Agency Rocket Show

Ep 52: Learning Web Design: Growth, Feedback, and Letting Go of Perfection with Maren McDaniel

Don’t wait for perfect... submit it bad. In this episode of the Agency Rocket Show, Liz Hunt sits down with DayCloud designer Maren McDaniel to talk about her journey from illustrator and graphic designer into the world of website design. They unpack what it really looks like to learn a new skill inside an agency environment, from early fear and perfectionism to feedback, collaboration, and real growth through doing. Maren shares how she went from avoiding web design altogether to confidently building sites, why minimalist design can be harder than maximalism, and how wireframes, typography, color restraint, and UX thinking reshaped the way she designs. Liz offers insight into mentorship, critique, and why submitting work before it feels “ready” is essential to becoming a better designer. If you’re a creative who’s afraid to show unfinished work, struggling with perfectionism, or learning something new and uncomfortable, this episode is your reminder that growth doesn’t happen when things are perfect. It happens when you start.

Episode 51: Writing for the Web: Translating Brand Voice into Website Copy with Keaton Haines

In this episode of the Agency Rocket Show, Host Liz Hunt is flying without Chelsea (who is off doing casual things like HAVING A BABY) and is joined by DayCloud’s own marketing coordinator and resident wordsmith, Keaton Haines. Together they break down what copywriting actually is, how website copy differs from “regular” writing, and why your site shouldn’t read like an HR handbook. They walk through DayCloud’s full website copy process—from discovery and brand voice, to wireframes, UX-minded content strategy, and collaboration between design and copy—and talk honestly about common mistakes businesses make when they DIY their words. You’ll hear how empathy and embodiment drive good copy, how to think about SEO without turning your site into keyword soup, and why “integrity, honesty, professionalism” is not a brand personality. If you’ve ever wondered how agencies actually write websites (or what a ghostwriter does for a brand), this one’s for you.

Ep 50: Website Red Flags: How to Know When It’s Time for a Rebuild

Be honest: when you pull up your website… do you cringe a little? In this episode, hosts Liz Hunt and Chelsea Poppens dive into the real signs it might be time for a website rebuild, from outdated design and clunky tech to slow load times, poor user experience, and branding that no longer fits who you are. You’ll learn: * The biggest red flags that scream “rebuild now” * When a refresh is enough (and when it’s not) * Why mobile, accessibility and site speed matter more than ever * How bad UX quietly kills your leads * When NOT to hire an agency (yes, really) Plus… a pregnancy disclaimer, emotional support dogs, and a few unfiltered opinions on ugly websites. Enjoy!

Ep 49: Wired Differently: The Two-Step That Saves Every Web Project

In this episode of the Agency Rocket Show, Liz and Chelsea explain the phase where websites finally start taking shape: before the visuals, before the colors, before anyone gets distracted by “Can we make the buttons rounder?”   We break down the two-step magic of our process, built from years in the industry: 1. The Interactive Mood Board, where we mine for client taste, gather inspiration across industries, and intentionally include a few designs clients will absolutely hate. 2. The Wireframe Phase, aka the blueprint, skeleton, framework, bones… whatever you want to call it. It’s the non-sexy, extremely important step where content, flow, hierarchy, functionality, and UX all lock into place.   No colors, no fonts, no flourishes. Just pure structure, clarity, and strategic thinking.   We also discuss why this phase prevents project blowups, how it eliminates surprise edits later, and why clients understand their own website better when they can’t get distracted by the pretty stuff yet.   If you’ve ever wondered how the pros design websites that feel intentional, aligned, and on the mark, this is the episode for you.

Ep 48: Before You Design: Kickoff, Sitemaps, and Discovery

Episode 3 of our website series is the “not glamorous, insanely essential” one. Hosts Liz and Chelsea walk through the two meetings that make or break a web project before a single pixel gets designed: the Kickoff + Sitemap meeting and the Discovery session.  First, the Kickoff & Sitemap: how we set expectations, timelines, roles, and guardrails... then map the site in a humble Google Sheet with pages, subpages, notes, and any special functionality. We share how we prep before the meeting (competitive analysis, industry language, common CTAs, user goals), the questions we bring (legal footers, integrations, hiring goals, etc.), and the rule that saves everyone’s sanity: don’t design until the structure and purpose are clear. Then, Discovery: when a client’s needs are complex or unclear, we scope paid discovery to co-build high-fidelity wireframes and a true content plan. We cover the difference between basic vs. complex projects, where discovery sits in the contract, and how we keep scope honest (pages promised, templates vs. content volume, and what happens when someone requests “just add a blog” midstream). Along the way, we hit: * Why showing up prepared establishes you as the leader (and dramatically improves client experience) * How to align business goals with user goals (customer = hero, not you) * The psychology behind navigation, CTAs, and clarity (and why “industry boilerplate” often fails) * Practical artifacts: sitemap doc, questions list, competitor notes, discovery wireframes * Scope control without drama: what’s in, what’s out, and how to price change requests Key takeaway: Preparation is part of the product. If you nail the kickoff, define the sitemap, and run discovery with intention, then your design phase will (usually) fly. Skip it, and you’ll pay for it in confusion, rework, and scope creep. If you like a little structure with your chaos, this one’s for you.