Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help digital agencies escape the project-based rollercoaster and build predictable, recurring revenue.

In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean breaks down why traditional high-pressure sales tactics just don't work, and how to close more deals with less resistance by building trust with leads.

If you want to find more clients without feeling salesy, build trust with leads so that they finally stop ghosting you, and create a business where people want to buy from you and your team, then this episode is for you.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode:

• Why People Don’t Like Being Sold To
• How To Close More Deals With Less Resistance
• Make the Client Feel Like It’s Their Idea
• Help the Client Understand It’s Their Idea
• Why You Need to Stop Chasing Clients

Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction
02:12 - We Love To Buy Once We’ve Found Something That We Want
03:06 - Offer Market Fit
08:57 - Common Reasons People Don’t Buy
12:05 - Make the Client Feel Like It’s Their Idea
13:24 - Lead with Value, Not Features
19:23 - Stop Chasing Clients
20:12 - Be So Valuable People Seek You Out
24:38 - Three Ways To Close More Deals Without Selling
28:45 - Paid Discovery and Growth Plans

Handy Links

The AI Advantage - https://go.agencymavericks.com/event-ai-implementation (Virtual event)
E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericks
WP Remote - https://wpremote.com

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Take this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next.
Gameplan.agencymavericks.com

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Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help web design and digital agency owners create abundance for themselves, their teams, and their communities.

In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean chats with Stephen Schneider, co-founder and CEO of Trio SEO, about the future of SEO in the age of AI. They discuss whether AI will completely take over SEO or if human expertise will still play a crucial role. They also explore who we're really optimizing for in today's search landscape, the importance of relevant search volume, and practical steps to integrate SEO into your agency's offerings.

If you're an agency owner wondering about the role of AI in SEO, how to prove the value of SEO to clients, or how to build a successful SEO service offering, this episode is a must-listen.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode

• The future of SEO in the age of AI.
• The importance of relevant search volume and high-intent keywords.
• Practical steps to integrate SEO into your agency's offerings.
• How to prove and communicate the value of SEO to clients.
• Strategies for dealing with clients whose sales teams aren't utilizing leads effectively.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Stephen Schneider and Trio SEO
02:59 - The Genesis of Trio SEO and Identifying a Market Gap
04:34 - The Impact of AI on SEO and the Human Element
06:18 - The Evolution of Search and Optimizing for LLMs
08:27 - The Importance of Authoritative Content and Credibility
12:43 - The Future of Search and User Experience
14:36 - Identifying Clients Who Are Not a Good Fit for Content Strategy
16:32 - Proving the Value of SEO and Retaining Clients
21:08 - Addressing Sales Team Inefficiency and Lead Utilization
24:34 - Strategies for Businesses with Low or No Search Volume Keywords
28:53 - Key Considerations for Adding SEO to Your Agency Offering
31:11 - Building an Effective SEO Team and White Labeling Services
35:36 - Staying Up-to-Date with SEO Trends and Best Practices
39:06 - Stephen's Content Strategy on LinkedIn
40:31 - Stephen's Biggest Frustration and Excitement
44:16 - Outro and Next Week's Guest

Handy Links

Trio SEO: https://trioseo.com/
The AI Advantage - https://go.agencymavericks.com/event-ai-implementation (Virtual event)
E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericks
WP Remote - https://wpremote.com

Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your Agency

Take this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next.
Gameplan.agencymavericks.com

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YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram |

Welcome back to The Agency Hour, where we help digital agencies escape the project-based rollercoaster and build predictable, recurring revenue.

In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean breaks down the exact roadmap to adding $20,000 in monthly recurring revenue to your agency—whether you’re just starting out, scaling past $100K/month, or somewhere in between. You’ll learn how to escape the one-time project trap, transition to a scalable revenue model, and position yourself as a high-value strategic partner instead of a freelancer.

If you want to escape the freelancer mindset, build a sustainable, scalable agency, and finally achieve financial freedom, this episode is a must-listen.

What You’ll Discover in This Episode

• Why One-Time Projects Keep You Stuck – The hidden danger of unpredictable revenue.
• Why Retainers Aren’t the Best Solution – Stop trading time for money and sell outcomes instead.
• How to Package & Price Recurring Revenue Services – Three proven models that work for any agency.
• The No-Brainer Pitch for Recurring Clients – A simple way to make your offer an easy yes.
• How to Transition Existing Clients Into Recurring Plans – Turn past clients into long-term revenue.
• The Secret to Selling Without Resistance – A risk-reversal strategy that eliminates hesitation.
• How to Scale Without Overworking – Automate, delegate, and systemize for profitable growth.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction
02:45 - The Importance of Recurring Revenue
05:30 - Common Pitfalls in Agency Models
08:15 - Transitioning from Retainers to Value-Based Pricing
11:00 - Crafting the Right Offer for Recurring Revenue
14:00 - Packaging and Pricing for Profit
17:30 - The No-Brainer Pitch Strategy
20:15 - Starting with Existing Clients
23:00 - Automating and Scaling for Profitability
26:00 - Recap and Actionable Steps
29:30 - Outro and Exciting Announcements

Handy Links

The AI Advantage - https://go.agencymavericks.com/event-ai-implementation (Virtual event)
E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericks
WP Remote - https://wpremote.com

Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your Agency

Take this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next.
Gameplan.agencymavericks.com

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YouTube | Facebook |

Welcome to the first episode of 2025! We’re kicking off the year with a deep dive into one of the most pressing topics in the agency world: AI. Will it replace creative roles? Will clients bypass agencies for AI tools? Or is it the ultimate tool to help you scale, boost creativity, and increase profits?

In this episode, Troy Dean breaks down the real impact of AI on agencies—cutting through the fear and focusing on the opportunities. Plus, we’re unveiling some exciting changes to The Agency Hour podcast, including more in-depth training, frameworks, and insights from the Agency Mavericks team.

Whether you’re an AI skeptic or an enthusiast, this episode will give you a clear game plan to future-proof your agency and use AI as a growth accelerator rather than a competitor.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• AI Isn’t Coming for Your Job—But It Will Change How You Work
• How to Use AI to Increase Profits Without Lowering Prices
• The #1 Most Valuable Skill Agencies Need to Stay Relevant
• Why Strategy & Relationships Will Always Win Over Automation
• How Agencies Are Already Using AI to Save 15+ Hours a Week
• The 3 Biggest AI Myths That Are Holding Agencies Back
• Practical Steps to Integrate AI Without Overcomplicating Your Workflow

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction and AI Fears
03:00 - Changes in the Agency Hour Podcast
06:00 - Partnerships with E2M and WP Remote
09:30 - Addressing AI Concerns and Misconceptions
13:00 - AI as a Tool, Not a Threat
17:00 - Enhancing Productivity and Creativity with AI
21:00 - Busting AI Myths and Strategic Integration
24:00 - Conclusion and Future Opportunities

Handy Links

The AI Advantage - https://go.agencymavericks.com/event-ai-implementation (Virtual event)
E2M Solutions - https://www.e2msolutions.com/agency-mavericks
WP Remote - https://wpremote.com

Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your Agency

Take this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next.
Gameplan.agencymavericks.com

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In this episode of The Agency Hour, Johnny Flash sits down with Thomas Amos, Founder of Design Box Studios and coach at Agency Mavericks, to explore how AI is revolutionizing the way agencies operate. Thomas shares his journey of embracing AI to transform daily workflows, save time, and enhance client experiences.

Johnny and Thomas dive into the tools and strategies that have reshaped Thomas’s agency, including creating custom GPTs for SOPs, email follow-ups, and digital roadmaps, which cut hours of work down to minutes. They discuss the power of using AI as an assistant rather than a replacement, sharing practical insights into how tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Fathom can amplify productivity while retaining a human touch.

Thomas opens up about the challenges of balancing innovation with quality and offers actionable advice for agency owners looking to stay ahead of the AI curve. From AI-assisted SEO content creation to voice-activated task management, the conversation highlights the endless possibilities for integrating AI into your business.

The discussion also looks ahead to the future of AI, including advancements in video editing, voice command integration, and personalized digital assistants that could revolutionize agency operations. Thomas’s candid insights and practical tips make this episode a must-listen for anyone eager to harness AI’s potential to work smarter, not harder.

Whether you’re curious about AI’s role in agency life or ready to implement new tools to streamline your workflow, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable strategies.

Handy Links

Design Box

Paid Discovery

Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your Agency

Take this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next.
Gameplan.agencymavericks.com

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In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean sits down with Jamie Kritharas, Founder of Defiant Digital, to discuss how he transformed his career from international DJ to leading one of Australia’s top digital agencies.

Jamie shares his journey of building Defiant Digital from scratch, helping over 300 businesses generate hundreds of millions in revenue by combining creativity with performance marketing.

Troy and Jamie explore the challenges and triumphs of scaling a remote team of 30 A-players, the importance of aligning creative with ad performance, and how Jamie built a business that thrives without him.

Jamie reveals the mindset shifts and practical strategies that helped him step out of day-to-day client work, create a thriving team culture, and protect his agency by firing toxic clients.

The conversation also dives into Defiant Digital’s client acquisition strategies, the tools they use to maintain team cohesion in a remote environment, and Jamie’s approach to fostering a team-first culture.

Jamie’s candid insights and actionable advice are a must-listen for anyone looking to scale their agency sustainably while maintaining creative excellence.

Whether you’re an agency owner looking to step out of the weeds or an entrepreneur ready to build a business that runs without you, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration.

Handy Links:

Defiant Digital

Paid Discovery

WIX

Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your Agency

Take this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next.
Gameplan.agencymavericks.com

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In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean sits down with Brandon Leibowitz, Founder of SEO Optimizers, to discuss how digital marketing is evolving in the AI era and what it means for agency owners and marketers. Brandon shares his proven strategies for driving traffic, building authority, and adapting to rapid technological changes like AI-driven content and search engine advancements.

Handy Links:

SEO Optimizers

Paid Discovery

WIX

Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your Agency

Take this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next.
Gameplan.agencymavericks.com

Follow us on the socials:

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In this episode of The Agency Hour, Troy Dean sits down with Cannon Carr, Regional Director and Partner at EP Wealth, to explore strategic wealth-building and financial independence for agency owners. Cannon shares his innovative “Three R’s Framework” — Reinvest, Reward, and Repurpose — designed to help business owners create wealth beyond the agency, while building a sustainable, scalable business model.

Troy and Cannon dive deep into the crucial steps every agency owner should take to diversify income and protect their financial future. Cannon discusses why relying solely on agency profits isn’t enough and provides actionable insights on how to reinvest wisely for growth, reward yourself sustainably, and repurpose income to build a financial safety net outside of the agency. The conversation covers everything from creating a succession plan, to making your business less dependent on you, to planning for a profitable exit strategy on your terms.

Key highlights include Cannon’s advice on using diversified investments to secure financial freedom, understanding how to scale a business beyond the founder’s role, and navigating the complexities of selling or passing on an agency. Cannon explains how to avoid common pitfalls and use financial planning to turn an agency into a wealth-building engine that supports the owner’s lifestyle and goals.

Whether you’re an agency owner looking to grow, exit, or simply build a solid financial foundation, this episode is packed with essential strategies to help you secure long-term wealth and independence. // HANDY

Handy Links:

EP Wealth

Cannon Carr LinkedIn

Paid Discovery

WIX

Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your Agency

Take this online assessment and get recommendations based on more than 10 years of experience helping 4K+ agencies. This stuff works. Reduce the overwhelm and know exactly what to do next.
Gameplan.agencymavericks.com

Follow us on the socials:

YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin