BridgeRev

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

NextThought is a learning experiences company. We provide full-service content creation that includes learning design, Storyline creation, video production, and interactive components.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Bridges: Revenue Growth Agency, and what were your goals?

Initially started with Bridges to focus on growing our video production business with digital marketing. Now we use them across the board for all of our business.

SOLUTION

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

We initially reached out to Bridges because they were local and had a good reputation in the area. However, the deciding factor to go with them was that their reach was well beyond local.

The credibility they displayed din the very first meeting was impressive and gave us the confidence to move forward.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and marking tools used.

We are involved in a full marketing plan with them. They are true partners in that they are willing to provide their support in whatever areas are needed.

They manage our full digital presence and also to focused campaigns. They provide all the data and make recommendations for changes when needed.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

On a regular basis, there are five core people we interact with, but they are great at identifying the main POC for our account. With that said, they make it very clear that all doors are open to us - all the way to the President and the CEO.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

Our sales our consistently increased year over year since working with Bridges. The last three years have averaged a 34% growth.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Very effective. We have set communication touch points with a specific topic for each. In addition, they provide 24/7 availability and quick responses.

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

Their knowledge and expertise are second to none. However, the most impressive thing is how they treat us like a true partner. They care about our success and are not afraid the tell us when we try to do something that might not be good for us. Honest and high integrity.

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

No. The biggest challenge we have is in trying to keep up with them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a managing partner at Ascension CPA, a local accounting firm. We do financial analysis, business consulting, CFO services, payroll, bookkeeping, and tax work.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bridges Strategies?

We reached out to Bridges Strategies because we had a hard time attracting new clients and didn’t enjoy cold calling. We wanted people to know that we’re locally owned and offer a range of services beyond the conventional ones associated with CPA firms. Ultimately, we wanted a new look and persona for our online presence.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

First, Bridges Strategies analyzed our online presence including the company website and social media accounts. The team then provided digital strategy suggestions to enhance our persona. Bridges Strategies redesigned our website and set up a CRM that enabled us to track leads. They’ve also assisted with drafting and publishing blog posts. Both sides pitch blog topics for their team to draft; we base our suggestions on customers’ FAQs. Currently, the team manages our social media, website, and Google Ads campaign. They continue to help us rank better on search engines.

What is the team composition?

We primarily interact with Jake and Ashley (Owners, Bridges Strategies).

How did you come to work with Bridges Strategies?

Bridges Strategies was one of our clients. We had a series of informal challenges about our struggles with finding new clients and marketing our different services. It made sense to hire them because the team knew us better than any other marketing firm would. They felt like a real partner, as opposed to an external agency looking in on our operations.

How much have you invested with them?

We spend between $18,000–$25,000 per year.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in 2016 and the partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Coinciding with the project’s start, we switched our business model from hourly billing to monthly fees. Since 2016, our firm has grown from 25–30 clients to over 70 customers. Honestly, Bridges Strategies could have done more throughout the year, but we have to scale back their services during tax season. We also need to devote time to onboarding our new clients.

How did Bridges Strategies perform from a project management standpoint?

The partnership comprises numerous components. Bridges Strategies is always willing to take on new items and use the CRM to fold them into the larger digital strategy. The team has been timely and transparent throughout the project. We communicate via email and hold monthly meetings.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team’s digital strategy skills and expertise lifted a huge burden from my business partner and me. We don’t have to cold call clients anymore, or even reach out via social media. Bridges Strategies knows how to promote our company using language that appeals to non-accountants. They took the project and ran with it.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Progress was sometimes slower than we had hoped, but Bridges Strategy nailed the end result. It wasn’t a major issue in the long run.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner of Port Legal, a law firm focused on estate planning, probate, and real estate law in Columbus, Ohio. We currently have 1 attorney and 2 staff members.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bridges Strategies?

I had worked with 4 other online advertising companies and each instance was a complete failure. I was paying tens of thousands of dollars and getting zero leads.

Since Bridges was already on my radar, I reached out to see if they could meet my expectations of improving our internet marketing.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Bridges optimized my website through SEO and advertising services (i.e., Google AdWords and Facebook). Although I was particular about how I wanted the website to look, I gave them full reign to redesign it in a way that led to results. They added a form to the front page for potential clients to submit information as a result. Their team continues to host the website.

In addition to organic and paid search, their team has also designed marketing programs for the website and ads for Facebook.

What is the team composition?

I worked with 3 people: Jake Fisher [Co-Founder, Bridges Strategies] and 2 representatitves. 

How did you come to work with Bridges Strategies?

I came across their company when I was doing some research on vendors that had experience with immigration law advertising. Bridges had the experience as well as bilingual capabilities, so our relationship started from there. 

Although I ended up pursuing another line of law, I remembered Jake from initial conversations and decided to give Bridges a try. Their presentation was great and although I thought they were a bit expensive at first, I later realized it was well worth it. At that point, I was ready to try as many companies as it took until I found one that worked out.

How much have you invested with them?

I spend about $4,200 per month for their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

I found them a couple years ago and we continue to work together.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They're the best people I've ever worked with in the field. Their advertising results have been so outstanding that I can hardly keep up with the amount of leads it's produced. They really know what they're doing and they're wonderful to work with.

I wasn't a big fan of some of the changes they made to the website at first, but it turned out great—they're the experts.

Analytics are consistently on the rise, and I'm considering hiring a new staffer to oversee that side of the business since I have little time to. Their work has produced an unbelievable amount of business for me. I can't even put into words how pleased I am.

How did Bridges Strategies perform from a project management standpoint?

Their communication is outstanding—they respond to any concerns I have immediately. I'm in touch with their team mostly through email at least once a day, if not 2 or 3 times a day.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I'm very impressed of their knowledge in their field. Many other firms will try to make you believe that they know this industry well, but few can actually produce results like Bridges. Their team truly understands the nitty-gritty complexities of online advertising.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can't think of any.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner of Clean Slate Lawyers. We provide legal expungement services to our clients and some criminal defense representation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Bridges Strategies?

We needed a company with expertise in inbound marketing to help us find people who are eligible for our services and interested in receiving them.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They helped us transfer our website onto HubSpot for the tracking purposes, developed the content for the website, and set up various workflows and automated tasks. The best thing they've done was, probably, the expungement pardon eligibility tool, which is a call to action on the website. Customers can use it to find out if they're eligible to get an expungement or pardon, and it's fairly accurate. After a customer goes through the process on the website, the information is passed on to my assistant, who looks up their cases in the online court system. If they're eligible, we set up a telephone conference with them.

Bridges Strategies also helped us with SEO, GoogleAds, blog posts, and an e-book.

What is the team composition?

I mostly work with Jake [Jake Fisher, Owner and Business Development Specialist, Bridges Strategies] and Ashley [Ashley Quintana, Owner and Operations Specialist, Bridges Strategies]. They have people who work for them and get invloved when needed.

How did you come to work with them?

I did research and looked on HubSpot. They were a HubSpot partner, so I met with them and I liked them.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent around $50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in October 2016, and our collaboration is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They've done a great job with keywords, so our organic rankings have improved dramatically in the last couple of months. Since launching the tool on HubSpot, the site visitors to leads ratio grew from less than 2% to over 10%. Their advice on how we should work helps us acquire new clients.

How did they perform from a project management standpoint?

They make themselves available when we need them and we communicate weekly or even daily.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're very reliable and deliver what they've promised.