RetainFM – Build your Digital Agency on Recurring Revenue Pete Everitt

Main talking points include:Prefer to watch this show? Subscribe to the YouTube Channel!
 
Most common reasons why  projects go wrong:
Scope CreepMisaligned ExpectationsMisaligned BudgetInaccurate or insufficient discoveryEven long term retainers have a life span
 
The importance of thinking how to get our of something, before you get into it...
 
The difference between quotes and estimates...
 
For Projects:
Have a specification linked to the estimate – reserve the right to change the quote if the specification changesBe clear where the intellectual property lies at different stages of the projectHave a termination process from BOTH sides in your Contract / Agreement:If the client terminates the projectIf you terminate the projectHave the payment schedule linked to stages YOU controlHave a documented process for packaging up files, sending them to the client and offboarding the client from your systems
 
For Retainers:
Have a termination process outlined in your Contract / AgreementInclude a notice period – and detail from both sidesDetail how and when final payments will be expected and what they will coverHave a documented process for completing work, sending data to the client and offboarding the client from your systems
 
Join the Facebook Group

Main talking points include:Prefer to watch this show? Subscribe to the YouTube Channel!
Key metrics to trackTargets to aim for & industry benchmarksExactly what formulas to use to calculate them
Example metrics:
Financials (Revenue, AGI, Gross Profit, Net Profit, Overhead Spending)Utilization RatesAverage Billable RatesLabor Efficiency Ratio
 
Marcel's Bio: Marcel Petitpas is the CEO & Co-Founder of Parakeeto, a company dedicated to helping agencies measure and improve their profitability by streamlining their operations and reporting systems, a problem he discovered while running his own agency.
He’s also the head strategic coach at SaaS Academy by Dan Martell, the #1 coaching program for B2B SaaS businesses in the world.
In his work as a speaker, podcast host, and consultant, specializing in Agency Profitability Optimization, he's helped hundreds of agencies around the world measure the right metrics and improve their operations and profitability.
When he’s not helping agencies make more money, he’s probably watching “The Office” or “Parks and Rec” on a never-ending loop and eating breakfast foods for every meal of the day.
 
 
Links: Twitter / X: @Parakeeto
Website: www.parakeeto.com (👈 you can also get the Toolkit from here)
Podcast: The Agency Profit Podcast
Join the Facebook Group

Main talking points include:Prefer to watch this show? Subscribe to the YouTube Channel!
 
My 5 minute SEO Assessment of any client website! Disclaimer: this isn't a process for running a full SEO Audit on a website. Instead, this is the process I go through when a lead comes in to talk about SEO. Before any project has been confirmed, or any money has exchanged hands, this is the process I go through before the initial call to give me context. 
Website structureUser experienceCurrent RankingsCompetitor Websites & RankingsWebsite Speed / Core Webs Vitals
This leads on to two gated products... 
SEO Health CheckKeyword Research & Mapping
... and from here I can present a retained proposal.
 
Join the Facebook Group

Main talking points include:Prefer to watch this show? Subscribe to the YouTube Channel!
 
#1 – look inwards – "What do YOU want?"
What type of lifestyle do you want?What interests you?How much money do you want to make?Do you want to be in a location?Do you want staff?How will it serve you?
 
#2 – where can I make a difference?
What is your skill set, and how can that commercial impact on businesses?
 
#3 – do any of my points above line up?
If no, what industries are cash rich?LegalJewelleryFinancial ServicesEvents(Industries that are used to spending money to make money)
 
#4 – create my proposition (and my product / service)
How can I help you, and why thats a benefit to youHow we work together over time (recurring and non-recurring options)Do this to MVP level
 
#5 – network
Content creation, SEO, email funnels are all good, but they're not fastMeeting people face-to-face IS fastBe clear about what you do (and do NOT) do
 
#6 - make sales
So far, everything is just theory – an idea doesn't work until someone buys it.With 5 customers I can start to make improvementsWith 10 customers I can start to make processesWith 20 customers I can start to delegate (if I want)Do something towards making a sale EVERY DAY.
 
#7 - review, refine, rescope, repeat
When it feels rightDoes it deliver?Does it work for me?Does it work for them?Is my price right?Can I be more efficient?How do I serve more people?When do I review again? - This is my target
 
#8 - keep an eye on company value
Will I EVER want to sell it?If so, this needs to operate away from me – always keep that in mind
 
Join the Facebook Group

Main talking points include:Prefer to watch this show? Subscribe to the YouTube Channel!
 
Why did I start this?
Leaving previous employerNo LeadsContractual Obligations
 
How do I do it?
It's in my to do listI have some habits that happen regularlyI have one-offs that happen when they need toA lead is never ignored or left to stagnateSome days it takes 5 minutes, other days it takes all day (it might be the only thing I do that day)
 
How do I manage it?
Trailblazer FM – How to Manage LeadsI use ClickUp with a very similar approach to how Lee describes it.
 
How you can begin...
Make a list of all customers you haven't spoken to in the last 3 months – and get in touch with some of them.Review your Google My Business InformationReview your website and make sure people CAN convert and contact you easilyPut your existing customers on an email list and start emailing them marketing / web type adviceWrite all your corporate social media posts for the next 30 days
... Download the list of 50 from my website!
 
 
Join the Facebook Group

Main talking points include:Prefer to watch this show? Subscribe to the YouTube Channel!
 
Process:Pre-Discovery Session
Lead comes inBrief 20min phone call to validate lead / project – outcome is to present Discovery Session as next best step1 Page Agreement / Checkout for Discovery Session
 
Post Discovery Session:
SEO Health AuditCurrent Rankings ReportsBacklink Toxicity ReportTop Level KW ResearchCore Web Vitals / Speed ReportSEO Proposal Prepared
 
Document Templates:Proposal Template
Cover PageIntro Letter (personalised)Where do you currently Rank?How fast is your website?How healthy is your website?How many links does your website have?What should your website be ranking for?How to start ranking?What are the next steps?Investment (inc payment schedule)How do we get started? (Project Agreement)TermsAppendices (to full reports)
 
Links:SEOHive Scout ReportsSEOHive SEO Sales Presentation
 
Join the Facebook Group