The Agency Uplift Podcast

179 Episodes

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Ep 180: Why Most Agency Owners Are Getting AI Completely Wrong (And Wasting Their Best People)

2026-11-0416:27

Summary: AI can save your agency hundreds of hours. But what if those hours are going straight back into low-value work? I believe most agency owners are approaching AI backward. They're chasing tools and automations instead of asking the one question that actually matters: How will this make my agency better? In this episode, I break down the philosophy I use at Agency Uplift to turn AI from an impressive experiment into a genuine growth lever. Takeaways: Why automating a task doesn't autom...

Ep 179: How to Scale an 80-Person Agency Without Losing Control of Delivery | With Ian Petersen of NewCombin

2026-11-0237:08

Summary: Scaling an agency sounds great until the cracks start appearing. Projects go over budget, clients lose confidence, employees become disengaged, and suddenly you're spending more time fixing problems than growing the business. I sat down with Ian Petersen, partner at Newcombin, to unpack how he helped build an 80-person technology business and what agency owners need to get right before growth starts creating more problems than opportunities. Takeaways: Why growing past 40–50 employ...

Ep 178: Why Profitable Agencies Still Lose Money on Their Best Clients

2026-10-2818:29

Summary: What if your agency's most reliable clients are quietly costing you money? I learned the hard way that strong results, long relationships, and healthy revenue don't guarantee a profitable client. In this solo episode, I share how one long-term client went from a seemingly great account to a hidden drain on our agency and the simple process I wish we'd used years earlier to catch it. Takeaways: Why high ROAS doesn't guarantee healthy agency margins. How legacy pricing quietly eats i...

Ep 177: How to Build a Sticky SEO Retainer Business With Just 5 Paying Clients | With Mark Herre of SEO Game

2026-10-2622:23

Summary: Your agency doesn’t need another shiny new service. It needs clients who stay, predictable recurring revenue, and a delivery model that protects your margins. I sat down with Mark Herre, founder of SEO Game, who has spent nearly 30 years in SEO and built a business around helping agencies deliver results without building every capability in house. Takeaways: Why chasing AI trends can distract you from profitable clients. How to land your first five paying clients. Why affordable r...

Ep 176: The Hidden Profit Leaks Costing Your Agency More Than You Think

2026-10-2117:29

Summary: You probably don’t need more leads, another hire, or the latest AI tool to grow your agency. You might just need to stop leaking profit, improve the value of your next 10 deals, and stop being the decision-maker for everything. In this solo episode, I break down three practical changes that can help you improve your agency’s economics without adding unnecessary complexity. Takeaways: How a $0 change order protects future profit. Why client favors quietly destroy your margins. How...

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