Trailblazer FM ™ - Web agency podcast with Lee Matthew Jackson
775 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 35 ratingsTransform your WordPress agency through small, achievable actions that lead to BIG change.
The home of simple-to-apply techniques that result in significant change.
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Episodes
51:2 Can automation prevent burnout? - Cat Burchmore
March 15, 2024 12:16 - 24 minutes - 25.8 MBOverwhelmed, overworked, on the brink of burnout? Agency life is known for its fast pace and demanding clients, and I know from personal experience how burnout can completely de-rail you. As I slowly return recovery, I invited Cat Burchmore onto the podcast to help me learn how I could prevent burnout as a business owner by leaning on automation more. In this episode we explore how implementing automation strategies can help you avoid burnout and take control of your well-being. Cat sh...
51:1 Journey of a freelancer to agency owner - Brent Weaver
March 12, 2024 10:55 - 27 minutes - 26 MBStruggling to break out of the feast and famine cycle? Do you feel like you're constantly putting out fires and not making the progress you want in your business? Brent is a seasoned agency owner who started his first digital agency at the tender age of 17. In this episode, he shares his journey of navigating the challenges of running an agency, from landing his first clients to eventually selling his business not once, but twice. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/freelancer-to-...
50:7 Is time tracking actually holding you back? - Ilia Markov
September 13, 2023 08:00 - 35 minutes - 34.9 MBTime tracking is often seen as a necessary evil - something that takes time away from doing client work or feels like micromanaging employees. In this episode I interview Ilia from Toggl to discover why those assumptions are wrong. We discuss real-world examples of how time tracking provides valuable data to help agencies work more efficiently, provide better project estimates, optimise team members' time, identify profitable versus unprofitable clients, and ultimately achieve better p...
50:6 Hard-won lessons from an agency leader - Jon Tsourakis
September 06, 2023 08:00 - 27 minutes - 22.7 MBRunning an agency is tough, but invaluable lessons can be learned from those who've spent years growing in the trenches. In this episode, I sat down with Jon Tsourakis, a veteran agency owner of over 15 years, who doesn't look a day over 30. (Had to say that in case he reads this.) As the founder of Oyova, Jon has led his digital marketing agency from humble beginnings to a thriving team of 30. He's made mistakes, evolved his offerings, and learned countless tips for building an agency...
50:5 Stop getting buried by search engines - Jason Barnard
August 30, 2023 09:00 - 36 minutes - 32.5 MBDo you feel like your website or brand is lost in the endless sea of search engine results? Does it seem like no matter what you do, you just can't break onto page one or get those coveted top rankings? Well, today's guest, Jason Barnard is here to help you finally stop getting buried by search engines. Known as the "Brand SERP Guy," Jason is an international authority on managing brand search optimisation and online reputation. In this info-packed episode, he shares insider tips to ta...
50:4 Your ideal clients' obvious choice? - Helen Knight
August 23, 2023 12:30 - 40 minutes - 41.8 MBAre you struggling to attract high-paying clients who see the immense value in what you offer? Do you find yourself exhaustively pitching potential clients who just don't get what makes you different? In this eye-opening episode, Helen Knight joins us to share her proven framework for positioning yourself as the obvious choice for your ideal clients. You'll discover new ways to identify and align with your dream clients, create offers tailored specifically to their needs, and leverage ...
50:3 The low cash growth hack - Zara and Aaron - Choppity
August 16, 2023 09:00 - 24 minutes - 23 MBStruggling to build your business? Cash strapped and wish you had investment? What if I told you, you already have everything you need to build an exciting and growing business? Meet Zara and Aaron, the founders of Choppity. They are building their business in public, keeping costs razor thin and laser focusing on their niche. The results are difficult to deny! A powerful solution, tonnes of potential, and a growing MRR. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/low-cash-growth/
50:2 Most free courses get ignored. But these don't! - Shiven Dhania
August 09, 2023 11:53 - 32 minutes - 29.5 MBThe vast sea of online courses makes it challenging for any one course to stand out. But what if there's a method that not only grabs attention but also ensures course completion, builds trust, and positions you as an expert they can't wait to buy from? In this episode, we unravel the secret sauce behind course delivery that people are ignoring. Discover the transformative power of email-delivered courses and why they're growing in popularity. Learn how this simple shift in delivery ca...
50:1 The website manual that makes clients stick - Kyle Van Deusen
August 02, 2023 13:00 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBDo you ever feel like your web agency is stuck in a cycle of one-and-done projects? You deliver an exceptional website, only to watch the client fade away, turning what could have been a fruitful, ongoing collaboration into a fleeting transaction. But what if there was a way to turn that one-time project into a long-term partnership? In this episode, we explore an often-overlooked tool that can transform your client relationships and significantly boost your agency's recurring revenue....
49:8 - Make a living designing logos - Ian Paget
July 26, 2023 08:00 - 36 minutes - 33.1 MBStruggling to make logo design pay? In this episode, we meet Ian Paget, the man behind Logo Geek, who turned his passion for logo design into profit. I ask: What does it take to go all in on logos? What can we learn from others? How can we improve our skills? How do we keep motivated? Ian delivers! Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/make-a-living-designing-logos/
49:7 From kitchen table to agency exit - Simon Penson
July 19, 2023 08:00 - 22 minutes - 18.9 MBStruggling to grow your agency or finding it tough to reel in new clients? Perhaps you feel conscious that your agency isn't yet what you'd hoped it would be? Simon Penson's journey is sure to inspire you. His own agency journey began at his kitchen table, of all places, where he faced and overcame a multitude of challenges, ultimately leading to the successful sale of his agency. His story highlights the importance of perseverance and the transformative power of a good mentor. Full s...
49:6 The power of a mindset shift - Daniel Daines-Hutt
July 12, 2023 10:00 - 34 minutes - 29.5 MBEver felt like you're on a never-ending hamster wheel of agency life? Trying to build a business that will support the life you want for you and your family, but never quite getting there? You're not alone. Many of us are caught in this relentless cycle, believing that success is just around the corner if we work harder, grow bigger. But what if there's another way? My guest in today's episode, Daniel Hutt, found himself in the same exhausting cycle. A seasoned content marketing expert...
49:5 Privacy policies got you down? - Hans Skillrud
July 05, 2023 10:00 - 23 minutes - 22.2 MBCreating website policies can feel pretty overwhelming. It’s easy to think copying and pasting templates will do, but this shortcut can put both agencies and clients at risk. In this episode, I was really pumped to chat again with Hans from Termageddon. He walks us through his journey of building a tool that does the heavy lifting. He shares valuable insights into building a business on a firm foundation and developing relationships that last. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/p...
49:4 Streamlining WordPress website maintenance - Florain Salman
June 28, 2023 10:00 - 15 minutes - 14.6 MBDo you get anxious when updating your client's WordPress website, wondering what will break? Do you spend hours running tests in staging, before finally pushing everything live? In this episode, we explore WordPress maintenance and look at a solution designed to help developers and designers catch issues before they cause a real problem. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/streamlining-wordpress-maintenance/
49:3 Bridging gaps, building community - Michelle Frechette
June 21, 2023 10:00 - 27 minutes - 24 MBMeet Michelle Frechette, a trailblazer in the WordPress community who is bridging gaps and building connections in ways you wouldn't imagine. Michelle, the Director of Community Engagement for StellarWP at Liquid Web, takes us on a journey from her first encounter with WordPress to her current role as a community leader. She shares her insights on the power of inclusivity, the thrill of her first WordCamp, and the delicate art of fostering diversity without tokenism. If you've ever ...
49:2 Newsletter success: Learn from the best - Shiven Dhania
June 14, 2023 10:30 - 33 minutes - 28.9 MBFind yourself ignoring newsletters you receive? Think that having your own newsletter is therefore a waste of time? Think again. I was challenged when our guest Shiven shared insights into building your own newsletter and audience that I had never considered. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/newsletter-success/
49:1 Zero setup, max efficiency: WordPress Playground - Adam Zielinski
June 07, 2023 07:00 - 26 minutes - 25.2 MBFed up installing fresh copies of WordPress to test themes, plugins or code? What if you could spark up a blank WordPress instance directly in your browser in seconds, without even needing a host? Watch the video: Today we dive into the exciting world of WordPress Playground with special guest Adam Zielinski, a WordPress core developer at Automattic. Learn how this web-based development environment revolutionizes WordPress site creation and modification without any setup required. F...
48:8 - How we use ChatGPT in our web agency - Lee Matthew Jackson
May 02, 2023 07:20 - 14 minutes - 12 MBIntroducing ChatGPT to our entire team has been a game-changer! While some folks worry AI will take their jobs, our team is thriving with enhanced productivity and an improved work-life balance. Discover how we're leveraging AI to supercharge our efficiency in coding, content creation, email management, translations, and beyond! Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/chatgpt-in-a-web-agency
48:7 - Fit with small, steady steps - Lee Matthew Jackson
April 25, 2023 09:33 - 16 minutes - 14.5 MBAs an agency owner, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day demands of running your business. But what happens when your work starts to take a toll on your health and happiness? For many agency owners, the answer is a frustrating cycle of too much work and not enough time for self-care. But it doesn't have to be this way. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/fit-with-small-steady-steps/
48:6 - How to implement regular stand-up meetings - Lee Matthew Jackson
April 19, 2023 09:00 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBFeel like the internal communication at your agency is a little bit of a mess? Perhaps you're missing deadlines, upsetting clients, or duplicating your efforts internally. In this episode, Lee shares how stand-up meetings in his agency help solve these problems. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/implement-stand-up-meetings
48:5 - The Mastermind Effect: Agency Transformation - Lee Matthew Jackson
April 11, 2023 14:51 - 9 minutes - 8.73 MBImagine a mastermind group that catapults your business to new heights, helps you make bold moves, and pushes you to reach your full potential. Lee shares his own incredible journey of growth and transformation, thanks to the power of these game-changing meetups. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/mastermind-effect-agency-transformation
S48E4 - Toxic clients & mental health - Lee Matthew Jackson
April 04, 2023 07:00 - 13 minutes - 11.9 MBEver felt swamped, stressed, or on edge due to tough clients? In this honest and unplanned episode, our host Lee gets real about how his mental health has been impacted by tricky client relationships. Tune in to hear his personal story, insights, and advice on dealing with toxic clients and safeguarding your well-being in the digital world. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/toxic-clients-mental-health
S48E3 - Optimise support, win client's hearts - Lee Matthew Jackson
March 28, 2023 07:00 - 10 minutes - 9.49 MBAre you having a tough time providing top-notch support to your clients? In this episode, Lee spills the beans on how his agency, Event Engine, turned their messy support system into one with a perfect 100% client happiness rating. Discover the super simple process they put in place to bring order to their support system, improve communication, and take a more proactive approach to helping their clients. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/optimise-support-win-clients-hearts/
S48E2 - Track communication, convert more leads - Lee Matthew Jackson
March 21, 2023 08:00 - 11 minutes - 11.9 MBHave you ever been excited to receive a new lead in your inbox, only for the communication to fizzle out over time? As a web agency owner, this can be a frustrating experience. In this episode, Lee shares his agency's solution to this problem. By implementing a simple process using a CRM, they were able to track their communications and convert more leads. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/track-and-convert-leads/
S48E1 - Selling value, not just websites - Lee Matthew Jackson
March 14, 2023 08:00 - 10 minutes - 10 MBAre you tired of trying to sell your web design services to potential clients, only to be met with hesitation and skepticism? It can be difficult to convince someone to invest a large sum of money in your services when they don't really know you yet. But what if there was a better way? Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/selling-value-not-just-websites/
S47E5 - Defining success for your agency - Candy Phelps
March 13, 2023 09:17 - 25 minutes - 22.2 MBAre you tired of constantly comparing yourself to others in your industry? Do you struggle with defining success for yourself and staying motivated to achieve your goals? In this episode, Lee and Candy dive into the world of pricing, money, and success in the agency and freelancer space. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/defining-success-for-your-agency/
S47E4 - Employees and benefits - Lee & Candy
December 23, 2022 10:45 - 25 minutes - 24.5 MB📈 Candy explores hiring and compensating employees. It's all over the news; countries are entering or on the brink of recession. We've teamed up with Candy Phelps to explore essential financial skills freelancers and agency owners should flex during these times. In this episode, we discuss hiring, including when to hire, alternatives to full-time hiring, and preparing ahead to avoid stress. Full show notes:
S47E3 - Business planning and projections - Lee & Candy
December 21, 2022 14:04 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MB📈 Candy shares how to develop a business plan. It's all over the news; countries are entering or on the brink of recession. We've teamed up with Candy Phelps to explore essential financial skills freelancers and agency owners should flex during these times. In this episode, we discuss the common struggles of business planning and financial management. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/business-planning-and-projections
S47E2 - Pricing for web design - Lee & Candy
December 16, 2022 11:38 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MB📈 Candy shares how to price for web design projects. It's all over the news; countries are entering or on the brink of recession. We've teamed up with Candy Phelps to explore essential financial skills freelancers and agency owners should flex during these times. In this episode we break down how to calculate your rates and price for projects. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/pricing-for-web-design
S47E1 - Pricing in a weak economy - Lee & Candy
December 09, 2022 09:20 - 21 minutes - 20.5 MB📈 Candy shares the effects of macroeconomics on freelancers and agencies It's all over the news; countries are entering or on the brink of recession. We've teamed up with Candy Phelps to explore essential financial skills freelancers and agency owners should flex during these times. In this episode, we discuss how macroeconomics and personal finances affect our businesses, how to plan our finances and future-proof our organisations. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/pricing-in-...
S46E13 - An otherworldly site builder - Lee Matthew Jackson
October 31, 2022 11:00 - 8 minutes - 8.9 MB🎃 A visual builder that produces fast-loading WordPress websites. In this series, Lee looks at a range of WordPress tools that can add value to both the development process and client interactions. For each episode, Lee will define a problem, discuss his agency's solution, and share a use case. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/an-otherworldly-site-builder Join the conversation: https://trailblazer.fm/an-otherworldly-site-builder/#respond All WordPress tools to try before you ...
S46E12 - Conjuring membership magic - Lee Matthew Jackson
October 30, 2022 11:00 - 7 minutes - 7.96 MB🎃 Protecting content within WordPress for members only. In this series, Lee looks at a range of WordPress tools that can add value to both the development process and client interactions. For each episode, Lee will define a problem, discuss his agency's solution, and share a use case. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/conjuring-membership-magic Join the conversation: https://trailblazer.fm/conjuring-membership-magic/#respond All WordPress tools to try before you die: https://t...
S46E11 - Adding hocus pocus to a website - Lee Matthew Jackson
October 29, 2022 10:00 - 6 minutes - 7.77 MB🎃 No-code animations and effects in WordPress. In this series, Lee looks at a range of WordPress tools that can add value to both the development process and client interactions. For each episode, Lee will define a problem, discuss his agency's solution, and share a use case. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/adding-hocus-pocus-to-a-website Join the conversation: https://trailblazer.fm/adding-hocus-pocus-to-a-website/#respond All WordPress tools to try before you die: https://...
S46E10 - Attack of the clones - Lee Matthew Jackson
October 28, 2022 10:00 - 7 minutes - 8.69 MB🎃 Moving a large WordPress website from one host to another. In this series, Lee looks at a range of WordPress tools that can add value to both the development process and client interactions. For each episode, Lee will define a problem, discuss his agency's solution, and share a use case. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/attack-of-the-clones/ Join the conversation: https://trailblazer.fm/attack-of-the-clones/#respond All WordPress tools to try before you die: https://trailbl...
S46E9 - Supernatural search engine optimization - Lee Matthew Jackson
October 27, 2022 10:00 - 6 minutes - 7.87 MB🎃 How to manage SEO in WordPress. In this series, Lee looks at a range of WordPress tools that can add value to both the development process and client interactions. For each episode, Lee will define a problem, discuss his agency's solution, and share a use case. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/supernatural-search-engine-optimization Join the conversation: https://trailblazer.fm/supernatural-search-engine-optimization All WordPress tools to try before you die: https://trailb...
S46E8 - Battling a gruesome WordPress database - Lee Matthew Jackson
October 26, 2022 10:00 - 7 minutes - 7.85 MB🎃 How to clean a slow and bloated WordPress database. In this series, Lee looks at a range of WordPress tools that can add value to both the development process and client interactions. For each episode, Lee will define a problem, discuss his agency's solution, and share a use case. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/battling-a-gruesome-wordpress-database Join the conversation: https://trailblazer.fm/battling-a-gruesome-wordpress-database/#respond All WordPress tools to try bef...
S46E7 - Cobwebs in the WordPress admin - Lee Matthew Jackson
October 25, 2022 13:05 - 6 minutes - 6.44 MB🎃 Make it easier to access and sort data in the WordPress admin. In this series, Lee looks at a range of WordPress tools that can add value to both the development process and client interactions. For each episode, Lee will define a problem, discuss his agency's solution, and share a use case. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/cobwebs-in-the-wordpress-admin Join the conversation: https://trailblazer.fm/cobwebs-in-the-wordpress-admin/#respond All WordPress tools to try before y...
S46E4 - Don't fear accessibility - Lee Matthew Jackson
October 24, 2022 08:20 - 8 minutes - 10 MB🎃 How to provide a more accessible website. In this series, Lee looks at a range of WordPress tools that can add value to both the development process and client interactions. For each episode, Lee will define a problem, discuss his agency's solution, and share a use case. Notice: This is a re-record due to discovering the third-party tool that we believed was providing people with a better browsing experience, was potentially hindering their access and not helping at all!!! :( Full ...
S46E6 - Form data has an afterlife - Lee Matthew Jackson
October 24, 2022 07:55 - 7 minutes - 8.26 MB🎃 How to do more with form data. In this series, Lee looks at a range of WordPress tools that can add value to both the development process and client interactions. For each episode, Lee will define a problem, discuss his agency's solution, and share a use case. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/give-form-data-an-afterlife Join the conversation: https://trailblazer.fm/give-form-data-an-afterlife/#respond All WordPress tools to try before you die: https://trailblazer.fm/categor...
S46E5 - Website emails resurrected - Lee Matthew Jackson
October 23, 2022 07:05 - 7 minutes - 8.17 MB🎃 How to ensure emails are delivered from your WordPress site. In this series, Lee looks at a range of WordPress tools that can add value to both the development process and client interactions. For each episode, Lee will define a problem, discuss his agency's solution, and share a use case. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/website-emails-resurrected Join the conversation: https://trailblazer.fm/website-emails-resurrected/#respond All WordPress tools to try before you die: ht...
S46E3 - Fighting a comment apocalypse - Lee Matthew Jackson
October 21, 2022 10:00 - 7 minutes - 7.52 MB🎃 How do you get control of all those SPAM comments in WordPress? In this series, Lee looks at a range of WordPress tools that can add value to both the development process and client interactions. For each episode, Lee will define a problem, discuss his agency's solution, and share a use case. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/fighting-a-comment-apocalypse Join the conversation: https://trailblazer.fm/fighting-a-comment-apocalypse/#respond All WordPress tools to try before yo...
S46E2 - Handling scary data imports - Lee Matthew Jackson
October 20, 2022 10:00 - 6 minutes - 7.56 MB🎃 How to import complex datasets into WordPress. In this series, Lee looks at a range of WordPress tools that can add value to both the development process and client interactions. For each episode, Lee will define a problem, discuss his agency's solution, and share a use case. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/handling-scary-data-imports Join the conversation: https://trailblazer.fm/handling-scary-data-imports/#respond All the WordPress tools to try before you die: https://tr...
S46E1 - Dealing with monster websites - Lee Matthew Jackson
October 19, 2022 08:10 - 6 minutes - 6.57 MB🎃 How do you cope with large volumes of data in WordPress? In this series, Lee looks at a range of WordPress tools that can add value to both the development process and client interactions. For each episode, Lee will define a problem, discuss his agency’s solution, and share a use case. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/dealing-with-monster-websites Join the conversation: https://trailblazer.fm/dealing-with-monster-websites/#respond All the WordPress tools to try before you d...
Bonus - Should I host client websites? - Austin of 20i
October 17, 2022 14:00 - 18 minutes - 16.8 MBAs an agency owner, it can be tough to decide whether or not to host your client's websites. On the one hand, there are some clear benefits to doing so - you have access to more data and can provide a better overall experience for your clients. However, there are also costs associated with hosting such as maintenance, support, and downtime risks. In this episode, we interview Austin from 20i about the pros and cons of hosting client websites. He helps us to understand the risks involve...
S45E5 - Words win business - Stephen church
October 03, 2022 13:00 - 20 minutes - 19.4 MBAs a third-generation business owner, Stephen knows a thing or two about the ups and downs of running a company. So when his family's business came to an end, he didn't waste any time getting back on his feet. In no time at all, he had launched a new venture as a copywriting provider. He developed three core sources of leads: website, networking, and LinkedIn. But Stephen didn't stop there. He also took the time to build relationships with potential clients, often going above and beyo...
S45E4 - From in-person to online - Candy Phelps
September 28, 2022 07:39 - 19 minutes - 18.4 MBHaving developed an agency focused on providing unique in-person experiences for their customers, Candy had to pivot her agency's unique service during the pandemic. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/from-in-person-to-online
S44E3 - I know you’re busy but - Barbara Carneiro
September 21, 2022 10:25 - 21 minutes - 19.5 MBIn an awesome office with a growing team, situated a stone’s throw from the beach, Barbara was living the dream life. Right? Barbara shares how she only works 10 hours a week and is more profitable. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/i-know-youre-busy-but
S45E3 - I know you’re busy but - Barbara Carneiro
September 21, 2022 10:25 - 21 minutes - 19.5 MBIn an awesome office with a growing team, situated a stone’s throw from the beach, Barbara was living the dream life. Right? Barbara shares how she only works 10 hours a week and is more profitable. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/i-know-youre-busy-but
S45E02 - Invest now, get paid later - Darren Jamieson
September 12, 2022 08:16 - 24 minutes - 24.8 MBWith raw honesty, Darren shares their journey from doing it all themselves to building a large thriving team. He describes starting with content and developing a range of digital services. And how they automated the most time-intensive task with a lot of initial coding elbow grease. Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/invest-now-get-paid-later
S45E01 - Getting things "DoneDone" - Michael Sanders
September 02, 2022 12:55 - 23 minutes - 23.6 MB🎙 Michael shares his agency journey from musician to Co-founder of DoneDone Full show notes: https://trailblazer.fm/getting-things-donedone