Episodes

  • Stop Being the Hero: Why Great Agency Leaders Don't Need All the Answers

    Stop Being the Hero: Why Great Agency Leaders Don't Need All the Answers
    Jun 10 2025
    Every agency owner has been there – staying up late to fix that client emergency, jumping in to handle the important tasks because "no one can do it quite like you can," and feeling the weight of needing to have all the answers. It's exhausting, unsustainable, and secretly undermining your agency's potential. If you're caught in this cycle of being the agency hero, constantly swooping in to save the day, you might be the biggest obstacle to your own growth. Today's guest knows this challenge intimately. Igor Avidon, founder and CEO of Avidon Marketing Group, has built a thriving agency by doing the opposite of what many agency owners do – he stopped trying to be the hero. Instead of having all the answers, he's created a culture where his team leads, innovates, and drives results. His approach to leadership and agency growth has transformed not just his business, but the way his clients view what's possible with their marketing. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Igor Avidon about: ⭐ The counter-intuitive truth that stepping back and empowering your team leads to better client outcomes and agency growth ⭐ Practical strategies for transitioning from tactical expert to strategic leader ⭐ How to build a culture of distributed leadership while maintaining quality and consistency Learn more about Igor Avidon Connect with Igor Avidon on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Avidon Marketing Group Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo How to Structure Your Agency to Win Using EOS Trello Google Chat Google Suites Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/agency-edition/stop-being-the-hero-why-great-agency-leaders-dont-need-all-the-answers Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn. Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.
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    18 mins
  • Building Predictable Client Success With 90-Day Marketing Sprints

    Building Predictable Client Success With 90-Day Marketing Sprints
    May 27 2025
    Managing multiple client campaigns feels like juggling chainsaws while riding a unicycle. Your team is drowning in tasks, metrics are all over the place, and just when you think you've got one client's success figured out, another starts slipping. Every agency owner knows this pain - the constant pressure to deliver consistent results across different channels, the endless status updates, and the gnawing feeling that there must be a better way to run things. Today we're joined by a true innovator in agency operations - Hal Smith, founder of H Street Digital and the architect behind a game-changing 90-day sprint system that's revolutionizing how agencies deliver results. Having managed over $100 million in advertising campaigns for everyone from startups to Fortune 50 companies, Hal has mastered the art of turning complex marketing chaos into predictable success. He's here to share exactly how he's transformed traditionally messy processes like media buying, creative testing, and attribution into a systematic approach that's changing the game for agencies everywhere. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Hal Smith about: ⭐ A structured 90-day sprint system can transform chaotic agency operations into predictable, scalable success. ⭐ Proper framework implementation leads to better client retention through improved communication and consistent results. ⭐ Systematic approaches to media buying and creative testing can be broken down into manageable, repeatable processes that drive predictable outcomes. Learn more about Hal Smith Connect with Hal Smith on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode H Street Digital Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business The EOS MODEL® How to Structure Your Agency to Win Using EOS The Eisenhower Matrix: How to prioritize your to-do list MoSCoW method Lean Startup Notion Triple Whale North Beam Fairing Replo Shoplift Ninety Show Notes & Transcript: http://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/agency-edition/build-predictable-client-success-with-90-day-marketing-sprints Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn.Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.
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    32 mins
  • Learning on the Fly: How One Agency Owner Turned Trial and Error into Triumph

    Learning on the Fly: How One Agency Owner Turned Trial and Error into Triumph
    May 13 2025
    Every agency owner starts somewhere, but what happens when that "somewhere" is completely from scratch? Without formal training, industry connections, or a proven playbook to follow? The journey of building a marketing agency can feel overwhelming enough when you know what you're doing - but imagine taking that leap while learning everything as you go. Today's guest knows this journey intimately. Alan Thompson, founder and CEO of Stingray Branding, built his agency from the ground up starting in 2008, learning every lesson the hard way - and turning those lessons into a formula for success. With three generations of small business owners in his family and service in both the U.S. Army and Air Force Reserves, Alan brought a unique perspective to agency ownership, proving that sometimes the best education comes from real-world experience. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Alan Thompson about: ⭐ Practical strategies for building credibility and delivering results while still learning the ropes ⭐ Essential systems and processes that help self-taught agency owners maintain quality and consistency ⭐ How to turn learning experiences and mistakes into valuable assets for agency growth Learn more about Alan Thompson Connect with Alan Thompson on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Stingray Branding Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo Microsoft FrontPage Adobe Dreamweaver Craigslist Drupal WordPress Microsoft OneNote Scribe Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/agency-edition/learning-on-the-fly-how-one-agency-owner-turned-trial-and-error-into-triumph Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn. Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.
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    34 mins
  • Speaking Their Language: How to Demonstrate Social Media ROI to Every Decision Maker

    Speaking Their Language: How to Demonstrate Social Media ROI to Every Decision Maker
    Apr 29 2025
    We've all been there - that awkward meeting where a client looks you dead in the eyes and asks, "So what exactly am I getting for all this social media spend? " Your stomach drops as you scramble to explain engagement rates to someone who just wants to know about sales. It's like trying to pay your rent with Monopoly money - the value is clear to you, but they're just not buying it. Today, we're cutting through that confusion with Scott Emalfarb, founder and CEO of Fresh Content Society, social media whisperer, and ROI translator extraordinaire. This is the guy who turned a desperate tweet from a struggling deli into a 1,500% sales increase during the pandemic. Scott has cracked the code on speaking the language of social media value to everyone from skeptical CEOs to hungry CMOs to overwhelmed social managers. He doesn't just get results - he makes sure everyone in the room understands exactly why those results matter. So, whether you're tired of blank stares during client presentations or just want to sleep better knowing you can defend your social strategy to anyone with a budget, today's episode is your new secret weapon. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Scott Emalfarb about: ⭐ Stakeholder-specific communication is essential: Learn how to tailor your social media ROI messaging to address the specific concerns and priorities of different decision-makers, from CEOs focused on bottom-line impact to social media managers needing tactical validation. ⭐ Effective ROI frameworks translate technical metrics into business outcomes: Discover how to build communication systems that connect platform-specific metrics to the business outcomes that matter most to clients across all levels of their organization. ⭐ ROI communication is an ongoing process, not a one-time report: Understand how to implement consistent value-demonstration touchpoints throughout the client relationship to build trust and demonstrate long-term impact beyond individual campaigns. Learn more about Scott Emalfarb Connect with Scott Emalfarb on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Fresh Content Society Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo The desperate tweet Manny's Deli How to Turn a Crisis Into a Growth Opportunity Chili's TikTok and fast-food rivalry fuel Chili's sales as parent Brinker says turnaround is taking hold Adam Mosseri ChatGPT Gemini Mark Schaefer Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/agency-edition/how-to-demonstrate-social-media-roi-to-every-decision-maker Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn.Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.
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    39 mins
  • The Inbound Ceiling: Breaking Through with Strategic Partnerships & Outbound Tactics

    The Inbound Ceiling: Breaking Through with Strategic Partnerships & Outbound Tactics
    Apr 14 2025
    Remember when posting great content was all it took to keep your agency's pipeline full? Yeah, those days are fading faster than your client's enthusiasm for another Instagram algorithm change. If you've been scratching your head wondering why your brilliant blogs and perfectly optimized website aren't bringing in leads like they used to, you're not alone. Welcome to the 'inbound ceiling' – that frustrating plateau where your content machine keeps churning, but the leads have slowed to a trickle. The truth is, standing out through content alone has become about as easy as explaining TikTok to your grandparents. But before you throw your content calendar out the window, today's guest has cracked the code on breaking through this ceiling. Jason Yormark built Socialistics into a seven-figure social media agency by zigging when others zagged, and he's literally wrote the book on it – his best-seller 'Anti Agency' has become the rebel's guidebook to building a thriving agency business. As a Forbes-recognized social media influencer, Jason's not just talking about theory – he's in the trenches every day, navigating the same challenges you are, and he's figured out how to complement inbound with strategic partnerships and outbound tactics that actually work without making you feel like that pushy salesperson we all love to hate. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Jason Yormark about: ⭐ Recognizing the Inbound Plateau: Listeners will learn the early warning signs that indicate their inbound strategy is hitting diminishing returns and understand the market forces creating this phenomenon across the agency landscape. ⭐ Strategic Partnership Framework: Audience members will gain a practical approach to identifying, vetting, and structuring agency partnerships that complement their existing business model without compromising quality or brand positioning. ⭐ Balanced Resource Allocation: Agency owners will take away a framework for effectively distributing limited resources across inbound, outbound, and partnership initiatives to create a more resilient and predictable lead generation engine. Learn more about Jason Yormark Connect with Jason Yormark on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Socialistics Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo Jasonyormark.com Anti-Agency: A Realistic Path to a $1,000,000 Business Clutch Mid Journey Imagines Shutterstock Reveal Crossbeam HubSpot Salesforce Jenn Herman, the world's best Instagram blogger Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/agency-edition/oops-im-an-agency-owner/ Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn. Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.
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    42 mins
  • Oops, I'm an Agency Owner! Turning Unintentional Beginnings into Unstoppable Success

    Oops, I'm an Agency Owner! Turning Unintentional Beginnings into Unstoppable Success
    Mar 31 2025
    Have you found yourself running a business you never expected—or even intended—to start? Maybe you were providing freelance services and things simply grew beyond what you planned, or perhaps an opportunity unexpectedly fell into your lap, and you ran with it. Suddenly, you're not merely an entrepreneur; you're an agency owner facing a set of challenges and expectations you hadn't anticipated. Stepping into the role of an accidental agency owner comes with its unique difficulties. There's no strategic runway, no meticulously drawn blueprint, often just a realization of “Oops, I own an agency now… what do I do next?” How do you evolve from an individual specialist to the leader of an expanding team? How can you manage growth when you hadn't envisioned scaling in the first place? More importantly, how can you turn these accidental beginnings into sustainable success? If you've ever found yourself or currently find yourself in these shoes, you're not alone—and today's guest understands your situation better than anyone. Mickey Mellen didn't set out to start a thriving digital agency, yet today, he's not only successfully at the helm of GreenMellen Media but also a respected thought leader, community contributor, and expert at leveraging strategic frameworks for growth. Mickey is going to share his inspiring story with us—the real-life journey of accidental agency ownership—and reveal the frameworks, processes, and approach he used to turn a surprise start into unstoppable success. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Mickey Mellen about: ⭐ Learn from Mickey's journey, recognizing how unintentional beginnings can blossom into intentional growth by being open to new frameworks and proactive learning. ⭐ Understand practical frameworks like Traction/EOS, why they're helpful for agency owners facing scales they didn't initially plan for, and how they've changed the trajectory of GreenMellen. ⭐ Empathy and coaching emerge as powerful elements—not just as nice additions but as deeply strategic tools—in building lasting client relationships and guiding agency decisions. Learn more about Mickey Mellen Connect with Mickey Mellen on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode GreenMellen Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo Green Mellen Media Ali Green EOS Traction Rocket Fuel The 12 Week Year How to Structure Your Agency to Win Using EOS Emeric Ernoult Ninety Blumer CPAs ClickUp WordCamps: A WordPress Conference Notion Google Workspace QuickBooks Drupal Developer Podcast: Stacking Knowledge by Mickey Mellen 2 Bobs Podcast Blair Ennz David C. Baker Seth Godin Gary Vaynerchuk's Day Trading Attention Mickmel.com Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/agency-edition/oops-im-an-agency-owner Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn. Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.
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    26 mins
  • The Four-Post Framework: How Less Content Delivers More Results for Your Agency

    The Four-Post Framework: How Less Content Delivers More Results for Your Agency
    Mar 17 2025
    Is your agency drowning in content creation? You're not alone. Across the marketing landscape, agencies are caught in an exhausting cycle of churning out endless social media posts for their clients, believing that more content equals better results. But what if everything we've been taught about social media frequency is wrong? What if you could actually deliver better results for your clients while creating less content? What if you could transform your agency's approach to social media management, increase client satisfaction, and reduce team burnout all at the same time? That's exactly what our guest today has mastered. Katie Brinkley is a social media trailblazer with over 20 years of digital marketing expertise. As the founder of Next Step Social Communications, she's developed a revolutionary approach that's changing how agencies think about social media management. Her "Awareness to Action: Four-Post Social Media Strategy" has helped countless businesses achieve better results with less effort. Katie is also a dynamic speaker, podcast host, and author who's known for her charismatic energy and practical, results-driven approach. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Katie Brinkley about: ⭐ A strategic framework for delivering better client results with less content creation ⭐ Practical steps for transitioning clients to a more efficient social media strategy ⭐ How to position your agency as a strategic partner rather than just a content creator Learn more about Katie Brinkley Connect with Katie Brinkley on LinkedIn Connect with Katie Brinkley on Facebook Connect with Katie Brinkley on Instagram Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode Next Step Social Communications Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo Podcast: Rocky Mountain Marketing- Digital Marketing, Social Media for Entrepreneurs America Online CompuServe ChatGPT Gemini Claude Canva The Socialpulse Podcast Retail Edition Google Analytics CEX Rocky Mountain Marketing. The Social Shift: The Road Back to Community Marketing Conferences 2024 Over 100 Marketing Conferences & Events Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/agency-edition/how-less-content-delivers-more-results-for-your-agency Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn. Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.
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    34 mins
  • Legacy to Leading Edge: Transforming Your Agency for Today's Market

    Legacy to Leading Edge: Transforming Your Agency for Today's Market
    Mar 3 2025
    Marketing agencies are facing unprecedented pressure to evolve. The methods and strategies that built successful agencies in previous decades aren't necessarily the ones that will carry them forward. Technology is advancing at breakneck speed, client expectations are constantly shifting, and the very nature of marketing itself seems to change with each passing quarter. For agency owners who have inherited or acquired established firms, this creates a unique challenge: How do you honor and preserve what made the agency successful while simultaneously transforming it for today's market? Many agency leaders find themselves caught between maintaining stable, long-term client relationships and implementing necessary changes to stay competitive. They worry about alienating loyal clients or losing valuable team members while trying to modernize their operations. The question keeps them up at night: How do you update your agency's services, processes, and culture without destroying the foundation that made it successful in the first place? That's exactly what our guest today has been tackling head-on. Jordan Buning is the President of ddm marketing + communications, a full-service marketing agency in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Under his leadership, ddm has successfully navigated the transition from traditional marketing approaches to modern, digital-first strategies while maintaining their core values and client relationships. Today, he'll share his insights on how to execute this delicate balancing act and position your agency for future success. Social Pulse Podcast host Mike Allton asked Jordan Buning about: ⭐ A framework for evaluating which legacy elements of your agency to preserve and which to update ⭐ Practical strategies for managing change while maintaining team morale and client confidence ⭐ How to implement modern practices and technologies without losing the human touch that built your agency's reputation Learn more about Jordan Buning Connect with Jordan Buning on LinkedIn Resources & Brands mentioned in this episode ddm marketing + communications Learn more about Agorapulse with a free demo How to Structure Your Agency to Win Using EOS Ft. Matt Heinz Your Baby Is Ugly: 10 truths business owners need to hear & how to overcome theme JoAnne Gritter Our very first episode with Megan Bowen from Refine Labs who took over from Chris Walker Show Notes & Transcript: https://www.agorapulse.com/blog/podcasts/agency-edition/transforming-your-agency-for-todays-market Brought to you by Agorapulse: the #1 rated social media management solution. Follow Agorapulse on LinkedIn. Produced and Hosted by Mike Allton, Chief Storyteller at Agorapulse. If you’re interested in being featured on an upcoming episode, reach out to Mike.
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    40 mins
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