EP 486: Inside the world and benefits of agency book writing and publishing with Shadley Grei
Release Date: 01/27/2025
Episode 513 Lessons in Effective Agency Leadership with Karl Sakas
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan welcomes back agency advisor and author Karl Sakas for a candid conversation about the unique challenges that come with agency ownership—and how to move “from chaos to calm.” Drawing from his years of agency operations experience and his new book, From Chaos to Calm, Karl helps agency leaders recognize how they sometimes get in their own way and offers practical advice for fostering a calmer, more rewarding agency environment. Drew and Karl tackle some of the biggest pain points facing agency...
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Episode 512 Small Moments That Shape Leadership with Jeff Eisenberg
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan sits down with longtime friend and agency leader Jeff Eisenberg for a candid conversation about the art and practice of agency leadership. Whether you’re a seasoned agency owner or new to the business, this discussion is packed with real-world lessons and thoughtful perspectives that will help you elevate your leadership game and set your agency up for lasting success. Jeff shares the compelling journey that led him from sports marketing with major league teams to purchasing and running his own ad...
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Episode 511 How AI is Transforming Brand Storytelling with Park Howell
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan welcomes back storytelling and branding pro Park Howell for an episode packed with practical advice, fresh perspectives, and a live demo you won’t want to miss. Park, a former agency owner turned global storytelling coach, joins Drew to discuss how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way agencies uncover, shape, and operationalize brand stories—making the process faster, smarter, and more tangible than ever before. Park introduces listeners to his latest innovation, the Story Cycle...
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Episode 510 Key Strategies for Employee Retention with Drew McLellan
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to another insightful solo cast of the Build a Better Agency podcast! This week, host Drew McLellan takes you deep into a cornerstone topic for agency owners: building, retaining, and growing an exceptional team. Drawing on real-world conversations with agency leaders and years of industry experience, Drew breaks down the full lifecycle of stellar employee management that every agency needs to thrive. Drew starts by revealing why agencies often miss the mark with generic job descriptions and lays out a compelling case for comprehensive, forward-thinking job documentation. He shares...
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Episode 509 Unlock the Power of Networking with Melissa Snow
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan explores an essential yet often misunderstood business growth strategy: networking. Joined by networking expert Melissa Snow, Drew unpacks what truly effective networking looks like in today’s world and why building authentic connections can be the most powerful driver for agency success. Melissa, founder of Powerful Women Rising, shares her journey from accidentally becoming an entrepreneur to discovering that genuine relationships—not flashy sales tactics—were the secret to her business...
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Episode 508 Project Management That Drives Profit with Rachel Gertz
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan tackles a topic that agency owners and leaders wrestle with time and again: the true role of project management within an agency, and how getting it right can transform both your workflow and your bottom line. Drew is joined by expert consultant Rachel Gertz, who has spent over 15 years helping agencies demystify project management, build stronger systems, and create operational success. In this episode, Drew and Rachel dig deep into what project management really means in a modern agency setting,...
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Episode 507 Transformative Agency Strategies with Marcus Sheridan
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan welcomes renowned marketing thought leader Marcus Sheridan to tackle some of the most pressing challenges—and exciting opportunities—facing agency owners today. Known for his influential book They Ask, You Answer, Marcus brings a fresh perspective to the table with the launch of his new book Endless Customers, focusing on how agencies can thrive in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven landscape. In this engaging conversation, Drew and Marcus dive deep into the shifting dynamics of content...
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Episode 506 How Prioritizing Fun Inspires Success with Mike Rucker
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to another engaging episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan shines a spotlight on a topic that’s both enjoyable and essential to agency life—fun. Drew is joined by Dr. Mike Rucker, a behavioral psychologist and author of The Fun Habit, for a lively exploration into how prioritizing fun and joy can make you a better leader, a more creative thinker, and ultimately, help you build a stronger agency. Mike delves into the science behind why Western culture tends to villainize fun in favor of productivity—and why that mindset is doing more harm than good. He...
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Episode 505 Navigating 2025 Agency Trends with Drew and Danyel Newcom McLellan
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to a special solocast episode of Build a Better Agency! In this midyear trend report, hosts Drew McLellan and Danyel Newcom McLellan dig deep into the evolving landscape facing agency owners in 2025. Leveraging data, global industry perspectives, and hands-on agency experience, Drew and Danyel break down what’s really impacting agencies right now and what to keep your eye on as the year unfolds. This episode covers the biggest drivers reshaping the agency world—from economic and political disruptions to shifting client and employee expectations. Drew and Danyel explore findings...
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Episode 504 Explore the Findings of the 2025 Agency Edge Research with Susan Baier
Build a Better Agency Podcast
Welcome to a timely episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan is joined by research partner Susan Baier from Audience Audit to unveil the results of the 2025 Agency Edge Research, fresh from its debut at the Build a Better Agency Summit. Together, they dig deep into how agency clients really feel about artificial intelligence—where they’re embracing it, where they’re hesitant, and what they truly want from their agency partners as AI becomes an ever-more central part of the marketing landscape. Susan and Drew break down the study’s findings, revealing surprising...
info_outlineAgency book writing and publishing can seem like a daunting mountain to climb. But with the right people to help you through the process, it can be one of the best things you can do to uplevel your thought leadership efforts.
That’s why this week, I invited Shadley Grei, an agency book publishing expert and newer member of AMI, onto the show to share how agency owners can start thinking about writing their first (or next) book with the help of a ghostwriter. He shares how his agency helps other agency owners discover if their ideas are ready to become a full-fledged book, and how to start compiling it all to collaborate with a ghostwriter.
As the visionaries of the agency, we need to be always looking for the new, unspoken angles of things in the work we do, and Shadley helps agency owners share their perspectives without the pressure of having to do it alone.
If you think you might be ready to finally get your idea or vision out in writing in 2025, this episode has all the info you need to start turning that idea into reality.
A big thank you to our podcast’s presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They’re an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here.
What You Will Learn in This Episode:
- How a ghostwriter can be a partner in helping you find unseen angles for your book
- How to get a seat at the table and show clients you’re capable of more
- What producing a book can do for the agency and agency owner
- How and why Shadley got interested in starting his own publishing company
- The fun of partnering with thought leaders to help their ideas come to life
- Using a ghostwriter isn’t cheating — it’s a strategy
- 3 ways to know if you’re ready to write a book
- Getting over fear and owning your expertise