Wunderful Designs – #AgencyLife

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Verbatim text

Lee:
Welcome to the Agency Trailblazer Podcast. This is an Agency Life episode coming to you every Wednesday and Friday, where we interview an agency owner from around the world, asking them the same questions because we’re all different, but we’re all the same. So let’s listen and learn from each other. This podcast is brought to you by the agency trailblazer. Community Is agency life stressing you out? Then? It is our mission to help you build an agency that you love. We’ve created a community which includes the Agency Reset roadmap, that will allow you to get your agency back on the right track. We also have lots of noble, straight to the point, easy to consume workshops. We have a thriving community of other agency owners, and we all wrap up every month with a mastermind call with myself and sometimes a special guest where we unpack your questions. For more details, check out agencytrailblazer.Com. Welcome to another episode of Hashtag Agency Life. And on today’s show, we have Oliver Martin on the line.

Lee:
Hey, mate, how are you doing? Yeah. I’m good. Lee. How are you? I’m doing great. And I was just saying to you, as I was saying your name out loud, I was instantly doubting myself again because there is Mike Oliver in the community as well. I’m interviewing him tomorrow and I just keep I’ve got to that age, mate, where basically I can’t remember anyone’s name, or at least I can. But then I start doubting myself. Like just the other day I introduced my wife to someone and I was like, oh crap, I can’t remember this person’s name. So I just said to them, this is my wife, Kate. And then I went quiet and they introduced themselves to my wife. I was like, you, I’ve done it a number of times. Yeah, that was for free. All right. Yeah. With the niceties aside, let’s get into this and find out about you and your business. So first question is tell us the name of your agency and what it is you do.

Oliver Martin:
Okay. So the agency is wonderful to signs. It’s quite a small business compared to a lot of people in the community. But I suppose that kind of gives people an insight into those who are starting up. Perhaps. Um, I mainly focus on WordPress website design, so obviously WordPress websites and I tend to use the Elementor page builder and quite a few people in the community, but some people don’t like it and some people do. Don’t worry, I.

Lee:
Like it and being a builder. But anyway.

Oliver Martin:
Yeah, yeah. Also some digital marketing, which is new to me, but I’m getting a lot of input from other people in the community, and I’m starting to build up my knowledge, you know, with some e-learning as well, and also the business support, the sort of care plans, um, you know, reoccurring revenue for me, myself. Really. That’s it in a nutshell.

Lee:
Really awesome. Next question then, if I was going to get a birthday cake and some party poppers and one of those things that go woohoo! How old is your agency and when’s your birthday party?

Oliver Martin:
I would say it sort of started around about 2010, probably a few years beforehand, but just mucking around, I suppose a lot of us start off with a sort of a habit of a bit of a, you know, mucking around and not really taking it very seriously. But then 2010 came around and I was still in full time employment, but I thought, you know, I’m really gonna have a go at this because I’m really, really loving it and enjoying it. And I want to make, you know, not just lots of money, but just to really get out there and get stuck in with it properly.

Lee:
Do what you love.

Oliver Martin:
Yeah, yeah. Yeah. exactly. Yeah.

Lee:
It’s exactly why I got out of it. It paid great, but I didn’t love it. In fact, I absolutely hated doing things like windows updates, but loved building websites. So I’m with you.

Oliver Martin:
There, mate. I can imagine.

Lee:
All right, so let’s unpack your setup a little bit. How many people do you have in your team? And that could be contractors and or just you or however you work it.

Oliver Martin:
It’s mainly just myself, but I do have actually my cousins. Soon to be husband is a web developer. He works for a company, but he does do some sort of contract stuff for me. But that’s about it really. Other than people in the community that I’m hoping to work with at some point in the future, but it’s mainly just myself.

Lee:
So that’s quite a common way for a lot of agencies nowadays. There’s a lot of leaner agencies out there as well. I don’t think there’s any problem with that. Sure, we have the standard agencies with, say, 10 to 50 employees who are working on the big contracts. But, um, it’s very common, I think, because we’re we’re very similar in our setup that we’ve actually got people working for us either on contracts or employees around the world, rather than actually physically in a central office. And it just allows us to be leaner and more profitable. So why the heck not? All right, so your office setup then? Do you go away? Do you have like a co-working space that you go to sometimes, or are you based at home? How do you. What’s your setup?

Oliver Martin:
It’s about 90% at home really. Because that’s where most of my equipment is. And I haven’t got, um, like a MacBook Pro because I would really like to stick with, you know, Macintosh computers. And I’d prefer to get a macintosh or MacBook Pro, for instance, but I can’t afford to do that. So I don’t tend to do a lot of work outside of the office from home. So it’s mostly here, um, maybe on my phone, but when it’s just admin related stuff. So. Oh, wow. Home office.

Lee:
I’m old fashioned, mate. I really cannot type on a phone. I’m so bad at it.

Oliver Martin:
I’m really bad. Yeah. Paul Lacey’s, um, often said I’m like an old man for not being on the site for a while, so.

Lee:
Yeah. Yeah. Shout out to Paul. He always gets a shout out on practically every single episode.

Oliver Martin:
That’s insane. He’s a great guy.

Lee:
He’s a good guy, isn’t he? He’s. Yeah, he’s all right. We won’t go on to Paul Lacey, though. People will be sick of him by the end of this. I’m joking.

Oliver Martin:
Right.

Lee:
So you obviously you you do get to work with other people. You’re quite a new agency. Like you said. You’re looking to grow and expand. Um, so if you could describe what sort of culture you would want for your agency as you’re growing, what would you imagine your team culture or your dynamic would be?

Oliver Martin:
I guess mostly personal for myself, having a better work life balance, you know, because again, it’s just myself. I can only kind of think about myself right now rather than maybe 2 or 3 people that working for me. Um, so that’s my focus right now to sort of work on my life as well as the agency. So, um, to try and have that better balance, more, better quality clients, clients, maybe just doing 1 or 2 people rather than 5 or 6 that tend to drag on and bring down some of the niceties of it and make it a bit lamer. But yeah, just just just that really just a bit of balance and working less or more that whole ethos.

Lee:
That’s good because then that can if you’re doing that for yourself, that’s something that you can then continue to adopt for the rest of your team as you grow. I like that a lot. So all right, um, I think thinking of your clients, then, um, do you have any particular industry or niche that you’re currently serving?

Oliver Martin:
No, it’s until this year, it’s been mostly I’ll take anything. And that was really unhealthy. And a lot of people have realised that way before me. And that’s why when starting these, uh, getting into these groups like WP innovator, Growing Awesome Digital Agency, Dan Barrett and you know, and so on, and um, I started to realise that I need to just work. I need to try to work for better people and learn to say no, you know, and rather than just saying yes to everything just because it’s £300 in the bank X months down the line. You know, because my wife works full time, I’d like to as well as do this myself. I’d like to contribute to the family as well. So there’s also been that pressure that I put myself under. No one else has that I need to contribute to the household. So I think now that I can kind of think, you know, you don’t need to do that. You need to just make the business healthy and it will grow more because of that.

Oliver Martin:
So that’s that’s where things are really.

Lee:
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head with the with a healthy business, it can grow more because that allows you to say no to the wrong sort of people and yes to the right sort of people. And I’ve been following your progress. Obviously, me and Paul are very close friends as well. He’s told me about you and how awesome you are, and I’m really excited where you’re going to be going in the future. And I’m looking forward to our episode that we’re going to record in a few weeks as well. So that’d be wicked cool. So for the existing clients that you have, and it sounds like you’ll eventually find your feet with a niche or a type of favourite product that you do for people. But with regards to the clients that you have at the moment, can you think of what the main problem you feel you solve for them is?

Oliver Martin:
I think it’s just their lack of knowledge not being able to do it themselves. Um, I guess that would be the main thing. Um, a lot of them tend to lean on me a lot, so they need that continual support, like holding hands. So I guess it’s mainly just support, really.

Lee:
I’ve got the words. I’ve got lean on me when you’re not my friend now. Oh, no. Right. Okay, so back to being serious and marketing. Let’s talk about marketing. How are you generating leads?

Oliver Martin:
At the moment it’s mainly trying to jump into some of the groups. And Denborough was mentioning about Niching down. I’m not quite sure I’m there just yet to pick something, because I was only just coming out of that, that sort of period where I’m saying yes to everything I need to and then realise, well, what’s more better for me? So I’ve started to join a few communities from different sectors, like legal. There’s one for doing with coaches because I’m currently doing a website for a coach, um, and I’m picking a few others as well, jumping into them and seeing what sticks. Yeah, just adding value first rather than jumping and going, look, I’ve got website service, you know, jump on me, you know, kind of thing. And so I’m adding the value first and then trying to see whether I can clinch a sale later. So that’s the main thing really. And using Leadwerks to try and, you know, pinpoint the people who are on my website and trying to contact them.

Oliver Martin:
So there’s two avenues really at the moment.

Lee:
Well that’s great. And then with regards to success, I’m definitely interested in your perception of what you think success for you is, especially when you mentioned about your wife working and you feeling like you want to contribute more. And we are definitely our own worst critics and taskmasters. Um, so if you think about it, what do you think? How do you think you would measure success, either personally or for your business?

Oliver Martin:
So I think personally would probably be going back to the balance of not being on continuously on my phone, looking at songs, responding to responding to an email of mine, and just being more relaxed about things. And business wise, generating more quality leads which generate more revenue. And I work less and probably no much more than that, really. I’ve got such simple goals and it probably seems very, very basic, but that’s where I think.

Lee:
Even an agency with 50 or more employees are still having the exact same problems. They haven’t thought things out. A lot of people will grow very quickly, but you still grow with the same bad decisions that you started off with many years ago. So for you to have this process going on now before you’re actually starting to employ more people is very, very healthy. Because by the time you’re growing, you know the exact customers that you’re targeting. You have your processes for marketing and you know you’re getting paid well as well. So never put yourself down. You’re on the absolute right track. And I’m really excited for you. Yeah. Um, so I guess in short, then, uh, it’s, um, the work life balance. Not checking your phone out of hours and all that sort of stuff. And obviously the better clients and they are really admirable goals. I think you should never, ever let go of, because I don’t think we’ll ever I’m not sure we’ll ever achieve everything. I think these are things that we have to keep doing.

Lee:
And even when we think we’ve achieved. Yeah, I’ve got the best work life balance ever. We then take our eye off the ball and a few weeks later we’ve found that we’re working late into the night. So it’s definitely something I think we need to keep constantly checking ourselves on maybe having accountability of the group as well.

Oliver Martin:
That was a quite good episode last time about accountability buddy as well. That really resonated with me. So that might be something I explore, definitely. And also just picking on a few goals. That’s why it probably sounds very limited response from me, but just focusing on a few things because of the limited hours I have, I think are more healthy for me rather than 10 or 20 goals.

Lee:
I think that segues quite well into the next question. We’re going to get a confession from you, and there’s only me and you and a few thousand listeners. So don’t worry about those guys. But what is the biggest problem you feel you have?

Oliver Martin:
How would that be agency wise, do you think?

Lee:
Well, whatever. It’s ruining your business. I don’t mean personally. Like, don’t don’t like, give us something really personal, and it gets that awkward. I’ve got this rash, you see, and. But, yeah, I mean, just business wise in general. You know what? What is the biggest problem that you are struggling with that you may even feel is holding you back a little bit or whatever?

Oliver Martin:
I think it’s my processes. I mean, I’ve never had a process. It’s all been just wing it and get a client and then see what happens kind of thing. Have a general discussion with them in the meeting, sort of saying, well, I’m going to design a mock up next. Is that okay? And they have no expectation of what’s going to happen next. So it’s like setting the expectation, making sure that my processes are in place so that I can follow and make sure that expectations are carried throughout. And there’s no kind of there’s less room for problems to go to occur rather. Yeah. That’s. Yeah. That makes sense. Yeah.

Lee:
Um, okay. Let’s talk about our well-being. So this is something that I think I’ve confessed multiple times on agency life, a couple of areas that I am constantly struggling with, and the first one is switching off because like you, I do do tend to work in my home office a lot. I like just the freedom of staying at home instead of being in the main office and doing my work here. Um, but I struggle to switch off. Do you have any tips for people on how to switch off, especially because your office is at home?

Oliver Martin:
I think I’ve got quite a good way of switching off, which is that my daughter, I look after my daughter full time, so I can’t be on the phone 24 hours and go, look, just go play. You know, if the house is very safe and secure for her. Yeah. If I happen to leave the gate open, for instance, on the bottom of the stairs, there’s trouble that will ensue. So I have to be on the ball all the time with her. So that really helps me switch off and have a lot of fun with her. So it’s also hard as well, because, you know, I want to work some point during the day, or I know I need to get back on by 2:00 PM and that kind of thing. I’m tied up. So I think having people around you get absorbed in them for a change rather than, you know, the phone. Switch it off, even if it’s just for an hour in the evening and then have.

Oliver Martin:
Your meal, have a chat, maybe even watch a movie. Or at least pick maybe 1 or 2 days in the week, maybe Monday and Friday or whatever days work for you, and then kind of just watch a movie. And me and my wife tend to do that most weeks. Touchwood. It’s been the last couple of weeks. But yeah, just a few opportunities where you can go. No, I’m going to switch off. Turn it off.

Lee:
It’s done. Fill your brain with something else.

Oliver Martin:
Yeah, absolutely. Culture and whatnot.

Lee:
And if you manage, how do you manage to stay healthy or attempt to be healthy?

Oliver Martin:
Oh, that’s quite a bad one. I’m trying to do the old weight loss with multiple different, um, uh, different methods. So like Weight Watchers and so on. And, and I tried to go out running, but I haven’t done it for a few months just because I’ve been focusing so much on the agency and then trying to switch back to being, you know, available at home, that it’s kind of just took a back backseat.

Lee:
Throughout Agency Life series. I’m starting to think we need someone to stand up and become like the fitness guru for agency owners, because I think we’re all just like, I.

Oliver Martin:
Suspect someone could make a lot of money on that.

Lee:
Oh yeah, because it’s I mean, let’s face it, when we’re doing our work, it’s mentally very taxing. So by the time the evening comes or when you wake up in the morning, you don’t necessarily feel like going for a run. I’ve got terrible motivation.

Oliver Martin:
Don’t you?

Lee:
Yeah, exactly. So, you know, I’m putting it out there. If anyone’s like a fitness guru and an agency owner, there is a massive market here for you. But anyway, definitely moving on. This is this is the final question. Um, and I would really appreciate if you could share with us one tool that you believe has been essential to your success so far and why?

Oliver Martin:
Oh, right. Okay. Um, let me open up my tab. I’ve got quite a few now from the old, um, only allowed.

Lee:
One.

Oliver Martin:
Appsumo. I think it’s been 24 sessions just because I’ve never been able to record sessions before, and to remember some of the quality that we’ve just discussed with clients, things that are very crucial, and I don’t tend to write down because I feel like it’s kind of not rude, but kind of not focussed on the person you’re talking to. So I think that has really helped me record certain information and write it down later and be able to get back to that person when I said I would.

Lee:
Okay. I mean, I definitely disagree on writing it down as you go. I write as I go, but obviously making sure I’m making the relevant noises. Sure. Absolutely. 24 sessions and actually having a recording. Because my note taking, if I’m honest, is absolutely terrible and sometimes I can’t even read my writing. So having a recording is brilliant. I presume you’ve got the lifetime deal then, did you?

Oliver Martin:
I did, yeah, and I got a pro upgrade or something for some of the white labelling, I think. Nice. Yeah. It’s good.

Lee:
That’s awesome.

Oliver Martin:
My wallet didn’t like it, but, um. Yeah.

Lee:
Brilliant. I presume that was a Paul Lacy acquisition as well. Was it?

Oliver Martin:
Um, no, I actually just noticed it and took it up, I think for lack. Came a bit later on in my life. Yeah, but it’s all good.

Lee:
Mate. This has been awesome. It’s been great learning about you. I’m looking forward to, like I said earlier, to interviewing you for the main show in the very near future. And also, I definitely want to see how things are going. Me and you are going to be working together as well, which I think is really exciting, going through some consultancy and helping you with strategy as well. So I’m personally excited to be working with you and thanks for coming on agency life mate. Yeah, thank you for your time. Brilliant, guys. All of Oliver’s links will be in the show notes, so be sure to go below if you’re watching on the video, or check out the website for the show notes. Um, or on your podcast player. I don’t know where everything will be. Whatever player you use.

Oliver Martin:
Multiple channels.

Lee:
Multiple channels. Have a freaking awesome day and thanks for your time.

Oliver Martin:
You too Lee. Thank you very much.

Lee:
Cheerio.

Oliver Martin:
Bye.