All right, welcome to another deep dive.
You know, I've seen a lot of you online
talking about starting a digital marketing agency
and frankly, I've been thinking about it myself.
So I figured why not dive deep into this
and see what's out there, you know?
So we're diving into this YouTube video
by Jason Wardrop, the guy's like,
a total pro in the digital marketing world.
And he breaks down like how to launch an agency
from scratch, even if you've got zero experience.
Which is perfect for us.
Yeah, exactly.
I mean, that's where we're at right now, right?
So I was really struck by how Jason
like kind of pushes back against all that like guru advice
you see everywhere, you know, like charging those crazy high
prices right out of the gate, like $1,500, $2,000 a month.
Jason's like, hold up, not so fast.
Yeah, he really emphasizes building a sustainable business.
Yeah.
You know, it's not about chasing the big bucks right away.
It's more about finding those, like those loyal clients.
Who can actually afford you month after month, you know?
That consistent income.
That makes a lot of sense, especially when you're just
starting out, right?
You want that stability, that peace of mind.
So you can focus on delivering great results
and building those long-term relationships.
Absolutely.
So instead of going for those
high ticket clients right off the bat, you know,
Jason recommends focusing on maybe smaller businesses
and offering services, you know, maybe in the $300 to $500
or a month range.
Okay, that's much more approachable, I think,
for a lot of businesses out there.
But then how do you actually land those clients?
Right.
Well, he's got some really, really cool strategies for that,
both online and offline.
Oh, tell me more about that.
Yeah, yeah.
He starts with something so simple, but I feel like
it's often overlooked and that's leveraging your network.
I was gonna say, the power of who you know.
Exactly.
Sometimes it's really just a matter of letting people know
what you're doing, you know?
Just putting it out there.
So true.
He suggests things like posting on your social media,
like Facebook and LinkedIn, but here's the key.
You gotta target groups specific to the industry
you wanna work with.
So if I wanna work with, I don't know,
let's say like real estate agents,
I'd go straight to those real estate groups.
Exactly, you gotta get in front of the right people,
you know?
That makes so much sense.
It's like laser focused networking.
Right.
So it's online, but then he also doesn't shy away
from offline networking either.
Yeah, yeah.
He really advocates for like B&I groups.
Okay.
Business network international.
It's all about connecting with other professionals.
Okay.
Who could potentially send clients your way.
So even if I'm like, you know, a digital native,
don't underestimate the power of like shaking hands
and those face-to-face interactions.
Absolutely.
Yeah.
And he also suggests meetup.com to find local events.
Oh, good idea.
Where you can connect with potential clients in person.
Perfect.
So that's awesome for getting the word out
kind of like right away.
Right, yeah.
But he also talks about playing the long game, right?
Yeah.
He does, yeah.
And that's where like his YouTube strategy comes in.
Okay.
Content marketing baby.
Yeah, exactly.
He's all about creating helpful content
that attracts the right people.
Love it.
And he has this really specific strategy
where he says, you gotta tailor your videos
to your ideal client's needs.
So let's say, you know, you wanna work with dentists.
Okay, yeah.
You'd make these videos packed with tips
on how to use like Facebook ads.
I'd like to get more patience.
To get more patience.
Exactly.
So I'm like showing off my expertise
without even having to like pitch them directly.
Exactly.
You're establishing yourself as the expert.
Yeah.
And building that trust before they even reach out.
I love that.
And it's content that just keeps working for you
over time, right?
Absolutely, yeah.
As you build up your library.
Yeah.
You're essentially creating like this 24 seven
marketing machine.
Okay, that's okay.
Like passively attracts client.
Okay, now I'm sure people are listening
and they're like, okay, this all sounds amazing,
but what about actually delivering those services?
Like what if I don't have that much marketing experience?
Right, well that's where Jason's focus
on using software and systems comes in.
Okay.
He provides like this framework
to streamline your whole process.
So instead of being overwhelmed,
we're talking about working smarter, not harder.
Yeah, 100%.
And he walks you through some simple,
but really impactful services that you can offer
using readily available software.
Like what, give me an example.
Well, he's got one that he calls auto missed call text back.
Okay, what is that?
So think about it.
How many calls do you think small businesses miss?
Oh, probably a ton.
I know I miss calls all the time.
All the time, right.
You're busy or you're away from your desk,
whatever the reason.
Yeah.
And those missed calls often become missed opportunities.
Because who even leaves voicemails anymore?
Exactly.
People are busy.
They don't have time to wait.
So this software solves that problem.
It automatically sends a text.
Get out.
To anyone who calls and doesn't get through.
That's brilliant.
So you're capturing leads
that you would have otherwise just completely missed.
Exactly.
It's like having a virtual receptionist
working for you around the clock.
So I'm like, never missing a lead again?
Exactly.
And all those messages,
they're funneled into a unified inbox.
Oh, no.
So you can manage it all from your phone
or your computer, whatever's easiest.
I love it.
Okay, what else?
What other services does he talk about?
So another key one is online review management.
Okay.
You know how crucial online reviews are these days, right?
Absolutely.
It's all about that social proof.
Yes.
Positive reviews can like make or break a business,
especially for attracting new customers.
Especially for local businesses, right?
I look at reviews all the time.
All the time.
But getting those reviews can be a real struggle
for small businesses.
They're busy running their day to day
and often don't have the time or the energy
to chase after reviews.
That's where this service comes in.
So the software automates the whole review process.
Exactly.
It takes a huge weight off their shoulders.
Okay.
So once you connect their Google business profile,
the software automatically generates a unique review link.
Okay, so instead of trying to walk them through
that whole process of like finding the link and all that,
I just give them this link.
Exactly.
Super simple.
And you can even pre-write like a customized message
to encourage those customers to leave a review.
That makes it so easy.
And get this, the platform can actually automate
sending those review requests at the best times.
Wow.
So it takes all the guesswork out of it.
Right.
Both for me and the client.
Exactly.
And then another service that Jason recommends
is using a chat widget on your client's websites.
You know those little pop-up boxes
where visitors can chat with someone instantly.
I love those.
They're so much better than just a static contact form.
Totally.
You can engage with visitors in real time,
answer their questions,
and maybe even convert them into leads right then and there.
You know, I was actually on a website just the other day
and had a question about a product.
Yeah.
I used the chat widget, got an answer right away,
and ended up buying the product.
There you go.
It's all about making it easy for people to connect
and get the information they need.
Exactly.
And just like with those other services,
all those chats go straight to that unified inbox
so your clients can manage all their communication
from every channel in one place.
Okay, so we've got the Automist call text back,
online review management, and chat widgets.
What else?
Any other automation tricks he's got up his sleeve?
He does.
And this one's a real game changer.
He calls it the Fast 5 Automation.
Uh-oh.
Fast 5?
What's that?
It's all about using AI to engage new leads instantly.
Okay, AI, I'm listening.
So remember how we talked about responding to leads quickly?
Like the faster you respond,
the more likely you are to convert them into a paying client.
Oh yeah, for sure.
Speed is key.
Well, the Fast 5 Automation takes care of that for you.
Nice.
Within five minutes of a new lead opting in,
whether it's through your website or a Facebook ad,
the system automatically sends a welcome email
and a text message.
So you're like instantly making contacts,
starting that relationship, I like it.
Right.
And here's where the AI comes in.
The system actually analyzes the leads initial response.
Oh wow.
If the response is positive,
it can even send a booking link.
Whoa.
But if the lead doesn't respond,
or the response isn't so positive,
the system can trigger a phone call
or send you a notification so you can follow up personally.
So it's like having a 247 sales team working for me.
Exactly.
It's all about setting up the systems to work for you,
even while you're sleeping.
That's why he calls this semi-passive income.
Put in the work upfront to set up the systems
and then they just work for you.
Okay, this all sounds incredible,
but I'm sure some people are wondering,
like what's the cost of all this?
Software can get expensive.
Right.
That's where Jason's bonus tip comes in.
Oh, I love a bonus tip.
Lay it on me.
He actually offers viewers a free course.
Get out.
That goes into all of this in even more detail.
Plus, he gives you an extended trial of the software he uses.
Oh, so you can really test it out.
Yeah, you can set everything up
and potentially even land your first clients
before you even have to pay for the software.
That's incredible.
It's a great way to see if this business model
is a good fit for you.
No risk, love it.
And it really aligns with his whole message,
which is that starting a digital marketing agency
is more achievable than you might think.
It's not about having tons of money or years of experience.
It's about having the right mindset,
using the right tools and taking action.
Exactly.
All right, so before we move on to part two,
where we'll dive even deeper into the specifics
of the software that Jason uses,
let's just quickly recap what we've learned so far.
Sounds good.
We talked about the importance of choosing a pricing model
that's sustainable, where you're building a base of clients
who can afford your services month after month.
And we touched on how to leverage both online and offline
networking to get the word out and land those first few clients.
Right.
And of course, we can't forget the power of content marketing,
specifically using YouTube to attract your ideal clients
by giving them valuable content tailored to their needs.
For sure.
And then we dove into the importance
of using software and systems to make your life easier,
even if you're not a marketing expert.
Makes it so much more manageable.
Right.
And we talked about three key services you can offer.
Auto-Miscall TextBack, online review management,
and chat widgets.
Yep, all super valuable.
And finally, we got a taste of the power of AI
with that Fast 5 automation.
Which just blew my mind.
I know, right?
Can't wait to see how it all comes together in part two.
But for now, I want to leave you with this thought.
What unique skills or passions can you
bring to the table to set yourself apart in the world
of digital marketing?
Good question.
Hold on to that thought.
We'll be back soon with more from Jason's video.
All right, so you're ready to dig into the actual software
Jason uses to make all this agency stuff happen?
Oh, absolutely.
I'm dying to know how he actually puts all these concepts
into practice.
So throughout the video, he keeps
showing this specific software platform that he uses.
He calls it a launchpad for agencies.
A launchpad.
It's not something he created himself.
But he's clearly a huge fan of it.
Gotcha.
So what makes this launchpad so special?
What can it actually do?
Well, everything starts with connecting your clients' Google
business profile to the platform.
That's like step one.
It's like laying the foundation for everything else.
OK, so once that connection's made,
then all the other features fall into place.
Pretty much, yeah.
He shows how easy it is to set up that auto missed call text
back feature.
It's literally like a couple clicks and you're done.
And you can customize the message that goes out, right?
So it's not just some generic robotic text.
Exactly.
You can make it sound like your client's brand.
Keep it personal and welcoming.
Awesome.
And of course, those messages go straight
to that unified inbox.
We talked about.
Right, right.
So everything's nice and organized.
Super efficient, yeah.
And speaking of smooth and efficient,
we got to talk about online reviews.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah, the reviews.
Remember how crucial those are for social proof and all that?
Oh, absolutely.
Reviews are everything for local businesses, especially.
Totally.
Well, this launchpad makes it so easy to manage them.
Right.
Once that Google business profile is connected,
it can automatically generate a unique review
link for each client.
OK, so instead of giving my clients
this long, complicated explanation of how
to find their Google review link,
I can just give them this one simple link.
Exactly.
No more confusion.
Plus, you can pre-write a custom message that
encourages people to leave a good review.
No, nice touch.
So it's not just making it easy to leave a review.
It's prompting them to actually do it.
Exactly.
Keeps those positive reviews coming in.
Oh, and they can even automate sending those requests out
at the best times, too.
Whoa, really?
It does all that.
It's pretty amazing.
So I'm sure you're wondering about that chat
widget we discussed.
Oh, yeah.
Does that work with this launchpad thing?
Seamlessly.
You can connect it straight to your client's website.
OK.
But here's the thing.
What if they don't have a website?
Oh, right.
That's actually pretty common for smaller businesses, I bet.
It is, yeah.
No problem, though.
The launchpad actually has a website builder built right in.
Get out!
You can whip up a super professional looking site
for your clients, like right there in the platform.
So I'm not only offering marketing services,
I can help them get online from scratch, basically.
It's a huge value add, for sure.
I bet they love that.
Plus, the templates are really well designed,
so you don't have to be a tech expert to make it look good.
That's a relief.
OK, I got to ask about the automation features, though.
I'm super curious about what he calls workflows.
That's where the real magic happens.
Workflows are basically like sequences of actions
that get triggered by specific events.
Can you give me an example?
I'm more of a visual learner, you know?
Sure.
Remember that Fast 5 automation?
The one with the AI that engages new leads instantly?
Yeah.
Well, that's a workflow.
So when a new lead opts in, it triggers that whole sequence.
The welcome email, the text message,
and then based on their response,
it either sends them a booking link or sends you a notification
to follow up personally.
So it's all automated, like a domino effect.
Exactly.
That's why Jason calls this approach semi-passive income.
You put in the work to design the workflow.
Yeah.
And then the software just takes over.
It does all the heavy lifting for you.
OK, are there other types of workflows you can set up?
Or is it just for leads?
Oh, no.
You can do all sorts of things.
Appointment reminders, personalized email campaigns,
Wow.
Follow-ups for different situations, all kinds of stuff.
So it really is like having a virtual assistant that never
sleeps.
Totally.
It's incredible how much it can streamline your work.
And you said it's easy to use, even if I'm not, like a tech whiz.
Yeah, Jason really emphasized that.
You don't have to be a coder or anything to use it.
That's good to know, because I'm definitely
more of a marketing person than a tech person.
And that's totally fine.
This launch pad is made for people like us.
Makes it way less intimidating to get started.
Totally.
Plus, remember, Jason's offering that free course
and the extended trial.
You can really get a feel for it before committing.
I love that.
OK, so I'm really starting to see how powerful this thing is.
It's pretty game-changing, honestly.
It's not just about making my life easier.
It's like giving me the tools to actually grow and scale
my business.
Exactly.
And the best part is, you don't need a ton of money
or experience to get started.
You just need the right tools and the right mindset.
And the willingness to take action.
So true.
All right, before we move on to part 3,
where we'll uncover even more cool stuff about this launch pad,
let's quickly recap what we covered in part 2.
OK, sounds good.
We got into the nitty-gritty of the launch pad software.
We saw how it makes managing the Auto Mist call text back
feature, the online reviews, and even creating websites
super easy.
And we talked about the power of those workflows.
Oh, the workflow.
For automating all kinds of tasks.
And how user-friendly the whole platform is,
even for non-techie people.
Definitely.
It's surprisingly intuitive.
All right, you ready for part 3?
Let's do it.
OK, so we're back for the final part of our deep dive
into building a digital marketing agency from scratch,
even with no experience.
Yeah, we've covered a lot already.
But Jason had even more up his sleeve.
I know, right?
There's so much good stuff in this video.
And this stuff isn't just about making your life
as an agency owner easier.
It's about serious growth and scaling your impact.
OK, you've got my attention.
What are we talking about here?
So Jason talks about being able to white label the software.
OK.
He actually shows you how to do it in the platform.
Now, I know some people might not
be familiar with white labeling.
What does that even mean?
Basically, imagine you're using this awesome software
to do all these cool things for your clients.
Right.
But instead of them seeing the original software branding,
they see your agency's logo, your colors,
even your custom domain.
Oh, so it looks like I built the software myself.
Exactly.
It's all about creating that professional branded
experience for your clients.
Thanks, total sense.
It would definitely make me look more legit.
Right.
And it lets you charge more for your services.
OK, yeah, because I'm offering a more premium, unique experience.
Exactly.
So it's like taking all the work the software developers put
in and using it to elevate your own brand.
That's really smart.
So besides white labeling, what other growth strategies
does he talk about?
Well, Jason's a big believer in building an affiliate program.
An affiliate program.
OK, now we're getting to some next level stuff.
It's a super powerful way to scale your agency.
Basically, you get other people to promote your services for you.
Oh, so it's like word of mouth marketing, but on steroids?
Exactly.
You create special referral links that your affiliates can share.
And when someone signs up through their link, they get a commission.
So everybody wins.
They make money promoting me.
And I get new clients.
Exactly.
It's a win-win.
And the best part is this Lodgepad
makes managing your affiliate program super easy.
Oh, really?
It has all these building tools for tracking referrals,
calculating commissions, even providing marketing materials
for your affiliates.
Wow, so it's not just like, here's a link.
Good luck.
Nope.
You're giving them everything they need to be successful.
That's amazing.
This Lodgepad really is like a one-stop shop
for building a successful agency.
It really is.
It's not just about doing things easier.
It's about giving you the tools to grow and scale in ways
you might not have even thought of before.
It's pretty inspiring, honestly.
I'm starting to get some ideas myself.
I know me too.
And remember, Jason emphasizes that you
don't need a ton of money or years of experience.
Right, right.
You can use this software, focus on those simple but effective
services we talked about, and build
those strategic partnerships to create
a really thriving agency.
You know, it all comes back to taking action, right?
Doing the research, trying out the tools,
and just going for it.
Totally.
That's what Jason's all about, taking action
and making it happen.
Well, there you have it, folks.
Our deep dive into launching a digital marketing agency,
even if you have zero experience.
Yeah, I look over to a lot.
From choosing your pricing and finding your first clients
to automating your tasks and scaling your business.
And we saw how powerful software like this Launchpad can be.
It really can transform your agency.
Take it to a whole new level.
For sure.
So as you start building your agency,
remember what you talked about.
Building those relationships, providing amazing service,
and taking advantage of the tools and strategies
that are out there.
Don't be afraid to try new things and learn as you go.
And don't be afraid to reach out to other entrepreneurs
for support and advice.
There's a whole community out there.
Absolutely.
We're all in this together, right?
That's right.
And never stop learning.
Keep exploring new ideas and push the boundaries of what's
possible in the digital marketing world.
Until next time, keep diving deep.