimited" services pioneered by a company called WP Curve then followed up by ones like Design Pickle.But that's only one METHOD.Now that we've helped about 300 agency owners productize their services and knowledge we've realized that there isn't just ONE way to do it.There are 6 different ways our clients have done it and there are even services we use and love that I'll share today that have different ways of delivering their services more like products.

As an agency owner productizing our services was THE best thing we did for our business.It opened so many more doors, allowed us to master our craft and expand our offerings even more in a way that allowed us to have a bigger impact.You'll often find me screaming from the mountain tops that agency owners should productize and add training programs etc BUT, there are some common mistakes that I see people make when productizing that actually prevents them from the results they hoped for when doing it in the first place.In today's video, I'll break down the 4 biggest mistakes I see people making when productizing their services.

Want to wow your clients and have them super pumped to get started working with you?What do YOU think is more important?Value or Experience?Well, I just finished putting together this 10 minute Youtube Video on "3 Things To Automate When you Get A New Client".

Now, I have more than 100 videos but this was my 100th after my official "reboot" if you can call it that.  Anyway, I polled our free facebook group and asked them what I should talk about for the 100th episode and it was THIS!Since launching the channel, so many amazing things have happened to me and our business.  It's helped in more ways than I can imagine.  But, I also had a few false starts.  That being said, I've learned a lot and boiled it down into my top 10 learning lessons.

Building assetsDesigning systems that make our lives easierCreating a process for feeding the above systems with the required inputsIf you literally do these three things over and over across the 5 growth levers in your business, you’ll be building a business that can run and grow without you. And you’ll get to choose how often you work and what you focus on when you do. This is what I'm doing. It’s working for me. I think it will work for you. Check it out. 

In today's episode I want to share a common mistake among agency owners and service providers that happens often without them even realizing it. It’s usually the very thing preventing people from hitting their desired goals. I’ve been guilty of it. You might too. If you don’t do something about it, it will eventually take you out of the game…Unless you give up before that. 

Since April we’ve brought on 5 new people to our sales team, transitioned my Executive Assistant into a Sales Coordinator, and hired a Media buyer.  That’s 6 new people in the last 90-120 days.While we’re not perfect, I've put together a video breaking down how we train and onboard new people so they are making an impact quickly.  

Time blocking isn’t a set it and forget it thing. In fact, I’ve had to change my “ideal workweek” multiple times in the last 90 days. Covid? Fix my cal. Growing team?  Fix my cal. Have a baby? Fix my cal. Hire more people? Fix my cal. There are a lot of reasons to use time blocking so this isn’t a video on how to time block but I wanted to share two tips that made it work way better for me while dealing with client deadlines. 

That’s what my buddy asked me the other day. He runs a multiple 7 figure coaching business and we were texting back and forth catching up on what was working / not working for our businesses and we both have been experiencing some of our best months ever and both growing quickly. It was such a simple but brilliant question that I think more of us need to be asking those ahead of us. It helps shorten the learning curve. Today’s episode is a video I shared with our private clients about this. 

The crazy thing —  many agency owners are wasting valuable time talking to unqualified prospects.Worse, many take on the wrong clients because they have no idea where the next client is coming from.Is that you? In today’s video I break down 6 things you can do to increase the quality of your clients.

I’m not talking about a Pay-In-Full savings…I’m talking about you made an offer of X and the client wouldn’t move forward unless you offered it for Y. Y was less than X and deep down you didn’t want to do it, but you did just to get the client. Have ya done that? If so, this is THE BIGGEST MISTAKE I see agency owners making today. Listen today where I break down why and what you should do instead. 

It’s super interesting when we get an agency owner that comes to us wanting to make a change in how they deliver their work. They are burnt out selling their time-for-money and exhausted on the fulfillment hamster wheel that comes with serving their clients. Then they hear me talk about productizing or adding a consulting offering that’s more done-with-you and they say “I want that but I just don’t know how it will work for ME!!!!”. Well, I put together a video where I share the ONE question you really need to ask before moving forward. Getting clear on this in my business unlocked our growth allowing us to double our revenue and profit in less than 10 months. 

I’m drowning in client work and don’t have any time for my personal lifeI’m having some big months but it’s not sustainable unless I fix fulfillmentI’m working myself to deathI’m stuck the day -to day operations and I’m going crazy with all the fire fighting.         If that’s you something needs to change. That’s why I put together this video breaking down 7 tips you can apply to your business starting today. Watch now.Let me know which one you’ll focus on first. 

Things that most owners aren’t good at in the beginning. If you want to grow it will require you to grow as a leader...that means you can’t make immature decisions. Immature businesses change things in the moment. A mature business is predictable, profitable, and more fun. As a mature business owner, you’ll have to change some behaviors and learn to delay your own gratification and learn when it’s the right time to communicate certain things to your team. I share a recent conversation with a mastermind partner who was about to be immature. ;)

In business, it might be an amazing new opportunity but one that doesn’t align with your actual goal at the moment…in which case, you have to say no. So, how do you know what opportunities to say “yes” to and which to say “no” to? Should you hire that salesperson or project manager? Should you invest in that coach or mentor? Should you get an office? Should you move? In this video, I want to break down 3 questions you can ask yourself to make better decisions…A decision-making framework if you will…I use this all the time and hope it serves you. 

Especially, if that pricing model is “time-for-money” better known as “capacity” or “units of time”. At AltAgency we believe you should have multiple ways to serve your clients and understanding the different pricing models and how they might apply to you is crucial if you want to: Escape the agency hamster wheelStop trading time for moneyAdd new revenue streams that are more profitableGet paid for your thinking...and a whole lot more. We have seen a huge benefit of this in our own business as well as our clients. When something like Covid happens or even a recession...one of the first things to get cut is labor. So, only pricing your services based off of labor leaves you at risk and unfortunately, many agency owners felt it recently and many continue to deal with that aftermath. Now is the time to add on a new revenue stream and pricing model to diversify how you get paid. 

We meet with our Academy clients 4 times per year in person where we cover the latest training in client acquisition, sales, delivery, systems, automation, etc. But we also cover key lessons we learned in our business in an “open the kimono” style session we call “The Fireside Chat”. In today’s episode, you’ll listen in as I share a key principle that allowed us to back to back to back to back record months. 

4 times a year we bring our private clients together to work on their business for two powerful days and plan their next 90 days. During that time we open up the kimono and share what’s been working for us and the lessons we’ve learned in our own business. I wanted to share a short clip from one March intensive where I broke down a key lesson that you’ll have to understand in order to grow. It’s counterintuitive but it will unlock the next level of growth in your agency. 

Have you found yourself saying that to yourself, %FIRSTNAME%? Week in and week out I talk to agency owners who would actually be growing if they just did for themselves what they do for their clients…But, they never “get around to it”. It’s the classic story of the Cobbler's kids have no shoes. Well, here’s some tough love for ya in today’s video. If you are the business owner, you MUST become a MARKETER. To become a marketer you have to become a PRODUCER. If you’re not creating marketing assets that position you as an authority you’ll never have people coming to you on-demand. If you never know where the next client is coming from….listen now