All Things MSP

In this episode of "All Things MSP," hosts Eric Anthony and Justin Esgar dive into the  world of MSP marketing. They stress the importance of understanding your target market and tailoring your marketing efforts accordingly. Eric simplifies the marketing process into three key stages: Get, Do, and Keep. He further breaks down the Get phase into awareness, evaluation, and conversion.Justin shares his experiences with various marketing tactics, including postcards, LinkedIn messages, cold calls, and webinars, highlighting the importance of knowing your demographic and competition. He emphasizes that marketing isn't always a logical, straight path; it requires creativity and experimentation.The hosts discuss the significance of dedicating time and effort to marketing, even if you're not investing a significant amount of money. They encourage MSP owners to embrace marketing as a long-term effort, as it's all about gaining more eyeballs and building brand recognition over time.The episode also teases the upcoming ACEs conference, a valuable event for IT consultants looking to enhance their business acumen. ACEs conference covers a wide range of topics, including marketing, management, sales, and general business strategies.In conclusion, "Cracking the Code: Getting Started with MSP Marketing" provides insights and practical advice for MSP owners looking to improve their marketing strategies and attract the right clients.

 In this episode of the All Things MSP podcast, we speak with Steve Petryschuk and John Harden from Auvik about their new SaaS management solution. They discuss the challenges of managing SaaS in a complex IT environment, and how their solution can help MSPs discover, manage, and secure their clients' SaaS applications.- The increasing adoption of SaaS applications by businesses is creating new challenges for MSPs.- MSPs need a solution that can help them discover, manage, and secure their clients' SaaS applications.- The solution is easy to use and can be deployed quickly.

In this episode of the All Things MSP podcast, Justin Esgar and Eric Anthony discuss the pros and cons of hiring a technician or an admin as your first employee. They argue that the best person to hire is the person who can fill the void of what you can't do or do better than you. They also discuss the importance of outsourcing tasks to save time and money.Justin and Eric start by discussing the benefits of hiring a technician as your first employee. They argue that a technician can help you with technical tasks, such as troubleshooting problems, installing software, and managing servers. They also point out that a technician can help you grow your business by bringing in new clients.However, Justin and Eric also note that there are some drawbacks to hiring a technician as your first employee. They argue that a technician can be expensive, and that they may not be as good at marketing and sales as you are. They also point out that a technician may not be able to help you with non-technical tasks, such as managing finances or responding to customer inquiries.Justin and Eric then discuss the benefits of hiring an admin as your first employee. They argue that an admin can help you with non-technical tasks, such as managing finances, responding to customer inquiries, and scheduling appointments. They also point out that an admin can be less expensive than a technician, and that they may be better at marketing and sales than you are.However, Justin and Eric also note that there are some drawbacks to hiring an admin as your first employee. They argue that an admin may not be able to help you with technical tasks, such as troubleshooting problems or installing software. They also point out that an admin may not be as good at growing your business as you are.In the end, Justin and Eric conclude that the best person to hire as your first employee is the person who can fill the void of what you can't do or do better than you. They also stress the importance of outsourcing tasks to save time and money.

In what seems to be an innocent episode of Reddit Roulette of the All Things MSP podcast, hosts Eric Anthony and Justin Esgartake a sharp left turn into the world of project management and productivity hacks. They start by discussing "The Phoenix Project," a must-read book that tells a captivating  story while offering valuable insights into project management. Justin reveals that his company even includes the book as part of their employee onboarding package to instill essential project management skills in every new team member.The hosts then explore various project management software, with Justin expressing a preference for a physical Kanban board over digital tools like Trello or ClickUp. He emphasizes the importance of a tactile approach, as it helps keep tasks front and center, preventing them from being forgotten or buried within digital interfaces.Eric counters by sharing his experiences with transitioning from traditional bullet journaling to the digital equivalent, GoodNotes. While acknowledging the convenience and searchability of digital solutions, he still misses the tactile experience of pen and paper.The conversation concludes with a crucial piece of advice for anyone embarking on their project management journey: find productivity tools that suit your needs and stick with it for at least 90 days before making a decision.

In this episode of the All Things MSP podcast we discuss the changing relationship between MSPs and tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Google. They discuss how these tech giants are making it more difficult for MSPs to do business by constantly changing the goalposts and demanding more from MSPs. They also discuss how MSPs may need to stop reselling these tech giants' products and services in order to maintain their profitability and stickiness with clients.The hosts conclude by saying that the relationship between MSPs and tech giants is changing, and that MSPs need to be prepared to adapt to these changes in order to survive.Here are some of the key points from the summary:Tech giants are making it more difficult for MSPs to do business by changing the goalposts and demanding more from MSPs.MSPs may need to stop reselling tech giants' products and services in order to maintain their profitability and stickiness with clients.The relationship between MSPs and tech giants is changing, and MSPs need to be prepared to adapt to these changes.

In this episode of the All Things MSP Podcast, Justin Esgar and Eric Anthony talk to David Lindsay about the importance of health in the MSP industry. David is a former athlete and now a speaker and consultant who helps businesses improve their vitality. He shares his insights on how MSPs can improve their health and well-being, and how this can lead to increased productivity and profitability.David Lindsay: https://www.davidlindsay.com.au/CompTIA ChannelCon: https://i.snoball.it/p/TfyV/eBe a guest on the show: https://atmsp.link/podcast

Networking is an essential part of any business, but it can be especially important for MSP owners. By networking, you can connect with potential clients, learn about new technologies and trends, and build relationships with other professionals in the industry.There are many different ways to network, but some of the most effective methods include:Joining networking groups.Attending industry events.Attending trade shows.Speaking at events.Writing articles or blog posts.Using social media.When networking, it is important to be a good listener and to build relationships with other people. You should also be willing to share your knowledge and expertise. By networking effectively, you can grow your business and achieve your goals.Here are some additional tips for networking effectively as an MSP owner:Be prepared. Before you attend a networking event, take some time to research the people and organizations that will be there. This will help you make the most of your time and connect with the right people.Be yourself. Don't try to be someone you're not. People can tell when you're being fake, and it will make it difficult to build relationships.Be genuine. Be interested in other people and what they have to say. People will be more likely to want to connect with you if they feel like you're genuinely interested in them.Be helpful. Offer to help other people with their problems or challenges. This is a great way to build trust and rapport.Be persistent. Don't give up on networking. It takes time to build relationships, but it's worth it in the end.By following these tips, you can network effectively and grow your MSP business.

Need some MSP Therapy?Click Here: https://forms.gle/xhrgQ5Vf7gDiZXvk6When a client decides to switch to a new MSP, it can be a challenge for the outgoing MSP. In this episode of the All Things MSP podcast, hosts Justin Esgar and Eric Anthony discuss the challenges of dealing with a client who is switching to a new MSP. They talk about how to handle the offboarding process, how to avoid burning bridges, and how to protect your reputation.Here are some tips for dealing with a client who is switching to a new MSP:Be professional and courteous. Even if you're disappointed that the client is leaving, it's important to be professional and courteous throughout the offboarding process.Provide clear and concise documentation. Make sure to provide the new MSP with all of the documentation they need to take over the client's account.Be patient. The offboarding process can take some time, so be patient with the client and the new MSP.Avoid burning bridges. Even if you're not happy with the client's decision to switch to a new MSP, it's important to avoid burning bridges. You never know when you might work with the client again in the future.By following these tips, you can make the offboarding process as smooth as possible for both you and the client.In addition to the tips above, Justin and Eric also discuss the importance of protecting your reputation when a client switches to a new MSP. They talk about how to avoid making negative comments about the client or the new MSP, and how to focus on providing excellent service to your remaining clients.By following the tips in this episode, you can ensure that you handle the offboarding process professionally and protect your reputation.

In the latest episode of "All Things MSP," host Justin Esgar and co-host Eric Anthony interview Tim Fitzpatrick, a marketing consultant and guru. They discuss the importance of honing in on ideal clients and creating a targeted marketing message. Fitzpatrick emphasizes the importance of creating an "ideal client GPS" list, which is a list of where your ideal clients congregate, both online and offline. For example, if you are targeting veterinary practice owners, you would want to create a list of all the associations, trade shows, and influencers in that space. Once you have created your list, you can then choose which avenues to test and get out in front of. However, before taking action, it's important to create a targeted marketing message that resonates with your ideal client. Fitzpatrick notes that many businesses, including MSPs, make the mistake of having a generic message that doesn't set them apart from their competitors. He advises businesses to focus on a specific niche and to nail that niche before expanding to other markets. Focusing on a specific niche has many advantages. For one, it makes it easier to create a targeted message that resonates with your ideal client. It also makes it easier to identify where to find your ideal clients and to go where the fish are, so to speak. Additionally, it allows businesses to stand out from their competitors and to become the go-to business in their niche. Fitzpatrick notes that many businesses don't need a lot of clients to transform their business, and as such, they don't need to target broadly. By focusing on a specific niche, businesses can create a more manageable list of potential clients and make their marketing efforts more efficient. As they begin to dominate their niche, they can then expand into other markets if they choose to do so. In conclusion, honing in on ideal clients and creating a targeted marketing message is key to the success of any business, including MSPs. By creating an ideal client GPS list and focusing on a specific niche, businesses can become more efficient and effective in their marketing efforts and stand out from their competitors.

In this week's episode of "All Things MSP," co-hosts Justin Esgar and Eric Anthony are joined by a very special guest, Melanie Curtis. Melanie is a renowned life coach and professional skydiver, who brings a unique perspective to the discussion on stress and living your best life. As IT service providers, our lives can be hectic and stressful. We often put our clients' needs ahead of our own, leading to burnout and decreased quality of life. In this episode, Melanie shares her insights on how to live your best life and manage stress effectively. Through her personal experiences and professional expertise, Melanie guides us on a journey of self-discovery, offering practical tools and strategies to help us prioritize our mental and physical wellbeing. From setting boundaries and managing expectations, to practicing self-care and embracing vulnerability, Melanie shares actionable steps that we can implement in our daily lives to improve our overall quality of life. Whether you're a seasoned MSP veteran or just starting out in the industry, this episode is a must-listen. Join us as we explore the intersection between stress, success, and living your best life. Tune in to "EP06 - Living Your Best Life" and learn how to thrive both personally and professionally.

Join Justin Esgar and Eric Anthony in this episode of "All Things MSP" as they sit down with Paul Green, founder of Paul Green's MSP Marketing, to discuss the fundamentals of marketing for managed IT services businesses. As a seasoned expert in the field, Green shares valuable insights on the importance of establishing a process-driven marketing strategy and getting started with the right mindset. Throughout the episode, the hosts and guest engage in a lighthearted conversation about various topics including the unpredictable weather in the UK, the Marvel Universe, and the beloved science fiction series Doctor Who. Despite the humorous interludes, the focus remains on helping MSP business owners and employees gain a deeper understanding of marketing best practices, particularly in the realm of social media and email marketing. The conversation concludes with Green emphasizing the need for MSPs to take action and start implementing marketing tactics in order to differentiate themselves from the competition and attract new clients. With actionable advice and witty banter, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their marketing game in the managed IT services industry.

Join us for episode 2 where Justin and Eric discuss how they got into the industry and their journeys thus far. Did Justin get bit by a radioactive spider and is secretly a real life spider man? Who knows, listen to the podcast to find out.