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The Agency Uplift Podcast: Agency Scaling Strategies & Growth Tips
Unlock proven frameworks, AI‑powered workflows, and client acquisition blueprints to scale your digital agency from freelance to Fortune. Each week, host Sean Lang, co‑founder of Social Commerce Club and agency growth coach, sits down with a wide array of agency leaders—sharing battle‑tested tactics on profitability, processes, and people management.
Whether you’re aiming to double client retention, streamline operations, or boost ad ROI, you’ll walk away with actionable insights and playbooks you can implement today. New episodes every Monday and Wednesday, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.
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91 Episodes
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Summary: In this solo episode, Sean Lang explains why most agencies are wasting valuable client intelligence by not transcribing and analyzing client calls. He walks through a practical system using AI transcription and a custom GPT to turn every client conversation into actionable coaching, churn prevention, and upsell opportunities. Takeaways: Client calls contain churn and upsell signals most agencies ignore Transcripts create retained institutional knowledge AI can objectively coach a...
Summary: Mark Meyerson shares his journey from freelancing to building One Egg Digital, highlighting the realities of agency growth, the importance of hiring motivated people, and why niching down is critical. He also dives into how running Amazon brands alongside an agency creates a powerful balance between cash flow and scalability. Takeaways: Most agencies are started accidentally, not intentionallyHiring motivated and curious people matters more than pure skillReal-world test projects r...
Summary: In this solo episode, I break down why starting a strategic, niche podcast is the highest leverage move any agency owner can make. I share how a podcast I built previously generated over $3M in work, why the value isn’t in content but in relationships, and the exact framework I now use to build authority, create opportunities, and connect with my ICP at scale. Takeaways: A strategic podcast builds relationships, not just content. Inviting only my ICP increases rapport, trust, and o...
Summary: Justin Vajko, founder of Dialog Video Marketing, shares how he spotted a pattern in client success, turned it into a productized agency model, and now helps founders consistently publish high-impact videos on LinkedIn. He reveals lessons learned from freelancing, building a team, structuring retainers, and using systems to overcome weaknesses. Justin also breaks down how any agency owner can begin creating video content today using only their phone and existing Zoom calls. Takeaway...
Summary: In this solo episode, I break down how I’ve been able to double or even triple the effectiveness of my team by introducing simple, targeted AI tools, specifically custom GPTs, into individual steps of our workflows. Instead of waiting for someone to develop years of expertise, I can “loan” them my thinking through AI. I walk through how I apply this inside my podcast operations and how you can replicate it to remove bottlenecks inside your agency. Takeaways: AI can handle the exper...
Summary: Roberto Martinez, CEO of Braven Agency, joins Sean Lang to discuss how a mission-first approach and strong team culture helped his agency grow from a small shop into a purpose-driven powerhouse. From navigating tough contracts to embracing AI, Roberto shares what it means to scale an agency that truly serves small businesses and their communities. Takeaways: Mission clarity drives business growth and better partnerships. Saying “no” to the wrong clients protects your culture and you...
Summary: I reveal a streamlined, AI powered workflow for transforming everyday agency tasks into polished documentation and training. By recording your real processes, feeding transcripts into his SOP Builder GPT, and then importing them into Notebook LM, agencies can quickly build structured SOPs and formal onboarding materials. I lay out each step and shows how small agencies can operate with big-agency clarity and consistency. Takeaways: Create SOPs during real work, don’t set aside extr...
Summary: Sean Lang interviews Stephanie Zhuang, founder of Tidal Brand Management, about her journey from 15 years in CPG brand management to launching a flexible, AI-powered micro-agency designed for startups. She shares the fears behind taking the leap, how entrepreneurship transformed her identity, and how she built a modern agency model that blends strategy, AI, and on-demand creative talent. Stephanie also breaks down her biggest learnings and a recent client win driven by speed and stra...
Summary In this solo episode, I break down why most “people problems” inside agencies are actually process or clarity failures. I introduce a four bucket diagnostic framework: Process, Leadership Clarity, People, and Client Fit, to help agency owners understand the true root cause of performance issues before blaming the team member. By applying this method, leaders can reduce churn, prevent misfires, and create more predictable delivery. Takeaways Most performance issues stem from missing ...
Summary: Host Sean Lang talks with Joe Romeo, founder of Aperitif Agency and co-founder of Rocket Fuel Agency, about his journey from SEO freelancer to running two thriving agencies. Joe shares the key systems, hiring strategies, and AI-powered processes that have helped him build scalable operations and a motivated team while still balancing life as a new father. Takeaways: Moving from freelancer to agency owner requires process, systems, and delegation. Hire curious, self-driven lear...
Summary: Sean Lang shares why most agencies plateau and reveals the three critical elements that allow an agency to scale without chaos or constant founder involvement: systematized accountability, strong culture, and a founder identity shift. Drawing from his eight-year journey building Social Commerce Club, Sean explains how agencies can replace luck and chaos with clarity, culture, and leadership systems that run without the founder. Takeaways: Agencies plateau when the founder becomes t...
Summary: Host Sean Lang talks with Frederic Jean-Bart, CEO of Performance Partners, about how he built an affiliate marketing agency that supports 8- and 9-figure DTC brands. Frederic explains how systems, hiring, mentorship, and disciplined client selection helped him scale intentionally and cut churn to below 10%. Takeaways: Scaling affiliate programs is about relationships, not quantity. SOPs and documentation create leverage and consistency. Strong hiring decisions shape long-term grow...
Summary: I explore how agency pricing connects directly to operations and scalability. From managing 42 clients at $2K/month to handling elite retainers at $20K/month, I reveal the hidden operational realities behind each lane to $1M and how to build the right systems for sustainable growth. Takeaways: Systemization is non-negotiable in a high-volume model. Use clear SOPs and templated communication to avoid chaos. Client experience and margins improve as retainers increase. Seniority l...
Summary In this episode of The Agency Uplift, Sean Lang interviews Tobi Chapman of EverBoost. They explore the challenges and opportunities of running a retention marketing agency, from hiring the right people to building a culture of accountability. Tobi also explains why direct mail is resurging as a powerful channel for CPG brands. Takeaways Scaling requires patience and realistic expectations A bad cultural fit can “rot” a company from the inside Direct mail creates physical, me...
Summary: In this episode, I share a tactical guide for agency owners who struggle with delayed payments and unpredictable cashflow. I walk through a five step system to regain control: automate billing with Stripe, switch to pre service invoicing, use a card on file model, and delegate accounts receivable to a VA. Takeaways: End-of-month billing creates cashflow gaps. Stripe’s subscription feature simplifies recurring payments. Always start work after payment clears. VA ownership of AR ...
Summary Bradley Benner, founder of multiple businesses including Semantic Mastery and Treecare HQ, shares how he went from electrician to running four successful marketing ventures. He explains why niching down, delegating, and mastering sales were the game changers in scaling his agencies. Takeaways Niching down creates stability and growth opportunities. Delegation and SOPs are critical to removing yourself from daily operations. Sales is a learnable skill — practice builds confid...
Summary: Sean Lang shares the painful story of signing a $10K/month retainer client and losing them within two weeks. The experience revealed deep flaws in the agency’s pre-sales, handoff, and onboarding processes. Sean walks through where things went wrong and how agencies can build better systems that protect both revenue and relationships. Takeaways: Never trade speed for clarity. Qualification prevents misaligned client relationships. A strong handoff between sales and delivery is non-n...
Summary Eric Emerson, President of In Your Hand Media, joins Sean Lang to discuss building a boutique digital agency, the role of AI in scaling, and why relationships matter more than impressions. Eric shares his journey from freelancing to leading a team, and how agencies must adapt in the AI era to remain relevant. Takeaways AI isn’t just about tools, it’s about retraining teams to leverage them. Boutique agencies win when they bring agility and personal touch. Hiring is less abou...
Summary: In this solo episode, I get real about partnerships. The good, the bad, and everything in between. I share my own experiences working with partners, the lessons I’ve learned from friendship-based businesses, and what you can do instead when you’re looking for more support on your agency journey. Takeaways: The grass isn’t always greener, partnerships only work when they’re intentional.Complementary strengths beat matching personalities every time.Friends can be great part...
Summary Sean Lang interviews Sebastian Eduard on building Insiders, a hands-on Amazon PPC agency. Sebastian shares why net profit is his North Star, how he grew a Romanian team of sellers into A-players, and why disconnecting from work gave him the clarity to scale. Takeaways Automated ads can’t replace profit-focused human judgment. Long-term success requires building systems, not dependency. Culture fit is more important than technical skills. Founders must step back for the team to s...
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