Ignite Your Estate Agency Podcast By Sam Ashdown & Phil Jones cover art

Ignite Your Estate Agency

Ignite Your Estate Agency

By: Sam Ashdown & Phil Jones
Listen for free

About this listen

Welcome to the Ignite Podcast, specifically designed to help estate agents ignite the growth of their agency, hosted by Sam Ashdown and Phil Jones. We'll share original content on all things marketing and agency related - from growth and lead generation, to creating and developing your personal brand and building a dream team. You'll hear from the biggest and best marketers, experts and agency coaches from around the world in exclusive interviews. And discover our top level tips, tricks and tactics that are designed to help YOU accelerate the growth of your business. About Sam and Phil: Sam and Phil are mother-in-law and son-in-lawn and co-directors of AshdownJones (the Lake District estate agency), AJ Mastermind (the home of world-class independent estate agency growth) and several other companies. Collectively they have a couple of decades of industry experience between them. We hope you enjoy the Ignite podcast. Let us know what you think by leaving a review. If you want to find out more about AJ Mastermind and what we can do for your agency go to: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk

© 2025 Ignite Your Estate Agency
Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • How to Create a Stylish Property Description Using AI
    Jul 3 2025

    Are you using AI to help write property descriptions? Find out why you should be! Replace traditional property description clichés with a story-led approach to help your agency stand out from the crowd.

    Using the right prompts can give you more time to focus on growth while maintaining the quality vendors expect, especially in the high-value home market. Sam shares tips for building effective AI prompts to produce copy in your own style of writing.

    Whatever your AI platform of choice, you can streamline your workflow just by following Sam’s advice.


    Read the BLOG POST that Sam wrote about this topic

    Get hold of Sam’s 5 ESSENTIAL AI PROMPTS


    Here’s how we can help you to IGNITE your agency:


    Find out more about COSMO and take advantage of our exclusive podcast offer!

    LISTEN to another episode

    Request an AJ Mastermind brochure by calling 015394 40892 or emailing emma@ajmastermind.co.uk

    Connect with a community of ambitious agency owners on our private AJ Mastermind FACEBOOK PAGE

    For your questions, reach out to Sam Or Phil: sam@ajmastermind.co.uk OR phil@ashdownjones.co.uk

    Stay updated on our upcoming EVENTS


    Key takeaways:

    ➡️ AI can reduce your copywriting workload but needs precise prompts to work effectively.

    ➡️ Evocative, story-led property descriptions attract both vendors and buyers and set your agency apart.

    ➡️ Estate agency coaches and mastermind communities provide proven growth strategies and support.

    Notable moments:

    ✅ “Great property descriptions are more than room lists, they’re about painting a picture of life in the home.”

    ✅ “The results you get from AI are only as good as the instructions you give it.”

    ✅ “A great description not only brings in buyers but also shows the vendor how well you understand their home.”


    Blog post: https://www.samashdown.co.uk/ai-property-descriptions/

    5 Essential AI Prompts You Need in Your Agency, and How to Use Them! :

    https://ajmastermind.co.uk/5-ai-prompts-video-series-free-access

    Cosmo: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/cosmoignite

    Listen: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/ignite-podcast

    Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ajmmforagencygrowth

    Upcoming Events: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/events/

    Show more Show less
    28 mins
  • How to Build an Overseas Team and Get 3 Employees for the Price of 1 – with Georges Verdis
    Jun 26 2025

    In this episode, we discuss building an overseas team for your estate agency. Georges Verdis joins Sam to talk about digital assistants, especially those based in the Philippines, and how they can support agency operations while managing costs.

    Sam and Georges share their journey of hiring virtual (or digital) team members, with a transparent look at salary structures, recruitment sources, and integrating remote professionals into a UK-based team. The episode takes you through the process of recruiting, training, and managing overseas staff, highlighting the logistical details and mindset shifts required. Find out why clarity in role descriptions, cultural understanding, and ongoing coaching lead to better retention and productivity.

    Georges also champions productivity tools like Asana and Slack, while discussing the impact of work culture on loyalty and motivation, and why offering a competitive salary in the local context can transform both your business and the lives of your remote team.


    Here’s how we can help you to IGNITE your agency:


    Find out more about COSMO and take advantage of our exclusive podcast offer!

    LISTEN to another episode

    Request an AJ Mastermind brochure by calling 015394 40892 or emailing emma@ajmastermind.co.uk

    Connect with a community of ambitious agency owners on our private AJ Mastermind FACEBOOK PAGE

    For your questions, reach out to Sam Or Phil: sam@ajmastermind.co.uk OR phil@ashdownjones.co.uk

    Stay updated on our upcoming EVENTS


    Some key takeaways:

    ➡️ Remote recruitment can double agency output and sustain high standards while being cost-effective.

    ➡️ Transparent processes, cultural adaptation, and communication tools are vital for integrating an overseas team.

    ➡️ Estate agency growth often depends on coachable team members and leadership willing to implement new ideas.

    Some great moments:

    ✅ “The digital team can literally run the office. The only thing they cannot do is let contractors in to pick up keys or do viewings.”

    ✅ “You cherry pick the best of the best of the best.”

    ✅ “Hiring your first digital assistant is exactly the same journey as hiring your first person in the UK. Countdown 5, 4, 3, 2, 1—turn the thought into action.”

    Ready to modernise your estate agency? Tune in and discover how to build a winning team that works for you, wherever you are.



    Cosmo: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/cosmoignite

    Listen: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/ignite-podcast

    Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ajmmforagencygrowth

    Upcoming Events: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/events/

    Show more Show less
    52 mins
  • The 5 Languages of Appreciation and How They Help You Build a Better Culture
    Jun 19 2025

    Let’s examine the five languages of appreciation in the workplace and their direct impact on team culture and retention. Sam discusses how to recognise, motivate and support your staff using strategies backed by research and shaped by real-life experience.

    With reference to her upcoming book, Sam talks about understanding what makes each team member feel valued - from words of affirmation to acts of service, and how that translates to improved productivity, loyalty and stronger team bonds.

    Matching your appreciation style to the individual can reduce staff turnover, enhance morale, and lead to a more harmonious workplace environment.

    The 5 Languages of Appreciation is based on ‘The Five Love Languages’ by Gary Chapman, which can be found on Amazon:

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Five-Love-Languages-Secret-Lasts/dp/0802473156


    Here’s how we can help you to IGNITE your agency:


    Find out more about COSMO and take advantage of our exclusive podcast offer!

    LISTEN to another episode

    Request an AJ Mastermind brochure by calling 015394 40892 or emailing emma@ajmastermind.co.uk

    Connect with a community of ambitious agency owners on our private AJ Mastermind FACEBOOK PAGE

    For your questions, reach out to Sam Or Phil: sam@ajmastermind.co.uk OR phil@ashdownjones.co.uk

    Stay updated on our upcoming EVENTS


    Some key takeaways:

    ➡️ Team members receive appreciation in different ways; understanding their preferences can lead to higher retention and engagement.
    ➡️ Performance reviews and open communication make a team feel valued and clarify roles in your estate agency.
    ➡️ Approaches like quality time, tangible gifts and appropriate physical touch need to be applied with care and awareness.

    Some great moments:

    ✅ “You can only be as happy as your unhappiest team member… A happy team is a happy you.”
    ✅ “If you show your love and appreciation to them in the way that they prefer, it resonates much more clearly and deeply.”
    ✅ “What we're trying to do is help people be the best form of themselves they can possibly be. And that is going to take time and effort from you.”

    Cosmo: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/cosmoignite

    Listen: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/ignite-podcast

    Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ajmmforagencygrowth

    Upcoming Events: https://www.ajmastermind.co.uk/events/

    Show more Show less
    29 mins
No reviews yet