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Welcome to Episode 252 of the MSP Marketing Podcast with me, Paul Green. This week…

• Get the right message in front of the right person at the right time: To attract new clients you need consistent, well-timed marketing to ensure they choose your MSP when they’re ready to switch.
• Do you employ any Sales Prevention Officers?: That’s anyone who avoids suggesting beneficial services to clients so they don’t appear salesy, but they’re unintentionally hurting your business by missing opportunities to improve client satisfaction and increase revenue.
• The common service mistakes that can damage client retention: My guest this week, Michelle Coombs, highlights the common service mistakes that can damage long-term client retention and how to stop them from happening in your MSP.
• Paul’s Personal Peer Group: Alec, who has an MSP in Nashville, would like to hire a virtual assistant to take on his admin tasks but doesn’t know how to hire one that he can trust.

Get the right message in front of the right person at the right time

There’s a reason that getting new clients for your MSP takes so long. It’s because of what’s happening to the ordinary business are owners and managers that you are trying to reach. And when you understand what’s going on in their heads and their hearts, you can figure out why they’re so slow switching from one MSP to another. Let’s talk about the importance of getting the right message in front of the right person at the right time.

Now, one of the most critical marketing skills that you can develop is the ability to look at your MSP and what you sell from the point of view of the people that you are trying to sell it to or put another way. If you can get in their heads and their hearts, you can better understand what’s driving them to make a decision. Or maybe more importantly, what’s holding them back from making a decision. The best phrase that I ever heard to describe this is…

To influence what John Smith buys, you must see through John Smith’s eyes.

When you really look at why a business owner or manager switches from one MSP to another, you suddenly get a startling insight into why switching MSPs is a distress activity for most people. You see, they don’t really understand technology at all. In fact, compared to you, they are literally the other end of the scale. You have such in-depth technology and abilities and that makes you an incredibly talented technology person, but the client you’re selling to, well, they’re more like me. I’m not a tech I never have been. That by the way means it’s easy for me to represent the ordinary people that you sell to. And sure, I understand a bit about technology and I love it. And actually I probably know a lot more about technology these days because of course I’ve been working with MSPs for eight years, but I can’t set up a server, I can’t configure a cloud service and I bet you a rather large amount of money that I’d be the guy that would get the setting wrong and I would take down the entire business. So please, no one ever give me the settings of anything important, I beg you.

Anyway, because they don’t understand technology, but they do know it’s incredibly important. They are less willing to muck about with it. So something major has to change at their incumbent MSP for them to want to switch to someone new. And we do see this, don’t we. We see small businesses bein

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Welcome to Episode 251 of the MSP Marketing Podcast with me, Paul Green. This week…

• Successful MSPs simplify EVERYTHING: Focus on simplifying and removing things you don’t really need to do. This can increase profitability and ease of management while reducing unnecessary complexity.
• The link between what you do each day, and achieving goals: If you have a clear vision for where you want your life to go, you can use that to affect the actions that you take within your MSP every day.
• Why PR is a valid marketing tool for MSPs in 2024: Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases, shares insights on how MSPs can effectively generate free publicity through strategic press releases, offering tips on how to capture the attention of journalists and boost credibility and visibility in the media.
• Paul’s Personal Peer Group: Martin, who runs an MSP in Arizona, wants to know the best way to hold a team meeting when you have some staff who are a little disruptive.

Successful MSPs simplify EVERYTHING

The business that you chose to be in, Managed Services, is already one of the most complex kinds of businesses on the planet. Just stop and think about everything that you have to support – all the different clients, the different setups, the different technologies. And yet I see loads of MSPs making their lives even harder by overcomplicating things in their business that could and should be simple. So let’s talk about how you can make your business easier to run and more profitable by simplifying everything.

I’m on a bit of a simplification mission right now. We’ve had some fairly major development projects in our business over the last 12 months, and while I was focusing on those and constantly reducing complication within those projects and just making everything simpler, I realised we could do this across the business. Because we’ve been going for eight years and what happens is when you’ve been going that long, you kind of hold onto legacy stuff. Things that we’re just doing because, or something that worked really well six years ago but there’s now a better way of doing it. And for me, it’s a really exciting thing to just go through the business like a tornado and just simplify everything. So I’ve given myself a new job title. I am Head of Simplification, and I’m using this as an opportunity to review everything we do in the business asking this big question, how can we make this simpler? Because that’s actually a very powerful question to ask. Is this a question you ask yourself in your MSP regularly?

Just because you can handle high levels of complication doesn’t mean that you should put up with high levels of complication.

In fact, I truly believe that the simpler business is, the more fun it is to run and the more profitable it can be. And I guess there are two main places where you can simplify your business. The first is your operations and what you do now. At the risk of starting you down the road of looking at your tech stack, because I’m always hesitant to suggest an MSP reviews their tech stack in case it becomes a bad case of tech stack fiddling where you’re attracted to the shiny thing. Maybe you should just be asking yourself, does my PSA allow me to run the business as simply as possible? Is my RMM easy to use but also powerful enough to do all the things we need it to do? Look at your standard operating procedures, these are the manuals for how you run your business. So what kind of business are they encouraging you to run in their complexity? Now, I’m sure you are all

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Welcome to this SPECIAL EDITION marking 250 episodes of the MSP Marketing Podcast with me, Paul Green.

This week I have a very special guest – Brad Martineau. Brad helps people transform from being a business owner to truly being an entrepreneur. And as you can imagine, it’s about the way that you think and the action that you take. I think you are going to find him a huge inspiration.

Here are three big ideas from him:

• Make it easy: Business is easy but we make it hard for ourselves. Brad uses the acronym, ELF – Easy, Lucrative, Fun.
• Remember the business is there to feed your life (not the other way round): Don’t let the business dictate how you live your life.
• We have 3 currencies in life: Time, energy and money. Be careful where you invest these. A great business returns these currencies to you.

Meet Brad Martineau. Brad helps entrepreneurs build Smooth Scaling businesses through coaching and software tools.

Brad has been married for 23 years, has 5 kids, 1 son-in-law and a granddaughter on the way. He loves fitted hats and playing and coaching basketball.

Hi, I’m Brad Martineau and I help entrepreneurs build businesses that they actually want rather than the ones that they just wake up one day and accidentally have.

And what a great positioning statement that is. Brad, thank you so much for joining us, not just on the podcast, but on this very special episode as well. 250 episodes has taken quite a long time to get here, nearly five years, and I’m going to admit I’m a little bit of a fanboy of yours. You’ve been in my marketing journey and my entrepreneurial journey for getting on for about 18 years or so, and we’re going to talk a little bit about that in this podcast. When the opportunity came up to have you on, I had to jump on it and get you on and with this amazing episode coming up, this seemed the right thing to do. So what we’re going to do over the next 20 minutes or so is we’re going to explore what you’ve done in your entrepreneurial journey. You were involved really heavily with a popular CRM, which is still around today, which is actually the one that I use.

We’re going to talk about that. We’re going to talk about different business things you’ve done, but where we’re getting to and the bulk of the interview is exactly as you just said, is about helping people have the business and the life that they really want because far too many MSPs, as we know, are completely driven by the business rather than the other way around. And obviously I know that as well that the MSP market very well. You’ve worked with quite a lot of the big players in this market and I’m sure you’re going to deliver a ton of value and drop some value bombs within this. Could I sound any more American as I’m doing this podcast? I don’t think I could. So Brad, tell us about your early career and what you got into it and the thing that got you onto this amazing entrepreneurial journey in the first place.

Oh, that’s a really interesting question. So I was what I would call either an unwilling or an unknowing entrepreneur. So my working career started, I went and got a job, got married, got a job, and I was working as an admissions counsellor for an online university. And I didn’t recognise that I had entrepreneurial blood in me. And anyway, I was there. Everyone should have a job they hate, right? That’s like one of the best things you can do because you realise what you

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Welcome to Episode 249 of the MSP Marketing Podcast with me, Paul Green. This week…

How to grade the quality of your MSP’s leads: I encourage you to prioritise leads to focus on prospects truly worth your time. (jump to)

If I suggested you spent 80% of your time marketing your MSP, would you think I was nuts? I believe that to grow your MSP and secure its future, you need to shift your focus from operations to marketing, making it your top priority to attract and convert new clients. (jump to)

Pay per click CAN work for MSPs if it’s part of an overall marketing strategy: My guest this week, Corey Zieman – owner of Guaranteed PPC, explains how effective pay per click advertising can turn your MSP into a powerful client magnet in an evolving digital landscape. (jump to)

The perfect heading for your MSPs website: Lastly, I answer a question from Greg in Melbourne, Australia. He wants advice on what headline to use on his website for maximum impact. (jump to)

Join me as we unpack these topics and learn from some triumphs and trials in the MSP world. Oh, and don’t forget to join me in the MSP Marketing Facebook group.

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How to grade the quality of your MSP’s leads

When it comes to generating leads for your MSP, not all leads are created equal. It’s easy to get excited about a new prospect, but before you dive in, take a moment to assess whether they’re truly a good fit for your business. Here are three crucial criteria to grade every lead.

1. Opportunity and Urgency: A prospect’s urgency can be a game-changer. Are they locked into a contract with another MSP, or are they desperate for a solution right now? The more urgent their needs, the higher quality the lead. Always ask about their current IT situation and pressing issues – they’ll tell you if they’re ready to move.

2. Fit: Evaluate whether they’re your ideal client. This isn’t just about budget, it’s about working with businesses that align with your strengths and preferences. If you’ve learned anything from experience, it’s that compromising on this leads to regret.

3. Engagement: A prospect who actively engages with you is far more likely to become a valuable client. If you’re doing all the chasing, it’s a red flag. A genuine partnership starts with mutual interest – don’t hesitate to walk away if that’s missing.

Prioritise these factors, and you’ll focus your energy on leads that are truly worth your time.

If I suggested you spent 80% of your time marketing your MSP, would you think I was nuts?

Many MSP owners share a common origin story: leaving an unsatisfying job to start their own business, driven by a desire for control over their work, time, and income.

In the early days, you likely faced the struggle of balancing quality with growth, hiring staff, and dealing with the inevitable drop in standards and the relentless demands on your time. As your business matured, the leads that once flowed naturally began to dry up, leaving you wondering where the next client will com

The podcast powered by the MSP Marketing Edge

Welcome to episode 248 of the MSP Marketing Podcast with me, Paul Green. This week…

• 3 smart ways to recruit techs: Recruiting top-notch technicians for your MSP can be achieved through building long-term relationships on LinkedIn, creating standout job adverts, and using bold mobile billboard advertising. (jump to)
• Worrying kills business owners: Overcome business-related worry by adopting an action-oriented mindset, eliminating negative influences, embracing recurring revenue, systemising marketing, and maintaining work-life balance. (jump to)
• The client retention opportunity around email deliverability: My guest, Ben Fielding, and I discuss the significant changes in email deliverability this year and the opportunities for MSPs to enhance client retention and service quality. (jump to)
• Plus Paul’s Personal Peer group: There’s a question from Brian from Montreal, who wants to know whether he should take on an apprentice for his MSP. The answer is a resounding yes – find out why… (jump to)

Join me as we unpack these topics and learn from some triumphs and trials in the MSP world. Oh, and don’t forget to join me in the MSP Marketing Facebook group.

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3 smart ways to recruit techs

Recruiting top-notch technicians is a common challenge for MSPs, especially in the early stages. The quality of your technicians directly impacts the service you deliver, but finding and hiring them can be daunting. Here are three smart strategies to help you recruit the best talent:

1. Leverage LinkedIn for long-term recruitment. Spend 10-20 minutes weekly connecting with potential technicians from local companies. Instead of outright job offers, build relationships by sending simple connection requests like, “I run a local MSP and I’m always looking to connect with great technicians in the area.” Over time, nurture these connections through casual conversations, building a network of potential hires.

1. Stand out with creative job adverts. In a sea of similar postings, making your ad unique is crucial. An unconventional approach like reverse psychology can be effective. Craft a headline such as “You don’t want to work for us,” and list reasons someone might not want the job. This intriguing approach can attract candidates who appreciate your company’s culture and challenges.

1. Lastly, go bold with mobile billboard advertising. Hire a truck with a giant poster targeting technicians at a big local company. A message like, “If you’re not happy working at [Company], we are hiring technicians right now,” can catch the eye of a dissatisfied employee looking for a change.

These strategies, though unconventional, can help you build a pipeline of talented technicians, ensuring your MSP continues to grow and provide top-tier service.

Worrying kills business owners

Lying awake at night worrying about your business is a familiar scenario for many MSP owners. Whether it’s concerns about clients, cash flow, or staff, worry can be a silent killer. I know this first-hand. Back in 2005, when I

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Welcome to episode 247 of the MSP Marketing Podcast with me, Paul Green. This is THE show if you want to grow your MSP.

In this episode I share how successful MSP owners debunk the 60-hour work week myth, proving that working around 30 hours per week promotes better health, stronger relationships, and strategic business growth. (jump to)

I also discuss why taking a proper break to reflect on key strategic questions can provide clarity and focus, enabling you to achieve your business goals for the rest of 2024. (jump to)

My guest this week, Jane Matthews of Wildcat Careers, highlights the importance of strong employee branding for MSPs, emphasising that a well-crafted employee value proposition is key to attracting and retaining top tech talent. (jump to)

Lastly, I answer a question from Chris who runs an MSP in the south of England. He wants to know how to reward a high performing team member so they feel appreciated. Personalised rewards that are tailored to employees’ interests and needs are often more impactful than cash bonuses, enhancing motivation and loyalty. (jump to)

Join me as we unpack these topics and learn from some triumphs and trials in the MSP world. Oh, and don’t forget to join me in the MSP Marketing Facebook group.

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The 60 hour work myth kills MSPs

If you’re ending your work week exhausted, barely able to crack open a beer and stare at the TV, it’s time for a change. This relentless pace isn’t sustainable. Contrary to popular belief, the most successful MSP owners don’t work 60-hour weeks. In fact, they work significantly less.

The 60-hour myth suggests that to be a successful business owner, one must work these gruelling hours indefinitely. While it’s true that the early stages of starting a business often require extra hours, this should not be a permanent state.

Starting your MSP is exhilarating. You’re taking control of your income, your time, and the type of work you do. In the beginning, putting in 60 hours a week might be necessary and even enjoyable. However, when this habit extends into years, it becomes detrimental. Many MSPs, even with million-dollar turnovers, continue to grind out these hours, believing it’s the hallmark of success. It’s not.

Successful business owners actually work around 30 hours a week. Constantly working 60-hour weeks poses significant risks to your health, your family life and your relationships with loved ones. Additionally, overworking negatively impacts your staff, clients, and the business itself. It stifles strategic thinking and decision-making, which require time and mental space.

Shifting to a 30-hour work week allows you to make more thoughtful decisions, delegate effectively, and focus on growth. Successful MSP owners I’ve interviewed consistently work fewer hours and achieve more. Embracing this approach will help you work smarter, not harder, and drive your business forward.

3 simple questions to max out the rest of 2024

Taking a real break is something we all need. Imagine stepping away from the daily grind, basking in the sun, and genuinely recharging. It’s more than a luxury; it’s a necessity.

A proper break allows you to escape the minutiae that

The podcast powered by the MSP Marketing Edge

Welcome to this week’s episode of the MSP Marketing Podcast with me, Paul Green. This is THE show if you want to grow your MSP.

In this episode I explain why it’s so important to lead by example in your MSP, as your team’s behaviour will mirror your actions more than your words. (jump to)

I also share a story of an MSP owner who successfully took a three-week break by properly resourcing his team, implementing clear systems, and maintaining visibility, proving his business could thrive without his constant presence. (jump to)

My guest this week, Alex Harvey – an MSP owner in Norwich, England – shared that he wished he had outsourced tasks, hired sooner, and set client minimums earlier to better focus on growth and profitability. (jump to)

Lastly, I take on a question from Jerome in NYC. He wants to know how to effectively break into a vertical. The answer – start with a dedicated page on your existing website to show your expertise and then create a separate site once you gain traction. (jump to)

Join me as we unpack these topics and learn from some triumphs and trials in the MSP world. Oh, and don’t forget to join me in the MSP Marketing Facebook group.

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As the MSP leader, actions beat words

Have you ever noticed how children imitate what you do more than what you say? It’s an interesting quirk of parenting, and it’s the same with your staff. The culture of your MSP is shaped far more by your actions than your words.

Take my friend Dave, for instance. He spent hours venting about his boss’s contradictory behaviour. His boss insisted on cutting costs and being frugal but then flaunted a brand-new boat he bought over the weekend. This sent the wrong message to the team. Instead of feeling appreciated, they saw their cost-saving efforts as a means for the boss’s personal luxury. This not only demoralised the team but also sparked resentment.

Another example involves an MSP owner, Boris, who was eager to grow his business but found marketing dull. His lack of enthusiasm showed during meetings, where he’d often check his phone or get distracted. His marketing coordinator felt undervalued and demotivated because Boris’s actions didn’t align with his words about the importance of marketing.

These stories highlight a crucial lesson: if you want your team to embody certain values, you must lead by example. Whether it’s handling help desk tickets promptly or keeping the office tidy, your actions set the standard. Remember, your team, like your kids, are always watching and learning from you. Show them the behaviours you want to see, and you’ll cultivate a positive and productive culture.

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How to take a 3 week vacation with ZERO CALLS from your MSP’s office

A few years ago, an MSP Marketing Edge member shared his impressive approach to taking a three-week break without being bogged down by work. His trip was both a holiday and a working retreat, yet he only checked emails once a day, avoiding disruptive calls entirely.

Like many MSP owners, he worked hard to free hims

The podcast powered by the MSP Marketing Edge

Welcome to this week’s episode of the MSP Marketing Podcast with me, Paul Green. This is THE show if you want to grow your MSP.

In this episode I encourage you to assess your prospects to ensure they are the right fit for your MSP. Assess their value appreciation, willingness to follow advice and pay fairly, dependence on technology, and timely payment habits. (jump to)

I also explain why effectively converting leads into loyal clients requires persistent follow-up, strategic long-term engagement, and thoughtful touches. Follow up until they buy, die, or say bye-bye. (jump to)

I’m joined by Damien Harrison, Director of Operations at Bondgate IT. We discuss how hiring an operations director and prioritising relationship-building over immediate sales can significantly elevate your MSP’s growth and client satisfaction. (jump to)

Lastly, I answer a question from Alex who runs an MSP in Georgia. He wants to know how to maintain client trust and growth when outsourcing his MSP’s help desk overseas. (jump to)

Join me as we unpack these topics and learn from some triumphs and trials in the MSP world. Oh, and don’t forget to join me in the MSP Marketing Facebook group.

READ FULL TRANSCRIPT

You sure that prospect’s a great fit for your MSP?

Turning a lead into a prospect is exciting, but how do you know if they’re truly a great fit for your MSP? Here are five ways to measure their potential:

Value Appreciation: top prospects understand the value of your services. They see you as an investment in their business, not just a fixer of problems. They know you’re essential for their growth.

Willingness to Follow Advice: good clients follow your strategic advice. If they see your value, they’ll be more inclined to trust and implement your recommendations.

Willingness to Pay: quality clients are happy to pay a fair price for your services. They understand that good service costs money and they don’t haggle. This reflects their understanding of the value you provide.

Dependence on Technology: ideal clients rely heavily on technology. They recognise it as a growth lever and are willing to invest in IT to enhance their business.

Timely Payments: reliable clients pay their bills on time. This shows respect for your services and a commitment to maintaining a strong relationship.

Assess prospects using these criteria to ensure a strong, productive partnership.

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A new lead has tons of value until one of these 3 things happens

Lead generation can be challenging for MSPs, but treating leads as disposable is a mistake. Understanding the journey from suspects to leads, then prospects, opportunities, and finally, clients, helps tailor your approach.

Follow-up. Follow-up. Follow up. A robust sales system ensures you reconnect, especially when prospects aren’t ready immediately. Long-term engagement ensures leads don’t expire quickly. Persistence pays off, sometimes after many years. Follow up until the