Backstory Marketing Solutions - Out of Business

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I oversee communications, marketing, and program planning for a life-coaching program.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Backstory Marketing Solutions, and what were your goals?

We have a three residential program, that operates in three different countries for a cohort of 12 participants. It's an intense learning experience and journey for the participants, which we wanted help capturing and recording. We hired Backstory Marketing Solutions to help us visually capture the journey through photos and video production.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

I knew of work from Back Story Marketing Solutions through another organization. As we considered hiring them, we were particularly interested in breadth of services they offered, with video, photography, editing, production, and some IT support as well.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail, including the project steps and all stages of production.

For 2 out of our program's 3 trips, we had the videographer/photographer on call to take photos and videos around the clock. The first trip was 10 days and the second was 7 days. He edited the photos during the week and would produce recap videos for the end of the trips.

After he processed the photos, he would upload and organize them on SmugMug, our photo-sharing site. He'd also consult the programs director and programs associate regarding the messaging and effect they wanted to get out of the videos.

Who did you work with and what was the feedback process like?

I worked with Owen directly. Most of the work was done during the trips, which allowed us to check-in face-to-face and communicate regarding expectations and our production needs. In between trips we would communicate over email.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We used Owen's recap videos not only with the participants on the program, but he also produced videos for when families joined us for the graduation and celebration ceremonies. Many of the family members found the videos particularly moving. Participants also had to give presentations in which they included photos and interviews that Owen had taken. We also use his photos in our marketing materials.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Owen was very communicative and timely over email, as well as when he was in person with us. He was always willing to check-in regarding projects and responded well to feedback.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Owen was very agile, flexible, and adaptable to an ever-changing environment, which was essential for our needs. He was very good at handling last-minute requests and was very helpful. They offered recommendations on improving our ideas to produce the best content possible.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Owen was very responsible and capable to handle whatever we threw at him. It may have been better for him to set some boundaries, but in the areas, he knew himself he did that very well. It may just be a matter of experience.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the Treasurer and one of the founding members of our non-profit.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Backstory Marketing Solutions, and what were your goals?

Our start-up non-profit organization needed a good introductory video to explain who we are and what we do. Backstory helped to structure the content, film, edit, and even created a website for us.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We have known Owen for years and have always been impressed with his diligence, warm personality, and technical acumen. We selected Backstory because of the proven high quality of work and flexible pricing options.

Describe the video(s) and the process in detail, including the project steps and all stages of production.

We created the text for the video and Owen provided all A/V equipment. During the day of the video shoot Owen was very helpful in providing suggestions and walking us through the entire process to ensure we had a final product that met our expectations. After the shoot he provided an initial draft, asked for feedback, and then incorporated our suggestions into the final version. Overall it was a very professional and positive experience!

Who did you work with and what was the feedback process like?

Owen possesses a great blend of professionalism, diligence, and warmth. He is extremely responsive in all communication and truly seeks to understand customer needs and translate them into solutions. Overall he is a very likeable guy and enjoyable to work with!

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We were able to finalize the introductory video and launch our website right on schedule. All feedback we have received has been very positive and we were extremely happy with the final product.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

Even though our project was not extremely complicated, Owen was a highly effective project manager and met all deliverables within the timeline. He reached out as necessary and was timely in all communication.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

We appreciate their professionalism and their personal touch to the project.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

No - the experience was great!

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the senior pastor at a church in West Chester, Pennsylvania. We’re a young congregation; our average age is in the early 30s.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Backstory Marketing Solutions?

We hired Backstory for our digital presence, marketing, and advertising campaigns. They also created a video for our Google Ads campaign. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Our community was only three blocks away from a university that served roughly 17,000 students. We knew that the top three social media platforms for Gen Z were YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok; for millennials, they were Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. One thing they had in common was YouTube. Meanwhile, we were running an outward-facing class; it was directed to people outside of our congregation. 

Given those things, we decided to use Backstory to create videos for YouTube and Instagram that were promoted via Google Ads. The videos aimed to explain our class and direct traffic to our website. We also aimed to gain more impressions and raise awareness about our group. The team created two videos; one was 70 seconds long for YouTube and the other was 40 seconds long for Instagram. The two were essentially the same video except they were edited differently. 

In the videos, three participants spoke to the camera. They were two men and one woman with different voices all spliced together to make a coherent message. Eye-catching, upbeat, and positive images were also in the videos to make them more enjoyable to watch. 

What is the team composition?

We worked directly with one person from Backstory, while three people from our group were involved in the video. Two of those were social media coordinators who ran our Facebook, Instagram, and website.

How did you come to work with Backstory Marketing Solutions?

We first engaged with Backstory in 2019 when we needed to create a promotional video for our congregation — they did a wonderful job. That relationship continued into the COVID-19 pandemic. At that point, we reached out to Backstory and asked them to set up our virtual services. That was the start of our relationship. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $1,000 on this project. For context, this was our third project together, and we benefited from their returning customer discount. 

What is the status of this engagement?

This project lasted from August–October 2021. The filming started in September 2021, and by the last two weeks of the month, we had an aggressive social media campaign in which Backstory was also involved. They completed their tasks the following month. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Backstory exceeded our expectations. People enjoyed the videos and engaged with them. A friend even downloaded one video and edited it for fun, which was an indicator that they truly enjoyed it. 

Moreover, the videos’ quality was perfect, and the impressions we achieved were also great. In two weeks, they were viewed 2,400 times. That number was specific to our zip code, meaning users from other locations wouldn’t be able to view the videos. In any case, we were able to increase awareness about our congregation. On top of that, we also increased our website traffic. 

How did Backstory Marketing Solutions perform from a project management standpoint?

Backstory’s project management was great. They stuck to our schedule, and they were responsive. When I gave them feedback and asked them to do something, they did it promptly. In terms of cost, they were clear and upfront about their pricing. We never exceeded our budget. 

To communicate with the Backstory team, we used emails, phone calls, texts, and Slack. Whenever we received a video and gave feedback, we used emails. For other things like setting up meetings and communicating daily, we used Slack or texts. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

As an organization, Backstory understood churches; a lot of other marketing companies didn’t. For one, other teams would market churches the same way they’d market a fast-food restaurant — it shouldn’t happen this way. Moreover, other vendors sometimes marketed churches like community organizations, but those groups were also different from us. Churches should be marketed using a different approach and in a distinct way — Backstory truly understood this. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there weren’t any. Their communication and costs were top-notch; they were professional. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be direct in what you want and paint a picture as clearly as possible. Moreover, one of Backtory’s key strengths is telling the backstory of your brand or organization so that they can offer consistent services to you. What you see is what you get, so strive to communicate what sets your organization apart and lean into that. That way, you’ll have an amazing product and you’ll be proud of it.