Welcome to another episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan sits down with agency owner and behavioral science expert Nancy Harhut to unlock the hidden forces behind human decision-making—and how they impact your agency's marketing success. Drawing on her years of experience and her deep dive into the psychology of persuasion, Nancy brings a fresh perspective on why people do what they do—and how marketers can ethically harness those instincts to drive action.

In this episode, Nancy breaks down the fundamentals of behavioral science, emphasizing the powerful shortcuts our brains take when making decisions. Together, Drew and Nancy explore concepts like autonomy bias, social proof, and left-digit pricing, providing practical strategies for agencies to leverage these psychological triggers in everything from copywriting to pricing models. Whether it's using testimonials the right way, framing choices to nudge conversions, or tapping into the subtle cues that build trust, Nancy's real-world examples and research-backed tips are sure to spark new ideas.

They also tackle the big question of technology's role in the age of AI—exploring how artificial intelligence can support (but not replace) the human art of persuasion. Plus, they discuss how behavioral science applies across both B2B and B2C spaces, and offer actionable advice for getting clients on board with a more psychologically informed approach to marketing.

If you're ready to move beyond generic messaging and start connecting with your audience on a deeper, more instinctive level, this episode is a must-listen. By the end, you'll have a toolkit of proven tactics you can apply to your agency's work immediately—boosting engagement, persuasion, and results for both you and your clients.

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:

• • Defining behavioral science and its impact on marketing
  • The role of decision-making shortcuts in human behavior
  • Leveraging autonomy bias and providing choices to increase engagement
  • Harnessing the power (and pitfalls) of social proof and testimonials
  • Overcoming buying barriers by identifying "why-not" reasons
  • Applying behavioral science tactics to pricing and perception
  • Using reasoned explanations ("because") to boost compliance and sales

Welcome to another insightful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan is joined by returning guest Noel Andrews, the founder of JobRack, to explore a dynamic trend that's reshaping the way agencies build and cultivate their teams. Together, they dive into the growing movement of hiring full-time international team members from regions like Eastern Europe and South Africa—and the significant impact this is having on agency culture, client results, and operational efficiency.

Noel Andrews lends his expertise as an offshore hiring specialist, clarifying common misconceptions about international talent and revealing why more agencies are opting for highly skilled, long-term team members abroad instead of just local hires or gig-based freelancers. He shares firsthand accounts from agency leaders who have been pleasantly surprised by both the technical expertise and the positive, collaborative attitudes these global professionals bring to the table. The discussion expands into how international team members can raise the bar for everyone, shifting mindsets and work habits for the better company-wide.

The conversation doesn't stop at hiring practices. Drew McLellan and Noel Andrews unpack actionable strategies for fostering strong agency culture, even within remote and hybrid setups. From the value of clear communication and setting high standards to intentionally building connections among geographically dispersed teammates, you'll get practical tips for making everyone feel like a real part of the team—no matter where they're located. They also dig into how AI and automation are influencing agency roles, why clarity is more crucial than ever, and how proactive leadership can remove day-to-day roadblocks so every team member can operate at their best.

Whether you're considering expanding your team internationally or simply looking to boost engagement and performance within your distributed agency, this episode is packed with real-world advice and inspiration. Tune in to discover how making small, intentional tweaks—rooted in clarity, culture, and high expectations—can set your agency up for a standout year ahead.

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:

• • The rise of hiring full-time international team members for agencies
  • Shifting perceptions around the skill and impact of offshore talent
  • How remote and hybrid teams can intentionally build and maintain strong agency culture
  • The crucial role of clarity in expectations, communication, and goal-setting
  • Removing barriers and empowering teams to operate at their highest level
  • Leveraging AI and automation without losing the human touch
  • The value of high standards and small, consistent actions for agency success

Welcome to another impactful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan sits down with AI strategist and data tinkerer Cade Dannels to demystify the true potential of artificial intelligence for agencies. If you're tired of hearing the same surface-level conversations about AI writing blog posts, buckle up—this conversation digs deeper. Drew McLellan and Cade Dannels break down how agencies can move beyond basic content generation and leverage AI for operational excellence, lead generation, and creating scalable efficiencies that truly impact the bottom line.

Cade Dannels shares his journey from automation enthusiast to agency consultant and reveals the untapped goldmine lurking in most agencies: mountains of unstructured data, from transcripts to emails to proposals. You'll learn practical strategies for onboarding AI as you would a new employee, structuring your agency's unique frameworks into these systems, and using time-tracking to identify tasks ready for automation. The episode also covers step-by-step DIY approaches agencies can start today—no massive tech team or budget required.

Together, Drew McLellan and Cade Dannels unpack the real-world process of using AI for smarter lead qualification, nurturing, and personalized outreach—without losing that human touch. They address common concerns about errors, model selection, and how to experiment meaningfully as you climb the AI learning curve. You'll also hear creative ways to motivate team engagement and discover actionable prompts and experiments you can implement immediately.

Don't miss this episode if you're ready to stop dabbling in AI and start harnessing its full agency-transforming power. Whether you're an agency owner taking your first experimental steps or already integrating AI but unsure where to go next, this conversation will help you confidently build a roadmap for impactful, ongoing innovation.

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:

• • Rethinking agency AI: beyond content creation to business operations
  • Experimentation as the foundation for AI success in agencies
  • Leveraging your agency's unique data and frameworks to unlock AI's full potential
  • Practical lead generation automation with AI—sourcing, qualifying, and nurturing prospects
  • The importance of "onboarding" AI like a new team member for better, more relevant outputs
  • Humanizing AI-driven outreach through strategic inputs and oversight
  • Start small, experiment broadly, and engage your whole team in AI discovery