On this episode of The WP Minute’s Agency Action podcast, Toby Cryns and Kurt von Ahnen discuss the critical aspects of sales. They emphasize the importance of making the first sale and the challenges of discussing discovery with potential clients. Toby believes that securing the first dollar is crucial for future sales success and warns against getting caught up in discussions about the value of discovery, as it may indicate a lack of direction in the sales conversation. You’ll find plenty of actionable tips for refining your sales techniques.
Takeaways:
Important Links:
On this episode of The WP Minute’s Agency Action podcast, Kurt and Toby discuss the common practice among small agencies of relying solely on referrals for business, which may not be sufficient in the long term. They emphasize the importance of marketing to generate leads and grow your business. The guys also examine how to increase your business’s valuation for future resale.
Takeaways:
Important Links:
In this episode of The WP Minute’s Agency Action podcast, Kurt and Toby examine the complexities of plugin fatigue, the challenges of SEO tools, and the importance of conversion optimization. They discuss the downsides of popular plugins, the role of LinkedIn in marketing strategies, and the necessity of security maintenance plans for small businesses. The conversation also highlights effective management of these challenges while providing valuable insights to their clients.
Takeaways:
Important Links:
On this episode of The WP Minute’s Agency Action podcast, Kurt von Ahnen and Toby Cryns explore the complexities of leadership, management, and employee accountability. They discuss the evolution of their leadership styles, the importance of team members taking ownership, and the necessity of training and standards. The guys also examine the challenges of delivering constructive feedback, the balance between hiring for skills versus attitude, and the strategies for business growth through effective sales and networking. Additionally, they emphasize the significance of having a clear mission and vision, as well as the importance of planning for an exit strategy in business.
Takeaways:
Important Links:
On this episode of The WP Minute’s Agency Action podcast, Kurt von Ahnen and Toby Cryns discuss the evolving landscape of e-commerce, with a focus on the competition between WooCommerce and Shopify. They explore the importance of reducing complexity in e-commerce solutions, the impact of AI on SEO, and the future of agency development in a tech-driven world. The guys also ponder the role of no-code solutions, the value of human expertise, and the challenges of AI-generated content. Additionally, they examine the potential for agencies to offer email management services as a new revenue stream, highlighting the complexities of account setup and migration.
Takeaways:
Important Links:
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:
Important Links:
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:
Important Links:
In this episode of The WP Minute’s Agency Action podcast, Kurt von Ahnen and Toby Cryns discuss the complexities of pricing strategies for agencies, emphasizing the importance of value-based pricing and the role of expertise in justifying higher rates. They explore sales techniques, time management, and the significance of marketing to existing clients. The conversation also touches on the balance between work and personal life, the value of consulting calls, and the necessity of adjusting prices to retain quality clients. The guys share valuable insights for agency owners looking to enhance their business practices.
Takeaways:
Important Links:
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:
Important Links:
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
Links mentioned