Building a Proactive VA Team with Lawrence Wong & Joel Keddie

In this episode of The Agency Hour Podcast, Johnny Flash sits down with Laura Elizabeth, seasoned web designer and founder of Client Portal, to unpack the transformative power of paid discovery in building profitable, streamlined client relationships. Laura shares her journey from freelance web design to launching Client Portal, a WordPress plugin that simplifies client communication and helps agencies deliver a professional, high-touch experience. Johnny and Laura dive deep into the role of paid discovery as a critical tool for qualifying clients, setting clear project expectations, and minimizing scope creep. Laura explains how paid discovery not only weeds out low-commitment clients but also positions agencies as trusted advisors from the very start. She shares insights on structuring paid discovery sessions, creating actionable digital roadmaps, and effectively communicating project scope to ensure mutual alignment. They also explore best practices for creating a seamless client onboarding process that sets the stage for long-term partnerships. Laura emphasizes small, impactful touches—like reusable email templates, regular project check-ins, and thoughtful offboarding—as key to maintaining client satisfaction and generating repeat business. In this practical episode, Johnny and Laura highlight how agencies can elevate their client experience by implementing client portals to keep files, links, and deliverables organized in one accessible location, helping clients feel informed without overwhelming them. From templates for difficult conversations to strategies for securing referrals, this conversation is full of actionable advice for agencies aiming to improve client communication and increase efficiency. Whether you’re an agency owner or a freelancer looking to streamline client management, this episode provides essential tips for turning leads into loyal clients and maximizing agency profitability.   Handy Links Wix Paid Discovery HighLevel Client Portal Laura’s Twitter: @lauraelizdunn   Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake 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

In this episode of The Agency Hour Podcast, Johnny Flash sits down with Vladimer Botsvadze, a world-renowned social media influencer, keynote speaker, and startup advisor, to discuss how AI is reshaping personal branding and content creation. Vladimer shares his journey from growing his Twitter following to over 57,000 followers through consistent organic efforts, to becoming a leading authority in digital marketing and AI-powered brand building. He highlights how the modern marketing landscape is all about balancing automation with authentic human connection. Johnny and Vladimer dive deep into the challenges and opportunities of leveraging AI for content creation, with Vladimer advocating for producing 40-50 pieces of content daily across multiple platforms using AI tools. He explains how AI can help streamline marketing efforts, boost productivity, and scale businesses, while also emphasizing the importance of maintaining a consumer-centric approach to foster trust and loyalty. They also explore the importance of personal branding in 2024, especially in a marketplace where consumers are bombarded with advertisements and seek genuine connections with brands. Vladimer introduces cutting-edge AI tools like Perplexity and Mixo.io, which are helping businesses build websites and create content at unprecedented speeds. He provides insights into how agencies can stand out by focusing on storytelling, emotional connection, and delivering value to their audience. In this insightful episode, Vladimer and Johnny also discuss how AI will impact job roles in marketing, how to stay ahead of the curve by embracing AI, and why building a personal brand is crucial for long-term success in a competitive digital world. Whether you’re an agency owner looking to scale content creation, harness AI for business growth, or build a personal brand that resonates with your audience, this episode is packed with actionable insights.     Handy Links: Vladimer Botsvadze Wix Paid Discovery HighLevel     Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake 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

In this episode of The Agency Hour Podcast, Troy Dean sits down with Tom Fanelli, Founder and CEO of Convesio, a niche platform built on WordPress that empowers e-commerce businesses and agencies to scale and grow seamlessly. Tom shares his journey from being an early customer of WordPress to becoming a specialist in hosting solutions for high-traffic e-commerce sites. He discusses how Convesio offers a unique, full-stack alternative to traditional hosting platforms, including specialized support through Convesio Convert (a marketing automation platform) and Convesio Pay (a new payment processing solution). Troy and Tom dive deep into the complexities of managing high-performance WordPress sites and how Convesio’s expert team helps agencies by acting as a technical SWAT team. Tom explains the critical differences between Convesio and other hosting companies like SiteGround or WP Engine, emphasizing Convesio’s ability to scale sites for clients who demand top-notch performance and reliability. They also explore Convesio Convert, a marketing automation tool designed to work seamlessly with WordPress and WooCommerce, offering website personalization and behavior-triggered marketing. Tom introduces Convesio Pay, a revolutionary payment solution that not only simplifies payment processing for e-commerce stores but also offers agencies a new revenue stream by sharing a portion of the payment processing fees. In this insightful episode, Tom and Troy discuss the challenges within the WordPress ecosystem, the impact of AI on digital marketing, and why AI could "ruin" written content. Tom provides valuable advice for agencies on how to differentiate themselves by building strong, community-focused brands. Whether you're an agency owner struggling with complex e-commerce solutions, looking to provide value-added services like payment processing, or seeking to leverage AI for business growth, this episode is a must-listen. Handy Links: Convesio Paid Discovery HighLevel 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. https://mvrx.link/yt-gp-p Follow us on the socials: YouTube | Facebook | FB Group | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin

In this episode of The Agency Hour Podcast, Troy Dean welcomes Lawrence Wong and Joel Keddie, co-founders of VA Hub PRO, a virtual assistant (VA) agency that connects digital agencies with highly skilled VAs trained in platforms like GoHighLevel, Zapier, Closedbot, and more. Lawrence and Joel share their journey from being scammed multiple times when hiring VAs to building a trusted VA agency that helps agencies scale effectively by focusing on specialized talent. Lawrence and Joel delve into the common pitfalls agencies face when trying to delegate tasks and highlight the importance of hiring VAs with focused expertise, rather than relying on one person to handle multiple roles. By fostering a proactive, supportive company culture, they’ve created a VA team that operates as an extension of their clients' businesses, driving growth and efficiency. Troy and his guests also discuss how leveraging automation platforms like GoHighLevel and tools like Closedbot can significantly enhance agency workflows, freeing up time for strategic work. They explore how pairing VAs with account managers can help agencies scale by relieving the burden of technical tasks and improving client satisfaction. This episode is filled with practical advice for agency owners looking to delegate effectively, build a remote team, and scale their business. Lawrence and Joel’s experience offers valuable lessons for any agency aiming to overcome bottlenecks and unlock growth through virtual assistants and automation. Whether you're struggling to let go of day-to-day tasks, seeking the right VA to support your business, or looking to integrate automation tools like GoHighLevel, this episode provides a wealth of actionable insights and expert guidance to help your agency grow efficiently. Handy Links: VA Hub PRO Paid Discovery HighLevel WIX Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake 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

In this episode of The Agency Hour Podcast, Johnny Flash sits down with Rachel Hernandez, Marketing Director at The Hoth, a leading SEO service provider, to discuss the evolving landscape of SEO and the impact of AI on digital marketing. With over eight years at The Hoth, Rachel shares her expertise on the most effective link-building strategies, debunking common myths around link exchanges and diving into the nuances of guest posts and link insertions. Whether you're a DIY freelancer, an agency owner with an in-house team, or someone looking to outsource SEO, Rachel offers invaluable advice on how to prioritize high-quality, high-traffic links that boost search rankings. The conversation also delves into the growing influence of AI-generated content in search results, specifically Google's AI overviews. Rachel explains how businesses can prepare for this shift and optimize their content to stay competitive, providing practical tips for creating long-form, high-value content that gets noticed by both users and search algorithms. Rachel and Johnny also tackle the big question: Should we be using AI to create SEO content? Rachel weighs in on the potential risks, including the possibility of future algorithm changes that could penalize AI-generated content, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a human touch in SEO strategies. This episode is a must-listen for agency owners, freelancers, and digital marketers eager to learn the latest trends in SEO, understand how AI is shaping the industry, and discover actionable strategies to build a sustainable, long-term SEO plan. Handy Links: Paid Discovery HighLevel Convesio The Hoth   Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake 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

In this episode of The Agency Hour Podcast, Troy Dean welcomes Simon Kelly, Director of Seriously Good Design (SGD), a thriving digital marketing and web design agency based in Melbourne. With a deep focus on creating lasting client relationships through strategic roadmaps, Simon shares his journey from managing project-based work to building a sustainable, recurring revenue model that has fuelled significant growth for his agency. Simon delves into the transformative power of digital strategy roadmaps, explaining how they’ve helped SGD move beyond the traditional proposal process to offer clients a comprehensive, long-term plan that drives measurable results. By focusing on strategy over tactics, Simon has been able to streamline operations, align client expectations, and significantly boost both client satisfaction and agency profitability. Troy and Simon also explore the role of AI in modern digital strategies, discussing when and how AI can be effectively integrated into client roadmaps, and when it’s best to stick to proven methods. They share insights on the future of digital agencies, the importance of staying ahead of industry trends, and the potential impact of emerging technologies on client relationships and agency growth. This episode is packed with practical advice for agency owners looking to enhance their strategic approach, build stronger client partnerships, and leverage AI to optimize their operations. Simon’s experience and insights offer valuable lessons for any agency aiming to transition from project-based work to a more stable and scalable revenue model. Whether you’re struggling to create effective strategies, curious about integrating AI into your services, or simply looking for ways to grow your agency sustainably, this episode provides a wealth of actionable insights and expert advice.   Handy Links: MavCon Paid Discovery HighLevel Seriously Good Design WIX Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake 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

In this episode of The Agency Hour Podcast, Troy Dean sits down with Ronik Patel, the visionary founder behind Unlimited WP, which was recently acquired by E2M Solutions. Ronik has spent years perfecting his agency model, specializing in white-label WordPress development for digital agencies. Unlimited WP has evolved from a productized service model into a significant player in the digital space, boasting a team of nearly 90 professionals and over 100 recurring agency clients. In this episode, we dive into the strategic thinking behind building an agency with the intention to sell, the key factors that led to the successful acquisition by E2M, and how Ronik managed to double his agency’s size overnight. Ronik shares insights into the importance of creating systems and processes that make your business attractive to potential buyers, as well as the role of strategic partnerships in scaling an agency quickly. He also opens up about the challenges and opportunities that come with merging two companies, including maintaining brand identity and operational consistency. Discover how Unlimited WP’s innovative approach to WordPress development, combined with a commitment to recurring revenue, positioned them for rapid growth and eventual acquisition. Ronik also discusses the impact of AI on digital agencies, including how AI tools are being integrated into development workflows to enhance efficiency and deliver better client outcomes. Gain practical advice on preparing your agency for sale, building strong industry relationships, and leveraging technology to stay ahead in a competitive market. Ronik’s story is a must-listen for agency owners who are looking to scale, sell, or simply streamline their operations for long-term success. If you’re an agency owner aiming to grow your business, optimize your processes, or explore the potential of AI, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and actionable insights. Handy Links: MavCon Paid Discovery HighLevel   Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake 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

In this episode of The Agency Hour Podcast, join Troy Dean as he chats with Brett Stone and Jeanette Wang, the dynamic team behind Stone Digital. Brett and Jeanette specialize in custom web development projects, particularly WordPress, WooCommerce, and Shopify websites.  Stone Digital excels in delivering bespoke web solutions and has transformed from a solo freelance operation into a thriving agency with a remote team of A-players. Today, we delve into the unique challenges and rewards of running a family business, the strategies they used to grow recurring revenue, and how they successfully manage a distributed team. Brett and Jeanette discuss the intentional steps they took to balance their personal and professional lives, including setting boundaries and seeking external guidance. They reveal the secrets behind their rapid business growth, including the recruitment and retention of top talent, and their methods for ensuring client satisfaction and continuity of service. Discover how Stone Digital has leveraged a subscription-based revenue model to create predictable income streams and provide consistent value to their clients. Brett and Jeanette also share their experiences with using advanced tools and AI to enhance their services and streamline their operations. Learn practical tips on managing remote teams, fostering a strong company culture, and creating effective processes that allow for flexibility and scalability. Brett and Jeanette provide actionable insights on how to navigate the complexities of working with your partner, growing a successful agency, and achieving a harmonious work-life balance. If you're an agency owner looking to optimize your business operations, enhance team productivity, or balance work and family life, this episode is filled with valuable advice and inspiration.  Handy Links: Stone Digital MavCon Paid Discovery HighLevel   Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake 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

In this episode of The Agency Hour Podcast, join Troy Dean as he chats with Cory Brown, Founder and CEO of Simplesat. Cory specializes in helping businesses elevate their customer feedback processes through innovative survey solutions and AI-powered analytics. He provides valuable insights into creating engaging surveys, increasing response rates, and effectively leveraging feedback to drive business improvements. Cory’s company, Simplesat, excels in developing user-friendly surveys and dashboards that allow businesses to analyze and understand customer feedback comprehensively. Today, we dive into the powerful strategies behind successful customer feedback management and the benefits of using advanced tools to enhance customer satisfaction. Cory shares his journey from co-founding Pronto Marketing to building Simplesat into a leading feedback management platform. He discusses the challenges and rewards of starting a SaaS company, the importance of designing effective surveys, and key methods for increasing survey engagement and response rates. Discover how utilizing customer feedback can revolutionize your business’s growth trajectory through strategic planning, effective analysis, and maintaining high client satisfaction. Cory also talks about his passion for creating fun and engaging surveys that not only collect data but also enhance the customer experience. Learn about the importance of measuring Customer Satisfaction (CSAT), Net Promoter Score (NPS), and Customer Effort Score (CES), understanding the analytics behind these metrics, and using this data to make informed business decisions. Cory provides actionable insights on how to get started with customer feedback management, improve your survey strategies, and leverage feedback to scale your business. If you’re looking to optimize your customer feedback process, enhance your service offerings, or scale your operations, this episode is packed with practical advice and valuable insights.   Handy Links:Simplesat MavCon Paid Discovery HighLevel   Get a Personalised Game Plan to Grow Your AgencyTake 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 |

In this episode of The Agency Hour Podcast, join Troy Dean as he chats with Mike Spratt, Managing Director and Owner of Gherkin Media. Mike specialises in helping agencies achieve exponential growth through strategic acquisitions, turning struggling businesses into thriving assets. He provides valuable insights into the acquisition process, sharing practical tips on how to seamlessly integrate new agencies and maximise their potential. Mike’s company, Gherkin Media, excels in acquiring and revitalising small to medium-sized agencies, transforming them into highly profitable ventures. Today, we dive into the powerful strategies behind successful agency acquisitions and the benefits of growing your business through this method. Mike shares his journey from running a single agency to building an Australasian powerhouse through strategic acquisitions. He discusses the challenges and rewards of acquiring other agencies, the importance of due diligence, and the key factors to look for in potential acquisition targets. Discover how acquiring agencies can revolutionise your business’s growth trajectory through strategic planning, effective integration, and maintaining high client satisfaction. Mike also talks about his passion for helping agency owners unlock their potential through innovative acquisition strategies and thoughtful business practices. Learn about the importance of building a sellable business, understanding the financial aspects of acquisitions, and the role of effective communication in ensuring a smooth transition. Mike provides actionable insights on how to get started with acquisitions, mitigate risks, and leverage this strategy to scale your agency. If you’re looking to optimise your agency’s growth, enhance your service offerings, or scale your operations, this episode is packed with practical advice and valuable insights.   Handy Links:Gherkin Media MavCon Paid Discovery HighLevel 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