show episodes
 
What would you do if you were starting today? To help, here are half-baked startup ideas, growth marketing tactics, and stories from founders and creators - including my own journey as a bootstrapped business owner. All of the content is centered around helping founders, creators, and investors starting today.
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Growing an agency is very difficult, and you might feel unclear what to do next in order to grow and scale your agency. The Smart Agency Masterclass is a weekly podcast for agencies that are wanting to grow faster. We interview amazing guests from all over the world that have the experience of running successful businesses, and will provide you the insights you need. Our podcast is just over 3 years old, and have reached more than a half million listeners in 42 countries.
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(Since 8/30/2005) What do tens of thousands of digital photos and hundreds of hours of digital video from Disney and other theme parks across America have to do with an audio-only Podcast? Not much, so here it is. Original audio ride thrus from Disneyland and Walt Disney World attractions, and Iowa's Adventureland (Altoona). NEW VOICEMAIL: (515) 999-0227
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show series
 
Are you seeking the best approach to train your sales team? Have you considered implementing a foot-in-the-door offer? Today’s featured guest reflects on past mistakes made while attempting to step away from sales, and shares a recent success could lead to a complete overhaul of the sales funnel, resulting in a tenfold increase in the closing rate.…
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Are you planning to buy an agency as a growth strategy? Or, do you want to make your agency attractive to potential buyers? Today’s guest started his agency journey by buying an agency as an exit from his previous career in venture capitalism. He purposely sought out agencies, seeing them as cash flow machines. He looks back on that process and off…
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On this episode, Jim is joined by Bradley Hammer to discuss his journey from a corporate burnout to business architect. Jim and Bradley focus on the mindset transformation entrepreneurs need to grow from a rainmaker to architect. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODE From burnout to success Rainmaker vs architect An OS for your business Common mistak…
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Are you making a mark in your specific niche? Have you taken the necessary steps to elevate your brand and attract your ideal customers? Our guest today, a seasoned agency owner with fourteen years of experience working with influencers believes these are areas where agencies could learn from influencers, who by heavily focusing on developing their…
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Are you considering narrowing your focus in the near future, or do you prefer to retain the flexibility to take advantage of growth opportunities in specific sectors? Our featured guest established a PR agency by recognizing the potential to connect forward-thinking companies with journalists. In the current uncertain economic climate, she opts for…
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This week, Jim is joined by Will Hughes as he shares his unique framework for encouraging creative thinking and solutions for entrepreneurs. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODE Creating liquid mind Harnessing frameworks Breaking thought patterns Using another perspective Exposure to different ways of thinking Copy culture Oxford framework Specific …
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Is your agency prepared for a strategic acquisition to accelerate its growth? What advantages does an acquisition offer compared to organic growth? Do you have the necessary resources to navigate the acquisition process while ensuring the continued growth of your agency? Our featured guest today will discuss his ongoing acquisition process, outlini…
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Do you run a virtual agency or a more traditional in-office business? It all comes down to what suits your and your team’s work style, and one agency owner has found a way to incentivize in-office days. She also shares the lessons learned after two big clients left within weeks of each other. This feature guest has constantly been evolving and adap…
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What does it take to be truly remarkable? Do you struggle with imposter syndrome? Even uber-successful entrepreneurs like Guy Kawasaki have had those moments. Transitioning from corporate giants like Apple, Inc. to crafting a legacy of remarkability, he has devoted the latter part of his career to unraveling the essence of extraordinary achievement…
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This week, Jim shares a framework for how to 2x your business in 10 minutes and gets tactical with 9 tools to implement today. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODE Double your business in 10 minutes Comfort Work Trap Leverage and Naval 9 Tools to 2x your business Case study: Neat Apparel Case Study: GrowthHit Upcoming tools Resources: Growth Marketi…
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Have you considered the potential for growth through a strategic acquisition? How do you anticipate the agency owner's role evolving during an acquisition process? What steps can be taken to ensure a seamless integration once the deal is finalized? Our featured guest today has undergone a significant transformation, transitioning from white label t…
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Are you the bottleneck in your own agency's growth? Does the weight of every decision rest on your shoulders, leaving you overworked and your team underutilized? This guest is a successful agency owner who found himself in the industry after being laid off during the global economic crisis. He turned this setback into an opportunity and started his…
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This week, Jim shares a talk he gave on a unique but enviable problem his business has developed: selling out of all their product. Jim gets tactical on exactly how to get to this point and what to do once you've arrived. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODE The problem Five point system Validating your readiness Crafting a unique proposition Creati…
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Have you ever felt like a broken record with your team? Do you find yourself repeating the agency's goals and vision, only to be met with glazed-over expressions? Have you effectively communicated the agency’s direction and vision? It’s a common struggle for agency owners to feel they’re desperately trying to rally the troops behind a unified purpo…
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What do you think is holding you back from scaling your agency? Have you received coaching? And if you have, have you implemented their recommended measures? On today’s episode we talk about agency owners’ accountability and why reaching out for help can be useless unless you understand what you want. Scaling an agency is hardly something you can d…
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This week Jim is featured on the What Are You Made Of? Podcast. Jim shares his experiences in identifying and leveraging byproducts of existing business models and the potential pitfalls of shiny object syndrome among founders. Resources: GrowthHit Jim Huffman website Jim's Linkedin Jim's Twitter Additional episodes you might enjoy: Startup Ideas b…
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Are you establishing genuine connections with your target audience and clients? Have you developed a compelling brand narrative that resonates with your audience to cultivate a dedicated following? Our featured guest today played a pivotal role in shaping the iconic brand identity of Red Bull, which has become a benchmark for creating captivating c…
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Do you have a clear understanding of the client acquisition channels needed to grow your agency? Is your agency vulnerable to leadership or a client leaving? Today’s guest built his agency working with venture capitalists and private equity firms and found great success in that area, so much so that he never worried about client acquisition again. …
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Do you feel trapped in an operation tunnel vision? Are you ready to shift your attention toward strategies for agency growth? Our guest today initially viewed strategy sessions as a luxury she could only afford once her agency had achieved significant success. However, upon receiving guidance from a coach to address alignment issues, she and her pa…
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In this episode, Pranav Dalal, CEO of Flowz, shares his entrepreneurial journey and discusses predictable revenue. Dalal offers specifics on using unique event marketing techniques, such as holding business meetings in stadium suites to attract clients and provides insights on adapting to global talent trends and navigating business growth phases. …
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Are you considering starting an agency but feel like it might be too late to do so? Our featured guest today had a thriving career in PR and successfully managed an agency for nearly two decades before deciding the missing piece in that career was building and growing her own agency. With an extensive client network who already knew and trusted her…
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What does it take for an agency to not only survive but thrive over decades? What mindset and approach enabled this agency owner to pivot and leverage new opportunities? In the challenging world of business, most companies struggle to reach the one-year mark, with even fewer making it to the five-year milestone. Hence, for an agency to make it beyo…
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Are you interested in breaking away from conventional agency practices? Do you want an agency structure that best suits your team? Today’s guest established her agency right after college, without any prior experience working in an agency. She designed her agency's structure based on what felt right for her team rather than following standard indus…
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GrowthHit Creative Director Angela Brugioni stops by to get incredibly tactical with Jim on how they've successfully increased the AOV and conversion rate for their new brand Neat with changes to Neat's website. Watch the Youtube video to see the website designs: LINK HERE TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODE The importance of budget allocation How …
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Is the fear of failure the driving force that keeps you striving towards your goals? For too many agency owners, the relentless stress of this life corrodes their drive, fueling an unhealthy obsession with avoiding defeat at all costs. Putting together a great team and taking the time to stop and figure things out is often the only way to get out o…
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Have you ever wondered what it takes to scale an agency from millions to tens of millions in revenue? Or how to successfully pivot from services to products? Today's guest has walked that path - not once but twice. He’s built two successful agencies with the mission to lift brands up, tell compelling stories and recognize new products. As he reflec…
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Yonathan joins Jim to chat about how AI is and will continue to impact the marketing and e-commerce world. They discuss some of their favorite new tools as well as tips on how to stay relevant as AI continues to get better. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODE Will AI take your job? Differentiating in an AI world AI strengths Usable skillsets Intera…
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Are you debating the value of building your brand? Perhaps you're wary of the effort needed to establish your identity, only to feel confined to your business once you become the face of the agency. Our guest today specializes in helping clients effectively brand themselves and elevate their agencies. He understands the common fears and reservation…
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Are you striving to refine your selling strategy and cultivate enduring client relationships that stand the test of time? How can you elevate your approach to not just closing deals but fostering long-term partnerships that drive mutual growth and success? Today's guest started her business with the idea of embodying a strategic dance of trust, val…
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Jim introduces his new business partner, Claudio Storelli. Claudio shares his amazing entrepreneurial journey which includes graduating from Stanford at the age of 20 and making it to the pinnacle of the Wall Street finance world before pivoting to become an entrepreneur and brand builder. He and Jim share tactical insights from their new partnersh…
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Do you treat your team like employees or like people? Every agency owner should recognize the immense value of their team and ensure they are treated with the utmost respect. This may entail parting ways with toxic clients, as the well-being of your team is irreplaceable. Our guest today faced challenging times during the pandemic when they had to …
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Will Rush CEO of Jetson joins to get tactical on how to raise money and grow an audience in the consumer tech space. Will talks about how to get investors interested to get funding and the importance of community growth after launch. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODE Duolingo for entrepreneurs Raising money: Go time How to stand out with your pit…
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Are you prepared to elevate your agency team and pave the path to success? As your agency expands, the need to grow your team becomes inevitable, and having standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place beforehand can save you a lot of headaches. Today’s guest went through a rapid growth phase with his agency and found he was ill-prepared to delega…
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Is your agency work affecting your family life? Are you challenged by finding the right talent to assemble a team to take over some of the work? Today’s guest thought she’d always be a solopreneur but as her workload mounted, she realized she needed reinforcements to maintain her level of service and keep clients coming back. Getting the right tale…
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Robert Nelson of Just Mystic clothing joins to discuss how he's built and incredibly successful apparel brand by bucking the trend and starting from a brick and mortar location. Robert discusses the tactics he used as well as the strategy and data analysis behind his approach. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODE Using a location to build a brand D2…
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Do you prioritize new clients or building lasting relationships? Would you be willing to lose money on a client in order to build a long-lasting relationship? Today’s guest has built two successful agencies banking on the power of planning for the long term instead of focusing just on the numbers. She’ll explain how she and her partner formed their…
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What sets high-performing agencies apart from their low-performing counterparts? How are you positioning your agency for success? Our guest today is a seasoned business executive with extensive experience in product marketing and sales leadership. In his current role, he collaborates with agencies and gains insights into what separates successful o…
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Jim is joined by Alex Back of Couch.com and Apt2b to discuss the strategy and tactics of bootstrapping and growing an E-Com business. Alex covers everything from the importance of buying the right domain to the underrated nature of earnouts. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODE Why couches How much is a domain worth Building traffic SEO and organic …
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What would you do if you sold your agency tomorrow? Are you clear enough on your purpose that you could keep on creating value? Today’s guest is the founder of a beloved app that changed the way people drive nowadays. He eventually sold that company but hasn’t stopped looking for ways to improve people’s lives through his startups. He’ll share what…
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Does your onboarding process set new hires up for success from day one? Do you believe the hardest part of adding new team members is the hiring process? Today’s guest believes most business owners disregard the importance of the onboarding process, which can affect a new hire’s chances of success in the agency. He goes over the many aspects you sh…
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This week we get to be a fly on the wall for one of Jim's recent talks at the iconic startup accelerator Techstars. Jim talks nitty gritty tactics about customer personas, best in class case studies, and funnel strategies before answering some specific questions from new startup owners. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODE TechStars growth tactics C…
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Is the fear of failure holding you back from taking the first steps to establish your brand? Are you hesitating to start a podcast because you believe it would only be worthwhile if it garners millions of downloads? Our guest today is a true trailblazer in the podcast industry, having successfully built a thriving agency around his initial decision…
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Do you want to sell your agency at some point? Do you know where you want to take your business before you’re ready to search for a partnership? Today’s guest started his agency at just twenty-three years old and was ready to sell ten years later, when his business was thriving and had a solid position in a coveted niche. However, the selling proce…
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Have you ever doubted your ability to steer your agency toward greatness? Does your team follow your lead on the decisions you make to get there? Many agency owners face this internal battle, questioning if they truly have what it takes to lead their business to new heights. Today’s guest has conquered those self-doubts and forged an unwavering con…
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This week, Yonathan joins to discuss Jesse Pujji's recent tweet storm outlining 17 controversial beliefs about business. Jim and Yonathan discuss what they agree (and disagree) with and pull out the best takeaways to implement in their own lives. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODE Who is Jesse Pujji Candor, Clarity, and Brevity vs intelligence Bus…
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Do you fear missed opportunities if you define a niche or turn away less-than-ideal prospects? Today’s guest started his agency as a college student and pivoted to digital services as the internet barely became a thing. One of the biggest shifts and struggles in his journey has been overcoming the fear of tuning down revenue and letting go of the n…
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Are you struggling to keep your clients happy and retain their business? How do you prepare your team to create the best client experience? In today's competitive market, delivering an exceptional client experience is paramount. Our guest today is a true master of client service, leading a team laser-focused on understanding each client's unique ne…
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Jim is joined by Ryan Rock to discuss how Ryan turned an inside joke started during COVID into a 7 figure business through unique combination of UGC and digital marketing and Pop-ups. TOPICS DISCUSSED IN TODAY’S EPISODE Fatboy Origins Milestones Keys to growth Micro influencing tactics Pop-up marketing Clubs and communities UGC strategy Resources: …
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Would you say your agency is like your baby? Could you be so emotionally attached to your business that you may be stifling its growth? Today’s guest will share his experience growing an agency and the turning points that allowed him to make real progress in its growth. From learning to communicate his agency's vision in a way that inspired buy-in …
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As an agency owner, have you explored the possibilities of content creation? Has it proven effective in building an audience or generating leads? Today’s guest is an agency owner who has been writing books and collaborating with different publications for years. However, he finds that, for marketers, content doesn’t really bring a lot of leads. For…
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