Many agency owners struggle to let go of client relationships, and that fear often becomes the biggest growth bottleneck.In this episode of the Happy Clients Podcast by DOT & Company, we break down how to transition client relationships from the founder to an account manager without losing trust, control, or retention. We talk about why clients texting you keeps you stuck in the day to day, how to position your account manager as the best point of contact, and what actually works when clients say “I’m only here because of you.”If you want more freedom, less burnout, and an agency that can scale beyond you, this episode is for you.
[HELPFUL LINKS]
Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST]
Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
How do you actually get the most out of your Account Manager, without falling into scope creep, burnout, or blurred boundaries?
In this episode, we dig into the real role of an Account Manager, how to set expectations, and the red flags agency owners should watch for. Jill and Jenna share what they see across dozens of agencies and how to build a partnership that supports retention, communication, and agency growth.
[HELPFUL LINKS]
Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST]
Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
🎙️ Happy Clients Podcast : Clients Don't Fire Agencies... They Fire Communication Gaps
Communication—not performance—is the real reason most clients leave their agency. In this episode of the Happy Clients Podcast, we break down why strong results aren’t enough to keep clients around and why proactive communication matters more than ever.
You’ll hear a real story about a mid-sized performance marketing agency doing everything right on paper: high ROAS, lower CPA, and month-over-month revenue growth. Yet their client still left… not because of the numbers, but because they didn’t feel supported.
Inside this episode, we unpack:
✔ Why clients fire communication gaps—not agencies
✔ How automated reports fall short without context
✔ Why proactive, human updates build trust
✔ The importance of consistent touchpoints
✔ What clients actually want from their agency partnership
✔ How to make clients feel like they’re your only client
✔ Why retention is rooted in relationships, not deliverables
If you’re an agency owner or account manager looking to improve retention, elevate client experience, and strengthen relationships, this episode is for you.
[HELPFUL LINKS]
Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST]
Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
🎙️ Happy Clients Podcast : Will AI Replace Client Account Managers?
In this episode of the Happy Clients Podcast, we’re clearing up one of the biggest fears in agency life:
👉 “Is AI going to replace the client account manager role?”
Short answer: No.Long answer: AI is powerful, but it can’t replace empathy, connection, or the human element clients crave more than ever.Inside the episode, you’ll learn:
Where AI actually helps account managersWhat agencies risk when they automate too much
Why clients still need human connectionHow to use AI to remove admin (not relationships)
The human-led approach we use here at DOTIf you want to work smarter, protect your client experience, and use AI without losing the personal touch, this one’s for you.🎙️ Tune in and let’s rethink AI in account management.
[HELPFUL LINKS] Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST] Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
🎙️ Happy Clients Podcast : I Took 6 Months Off My Agency (It Ran Smoothly) - What Agency Owners and Account Managers Must Know
If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping away from your agency, whether for a week, a month, or six whole months, this episode is for you.I just came back from taking six intentional, fully unplugged months away from my agency.No Asana.No Slack.No email.Nothing.Inside this episode, I’m walking you through how it happened, what made it possible, and what you need to know if you’re an agency owner or an account manager supporting one.Whether your goal is a real vacation, a future maternity leave, or simply removing yourself from the day-to-day, I’m breaking down the mindset shifts, team structure, and ownership your agency needs to actually run without you.
[HELPFUL LINKS] Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST] Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
🎙️ Happy Clients Podcast Recap: How We Run Client Meetings Like a Well-Oiled Machine (Step-by-Step Process)
Losing clients doesn’t always come down to poor results, it’s often about poor communication. At DOT & Co., after managing hundreds of agencies over the past seven years, we’ve learned that successful client meetings are the cornerstone of long-term relationships. Here’s our step-by-step framework for running client meetings that build trust, clarity, and client loyalty.
[HELPFUL LINKS] Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST] Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
🎙️ Happy Clients Podcast Recap: How Operational Gaps Eat Away at Your Profit, with Jhana Li from Spyglass Ops Most agency owners think they need a unicorn.What do they actually need? A solid operator who can plug the cracks, stop the leaks, and protect their profit.On this week’s episode of the Happy Clients Podcast, I sat down with Jhana Li, fractional COO, founder of Spyglass Ops, and queen of agency operations.
[HELPFUL LINKS] Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST] Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
🎙️ Happy Clients Podcast Recap: Outbound Sales Tips That Don’t Feel Cringe with Dan Englander from Sales Schema
Tired of sales advice that feels sleazy, outdated, or just not built for your agency? In this episode of The Happy Clients Podcast, we’re joined by Dan Englander — founder of Sales Schema — to talk all things outbound sales… without the cringe.Dan brings two decades of experience helping agencies ditch the rollercoaster of referrals and build reliable, scalable sales systems. From identifying your ideal client profile to creating referral engines and managing biz dev in-house (without burning out your account managers), this conversation is packed with insights for growing agency owners.
[HELPFUL LINKS] Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST] Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
🎙️ Happy Clients Podcast Recap: Your Agency’s Growth Problem Might Be… Your Books - With Brandon Kordower from AURA
Wondering why you feel stuck with you agency and can't find the reason? The problem might be in your books. Brandon Kordower from AURA is our guest today, and we will discuss the importance of getting the right numbers within the agency and how these can guide us to the grow we need.
[HELPFUL LINKS] Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST]Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
🎙️ Happy Clients Podcast Recap: How Convesio Helps Agencies Host, Convert & Get Paid (Without the Tech Headaches)
Ever wish you had a done-for-you dream team when it comes to hosting, email marketing, and payments for your clients' websites—without all the tech overwhelm? In this episode of the Happy Clients Podcast, Taylor chats with Tom Fanelli, founder of Convesio, about how agencies can scale smarter with less stress.
[HELPFUL LINKS] Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST]Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
The Visual Strategy Secret Agencies Are Loving: How Funnelytics is Transforming Client Conversations
Ever wished you could make your clients see the magic behind your marketing strategy—without handing them a crash course in Google Analytics?
In this episode of The Happy Clients Podcast, we sit down with Mikael Dia, founder of Funnelytics, to unpack how this brilliant tool is giving agency owners and account managers a serious edge when it comes to presenting strategy, proving ROI, and—let's be real—keeping clients happy.
Funnelytics isn’t just another data dashboard. It’s a visual storytelling platform that maps your marketing funnels and overlays real-time data, helping you say goodbye to spreadsheets and hello to simple, stunning client communication.
[HELPFUL LINKS] Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST]Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
If you're an agency owner who's ever felt the “I built this thing but now it’s running my life” burnout creeping in—this one's for you.
In this episode, Taylor sits down with Jason Swenk, the OG agency advisor and exit strategist, to talk about what it really takes to build an agency that works for you, not the other way around. Jason’s been in the agency trenches—scaling, selling, and now coaching others to do the same—and his insight is a goldmine for any founder craving freedom, not just more figures on a spreadsheet.
[HELPFUL LINKS] Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST]Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
How Many Clients Should Your Account Manager Handle? Let’s Break It Down.
If you’ve ever caught yourself wondering, “How many clients is too many for my account manager?”—you’re not alone, friend. This week on The Happy Clients Podcast, we sat down with Jenna to pull back the curtain on that very question—and the answer? It’s not one-size-fits-all.
From digging into internal meeting cadences to evaluating the weight of client deliverables, we chat through what it really takes to calculate account manager capacity (hint: it involves more than just the number of client calls). Jenna walks us through everything from onboarding bandwidth to using capacity calculators that actually work, so you can make data-informed decisions—not gut guesses.
[HELPFUL LINKS] Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST]Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
Why Agencies are Ditching Spreadsheets (and Falling in Love with Copper Instead)
If you’ve ever felt like your agency’s backend is being held together with duct tape, Google Sheets, and a prayer—this one’s for you.
In this episode, Taylor sits down with Perry Langenbahn from Copper (a CRM that actually gets agencies) to chat about how teams are moving from clunky, cobbled-together systems to sleek, streamlined operations—and finally getting their time (and sanity) back.
[HELPFUL LINKS] Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST]Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
The Agency Owner’s Secret Weapon? A Knockout Client Onboarding Process
Well, hey there, friend. Pull up a chair and grab that oat milk latte, because this one’s a game-changer.
In this Onboarding Series of The Happy Clients Podcast, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most make-or-break pieces of agency client work: onboarding. Yep, that dreamy, red-carpet welcome moment where client relationships are either built to last (or left scrambling from the get-go).
You’ll hear the full audio from our CAM School onboarding module (our signature in-house training for client account managers), where we walk you through the exact steps we use at DOT & Co. to roll out the white-glove treatment every single time.
[HELPFUL LINKS] Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST]Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
Hiring an Account Manager: Our Recruitment Process
Today’s episode is a must-listen if you’re an agency owner looking to hire an account manager for your agency. We’re peeling back the curtain on THE hiring process we've developed after hiring tons and tons of account managers for agencies—with insights from Adelaide, our recruiter at DOT—so you can hire with confidence.
Here’s the deal: hiring the right account manager isn’t just about filling a seat. It’s about finding someone who can own client relationships, protect your reputation, and give you back the time you need to actually scale. Adelaide breaks down why trust is the biggest hurdle (and how to overcome it), plus the seven-step hiring process DOT uses to make sure only the best of the best make it through.
✨ Spoiler alert: This isn’t a “post a job and cross your fingers” situation. Adelaide shares why agencies that plan ahead win big—and why skipping steps in hiring can cost you way more in the long run.
If you’ve been putting off hiring because it feels overwhelming, this episode will give you the clarity (and strategy!) you need to do it right. Tune in now! 🎧
[HELPFUL LINKS] Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST]Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
What’s the secret sauce to running a thriving agency? In this episode of The Happy Clients Podcast, we’re peeling back the curtain on scaling with systems, landing high-ticket clients, agency growth hacks with Melissa Morris from Your Agency Authority. From battle-tested strategies to "wish I knew this sooner" lessons, this convo is packed with gold.
Tune in as we chat about:
✅ The #1 mistake agency owners make when pricing services
✅ The client onboarding tweak that skyrocketed retention
✅ How to build a rockstar team without burnout
If you’re looking for real, no-fluff strategies to take your agency to the next level, this one’s for you. Press play, and let’s dive in!
[HELPFUL LINKS] Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST]Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
How Much Is Too Much? The Account Manager Capacity Question
Welcome back to The Happy Clients Podcast! Today, we’re tackling one of the most frequently asked questions from agency owners and account managers alike: What is too much for an account manager? To help answer this, I’m joined by Jenna Meldrum, who manages a team of account managers here at DOT & Co., and has a unique behind-the-scenes look at how different agencies operate.
[HELPFUL LINKS] Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST]Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
The First Step to Fixing Your Agency’s Account Management Process
Let’s be real—account management can feel like juggling flaming swords while blindfolded. Agency owners often find themselves buried in client emails, chasing down project updates, and wondering, “Where the heck do we even start fixing this?”
In this episode of The Happy Clients Podcast, we pull back the curtain on the very first step we take when working with agencies: the account management audit. And trust us, it’s a game-changer. 🚀
[HELPFUL LINKS] Onboarding Checklist: Grab our onboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST]Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!
The Gold Standard of Account Management: Five Years in the Making
Welcome back toThe Happy Clients Podcast! Today, we’re rolling up our sleeves and getting tactical with what we callThe Gold Standard of Account Management. If you’re an agency owner or account manager, this is the episode youcan’t afford to skip.
I’ve invited back Jillian, one of our senior department managers, who played a key role in shaping this standard into what it is today. But let’s rewind a bit—this didn’t happen overnight. The Gold Standard is the result of five years of refinement, learning, and putting pen to paper to define exactlywhat makes an exceptional account manager. Spoiler: It’s not fluff—it’s tactical, tangible, and game-changing.
[HELPFUL LINKS]Onboarding Checklist: Grab ouronboarding checklist here.
[ABOUT THIS PODCAST]Welcome to the Happy Clients Podcast, brought to you by DOT and Company-- the world's best and only team of client account managers for digital marketing agencies. Whether you're a virtual assistant, an agency owner, or a client-facing account manager, we all deal with clients. Lucky for you. client management is what we do best. On the happy client's podcast, we won't shy away from the ups and downs of managing clients in the agency world, but we'll be right there alongside you to learn together and share the real juicy stuff we'll undoubtedly face when it comes to client management. Now, let's dig in, chat CAM life and have some fun along the way.
Cheers, to happy clients!