Corkboard Concepts

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We're the largest powersports dealership in Southwestern Pennsylvania, with an extensive line-up of vehicles, parts, accessories, gear, and apparel, while also providing service to the brands we carry. I operate as the Marketing Director at Mosites Motorsports.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Corkboard Concepts?

As we begin to expand we noticed there was opportunity to develop our brand as a household name.

Similar to Kleenex has become a ubiquitous term for a facial tissue we want to become synonymous with simple conversations between enthusiasts discussing when they will head up to "the dealership" or "the shop" as it's naturally ideal our name comes to mind.

Corkboard Concepts was nearly immediately able to transform how we were seen through many search engines. Personally I use Google and we're always the first thing seen by using tools like SEO, Google Ad Words, and other methods of target engagement. They also have assisted in the development of our social media channels, encouraging us to exercise unique ideas, thus engaging more of our audience.

Since Corkboard has been on board we have grown approximately 720% as of the time writing this review. They have also introduced tools to streamline interactions on our website, social media platforms, and even using tools to reengage customers even if they haven't gone to our business.

I'm more than confident in telling you there is many more things they have done, but the list is very long and occasionally it's difficult to remember all the rods they have in the water, creating lead production.

They also came in very handy recently when someone attempted to impersonate the dealership for a phishing scam through Facebook. Without them we could have lost credibility. We've also recently acquired a digital storefront that needed a bit of assistance it was quite dated and lacked many convenience features.

Corkboard Concepts has introduced tools to make it easier to use for the customer while also assisting in the programming and redevelopment of this store out of our current brick and mortar facility. They have also worked very hard to test advertising methods to accomplish the greatest reach for products.

What were your goals for this project?

Sell more vehicles, parts, and expand. Simple as that.

SOLUTION

How did you select Corkboard Concepts?

Many agencies can offer you a great number of products, many of them similar in quality, however CC offers friendly rates, lower than many other larger agencies, while also taking time to understand a business's specific industry (every car dealership experiences things differently) and are available in a much more convenient manner.

We wanted a business that extended more than just quality numbers and vague reporting at the end of a quarter. CC provides seamless interaction and nearly instantaneous turn around when it comes to a project request.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

See posts above referencing what they have accomplished using what tools.

What was the team composition?

The team has expanded, introducing more capable veterans of many different industries. Knowing that they have grown even more into turn-key operations instills an incredible sense of confidence.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Mentioned it before, but we've regularly seen an increase in the number of units sold, we've experienced a dramatic uptick in social media engagement, and find that our website traffic has increased to a point where Google Analytic charts look like a cliff face.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

As stated before, seamless. Limited downtime and presuming you provide them with the tools they need, they can produce something in 4 minutes that could take someone else 4 weeks. Responses are very quick.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Easy to work with, understanding of an industry, and communication being the best part of CC. And they fact that the products they are offering work. And work extraordinarily well.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Any time we've thought of anything Corkboard Concepts should be doing and we bring it to their attention, we're usually informed that they've been doing it for a while and because we aren't a part of that audience we're not experiencing that type of engagement or advertising. Then they'll show us the analytics of the campaign and how effective this practice is.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Face2Face Healing is a nonprofit organization. I am the founder and Executive Director. I started this organization to help individuals like myself living with facial or body disfigurement to promote healing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Corkboard Concepts, and what were your goals?

Rebranding and website development. We wanted to create more awareness of our nonprofit organization and our mission. We also wanted a more user friendly and updated website.

SOLUTION

How did you select Corkboard Concepts and what were the deciding factors?

We were referred to them and after meeting with both Jordan and Zack, we loved their ideas for rebranding as well as ideas for website design. They were both easy to speak with and understood our mission right away. They are so creative and easy to work with. We truly love how easy it is to work with them.

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

We had our initial meeting with both Jordan and Zack to discuss some of our ideas and for them to share their ideas. Then they sent us over new logo options within a day.

We were able to select our new logo which we were more than pleased with. It is a butterfly with 2 faces and it really represents our organization, Once that was done we provided them an outline of what we wanted on each page of the website.

Within a few weeks we had the draft done and then we went live. Since that time, they have helped us with maintaining and editing the website, brochure and business card designs which we love.

We get so many compliments on our new logo as well as our brochures and website.

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

We worked with 2 main individuals. They added more team members to help with the website. We also dealt with another team member to shoot some pictures and videos.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since the launch of our website, we have had a huge increase in website traffic. I would say over 70%. It is more engaging with our instagram page on there. Our clients, their families, our supporters and healthcare professionals all love our new brand and website.

This has really helped increase awareness of who we are in the surrounding community as well as nationally,

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

We communicated by email for phone if necessary on a daily basis in the beginning and then it went to weekly. Now we email them or call them to discuss changes needed. The turn-around time for updated is really good, Being a nonprofit, it is important to find the right team to help you. They are definitely the right team!

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

There are so many things that have impressed us about Jordan and Zack. Their personalities would be first, creativity, willingness to work with a small nonprofit and help us grow our footprint in the community, and response time to calls and emails. They have really become great supporters of our mission and always go above and beyond for us.

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

None.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the marketing director for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association. We’re a nonprofit organization that represents the horsemen at the Meadows racetrack in Washington. We have insurance through our owners, trainers, groomers, and drivers. We do a lot of marketing to promote harness racing itself here.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Corkboard Concepts?

Our main focus with Corkboard Concepts is to help market the horseracing.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Originally, we needed a consumer-based website that allowed fans to log on and see when we race, how to place bets, and where to watch races. We wanted something interactive and user-friendly. The team built that whole website for us – each page is for something different, including placing bets and watching live streams.

Our main page needed to display our events and any information and details. Their team keeps all of that information updated for us.

The team does all of our digital advertising as well.

What is the team composition?

I work with Jordan (Marketing Strategist).

How did you come to work with Corkboard Concepts?

We received a referral from a group we work with. Corkboard Concepts gave us a good quote, and then our engagement got started.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent between $20,000–$40,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started our engagement with them in March 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Corkboard Concepts’ advertisements have been extremely successful for us. The team still updates our website and assists with advertising.

Jordan sends a monthly report that shows where people are clicking. We also do a free program for horse racing, and he always sends me the results from that. It’s nice to show those results to our board.

Corkboard Concepts is very timely. Every time we need something done, they get it for us right away. It’s very easy to contact them and get in touch.

How did Corkboard Concepts perform from a project management standpoint?

We typically email mostly, but we just jump on the phone quickly if it's a lengthy discussion. We never have to schedule anything too much.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their accessibility is the most impressive. I’ve never had any problems with them. The team always gets to what I need right when I need it. The timeliness of them is great. They’re very quick, working well with our team and offerings.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They’ve done a great job. There’s nothing really that they’ve let me down on.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Keep open communication with them. If you’re telling them what you need, they do their best to work with you and within your budget.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the Area Representative for Arkansas and Louisiana for The Dog Stop. I also am the owner of a franchised location in Lafayette, Louisiana. I also oversee a development company for single-family residential neighborhood construction.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Corkboard Concepts?

We hired Corkboard for a number of projects. Firstly, to create SEO and Google Ad Word campaigns for our Lafayette store. Through that, we have also expanded for the Lafayette store to include programmatic display and OTT. For our Metiaire franchisee, part of our territory, Corkboard has helped us build a new franchise through Ad Words, SEO, OTT, Programmatic display, landing pages, and other initiatives. For our development company, Corbaord helped us build a website and only platform for payment through Paypal.

What were your goals for this project?

For our Lafayette store, our original goal was to build a clientele base. Once we had that built, we had to keep new customers coming in and engage the existing customer base. For our New Orleans franchisee, we introduced the brand to a new market and we were able to build our presence on Google and online. We are one year in and it has been successful thus far. Jordan and his team are very helpful in each venture we work through. For the development company, we used the website for sales and establishment of a home-owners association

SOLUTION

How did you select Corkboard Concepts?

They were originally recommended by the franchise. Through the years, I've met and worked with a few other companies, but have stayed with Jordan because his team has been consistent and easy to work with.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

strategic, creative, planning & buying, execution. We have used primarily Google, but have also used OTT with digital media. I worked with him and his team to determine our goals of the campaign. The vendor helped with buying power and setting up everything with OTT and Google.

What was the team composition?

Primarily it has been Jordan, but I have worked with two of his other team members as well.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I believe our stores have grown faster and maintain strong sales because of our presence on Google and the different campaigns.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

It has been very effective. They take our concerns into account and keep us up to date on metrics.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Their personal touch. Jordan and his team always help us understand why we should do something a certain way and they have a strategic vision of spending our money effectively.

Are there any areas for improvement?

I think they are growing their team and think that there will be new services that we will need. As of now, I think they've got it all down.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president of Johnson’s Heating and Supplies. We’re compromised of three businesses: an HVAC company, an Ace Hardware, and a gun store.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Corkboard Concepts?

They provided website development services. We had an existing website, but we needed an update.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They provided an updated website for us using WordPress. They mostly focused on design and creative, including logo design. They’re also currently in the process of making a new brochure for us.

What is the team composition?

I primarily work with Jordan (CMO). 

How did you come to work with Corkboard Concepts?

I’d worked with Jordan before at my previous place of employment. He actually reached out to me on LinkedIn. 

How much have you invested with them?

So far, we’ve spent about $2,500. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in September 2020, and our work is ongoing. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They’ve been a great partner. I wanted to update my website so that when I start digital marketing, people will be attracted to my website. I have a high amount of confidence in them. 

How did Corkboard Concepts perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re accessible, and when I ask them a question, they typically know the answer, or they know how to get it. They’ve pretty much stayed on time. If there is a delay, it’s typically because wasn’t able to get them the information they needed in a timely manner. I also enjoyed that Jordan has been able to come by in person for meetings. I have no complaints. 

We have weekly meetings and phone calls. Sometimes, we communicate over Zoom as well. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

I like their approach. They’re very genuine and personable. They’ve also taken the time to understand my business. In addition, their knowledge and capabilities are outstanding. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

They’re a young company, and I think they could communicate their strengths and services better on their website. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Don’t be alarmed by how young the company is. They’re very capable and knowledgeable. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

A non-profit healthcare system, I manage the digital media needs including website functionality, SEO and design, content management and social media content/advertising.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Corkboard Concepts?

We have used Corkboard Concepts for a variety of projects including general branding, online scheduling and service line marketing.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goals range from increasing pageviews on a particular page(s) on the website to increasing the number of phone calls to a particular service line to increasing the number of appointments requested online.

SOLUTION

How did you select Corkboard Concepts?

After careful consideration of several vendors, we chose Corkboard for their attention to detail, extensive industry knowledge and overall response to our requests. Their pricing strategy was fair and they felt like part of the team, as opposed to another vendor working on a singular project.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

After choosing Corkboard Concepts, we meet with them to discuss the scope of our campaign, discuss internal goals that must be met and then decide on a strategy. Once the strategic questions are answered - a tactical list is compiled and a timeline is established. The team at Corkboard keeps us on track and is always willing to work with us to ensure that our goals and expectations are met.

What was the team composition?

The team at Corkboard is a seamless extension of our team. They are available at a moment's notice and each member of their team is an expert in their field. No matter who you work with you will receive the same level of responsiveness, attention to detail and excellent customer service.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

As a result of our increased pageviews and increased utilization of the site for appointment scheduling and overall communication with our patients - we received support to enhance and rebuild parts of our website to create an even better customer experience.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Communication with the Corkboard team is as easy as communicating with my internal team. They are a phone call or email away and I typically receive weekly updates and a comprehensive report monthly to track our progress.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Working with Corkboard Concepts does not feel like I'm working on a project with a vendor. It feels like I have an entire team on-board working in parallel with my team. They are an extension of our team and are responsive, trustworthy and valued members of our organization.

Are there any areas for improvement?

n/a

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I work for Krebs Crysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram in the North Hills area of Pittsburgh. I’m the sales manager. 

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OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Corkboard Concepts?

We were dealing with another digital advertising that was located out of state prior to starting our relationship with their team. When they came to us to pitch their services, we decided that it would be better to work with a local team.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They’re responsible for generating clicks and traffic to our website through PPC advertising campaigns. There are specific protocols we have to follow in this industry, and they’ve been able to handle them seamlessly. They’re also focused on SEO and lead generation for preowned vehicles through Facebook. We rely on them to get our name out there to people in the area. 

What is the team composition?

I work mostly with Zach (Owner) and Jordan (Marketing Strategist).

How did you come to work with Corkboard Concepts?

They popped in and presented their services to us one day. We liked that they were a local team and wanted to support local businesses. They delivered an impressive pitch, so we started our engagement with them slowly. They exceeded our expectations early on, so we continued the relationship. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent $14,500 with them each month. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working together since May of 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our bounce rate has decreased tremendously, which we are very happy about. When people are clicking on our website or advertisements, they’re spending some time searching through our website. In the last few months, they’ve generated about 400 leads for preowned vehicles on Facebook. The visits to our site are also up by about 52%.

We’re very happy about their ability to generate traffic and leads, especially because we’re a smaller, family-owned business. The market for Jeeps is very competitive in this area, so it’s been great to be able to get our name out there. 

How did Corkboard Concepts perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re a local team with great attention to detail. It’s been nice for us to have in-person meetings with them rather than spending all our time communicating over email. Our deadlines are important, and they’ve always launched and managed campaigns according to our timelines. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their customer service and time management have been very impressive. If we have a problem, they put it on the top of their priority list. They’re very responsive and willing to address our needs quickly. It’s been great to meet with them face-to-face and discuss advertising strategies as well.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They’re exceeding expectations on all levels, we’ve been very impressed with their professionalism and skills. That makes it difficult to pinpoint anything that needs improvement. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be transparent with them and tell them what you’re looking for. We were straightforward with our expectations, and they delivered.  

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m an advisory board member of Traduki Technologies, LLC. We’re an app-based translation service that’s multi-platform. It works on smart devices such as laptops, computers, and tablets. I started as the university advisor, and in this new role, I work on investor relations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Corkboard Concepts?

We brought them on to work on our website, branding, and image.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

This started off as a student project and has since expanded. Corkboard Concepts primarily handles the website and some of the marketing tools embedded within the site. Their team also does design templates for brochures, logos, and other customer outreach collateral. We had an existing logo, and they helped us refine and ensure it was appropriate for the market.

What is the team composition?

I work directly with Jordan (CMO), and there’s a tech team working behind the scenes.

How did you come to work with Corkboard Concepts?

We went through a good vetting process and Corkboard Concepts fit our sweet spot very well. We didn’t choose them purely because we already knew Jordan but because his business is compatible with what we do.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested less than $5,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our ongoing engagement started in March 2020.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The level of cooperation, ease of use, and feedback from pilot customers have been exceptional. The Corkboard Concepts team is really flexible and accommodative. They take customer feedback and implement them.

How did Corkboard Concepts perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re great with project management. We’re probably a bigger holdup than they are. Their team is ready to do the work but sometimes they wait to get feedback from us. Occasionally, there are delays on our side, but none of that is due to a lack of responsiveness on their side.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their ability to quickly execute in an efficient manner is so impressive. It’s not a trial and error method, they get it right the first time. This is due to Jordan’s working knowledge of what we’re doing. They have great insights on the way things should look and appear to our customers because they understand our business model.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, there’s nothing at this time.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Corkboard Concepts has everything figured out. I’m not saying they’re head and shoulders above anyone else, but they do everything in a very personal way. My advice to potential customers is to be open, honest, and straightforward with them, and you’ll get the same in return.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a language interpretation company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Corkboard Concepts, and what were your goals?

We are a startup company that had a very basic website prior to reaching out to Corkboard. They redesigned the entire website and also helped us migrate our email services to G-Suite.

SOLUTION

How did you select Corkboard Concepts and what were the deciding factors?

We were referred to Corkboard Concepts by one of our mentors because they have a lot of experience and he worked with them before.

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

We had a kick-off meeting to get to know each other and then they went to work. They are so accommodating during COVID-19.

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

One team member and he is the co-founder.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

After launching our site, we were able to use it while we performed demos of our software and services. People were also going to the site and filling out the embedded form to request demos.

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

We had regular meetings through Google Hangouts and were always responsive when I emailed or called them.

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

They allowed me to edit the website myself after the initial setup and even taught me how to make the edits after I requested training.

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

We were very impressed by their attention to detail and professionalism. We have no complaints.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the executive director of the nonprofit Community Action Network for Drug-free Lifestyle Empowerment, Inc. (CANDLE, Inc.) and I am the developer of our parent/child drug prevention program called Reality Tour that is replicated in 9 states and has served tens of thousands of families..

Our mission is to provide contemporary and replicable drug prevention education that reaches families in significant numbers. Our goal is to deter youth experimentation with drugs and alcohol.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Corkboard Concepts?

We had to overcome Google's algorithm that negated keywords we commonly used in describing our drug prevention efforts. While our nonprofit has use of a monthly 10K grant for Google Ads, the ads were usually 'disallowed' by Google' due to keywords Google wrongly interpreted as promoting drug use.

No one on staff or in our network had the skills to manage this problem. Several attempts to hire Google Ad specialists were disappointing as well. Corkboard Concepts has worked diligently to express our message via Google Ads with acceptable keywords.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goal was to develop Google Ads with acceptable keywords that described our prevention outreach and initiated a response. This was critical to promote our Reality Tour Program Model to other communities to both fulfill our mission and provide sustainability for our organization.

Up until 2017, Reality Tour's Program Model appeared on the federal government's list of evidence-based prevention programs that communities could use to view and select programs. The list of prevention programs was taken down without notice by the government in 2017. We lost our national exposure.

SOLUTION

How did you select Corkboard Concepts?

Corkboard Concepts was referred to us by our videographer, who knew of our issues and had worked on projects with the agency. I had just had a disappointing experience with an SEO 'specialist' and a Google Ad manager and was truly was ready to give up.

The initial Zoom meeting with Corkboard Concepts and their level of interest in our mission and what we were trying to accomplish for families was one of the factors. In addition, Jordan and Zack were immediately brainstorming to overcome our issues. As executive director, I made the hiring decision.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

In subsequent Zoom meetings, Corkboard Concepts showed the trending keywords, the most successful keywords and I gave input as to how the direction of keywords would also match our mission and website offerings.

The campaign created around promoting our Program Model has proven to bump interest via Google Ads and I am now working with two communities who responded via our website. Also, the Google Ad campaign created for our vaping toolkits for parents had doubled in orders.

What further evolved was a suggestion for me to write blogs that again blended our message with high performing keywords. Inclusion of a glossary on our website was suggested to improve SEO and I was able to engage Slippery Rock University students in helping to create an informative and innovative glossary of drugs that incorporated our prevention tools.

What was the team composition?

I have worked with Jordan and Zack monthly. They recently agreed to host out intern for a day. She is working on a campaign on YouTube. to pair with Corkboard Concepts staff to go over her campaign design and offer insight and suggestions.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It is clear that our 6 month association with the agency has moved us in the right direction. Now our paid clicks are the highest performer on analytics. By the response received though our contact form on our website, serious interest in our Program Model is evident .

Also we have doubled orders for our Vaping Prevention Toolkit for parents.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

The agency created a custom dashboard to easily track performance for any selected time period. I had questions on some of the tracking and they were immediately answered via email as have all of my requests to date.

I use a shared Google doc to recap our phone meetings and track tasks on my end. An issue with a conflicting, inactive Google Ad account was discovered on my end and I had an immediate phone call after sending an email and was directed as to how to mange the account.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Owners Jordan and Zack are regular people! They have the tech knowledge and the people skills necessary to bypass 'tech-speak' and converse in relatable terms.

I can easily gain the technical term background from their blog and website if I have further interest. Mainly, I would have to say is 'they get us' and took the time to know us.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Done differently? When our agency's needs are being met and communication is easy - that is more than any previous hire has been able to mange.

We are 6 months into our association and I have no suggestions at this time - unless they could also develop a COVID vaccine in their spare time.