In this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Matt is joined by veteran writer Maddy Osman to discuss the evolving landscape of content creation in the age of AI. Maddy shares her journey, including her recent book and course launch, and reflects on the impact of AI on writing and content marketing. They explore the balance between leveraging AI tools and maintaining human creativity, the importance of personal experiences in writing, and the need for businesses to adapt to changing audience behaviors. The discussion also focuses on building trust and community in a digital world, as well as the future of WordPress in the context of AI advancements.

Key Takeaways:

• Maddy discusses how becoming a parent has changed her career.
• She launched a LinkedIn Learning course based on her book, Writing for Humans and Robots: The New Rules of Content Style.
• AI is a tool that can't replicate everything yet.
• Content creators are among the first affected by AI.
• AI can enhance workflows, but shouldn't replace human thought.
• Human experience is crucial in writing and content creation.
• AI can create efficiencies, but may lead to a toxic hustle culture.
• Brands need to guide users through new technologies.
• Content marketing is evolving in response to shifting audience preferences.
• Building trust and human connections is essential in business.

Important Links:

• Maddy Osman on LinkedIn
• The Blogsmith
• Writing for Humans and Robots: The New Rules of Content Style

In this episode of The WP Minute+ podcast, Kurt von Ahnen and Toby Cryns discuss the complexities of integrating AI into agency work, the challenges of managing client expectations, and the importance of effective project management. They explore the importance of clear communication with clients and the financial aspects of running an agency.

The guys emphasize the importance of agency owners setting boundaries, managing client relationships, and recognizing when to delegate tasks to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Key Takeaways:

• AI is a tool that requires proper management and understanding.
• Clients often have unrealistic expectations about AI’s capabilities.
• Setting clear boundaries with clients is essential for agency success.
• Effective project management can significantly improve workflow and client satisfaction.
• Communication is key in managing client relationships and expectations.
• Emotional deposits and withdrawals impact client relationships.
• Agency owners should not hesitate to delegate tasks they find challenging.
• Financial management is crucial for sustaining your agency’s operations.
• It’s important to establish clear guidelines for client access to projects.
• Work-life balance is vital for long-term success in agency work.

Important Links:

• Kurt’s Agency: Mañana No Mas
• Toby’s Agency: The Mighty Mo!
• Follow Kurt & Toby:
  LinkedIn: Kurt | Toby
• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe

In this episode of The WP Minute+ Podcast, Kurt and Toby look at the practical and emotional challenges of managing WordPress agency projects. From sales pitfalls to client relationship dynamics and infrastructure transitions, the conversation is packed with firsthand lessons and agency wisdom.

Toby kicks off the discussion with a cautionary tale about losing a major deal due to poor energy and overexposure to meetings, a common struggle in client-driven work. Kurt emphasizes the importance of emotional readiness and shares his go-to mantra: focus on the relationship, and the transaction will follow. They discuss strategies for rescheduling meetings professionally when you’re not at your best and the dangers of showing up unprepared.

They also reflect on project management as the core skill of running a successful agency, noting that it often matters more than technical skills. They explore “the messy middle” of projects, sharing techniques for refocusing clients during chaotic phases. Kurt values minimal viable products and clear deliverables, while Toby relates these lessons to both web work and personal projects.

Finally, they discuss when to let go of problematic clients or outdated tech stacks. Whether it’s walking away from HostGator or reconsidering tools like Divi or ManageWP, both hosts agree: trust your gut, set boundaries, and don’t let short-term financial needs sabotage long-term growth.

Takeaways:

• Rescheduling a meeting when unprepared is better than pushing through and blowing the opportunity.
• Project management is often the most valuable agency skill, especially in larger contracts.
• In big projects, refocus clients by reiterating core business goals and pushing toward MVPs.
• Listen to your instincts when deciding whether to keep a client or tool, and don’t ignore red flags.
• Website migrations and infrastructure shifts should be carefully planned, ideally with internal expertise.
• Clients rarely care about minor aesthetic tweaks; they want results and functionality.

Important Links:

• Kurt’s Agency: Mañana No Mas
• Toby’s Agency: The Mighty Mo!
• Follow Kurt & Toby:
  LinkedIn: Kurt | Toby
• The WP Minute+ Podcast: thewpminute.com/subscribe