Podcast
GYDA - Grow Your Digital Agency
Hosted by GYDA - Robert Craven and Janusz Stabik · EN
GYDA (Grow Your Digital Agency) is a business consultancy that helps digital agency leaders run the agencies they want to run, so they can live the life they want to lead. We do this by using the mastermind process to spearhead agency growth.
The GYDA Talks Podcast includes interviews and discussions between Robert Craven, Janusz Stabik and Digital Agency Experts. Each podcast is full of knowledge to help you Grow Your Digital Agency.
15episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
How to Attract Dream Clients with Matt Essam
Mar 1100:50:24Tap to summarizeIn this GYDA Talks, Robert talks to Matt Essam, a creative business coach, author, and speaker who helps creative studio founders and service-based business owners attract better clients and grow with confidence. He’s known for practical frameworks such as his Partnership Playbook™, that turn relationship-building into a consistent client-attraction strategy.With over a decade of experience, Matt combines mindset, strategy, and real-world outreach tactics to help creatives charge their worth and build sustainable, fulfilling businesses. He also shares insights through content, coaching, and his Creative Courage podcast, supporting founders to step into clear, confident leadership.Matt and Robert discuss the challenge agencies face in differentiating themselves and why creatives often struggle to attract the right clients despite being highly talented, a problem often stemming from prioritising delivery over marketing.Matt talks through his three-pillar model for attracting dream clients: defining the ideal client, creating a low-risk offer (like a scorecard) to provide a "taste" of value, and leveraging partnerships to bypass the lengthy process of building trust.And they wrap up with a discussion around the core mindset shift, which involves focusing communication on the client's current struggles rather than the agency's services, requiring agencies to articulate the client’s problems better than they can themselves.Topics covered:Client StrugglesMarketing Gaps in the Creative IndustryThe Dilemma for Small Agency OwnersThe Talent Limit and Marketing CompetenceThe First Mindset Shift: Focus on Client ProblemsAgency Engagement at the Decision-Making ProcessArticulating Client Problems for TrustThe Three Pillars for Attracting Dream ClientsWhoOfferPartnershipCase Study: The Sponsorship Assessment ScorecardThe Low-Risk Offer and Sales ApproachThe Partnership Pillar: Shortcut to TrustKey Takeaways and Golden Nuggets"Somebody somewhere today woke up with exactly what you need"Agencies must "be able to articulate your ideal client's problems better than they can" by focusing on the client's experience, not their productAccess Matt's Studio Leadflow System here:https://resources.mattessam.co.uk/studioleadflowsystem
Transcribe →Pricing, Positioning & Pitching - Blair Enns on How Agencies Must Evolve
Mar 1100:43:34Tap to summarizeBlair Enns is the founder of Win Without Pitching, the sales training organisation for expert advisors and practitioners.Author of three books, The Four Conversations: A New Model for Selling Expertise (2024), Pricing Creativity: A Guide to Profit Beyond the Billable Hour (2018) and The Win Without Pitching Manifesto (2010).Co-host, along with David C. Baker, of the podcast 2Bobs: Conversations on the Art of Creative Entrepreneurship.Advocate of integrity-based selling and value-based pricing, serving those who are experts first and salespeople second.In this GYDA Talks, Rob was joined by Blair to gain his insight into how agencies must evolve, with a focus on pricing, postioning and pitching.They discussed:Challenges in Agency Sales and MarketingProduction-Oriented vs. Market-Led MindsetImpact of AI on AgenciesPricing Models in the Age of AI"Win Without Pitching" Relevance"The Four Conversations" ModelChallenges in Adopting the New Sales ModelBlair Enns' Future PlansKey Advice: Specialisation and Pricing.
Transcribe →Liberating The Profit Locked in Poor Lead Generation Process with Jon Payne of RevOps
Mar 1100:29:58Tap to summarizeIn this GYDA Talks, Rob talks to Jon Payne… a "Totally unemployable" RevOps Consultant and Fractional Commercial Director.‘It's called RevOps these days, but since 1998, I've been helping businesses grow through the creation and execution of digital strategies across marketing, sales and customer service, particularly around websites and, increasingly, HubSpot.’Rob and Jon discuss:Defining RevOpsRevOps and Agency GrowthSystematising the Sales ProcessImproving Lead Nurturing and QualificationForecasting and Deal PrioritisationKey Takeaways and Final AdviceProfit is often locked in an agency's sales pipeline due to poor conversations or letting leads slip away… a systematic approach and better conversations, focusing on the client's real motivators (like buying a house in Italy), are essential for unlocking this profit and gaining referrals.
Transcribe →Inside the Deal: Scaling, Rebranding, and Rebuilding an Agency to £4M+ with George Blandford, Ology Group
Mar 1100:49:32Tap to summarizeIn this GYDA Talks, Rob talks to George Blandford, co-owner of the Ology Group. Specialising in different approaches to authority gain. 10+ years of experience in this sector. International speaker, trainer and oxygen consumer.Robert and George discuss scaling and rebranding agencies UK Linkology and Reachology to over £4 million in turnover.George talks through their strategy of leveraging business partnerships, securing equity deals and fractional CMO roles in other ventures, and implementing a "blue ocean" product positioning strategy to rebuild client trust in the digital industry.They highlight the importance of delegation for strategic thinking and the contrast between George’s business-person approach and that of a typical "technician" agency owner.Topics covered:Deal-Making and Entrepreneurial ApproachBenefits of Business PartnershipsGeorge's Diverse Business PortfolioClient Value Perspective from Business OwnershipLeveraging Fractional CMO and Equity DealsAddressing Risk and Confidence in Marketing AgenciesStructuring Equity PartnershipsProduct Positioning and Blue Ocean StrategyRebuilding Trust in the Digital IndustryUnderstanding Customer Acquisition Cost and Lifetime ValueThe Scaling and Rebranding Journey of LinkologyGrowth Challenges and Future StrategyThe Importance of Strategic Thinking and Delegation
Transcribe →How To Write The Perfect Digital Marketing Plan with PR Smith
Feb 200:41:04Tap to summarizeIn this podcast, Robert talks to PR Smith, who elaborates on the SOSTAC® framework's components, its application in agencies, the importance of 90-day review cycles, and the role of AI in planning, emphasising careful strategic use.We also discussed overcoming resistance to SOSTAC®, its long-term impact since 1993, and the critical need for a customer-centric approach in all business endeavours, directing agencies to free resources on sostac.org and a weekly AI chat.SOSTAC® Framework Audience and BenefitsPaul Smith's Background and SOSTAC® originsSOSTAC® Framework ComponentsApplying SOSTAC in AgenciesSOSTAC® Planning and Review CyclesAI Integration in SOSTAC®Creative AI Prompting and Strategy WeaknessesEffective Controls and KPIs in SOSTAC®Overcoming Resistance to SOSTAC®Longevity and Impact of SOSTAC®Customer-Centric ApproachSOSTAC® Resources for Agencies
Transcribe →GYDA State of the Nation for Q1 2026 with Robert Craven
Jan 2600:34:43Tap to summarizeRobert Craven presents the "GYDA State of the Nation for Q1 2026," characterising the market as volatile. He emphasised that "trust is your superpower" for agencies facing AI, outdated business models, and low growth and goes on to detail winning strategies like niche specialisation and service expansion to possibly become "transformation partners." Robert concludes with an action plan for leaders to pivot from "traffic to trust" and drive decisive action.Topics covered:State of the Nation and Market VolatilityAI, Trust, and Market OutlookCurrent Reality and Benchmark ChallengesWinner Strategies and VUCA Version TwoResearch Insights and Strategic ShiftsLeadership and Trust as a SuperpowerAgile Leadership and AI Trust DilemmaProblem Identification and Action PlanFinal Thoughts on Leadership
Transcribe →Selling Your Business? Don’t Wing It. With David Blois
Jan 2600:44:29Tap to summarizeDavid, Managing Partner at M&A Advisory and Principal at Eaton Square, leads M&A transactions to maximise client value in consulting, marketing communications, digital, and MarTech sectors. With over 30 years of experience in corporate finance, business management, and strategic consulting, David offers deep insights into industry dynamics and trends.In this no-nonsense conversation, Robert Craven sits down with M&A Advisory’s David Blois to lift the lid on the real-world challenges of mergers and acquisitions.You’ll hear:What makes a business genuinely sellable (hint: it’s not your turnover)When to get an advisor involved (spoiler: sooner than you think)The truth about multiples, valuations and the myths that trip people upHow to increase value and avoid costly mistakesWhether you're prepping to sell, buy, or just want to know what your business is really worth, this episode is packed with sharp insights and practical takeaways. As David says, “You’ve got to work on the business, not just in it.”
Transcribe →The LinkedIn Growth Blueprint: Branding, Engagement, and ROI for Agency Leaders with Sarah Clay
Jan 2100:47:05Tap to summarizeIn this GYDA Talks, Rob talks to Sarah Clay. Sarah is a LinkedIn trainer who helps professionals harness the power of social media to amplify their voices and grow their businesses. With a career that spans law, photography, TV production, and marketing, Sarah discovered her passion for social media while leading PR and social media for a film company. Growing up as the only girl among six brothers taught her creative ways to be heard -skills she now passes on to her clients. Driven by a desire to make an impact, Sarah brings her diverse experience and “secret sauce” strategies to empower others to stand out authentically on LinkedIn.Rob and Sarah discuss how digital agency leaders struggle with LinkedIn despite knowing its importance, likening sporadic efforts to inconsistent gym attendance.Sarah emphasises that LinkedIn should be viewed as a "networking party" focused on building relationships through consistent engagement, personal content, and purposeful commenting.They also discuss strategies for personal vs. company branding, effective posting frequency, handling undesirable comments, and a three-step process for LinkedIn success, concluding that LinkedIn is trending towards a "pay-to-play" model where personal profiles drive engagement.Topics includedMindset Shift for LinkedIn Success: Networking AnalogyPersonal vs. Company BrandingPersonal Content and BoundariesPosting Frequency and Purposeful Commenting StrategyThree-Step LinkedIn ProcessTargeted Engagement HackMetrics and ROIRecommendations for Agency Leaders
Transcribe →Ryan Hall - Don’t Sell, Solve and Scale Your Digital Agency
Sep 2300:37:41Tap to summarizeIn this GYDA Talks, Rob talks to Ryan Hall of Friday Solved, a consulting company that helps businesses solve their sales problems with sustainable and scalable solutions.Over the last 20+ years of experience in positioning, proposition design, and sales strategy, Ryan has helped lead global brands such as Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Sky, M&S, First Direct, Trainline, Vodafone, The Independent, UBS, Bank of America and The Times buy market-leading solutions.His passion is to share his expertise and insights with other founders, CEOs and business leaders who want to create a market position that stands out in a B2B market.Rob and Ryan discuss strategies for digital agency owners to attract clients and help their clients do the same, focusing on Ryan's "don't sell" philosophy outlined in his book, which aims to build trust and buyability rather than pushing services.They address the common issues of broad agency positioning, challenges with founder-led sales, the importance of systemising sales efforts, and shifting from being service-led to solution-focused by understanding customer needs.Ryan emphasised that providing value and knowledge freely is key to effective sales and building authority.
Transcribe →Scaling from a Startup to an International SEO Leader with Will Bagnall
Aug 2900:48:29Tap to summarizeWill is SUSO’s founder and CEO. He started the company in 2014 as a two-person consultancy business and has transformed it into a team of forty specialists providing technical SEO services for clients in a wide range of industries.While building SUSO, he has gained experience scaling a team of SEO experts and developed an international team based in Poland. Will values a people-first culture, which allows every one of SUSO’s employees to strive for the best in a safe, stimulating, and supportive environment.Robert Craven interviewed Will Bagnall about Suso Digital's history, growth, and adaptation to the evolving digital landscape, including their specialisation in SEO, overcoming scaling challenges through talent strategies, and successful white-label partnerships.They also discussed the significant impact of AI on search and Suso Digital's proactive approach to integrating AI into their services and strategies for the future. Will Bagnall advised new agencies to prioritise brand building and maintain perspective in their work.Introduction to Suso DigitalEvolution from Full-Service to Niche FocusBreaking the Growth BarrierThe White Label StrategyStrategy vs. Luck in Business GrowthImpact of AI on the Agency LandscapeSuso Digital's Approach to AIThe Significance of Thought Leadership and Brand BuildingFuture Outlook for Suso DigitalAdvice for Small Agencies
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