In this episode of The WP Minute’s Agency Action podcast, Kurt and Toby delve into the complexities of running a successful agency. They discuss the pros and cons of publishing pricing, the challenges of managing client expectations, and the nuances of value-based versus time-based pricing. The conversation also explores the importance of building relationships, navigating the e-commerce landscape, and the necessity of developing effective marketing strategies. The guys emphasize the importance of embracing discomfort for growth and the necessity of organization in scaling up operations. Be sure to stick around for the Matt Medeiros cameo!

Takeaways:

• Agencies must decide whether to publish pricing or keep it ambiguous.
• Scope creep can lead to unrealistic client expectations.
• Value-based pricing requires deeper relationships and trust.
• Understanding the root cause of client requests is crucial.
• E-commerce presents unique challenges for agencies.
• Confidence in pricing can lead to higher sales.
• Networking is essential for expanding reach and opportunities.
• Embracing discomfort is necessary for growth.
• Effective marketing strategies can help agencies scale.
• Organization is key to managing a growing agency.

Important Links:

• Kurt’s Agency: Mañana No Mas
• Toby’s Agency: The Mighty Mo!
• Follow Kurt & Toby:
  LinkedIn: Kurt | Toby
• Agency Action Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe

In this episode of The WP Minute’s Agency Action podcast, Kurt and Toby discuss the challenges and strategies of running a WordPress agency. They explore the importance of efficiency in managing multiple sites, the necessity of delegation, and effective pricing strategies. The conversation also covers client success, the role of reporting, and the value of newsletters for engagement. The guys emphasize the ethics of pricing and the unique freedoms that come with self-employment, encouraging agency owners to embrace these aspects for growth and success.

Takeaways:

• Agencies often struggle with managing multiple sites efficiently.
• Delegation is crucial for agency growth and efficiency.
• Pricing strategies can significantly impact agency profitability.
• Client success is a shared responsibility between the agency and the client.
• Reporting should focus on key performance indicators that matter to clients.
• Building a newsletter can enhance client engagement and visibility.
• Understanding client expectations is key to successful project delivery.
• Ethics in pricing can vary widely among agency owners.
• Self-employment offers unique freedoms that should be embraced.
• Continuous learning and community engagement are vital for agency owners.

Important Links:

• Kurt’s Agency: Mañana No Mas
• Toby’s Agency: The Mighty Mo!
• Follow Kurt & Toby:
  LinkedIn: Kurt | Toby
• Agency Action Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe

In this episode of The WP Minute’s Agency Action, Kurt von Ahnen and Toby Cryns discuss their WordPress agency experiences. The guys focus on their tech stack, project delivery methods, and plugin preferences. They emphasize the importance of filtering plugins, effective team dynamics, and managing SaaS subscriptions. The conversation also touches on backup solutions and community-building tools, providing insights into the operational aspects of running a WordPress agency. Kurt and Toby also discuss various aspects of running a business, including evaluating tools and expenses, choosing the right project management systems, the importance of transparency in business operations, effective proposal writing, and understanding business expenses and insurance. They share personal experiences and insights on how to manage a successful agency while being mindful of costs and operational efficiency.

Takeaways:

• Having a dedicated marketing team can streamline project delivery.
• Choosing the right hosting provider is crucial for website performance.
• Backup solutions should be independent of hosting services to avoid single points of failure.
• Community-building tools like Lifter LMS are essential for client projects.
• Investing in the right tools can lead to better project outcomes.
• Understanding client needs is key to selecting the right plugins.
• Effective team dynamics can enhance project delivery efficiency. Using tools like Descript and SweetDash can streamline business operations.
• It’s important to evaluate whether multiple tools are necessary for the same function.
• Frugality in business should be balanced with efficiency and effectiveness.
• Tracking time on projects can provide valuable insights for future estimates.
• Transparency with employees about finances can be tricky but necessary.
• Understanding the costs associated with running a business is crucial for sustainability.
• Business insurance is essential to protect against unforeseen circumstances.
• Proposal writing can be simplified with the right tools and templates.
• Client communication is key to managing expectations and project scope.
• Entrepreneurship requires hard work and a willingness to take risks.

Important Links:

• Kurt’s Agency: Mañana No Mas
• Toby’s Agency: The Mighty Mo!
• Follow Kurt & Toby:
  LinkedIn: Kurt | Toby
• Agency Action Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe

Kurt von Ahnen and Toby Cryns kick off Season 1 by answering the questions every new agency owner asks: how to split time between learning, delivery, marketing, and actually running the business; how to find (and talk to) buyers; and how to price when you’re still building your portfolio. They unpack the difference between marketing and sales, why grassroots outreach beats tiny ad budgets, and how recurring revenue (hosting + maintenance) keeps you top-of-mind and solvent.

You’ll hear practical scripts for handling pushback, ways to build trust without a giant portfolio, and two contrasting—but equally successful—approaches to pricing: Toby’s “what does this look like—$18k?” instinct vs. Kurt’s hour-based estimates with a 30% buffer and a firm agency rate. They also cover scope control, when to say “yes” to harmless client preferences, and why generosity and community involvement pay surprising dividends over time.

Key takeaways

• Time blocking wins: protect daily blocks for sales/marketing (90–120 min/day), learning, and delivery.
• Marketing ≠ sales: if you must pick, sell—book coffees, ask for intros, join real-world meetups.
• Grassroots > tiny ad spends: a $500 ads budget won’t replace consistent outbound and community activity.
• Build trust without a big portfolio: create sample sites on your server and lead with outcomes, not tech.
• Don’t talk stacks in sales calls: promise outcomes, timelines, and service—save tech for discovery/paid work.
• Price for the team you’ll need: even solo, quote as if you’re paying implementers and managing the project.
• Try “looks like” pricing: anchor high, then listen; you can adjust scope before you adjust price.
• Recurring revenue is marketing: hosting/maintenance keeps you top-of-mind and smooths cash flow.
• Scope & sanity: if budget is the issue, remove features—don’t race to the bottom.
• Say “yes” (when harmless): accommodate style tweaks that won’t break objectives; save your “no” for what matters.
• Generosity compounds: responsive service, community leadership, and “pay it forward” behavior attract referrals.
• Choose depth and width: anchor with a few high-margin projects; fill the gaps with simpler builds.

Links mentioned

• The Mighty Mo (Toby’s agency): https://themightymo.com
• Mañana No Mas (Kurt’s agency): https://manananomas.com
• The WP Minute (network): https://thewpminute.com
• Post Status (community referenced): https://poststatus.com
• WebDevStudios (referenced in discussion): https://webdevstudios.com