Hey, agency owners—this might be the podcast playlist you didn’t know you needed. Go ahead, bookmark it, print it, frame it—whatever it takes to make sure you don’t miss out on this goldmine of insights.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Between client calls, endless emails, and trying to remember what sleep feels like, you think I have time for podcasts?” Fair point.
But these aren’t just any podcasts. They’re conversations with agency leaders who’ve been through the ups and downs, sharing the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Think of them as a chance to pick up new ideas, hear some strategies that have actually worked, and maybe even get a bit of perspective when things feel a little too much. So when you have a minute, plug in and see what clicks for you.
How Podcasts Can Help You Run Your Agency
Let’s face it—running an agency can be a bit isolating sometimes. You’ve got a team around you, but when it comes to big decisions or new directions, it’s usually just you making the call.
It can be stressful, if not a little scary.
The truth, however, is that you’re never really alone.
Taking the time to listen to podcasts gives you access to a whole host of expert mentors who’ve been there, done that, and bought the proverbial t-shirt.
Whether you’re working through client issues, trying to stay on top of trends, or just looking for a bit of advice, there’s probably a podcast out there that speaks to what you’re dealing with. This list has some great ones to check out whenever you’re ready.
Top 10 Must-Listen Podcasts for Agency Owners in 2024
1. Build A Better Agency
Drew McLellan heads up the Agency Management Institute (AMI), a well-respected management consultancy firm that helps all types of creative agencies to increase revenues without compromising on ethics or professional standards.
In his weekly Build A Better Agency podcast, McLellan speaks to successful agency owners and industry insiders about the secrets of their success.
Whether it’s attracting top talent or perfecting your pitch to clients, every episode tackles a new topic in an informative and inspiring way.
Some episodes we’ve enjoyed listening to recently include:
- Building a better pitch deck that gets you hired with Tom Martin – How to stand out in a crowded market and avoid losing potential clients to your competition.
- Creating positive momentum and taking control over your work day with Jason Yarusi – How to eliminate chaos, break bad habits, and take a forward-thinking approach to running your business.
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2. The Digital Agency Show
In The Digital Agency Show, host Brent Weaver talks to experienced agency owners about how to work smarter, not harder, when it comes to scaling your business.
Each thought-provoking episode sees guests share their stories so that you can learn what to do and, just as importantly, what not to do.
Topics discussed range from the impact of AI (Artificial Intelligence) on the PPC (Pay Per Click) advertising industry to overcoming the day-to-day operational challenges faced by modern digital agencies.
Recent episodes include:
- Creating Scalable Systems in Your Agency – Juliana Marulanda shares how her business helps agencies save up to 30 hours per week while still increasing revenues.
- Bringing in a Second-in-Command – Veteran entrepreneur Cameron Herold discusses the benefits of hiring someone to be your right hand and help you guide your agency forward.
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3. Smart Agency Masterclass
Jason Swenk is the founder of Agency Mastery, a highly sought-after consultancy that helps agencies to accelerate growth via his patented framework.
In The Smart Agency Master Class podcast, Swenk talks to digital marketing entrepreneurs about the highs and lows of their journey, the mistakes they made along the way, and what you can learn from those mistakes.
Listening to the episodes is akin to being coached by some of the biggest names in the industry, with previous guests including the likes of Seth Godin, best-selling author Mike Michaelowicz, and renowned marketing specialist, Guy Kawasaki.
Some recent episodes include:
- Laying the Right Foundation for Eventually Selling Your Agency with Ronik Patel – The UnlimitedWP founder talks about preparing his white-label WordPress development agency to join the E2M Solutions family.
- Embrace Your Expertise and Charge for Value not Time with Sharon Robustelli – How and why to reevaluate the way you charge clients.
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4. The Agency Hour
Full disclosure here, The Agency Hour Podcast by Agency Mavericks is sponsored by E2M Solutions.
And proudly so, too.
The reason we’re happy to be associated with The Agency Hour show is the same reason it’s well deserving of a place in this list:
It’s an enjoyable listen, full of captivating conversions with successful agency owners and digital marketing experts.
These conversations dive deep into a host of topics, covering everything from growth tactics like sales funnels and video marketing to maintaining positive mental and physical well-being despite the vigorous demands of agency ownership.
Some of our favorite recent episodes include:
- Secrets to High-Converting Funnels with Mikael Dia – The Funnelytics founder reveals his top strategies for making the most of sales funnels.
- Building a Remote Digital Empire with Tim Kelsey – How to maximize growth and minimize costs through outsourcing.
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5. Marketing School
You don’t get very far in this game without coming across the name Neil Patel.
A digital marketing expert whose name and reputation transcends the very industry in which he excels, the Kissmetrics founder built up his company, NP Digital, into an international powerhouse, with more than 800 employees around the globe.
Each day, Neil Patel and co-host, Eric Siu share bite-sized marketing lessons based on current trends and hot topics on their Marketing School podcast.
From the insights to be gained from the $1 billion box office success of Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds’ ‘Deadpool II’ movie to the trials and tribulations of generative AI, each daily episode clocks in at under 15 minutes, making it a perfect companion for your morning coffee break.
Recent episodes include:
- The stock market crash creates a marketing opportunity. What will happen to marketing as interest rates drop? – Neil and Eric discuss a hidden opportunity for smaller marketing agencies.
- MrBeast’s mega influencer video lessons – What marketers can learn from the YouTube celebrity’s viral content.
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6. The Digital Agency Growth Podcast
As you’ll have no doubt guessed from the name, The Digital Growth Podcast by Dan Englander is all about one key thing:
Leveling up your agency.
On his bi-monthly podcast, Englander is joined by notable guests such as Clockwork CEO Nancy Lyons and acclaimed sales specialist Chelsea Olsen as they discuss the skills, strategies, and practical steps you can take to grow your business.
Recent episodes include:
- Mike Brevik on Guerrilla Marketing, Nostalgia, and Building a Unique Agency Culture – Evaluating past success and applying it to your current growth strategy.
- Josh Ledgard on Unlocking the Power of Word-of-Mouth and Effective Referral Marketing – How to optimize your referral marketing offers and maximize your client base.
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7. Agency Journey
Zenpilot Head of Marketing Jakub Grajcar presents Agency Journey, an engaging podcast that goes beyond the realm of digital marketing to explore the pressures and practicalities of day-to-day agency life.
Taking over the microphone from Zenpilot co-founders Andrew Dymski and Gray MacKenzie, Grajcar hosts open and insightful conversations with agency owners and industry thought-leaders.
Such conversations provide valuable lessons and inspiration on subjects as diverse as avoiding burnout and the pros and cons of daily standup meetings.
Recent episodes include:
- Upskilling Your Clients and Building a Culture of Experimentation with David Arnoux – The Growth Tribe CEO talks about the importance of continuous learning and upskilling in highly competitive markets.
- Niching Down, Planning for Digital Marketing Success, and Adapting to AI with Corey Morris – Drawing on his experience as CEO of Voltage Digital, Morris advises agency owners on how to navigate the scary but essential task of narrowing down services to a particular niche.
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8. Creative Agency Podcast
Although running an agency can often feel like you’re venturing into unknown territory alone, the truth is that many others have gone before you, forging a pathway to success and learning valuable lessons on the way.
On The Creative Agency podcast, industry leaders and up-and-coming creative entrepreneurs alike share those lessons with host Chris Bolton.
Shows cover a broad range of subjects from business management to work-life balance, all ultimately linked by a similar theme:
How to overcome the challenges that get in the way of taking your agency to new heights.
Recent episodes include:
- Agency Sales Optimization with Karl Sakas – The internationally acclaimed author of Work Less, Earn More talks about how agency leaders can optimize their sales process to boost revenues.
- Fractional Project Management – August Shah of Partnered MG – A deep dive into fractional project management and its potential benefits for your agency.
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9. Search Off The Record
One of Google’s best-kept secrets is its Search Off the Record podcast.
Twice a month, the company’s Search Relations team takes you behind the scenes of the world’s most popular search engine with an insider’s perspective on developments in Google Search and SEO as a whole.
Source: Sparktoro
Google continues to dominate the search market, driving almost 2/3rds of all US web traffic. So it’s still imperative that websites belonging to both you and your clients rank prominently in its search results.
What better way to make sure that happens than by learning exactly what they want from website owners, with invaluable insights straight from the horse’s mouth?
Recent episodes include:
- Inside Search Quality: Using metrics and data science to improve Search – How data is used to understand user behavior and improve search results.
- Let’s talk Content Decay – Best practices for handling outdated content.
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10. WordPress Briefing
Whether it’s for client projects or your own online presence, if your agency uses WordPress in any way, shape, or form, then the WP Briefing podcast is essential listening.
In each episode, WordPress executive director Josepha Haden Chomphosy provides recommendations, resources, and practical guidance to help you make the most of the web’s most widely used Content Management System.
Whenever there’s major new developments in the WordPress ecosystem, you can bet WP Briefing will be one of the first places you’ll hear about it.
In a recent episode, Haden Chomphosy gave listeners an exclusive sneak preview of the WordPress 6.6 release, while other episodes cover topics such as:
- Unlocking Your WordPress Potential with Learn WordPress Tools – Recommended resources for using the platform to its full potential.
- Let’s Talk About Data Liberation – A look at how WordPress is making migrating to the platform from other services as easy as possible.
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A Final Thought
If you’re going to take one thing from today, let it be this: Podcasts aren’t just another task to check off your list. They’re a smart way to stay sharp, spark new ideas, and learn from people who’ve already walked the path.
Think of podcasts like that mentor who’s always there when you need a fresh take or a little advice. They’re perfect for filling those in-between moments—like when you’re between meetings or just need a mental breather but still want to stay engaged.
And since we’re talking growth, we’ve got something tailor-made for agency owners: the Agency Sales Accelerator Training and Coaching Program. If you’re ready to level up your skills, grow your agency, and learn from the best in the business, reach out. We’re here to help you hit those big milestones.
Stay curious. Keep learning. Let’s crush those goals together.
