Agency Bytes Podcast
Agency Bytes is a video podcast series that packs a ton of important agency information on one topic, from one expert into a 25-minute brief.
Why 25 minutes?
Because who has the attention span for much more these days, and you can squeeze in a listen between meetings with time for a bathroom break or coffee refill before your next meeting.
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Ep 110 – James Barnard, Barnard Co – Going Viral: The TikTok Breakthrough
In episode 110 of Agency Bites, I sit down with the incredibly talented James Barnard, a logo designer and design educator based in Australia. We dive deep into his fascinating journey from the publishing world in the UK to building a thriving freelance design business powered by social media — especially TikTok! James shares how he crafted his pricing strategies, attracts qualified leads, and balances freelance life with family life. We also get into his design process, the value of design education today, and how he's expanded his income streams through courses and brand partnerships. Plus, we wrap things up with a few rapid-fire questions that give a glimpse into James's personal side. You won't want to miss this one!
Key Bytes
• James transitioned to graphic design at 25 after a career in publishing.
• Social media, especially TikTok, played a crucial role in his business growth.
• Viral content can significantly increase client leads and visibility.
• Pricing strategies are essential for attracting qualified leads.
• Balancing freelance work with personal life is a priority for James.
• A structured design process leads to higher quality work and client satisfaction.
• Diversifying income streams can alleviate pressure from client work.
• Education in design is evolving with social media as a learning tool.
• James emphasizes the importance of being hands-on in his work.
• Pitching for work is often a waste of time in the design industry.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to James Barnard
02:28 James's Journey into Graphic Design
05:30 The Impact of Social Media on Business
09:52 Going Viral: The TikTok Breakthrough
12:27 Pricing Strategies and Qualified Leads
14:49 Balancing Freelance Work and Personal Life
18:57 Design Process and Client Interaction
25:58 Diversifying Income Streams
30:11 The Value of Design Education
31:37 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts
James Barnard is a logo designer and design educator specializing in creating logos and visual identities with meaning. With over 15 years of experience in the graphic design industry, he began his career in the UK’s publishing sector before transitioning into branding and education.
Passionate about sharing his expertise, James is dedicated to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of designers through his social platforms, where he provides valuable insights, tutorials, and industry knowledge.
https://instagram.com/barnardco/
https://www.tiktok.com/@barnardco
https://www.youtube.com/@barnardco
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrbarnard/
Ep 109 - Tony Wilson, Accquip – Knowing Your Numbers
In episode 109 of Agency Bytes, I sit down with Tony Wilson, founder of Accquip and a financial powerhouse for agencies who want to stop flying blind. Tony shares his story of stepping out of corporate during the Great Resignation and stepping into his passion—helping agency owners build profitable businesses they actually love running.
We break down Days Till Zero, a simple but powerful metric Tony developed to help agency owners understand exactly how long their cash will last—and how to make smarter, proactive decisions before things get tight. Tony also dives into gross margin benchmarks, how overlooked they are, and why net profit alone doesn’t tell the full story.
Plus, we talk through:
• Red light, yellow light, and green light cash benchmarks every owner should know
• Project-level gross margin mistakes (and how to fix them)
• Why time tracking is about clarity, not micromanagement
• Smart investments vs. sitting on cash
If you’re ready to stop reacting and start running your agency with financial confidence, this one’s for you.
Key Bytes
• Tony Wilson's journey reflects the empowerment of agency owners.
• Accquip focuses on educating entrepreneurs about accounting.
• Understanding financial metrics leads to better decision-making.
• Days till zero is a crucial metric for agency health.
• Proactive financial management can prevent crises.
• Cash reserves should be monitored regularly.
• Gross margins are vital for assessing agency profitability.
• Identifying project profitability helps in resource allocation.
• Time tracking provides valuable operational insights.
• Agencies should prioritize selling over playing business.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Agency Bites and Tony Wilson's Journey
01:37 The Concept of Equip and Its Mission
03:46 Understanding Days Till Zero: A Key Metric for Agencies
08:54 Proactive Financial Management for Agencies
11:34 Cash Reserves: Understanding Red, Yellow, and Green Light Zones
14:39 The Importance of Gross Margins in Agency Profitability
18:21 Identifying and Addressing Overhead and Project Profitability
21:02 Tools and Systems for Effective Time Tracking and Financial Management
24:11 Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts
Tony Wilson’s entrepreneurial journey was shaped by three pivotal moments: launching a business with his brother in 2010, witnessing his roommate’s life-changing pivot from carpenter to software developer, and becoming a father—which ignited his drive to lead by example. In 2021, Tony joined “The Great Resignation” to help digital agency owners grow thriving, profitable businesses without sacrificing their well-being. Through Accquip, he is on a mission to empower agency owners to build the businesses they love without going bankrupt in the process.
Contact Tony:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-wilson-cpa/
Ep 095 – Chip Griffin, SAGA – Agency Ownership Pitfalls
In episode 095 of Agency Bytes, I’m joined by Chip Griffin, founder of the Small Agency Growth Alliance (SAGA). With over 30 years of experience as an agency owner and entrepreneur, Chip shares how small PR, marketing, and creative agency owners can build businesses they truly love.
We dig into some of agency owners' pitfalls, including why chasing “copycat goals” and outdated benchmarks often leads to burnout, and why focusing on profit and personal satisfaction is key. Chip also breaks down his “floor-to-ceiling” pricing model, the importance of time tracking, and how finding focus (a.k.a. niching) can make your agency more efficient and profitable. Plus, we discuss how owners can step back from the grind and take control of their day-to-day.
If you’re ready to rethink your approach to running your agency, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you grow sustainably and love what you do. Tune in now!
Key Bytes
• Commit to building a business you want to own.
• Define personal goals to shape your agency.
• Focus on profit, not just revenue or headcount.
• Time tracking is essential for understanding costs.
• Pricing should be based on project budgets and value.
• Finding focus helps improve efficiency and results.
• Agency owners often work too many hours on the wrong tasks.
• Control your day to enhance satisfaction.
• Selling an agency is often not a life-changing event.
• Life is too short to be miserable in your work.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Agency Growth
06:36 The Importance of Time Tracking
12:51 Pricing Strategies for Agencies
19:23 Common Pain Points for Agency Owners
25:19 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts
As the founder of the Small Agency Growth Alliance (SAGA), Chip Griffin helps small PR and marketing agency owners build businesses that they want to own. He works with them to grow profits, eliminate overwork, and improve their overall satisfaction.
As an experienced entrepreneur and agency owner himself, Chip shares the wisdom of his successes and the lessons from his failures. He understands the challenges and opportunities that face agency owners because he sat in the same chair and faced similar decisions.
Chip joined his first agency 30 years ago as a Junior Account Executive and has had an appreciation for the highs and lows these firms experience ever since.
Contact Chip:
Ep 094 – Chris DuBois, Dynamic Agency OS – The Three O’s of an Agency
In episode 094 of Agency Bytes, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Chris Dubois, a seasoned marketing expert and non-founder CEO. Chris shares his fascinating journey from being an infantry officer to leading a successful agency that not only got recognized as an Inc 5000 honoree but also earned the prestigious Two Comma Club award. During our conversation, Chris dives deep into the Dynamic Agency OS, his framework for helping agencies achieve alignment and growth. Key areas of focus from the podcast include:
• Transformational Leadership: How Chris advanced from head of operations to CEO and his insights on effective leadership.
• Strategic Specialization: The importance of niching based on problem-solving and creating differentiated offers.
• Team Optimization: Evaluating and leveraging team strengths to maintain high standards and improve agency culture.
• Quarterly Planning: The benefits of conducting quarterly strategy sessions to stay aligned with client goals and maintain focus.
• Practical Tools: Chris's take on invaluable tools like the AI-powered calendar tool, Motion, and its impact on productivity.
Tune in to explore valuable strategies and actionable insights that can help marketing agency owners thrive and grow their businesses.
Key Bytes
• Chris DuBois transitioned from military service to agency leadership.
• The Dynamic Agency OS framework focuses on operators, offers, and operations.
• Agencies often struggle with client requests outside their expertise.
• Leadership in agencies is about maintaining a strong culture and standard.
• Hiring the right people is crucial for delivering quality work.
• Understanding client needs requires digging deeper into their problems.
• Quarterly strategies help keep clients focused and accountable.
• Soft skills can be broken down into quantifiable hard skills for training.
• Delegation is key for agency owners to focus on growth.
• Networking with other experts can provide valuable insights and solutions.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Agency Bites and Chris DuBois
06:32 The Dynamic Agency OS: A Framework for Success
12:51 Navigating Client Requests and Agency Expertise
23:39 Personal Insights and Recommendations from Chris DuBois
Chris DuBois helps marketing agencies build a solid go-to-market foundation while avoiding common roadblocks by aligning business design with personal goals through the Dynamic Agency OS. A former head of operations and non-founder CEO at an agency, he is an INC 5000 honoree and 2 Comma Club awardee.
Contact Chris:
Ep 093 – Jonathan Stark, Ditcherville – Ditching Hourly
In Episode 093 of Agency Bytes, I sat down with Jonathan Stark — a former software developer turned pricing consultant — to dig into a topic that trips up so many agencies: hourly billing vs. value-based pricing.
Jonathan shared how he made the shift from trading time for money to focusing on the value his work delivers. What started as a few talks with agencies grew into a full-blown movement — writing books, delivering content, and building a thriving community of creative professionals ditching the hourly model.
We talked about why hourly billing holds agencies back, the importance of deeply understanding client needs, and how to craft pricing options that reflect the true value you provide. Jonathan’s insights on uncovering client motivations and taking a more strategic approach to pricing will help you build stronger client relationships and increase profitability.
If you’re tired of being stuck in the “billable hour” mindset, this episode is packed with actionable advice you won’t want to miss.
Key Bytes
• Hourly billing limits income potential.
• Understanding client outcomes is crucial for pricing.
• Scope should be defined after understanding client needs.
• Value-based pricing can lead to higher profits.
• Creating multiple pricing options can attract clients.
• Time tracking is unnecessary in a value-based model.
• Client motivations should drive the sales conversation.
• Different levels of engagement affect pricing strategies.
• Value pricing enhances client relationships.
• Being unique in your offering is essential for success.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Ditching Hourly Billing
06:01 Understanding Client Needs and Outcomes
11:45 Creating Pricing Options for Clients
17:47 Uncovering Client Motivations
23:54 The Home Run of Value Pricing
Jonathan Stark is a former software developer who is on a mission to rid the world of hourly billing. He is the author of Hourly Billing Is Nuts, the host of Ditching Hourly, and writes a daily newsletter on pricing for independent professionals.
Ep 044 – Ilia Markov, Toggl
In this episode, I had the pleasure of conversing with Ilia Markov, the head of the marketing team at Toggl, a widely-used time-tracking tool. Together, we explore the dynamic realm of time-tracking and challenge the notion that it's a dull subject. Brace yourself for a deep dive into the advantages of meticulous time tracking, emphasizing its significance as a top-down, culturally-driven initiative within a team. Drawing from his agency background, Ilia shares valuable insights into optimal practices for agency time tracking, shedding light on how they foster more efficient teams, heightened capacity awareness, robust utilization support, and enhanced forecasting accuracy. Tune in for a fresh perspective on the excitement inherent in mastering the art of time tracking.
