Rob Da Costa:
Hey, everyone, and welcome back to the Agency Accelerator podcast. I'm your host, Rob Da Costa. Yep. The real Rob this week, not my AI clone. But today, I'm gonna dive into the story and the journey of creating Ask Rob Anything, my AI powered digital coach, and sharing with you the real story behind it all. From the spark of inspiration that started this venture to the countless challenges I faced along the way, including full starts and shifting platforms. So today, I'm peeling back the curtain on what it took to bring this idea to life, and perhaps more importantly from your perspective, why I've invested countless hours in creating a platform that I believe is gonna change the way agency owners and their teams get support. So have you ever been curious about how to leverage AI in your agency, or you want to understand the process behind developing a digital tool, or maybe you just want to know about all the things that went wrong when I created my coaching clone, Ask Rob Anything, you are in the right place.

Rob Da Costa:
So in this episode, I'll explain the why and how I created Ask Rob Anything. You'll hear the hurdles I encountered and how each step taught me something valuable, ultimately leading to a tool designed to empower agency owners. And I'm gonna share with you my thoughts on how this tech will evolve into becoming a proactive partner in your agency in ways that you probably haven't even yet imagined. So lots to cover, and let's get started. I'm Rob Da Costa, and this is the Agency Accelerator podcast. As someone who has stood in your shoes, having started, grown, and sold my own agency, I know just how it feels in the ups and downs of agency life. So this podcast aims to ease your journey just a little by sharing mine and my guests' experiences and advice as you navigate your way to growing a profitable, sustainable, and enjoyable business. So let's kick things off by exploring the initial spark behind Ask Rob Anything.

Rob Da Costa:
As many of you probably know, I've been in the agency world for too many years. Well, actually, over 30 years. Throughout that time, I've gathered a huge amount of knowledge, strategies, tools, insights, you name it. And I've always thought to myself, how can I make all this valuable information accessible to a wider audience? And when AI started to gain traction, I saw a golden opportunity. And I must confess that I'm a bit of a techie nerd, so I loved playing around with AI when it first became widely available back in November 2022. My idea was to create a knowledge base that my agency members could use to effectively search through all of this content. I wanted to help them find answers they needed right when they needed them, and I felt like AI was gonna be the perfect solution. Now inspired by a tool that enabled users to search video content seamlessly, I set out to create version 1 of my knowledge base, which I initially called Agency Assist.

Rob Da Costa:
But I soon encountered my first roadblock. I realized that the search functionality of the platform I was using was quite limited. It wasn't really using AI in a way that could understand the context of questions being asked, and it was more of a surface level solution that couldn't really dig deeper in into someone's challenge to provide the nuanced insights that I envisioned. And to be honest, it was more like an advanced search engine, not a smart AI tool. This limitation led me to search for another platform, one specifically designed to create a coach clone. That's when I transitioned to developing version 2 of my tool and rebranded it to Ask Rob Anything. This new name felt much more reflective of what I wanted the tool to do, to engage users, to answer their questions, and to workshop ideas with them to reach a good solution. But let me tell you, the journey was far from over.

Rob Da Costa:
I quickly learned a critical lesson. Garbage in equals garbage out. Just uploading my videos, 200 plus podcasts, ebooks, and templates wasn't enough. I needed to structure this information so that the AI could interpret it accurately and deliver the relevant responses based on the user's questions. I also wanted it to be able to share tools and templates at the right time, and I found this platform hallucinating a lot and actually making up URLs when someone asked for a tool that I actually didn't have. And I realized quickly that we needed to put some better guardrails in place and that that wasn't going to be good enough. And all of this realization was a hard pill to swallow. It forced me to delete the entire knowledge base.

Rob Da Costa:
Yeah. That was really painful. And start from scratch. A painful but necessary decision. In the end, this reset significantly improved the output that the talk could deliver, bringing us closer to the vision I had in mind. So what was the problem that I was really solving for agency owners with this tool? What what was my goal by creating this? Well, many agency owners struggle to find timely, relevant answers to their pressing questions or challenges. They often feel that they're on their own doing their best, but unfortunately learning by trial and error. And this can be really painful and a really costly pill to swallow.

Rob Da Costa:
They have neither the time or the resources to hire a coach. And even if they did have one, they're not always on hand to answer their questions there and then when they need the help. With Ask Rob Anything, I wanted to eliminate these frustrations by providing instant access to tailored insights and support specifically based on agency specific content, I aim to empower agency owners to make informed decisions and get support quickly and effectively. So now that we've laid the groundwork for the initial idea behind Ask Rob Anything, let's dive into the evolution of this journey, specifically the full starts and the platform pivots that define the process. After I rebranded from agency assist to Ask Rob Anything, I found myself at a crossroads. I had identified the need for a more interactive tool, but I was still grappling with the reality of what it meant to create a functional AI coach, one that people would integrate into their daily lives. I'd moved to a new platform that was supposed to help me build a better product, but things didn't go as smoothly as I hoped. In this new phase, I started developing what I envisioned as version 2 of the tool.

Rob Da Costa:
I was excited to see the potential. However, I quickly learned that just because I was using a new platform, it didn't mean the process would be any easier. There were still challenges with the AI's ability to deliver valuable insights, and it became clear that it wasn't simply about having a better interface. I needed to ensure the underlying structure of the data was sound. And that led me to the reality that I mentioned earlier about garbage in equals garbage out. And I realized that unless I was meticulous about how I structured the content, the AI wouldn't be able to provide the depth of response that I'd envisioned. And I guess it would be amazing, wouldn't it, just to be able to upload loads of content that was never designed for AI, but maybe a video script or a podcast interview, and the AI can work through it. But right now, the AI just isn't really smart enough to do that.

Rob Da Costa:
So as I said, this led me to delete the whole knowledge base, and I spent countless hours restructuring it. And And I focused on creating an organized framework that the AI could effectively use, which meant that it was gonna give much better answers to the questions it was asked. And once I was able to start fresh with the right structure, I noticed significant improvements. The outputs from the AI became much more relevant and appropriate and useful for the users. But even after this reset, the journey was still far from complete. As I continue to work on this new platform, I found that it was developing and moving slowly and also started to focus more on generating content for the user, I. E, me from existing materials, which was great for me in terms of creating social media and other content, but not so much for the user. So I felt this platform was perhaps heading in a different direction to the one I was aiming for.

Rob Da Costa:
I wanted Ask Rob anything to be dynamic, engaging, and tailored to the user's needs and consistently learning from interactions that it has with the user and not just a repository for content. This prompted yet another shift. Now bear in mind, I'm telling this story in 15 minutes, but this was over a period of about a year. But it prompted another shift, and I embarked on searching for a 3rd platform. 1 that would not only offer the advanced functionality on the front end, but also a more sophisticated back end. I wanted features that allow for real time video and audio chats, provided a more personalized coaching experience because after all, we all consume content differently. So offering these options was important to sustain engagement and attract a wider audience. And, eventually, I found the right fit.

Rob Da Costa:
The current platform finally aligned with my vision, enabling me to create a truly interactive coaching tool. And if you wanna know more specifics about the platform, then do drop me an email at robert@dacostacoaching.co.uk. And I can tell you more. So that's the evolution of ask Rob anything from a simple knowledge base to a more dynamic coaching platform shaped by full starts and critical learning moments. It was definitely a journey of discovery, and each setback led me closer to realizing the tools full potential. So now that you've got a sense of the journey and the evolution behind Ask Rob Anything, let's dive into the why behind creating my own AI coach. This decision wasn't made lightly. Although, as I said, I like playing with tech, but I am acutely aware of shiny new objects.

Rob Da Costa:
But it stemmed from a few key motivations that drove me throughout this process. 1st and foremost, there was a desire to reach a much wider audience. As someone who spent decades working closely with agency owners, I realized that my capacity to coach 1 on 1 was limited by time. And as I got more members in my group coaching membership from around the world, I knew that I needed to provide more of a 247 support and guidance no matter where they are in the world and what the time zone is. And with Ask Rob Anything, I envisioned a solution that could extend my expertise to all my members around the world and thousands of agency owners beyond that simultaneously. Imagine being able to provide instant access to knowledge and insights whenever someone needs them regardless of where they are or what time it is. That is the beauty of AI. By creating a digital coach, I could empower more people than I ever could through individual sessions or through my group.

Rob Da Costa:
It's about democratizing access to coaching and guidance, which is something I talked about in episode 2, 3, 6 of the podcast. So do go back and listen to that if you want to know more about that. But there's more to it than just reach. I wanted to build a legacy. Over the years, I've accumulated a wealth of knowledge and insights from my experiences in the agency world. And I don't want that knowledge just to vanish or become irrelevant as I step back from active coaching. After all, I am old and grey, and I do have retirement on the horizon. And with Ask Scrub Anything, I'm ensuring that the expertise I've gathered can continue to benefit others long after I've moved on.

Rob Da Costa:
How amazing would that be? This tool can provide ongoing support and insights creating a lasting impact on the industry. Moreover, I believe in innovation and efficiency. The landscape of coaching is changing. Look, that we just have to accept that as a reality, and I want to be at the forefront of this evolution. AI is here to stay whether we like it or not, and it offers a unique opportunity to deliver personalized experiences without sacrificing the human touch. With the ability to engage users through video and audio as well as chat. Ask Rob Anything transcends traditional coaching formats. It creates an experience that feels much more personal and interactive, much more so than just reading a guide or watching a video or just typing a question into chat.

Rob Da Costa:
Finally, I saw this as a way to harness the power of technology to make the coaching experience more efficient. When agency owners can get instant support and insights tailored to their questions, it not only saves them time, but also enhances the learning process. It's all about giving them the right information exactly when they need it. So in summary, the decision to create Ask Rob Anything stemmed from a desire for a broader reach, a commitment to building a legacy, and a belief in the power of innovation and efficiency. Each of these elements plays a crucial role in why I embarked on this journey. So now I've shared with you the journey behind creating Ask Rob Anything and why I even did it, let's take a moment to reflect on some of the key lessons I've learned along the way and the takeaways that might help you if you're considering a similar venture. One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that developing a digital product is an iterative process. It's rare for everything to go perfectly first time.

Rob Da Costa:
Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, I began to view them as opportunities for growth. Each version of Ask Rob Anything brought new insights, and those moments of pivoting ultimately led to a better product. So don't be afraid to refine and improve along the way and change if you need to. Another crucial lesson was the importance of understanding your audience's needs. When I first started, I had an idea of what I thought agency owners wanted, but I quickly learned that I need to dig deeper. By engaging with users, gathering feedback, having a beta testing audience, and analyzing their behaviors, I was and am able to fine tune Ask Rob anything to ensure that it addressed their pain points. Always put your audience at the center of your development needs or your marketing strategy. The third lesson is quality over quantity.

Rob Da Costa:
As I mentioned earlier, that saying of garbage in equals garbage out couldn't be truer. In the beginning, I was really excited about this and focused on simply populating the tool with as much content as possible, uploading videos and podcasts and blogs and ebooks and templates. However, I soon realized that the quality of that content mattered far more than the quantity. And what I mean by that is that if I upload a video, can the AI interpret it in the right way and pull from that video when someone's asking a question that would be relevant to whatever the video content was. And the answer often is no. So you have to structure information effectively so that the AI can understand and deliver the relevant responses at the right time. So spend time upfront to ensure that your data is organized is super crucial and organized in a way that the AI can maximize its use. Finding the right platform, of course, is vital.

Rob Da Costa:
As you as you can see, I've gone through multiple platforms before landing on one that suited my needs best and seems to be developing in a path aligned to what I visualize for ask Rob anything. Each time I switched, I learned more about what I wanted from the technology. So don't rush your decision. Take your time to evaluate your options and choose a platform that aligns with your long term vision. And the 5th and final lesson I want to share with you is the importance of being prepared to educate. One of the things that I've learned and I'm still learning is that it's early days when it comes to digital coaching and the whole AI world. Now I might have been immersed in it for the last 2 years, but that doesn't mean everybody is. In fact, I speak to some people who've never really even tried using Chatgpt.

Rob Da Costa:
Many people still aren't familiar with the concept of an AI digital coach, or they may just think that it's another version of Chatgpt, for example. And that's where I need to come in because part of my job is educating people on why Ask Rob Anything and digital coaching is so much more than a simple chatbot, but it's a tailored AI driven experience built specifically for age agency owners. So to sum my learnings up, embrace the iterative process, understand your audience, prioritise quality, choose the right technology, and be prepared to educate along the way. These lessons have been invaluable, not just in the creation of Ask Rob Anything, but in all aspects. They're good reminders. And, of course, there's gonna be more lessons for me to learn. So let's wrap this up by looking ahead to the future of Ask Rob Anything. I'm really excited about the possibilities that lie ahead.

Rob Da Costa:
And we really are only at the beginning, both in terms of the product and the adoption of AI and the evolution of AI across all aspects of running an agency. One of the key areas I see for growth is in enhancing the AI's capabilities. Right now, Ask Rob Anything serves as a valuable resource, but I envision it in the not too distant future evolving into much more of a proactive tool. Imagine having an AI coach that not only answers your questions and digs into your challenges, but also follows up from previous conversations. It could remind you of insights that we discussed. It could check on your progress against the goals that we set, and it will communicate with you in your preferred way. And on that note, I'm exploring integration with other various tools that agency owners use on a daily basis, whether that be project management software, CRM systems, or email marketing and other communication platforms. The idea is to create a seamless ecosystem where Ask Rob Anything can pull in data from these tools, offering real time insights based on the context of your work.

Rob Da Costa:
For instance, if you're working on a client project, the AI could automatically suggest relevant resources or strategies that have worked in similar situations. This kind of integration would not only save time, but also enhance the effectiveness of the tool. Another exciting prospect is the potential for advanced analytics. By analyzing user interactions and feedback, we can refine the AOS responses even further, ensuring that it continually improves and adapts to meet the evolving needs of the agency owners. Now we can only do a lot of this. I can see the conversations. And if I'm not happy with an answer, I can change the answer and then the user will be alerted to that updated response. And that's why getting your email address is so important so we can associate conversations to people.

Rob Da Costa:
This could also include sentiment analysis to gauge user satisfaction and make adjustments accordingly. I see opportunities for community building. Just imagine a platform where agency owners can share their experiences, insights, and even challenges. Ask Rob Anything could facilitate connections amongst users, fostering a supportive environment where everyone learns from one another. Now to some extent, that already exists because I have integrated Ask Rob Anything into my membership discussion forum so people can ask questions straight from there without having to leave. But it'll be even greater if the Ask Rob Anything was more proactive in there rather than just reactive to people's questions. Ultimately, the goal was to transform Ask Rob Anything from a passive or reactive resource into a proactive active partner in your agency's journey. I believe that by harnessing the power of AI in this way, we can create a tool that not only provides answers, but also drives growth, efficiency, and success.

Rob Da Costa:
Look. It's all really, really exciting. I think the possibilities are endless. It's moving so fast, and I hope you agree that it's exciting as well. Okay. So that brings us to the end of the this episode of the agency accelerator. So I shared with you the journey behind ask Rob anything from that initial spark to the challenges and lessons learned along the way. And I hope that my experiences of the warts and all story can help you navigate your own journey in the agency world.

Rob Da Costa:
As I mentioned, I've seen firsthand the transformative power of AI in coaching, and I believe tools like Ask Rob Anything can significantly enhance the way we provide support and knowledge to you guys, you the agency owners. And if you're interested in learning more about how AI can benefit your agency or if you'd like to try out ask Rob anything for yourself for free, then just head over to ask.dacostacoaching.co.uk. So that's ask.dacostacoaching.co.uk. And, of course, I'll put that link in the show notes as well. So you can sign up for a free trial and explore how the AI coach can help you and your agency thrive. It's a great opportunity to see firsthand how this technology can help you and, you know, putting into practice everything I've talked about in this episode. So thank you so much for tuning in today. I hope you found this episode interesting, valuable, and maybe inspiring.

Rob Da Costa:
I think it's good to hear that we don't all have the answers and we're all learning as we go along. And if you found today useful, then please do consider subscribing to the podcast and leaving a review. Your support helps us reach more agency owners looking to elevate their game. Till next time. Keep innovating, keep learning, and remember the future of coaching is bright with AI.