Social Media 55

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the CEO of a digital agency. We offer web services like SEO, local search, digital marketing, and PPC like Google Ad Words. We cultivate a digital presence for businesses by producing beautiful websites and helping them rank them in search engines. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Social Media 55?

Social Media 55 helped us generate new clients to address the businesses’ branding and services. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Social Media focuses on producing brand awareness. Their work encourages potential clients who are interested in our services to fill out online forms. Most of these efforts take place through Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

Once we have that information, we can turn social media connections into leads. The team both produces new content and uses sponsored ads to reach out to people who don't follow our accounts. This tactic enabled us to reach out to and secure new clients. 

What is the team composition? 

I mostly worked with Joseph (Account Manager, Social Media 55). He’s been very good at showing me the ropes of online lead generation. I know that he also works with a content creator who does graphic design, as well as a resource who produces sales for the company. 

How did you come to work with Social Media 55?

In Montreal, Social Media 55 highly ranked in the search engines. When I contacted them, I was able to get to know their team. I also researched the type of work they've done for corporations in our area. They service big businesses in the U.S. as well, and social media is their forte. 

How much have you invested with them?

So far, the cost is about $30,000 and ongoing. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in February 2018, about five months ago. We’re still in a contract together. They provide training, manage all my social media accounts, and also fulfill some needs for my websites. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We've had substantial growth from this partnership, and I'm thrilled with the results they’re getting. I've seen more than a 60% increase in the volume of clients and work from Social Media 55 promoting my brand. 

I'm delighted with their services. They've performed at a high level. Social Media 55 has been outstanding at keeping in touch with me. They follow through with exactly what they say they'll do.

How did Social Media 55 perform from a project management standpoint?

I speak with them at least once a week over the phone. In the meantime, we send lots of emails to confirm status and progress. They reach out to proof concepts and provide statistics on the growth of our project. In terms of tools, we have Google Analytics installed on my main website and other sites they manage for me. Facebook Pixel also shows me exactly what's going on. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

Working with Social Media 55 has been a far more personable experience than many large agencies I’ve worked with. Many teams that offer a variety of marketing services hire students to create posts and content. 

Unlike these competitors, Social Media 55 is passionate about their work. I have regular one-on-ones with my account manager, who’s excellent to work with. Whenever I ask him for anything, he gets back to me right away with what I need.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Based on my experience dealing with past teams, I don't have any complaints about Social Media 55. They've been helping me quite a bit, and I don't know how they could be any better. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Call Joseph (Account Manager, Social Media 55) about getting involved. I highly recommend Social Media 55 for producing leads and brand awareness online. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

As a real estate broker, I sell houses, condos, and revenue properties in Montreal. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Social Media 55?

I work in a saturated market with lots of competition, so I needed a team who could give me a boost. I hired Social Media 55 to help me stand out and generate more leads coming in. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Social Media 55 started off our engagement two years ago by creating a digital marketing strategy. Since then, we’ve developed a lead stream. My profiles are constantly receiving requests and inquiries. They handle virtually everything about my business aside from actual home sales. Concerning specific social media platforms, they've mostly worked on my LinkedIn. 

The team writes blogs for my personal website as well as my company page. I work with their photographers to create new visual content. I like to have some level of control over the content I put out, so we work together 50/50. They have so many amazing tips and methods to attract attention online and give me a lot of great feedback. 

What is the team composition? 

I’m mostly in touch with Social Media 55’s content manager and photographer.

How did you come to work with Social Media 55?

Social Media 55 is the biggest company of their kind in Montreal, Canada. I know a lot of brokers who work with them, and they were the first result in my Google search. Even though they came up right away, I still did my due diligence. 

How much have you invested with them?

I probably spend about $10,000 a year on their services. The total cost of our engagement has been just south of $30,000. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working together since January 2015, for almost three years now

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I hear a lot of great feedback the content my network of clients and friends see when they search my name online. I'm not alone in my favorable impression of their work.

My sales have gone up because of Social Media 55. They constantly send me reports that show where my business and industry as a whole are going. These metrics are broken down to indicate which parts of that growth are attributed to the social media aspect.

How did Social Media 55 perform from a project management standpoint?

Our primary form of communication is over the phone. Social Media delivers everything they say they’ll do when they say they’ll do it. They do amazing work and are always on point.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The way they innovate is outstanding. Social Media 55’s work is always one step ahead of what I see online as I monitor my competition. When they give me advice, they’re always right. The whole team is really a pleasure to work with, too, which is very important for me.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of any way they could improve. They complete everything we’ve planned together.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Potential clients should absolutely go ahead with the engagement. Don't be afraid to spend the time and money because you will get it all back from online sales.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the co-president of a life insurance practice located in Canada.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Social Media 55?

Our website was very out of date and we didn’t have any online presence, so we hired them to do a site rebuild and develop our social media profiles.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They handled everything for the new site, including design and content, and helped us understand how to maximize the site’s effectiveness. On the backend, they set us up for email marketing campaigns with access to data on whether our messages were being read and which links were clicked through. They’ve also helped us establish a social media presence using Facebook ad campaigns and are currently developing our Instagram account.

What is the team composition?

I worked directly with their director, Joseph Rothstein.

How did you come to work with Social Media 55?

I’d been working with another web design company prior to hiring them. I decided to move to Social Media 55 because I’d seen their other work online and liked their reputation, so I reached out to them through Facebook.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent somewhere between $15,000–$20,000 CAD ($11,361–$15,148 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with them in February 2016 and we’re still working together.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

One of our goals was to drive leads, and I noticed clear results based on the campaigns they helped us run that turned into sales for us. They were able to help us grow our online leads very effectively.

How did Social Media 55 perform from a project management standpoint?

They were always on the ball. We keep in touch via phone and email, and I’ll get answers within 10 or 15 minutes anytime I have a question. They also did an excellent job with all of our projects and ensured that we’ve met our goals.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their expertise set them apart from several previous companies I worked with. They do their due diligence in terms of market research. They know how to create leads and follow up on them.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Follow their advice and you’ll be successful.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the president of Corwin Mortgage Capital. We do private mortgage financing for people who don’t qualify with a traditional lending institution like a bank, as well as short-term loans.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Social Media 55?

I’m not tech-savvy or familiar with social media, so I hired them to help me build my brand when I started my business five years ago.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They initially built our website from scratch using responsive design. They also helped us develop our brand identity and come up with a logo. From there, they’ve helped us create our social media profiles and manage all of our digital advertising and media campaigns.

How did you come to work with Social Media 55?

I’ve known one of their employees for a very long time and I’ve seen the work he’s done for other companies, so I trusted them to help me build my brand.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $25,000–$30,000 CAD ($18,936–$22,723 USD) so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

I hired them in spring 2013 and our partnership is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since I hired them to manage my social media presence, I’ve amassed over 10,000 followers who are potential clients. In addition, some of the mortgage agents at my company have been asked to contribute articles to local print media, which I attribute to the work Social Media 55 has done to generate recognition of our business.

How did Social Media 55 perform from a project management standpoint?

Anytime I need something, they’re very responsive. They work extremely quickly and there’s always someone available to speak with me by phone or email. They’re also proactive and able to meet all of my deadlines. We chat about once a month to discuss our process and strategize how best they can help me with ongoing needs.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I’m impressed by their responsiveness, quick turnaround times, and ability to handle any changes that we implement. Our brand has grown substantially, and I attribute a lot of that to their help.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Meet their team and check out the work they’ve done for other companies. If you hire them, trust them to deliver for you. Most new businesses looking to build brand recognition could definitely benefit from working with them.

UPDATED REVIEW

This review was updated on February 5th, 2019 by the client. New content is below.

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the president of Corwin Mortgage Capital Inc., a boutique mortgage lending company. We manage investments for mid-high net worth individuals.

For what projects/services did your company hire Social Media 55?

We engaged Social Media 55 to create a marketing strategy for our firm.

What were your goals for this project?

We wanted to attract more borrowers and lenders and to increase our sales and volume.

How did you select this vendor?

We looked for companies skilled in building brand recognition. Social Media 55’s portfolio showed their impact on past clients in other industries, so we decided to give them a shot.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

Social Media 55 developed an advertising and marketing plan for our firm to help achieve our goals.

What was the team composition?

We work with the management team, which comprised eight project coordinators. We’ve worked with the same people from the beginning.

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

Since we hired Social Media 55, our sales have increased by 25%. We attribute this to growing brand awareness. We’re thrilled with this progress.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Our project manager understands our company, values, and process well. As a result, they can develop procedures for us to execute seamlessly.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

Social Media 55’s customer service stands out most to us. They deliver on every request and never miss an angle that can be improved.

Are there any areas for improvement?

No, Social Media 55 has exceeded our expectations so far.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the vice president of a jewelry store that sells many different brands and styles of pieces like watches and diamonds. We've been in the same shopping mall for 32 years. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Social Media 55?

We needed to start digitally advertising our brand and increase our online visibility. Our store wanted to expand into the e-commerce sales channel.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Social Media 55 redesigned our entire website. I wasn't familiar with SEO or digital marketing. I'm also very busy in the store, so I gave them full access to our accounts to run our campaigns. They made new categories to sort the items we sell on our e-commerce platform. 

Social Media 55 chose strategic keywords based on their SEO experience and expertise. They added some beautiful pictures and revamped the entire platform. The team has also started working on PPC through Google. They manage our social media accounts like Facebook and Instagram and are in charge of responding to customer comments, as well. 

What is the team composition? 

Our main point of contact is Joe (Brand Strategist and Facebook Specialist, Social Media 55).

How did you come to work with Social Media 55?

I found Social Media 55 on Facebook. As I read about their company, I saw some nice comments from past clients on the site and decided to give them a call. 

How much have you invested with them?

We spent a total of around $30,000–$40,000 in those four years. 

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working together for about 3-4 years now since around February of 2014. We immediately started getting online orders, so we decided to continue working with them and have been ever since. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Before working with Social Media 55, we weren't getting any e-mails or anything like the custom orders we do now. After their work took place, it took a bit of time, but we’ve definitely seen the results. We've gotten good feedback from our customers as well. 

They're a great team that's making something good happen for our company. I can't tell you exactly how much traction our PPC and Instagram ads have gotten because they’ve managed these services for a long time, but it's working very well. 

How did Social Media 55 perform from a project management standpoint?

I'd give them a 10 out of 10. They're always on time and contact us consistently. We communicate via text and phone calls. They'll often check in with us to offer updates and make sure we like their work. Rather than doing the bare minimum, they provide thoughtful feedback.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Social Media 55 works quickly and knows what they’re talking about. They found the best keywords to use and took care of everything we needed. When they see something that needs to be done, they do it fast.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, because they honestly did an outstanding job for me. They have nothing to improve. At this point, they just need to get more customers.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Beforehand, my advice is to have a clear plan. Online advertising is a big space, so offer specific suggestions. Social Media 55 will tell you everything you need to do. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner and founder of Courimo, a digital marketing agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Social Media 55?

I needed help creating some new websites for my customers.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Social Media 55 built a mobile-friendly website for one of my clients from scratch on WordPress, incorporating an online reservation feature. Working directly with the client, they designed the site and provided a beta version for the client to provide feedback on. Within a few weeks of receiving their final comments, Social Media 55 completed the build.

What is the team composition?

I work mostly with Steven (Regional Manager, Social Media 55) and the owner.

How did you come to work with Social Media 55?

I reached out to one of my contacts, Steven, on Linkedin and we went from there.

How much have you invested with them?

We've invested close to $30,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together around February 2018 and the bulk of the work was completed in May, but the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Both our customer and their users love the website Social Media 55 built. It was exactly what they were looking for: a user-friendly, modern website that is also mobile friendly.

How did Social Media 55 perform from a project management standpoint?

My experience with them has exceeded my expectations—I couldn't ask for better service. They respect timelines and present themselves professionally to clients. We stay in touch mostly through email, phone, and text messaging.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're very approachable—I would recommend them to others in a heartbeat. They're also very reliable and competitively priced.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Communication is key: Set clear expectations from the beginning and make sure they're aware of your timeline.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the sales director of a clothing manufacturer. We produce knitwear like uniform sweaters.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Social Media 55?

I wanted to attract more leads for my business. I hadn’t been getting any previously, especially through the online channel. Ultimately, my goal was to improve my business and be able to sell more products.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Social Media 55 helped me improve my website and manages my digital marketing. We discussed the exact nature of my business to inform their strategy. The team focuses on increasing my online presence and visibility on Google. They took terrific, high-quality pictures to improve our visual content. We ran some PPC campaigns to increase inbound web traffic, as well.

Social Media 55 has the expertise and knowledge base to choose specific target keywords that will undoubtedly ramp up web traffic. The team brought a lot of input to the table. I was very impressed with their photography. They used the right techniques to get the most out of our advertising efforts.

What is the team composition? 

My main point of contact is Joseph (Sales and Marketing Manager, Social Media 55).

How did you come to work with Social Media 55?

Social Media 55 came highly recommended by a friend of mine.

How much have you invested with them?

Over the past few years, we've spent between $20,000-$25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working together for two years now, since the second quarter of 2016.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

My company has been grown ever since we’ve worked together thanks to tons of new inbound leads. I've met many potential customers online that led to finalized sales. The team tracks our specific metrics to give me a clear view of our results. I feel confident about partnering with them because they outperform and provide more new business than I expected.

Social Media 55 is always there for us, consistently show me results, and are committed to making my business thrive. They’re still tweaking things to improve our campaigns and consistently offer great advice. My online presence is night and day compared to before our partnership when I wasn’t getting any leads to speak of.

How did Social Media 55 perform from a project management standpoint?

I usually speak to my point of contact. The entire process almost felt like an in-house project rather than outsourcing it to someone else. We’re always in touch. Even better, they often proactively reach out to me with updates on leads. 

Unlike prior vendors I’ve worked with, I’ve never had to chase them down. Social Media 55 is so hands-on they almost feel like in-house teammates. After a while, I cared less about numbers since their strategy is clearly working.

What did you find most impressive about them?

One of the most important factors for me is trust. Over time, I've come to know I can rely on them. What they're doing works, which makes them an ideal partner for me. When I see my bill, I know it was worthwhile. Social Media 55’s insight and trustworthiness make our partnership great.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s not from my standpoint. I was pleased with the team. I believe in the work they're doing for me. If I knew the ins and outs of the industry more, I'm sure there's always something someone can do better. It's been a pleasure to do business with Social Media 55. The results have been fantastic creates my life kind of response. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers? 

My best suggestion is to trust that they’ll deliver what they say they're going to do. Even when I doubted I needed something, their ideas paid off. Their industry knowledge helps them make great suggestions for features to invest in.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a residential broker at a real estate agency.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Social Media 55?

I was originally looking to scale my business across several different aspects. I lacked the specific skills needed to establish a strong online presence and was looking for a partner to assist in the process.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

My engagement with Social Media 55 started with several calls and meetings around creating an action plan for bolstering my online visibility through social media, content posting, and various other strategies. They introduced me to the world of social media, which I was not familiar with going into this project. Their scope has included graphic design for posts, research on new mediums like live video, and curation for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn profiles. They also oversaw outreach efforts as far as getting me involved across various content sources.

In addition to brand-focused tasks, they also managed some customer support in responding to inquiries and comments on social media.

What is the team composition?

I have two primary contacts and have worked most closely with Joseph (Brand Strategist and Facebook Specialist, Social Media 55). He’s a seasoned, growth-focused entrepreneur that works to understand the thought process of his clients, as well as what they’re really looking for in a given project.

How did you come to work with Social Media 55?

I met one of their team members while attending a course in real estate school, and I’ve been active with them since.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve invested less than $25,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2014, and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since engaging with Social Media 55, my business has grown by almost 1000%. We’ve heard from colleagues and customers that have seen us on social media, and we’ve gotten a variety of feedback. I also always make a point of asking potential buyers about how they found the listing, and surprisingly, a huge majority cite our social media ads as the source.

How did Social Media 55 perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re very flexible around the client’s communication preferences, so we’ve been communicating via phone and email at my request due to my own schedule. They’re very responsive when I have a new project in mind, and they always make sure to clarify and ensure their understanding.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The team is very resourceful with many tools at their disposal. They guide their clients through the process interactively, which has been very helpful.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I suggested that they hold more live seminars to introduce a larger audience to the services that they provide and what they’re capable of accomplishing. Emphasis on social media and online visibility is severely lacking in my industry. Many realtors still invest in print advertising, which is a waste of money compared to building up a digital presence. If Social Media 55 were to engage in more presentations and seminars that introduced industries to the importance of social strategy, they would bring on a variety of new clients.

Any advice for potential customers?

Reach out and work with them if you’re interested in scaling up and bringing your business to another level.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a restaurant owner based in Ontario, Canada. Over the past three years, the franchise has expanded from 6 to over 30 locations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Social Media 55?

Our franchisor has to spend about 1% of the royalty fees we pay to advertise our restaurant. This subsidy isn't enough to cover our needs. The corporate office usually provides generic support and assets. I wanted a unique, creative digital marketing approach that included social media.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We have a simple, clear social media strategy. The nature of our business doesn't require much beyond that. Social Media 55 posts quality images to our Instagram page daily. They've run social media contests that invite patrons to enter pictures of their meal for a chance to win. When responding to comments, they get my consent beforehand. Managing our Facebook account involves messages and reviews. Aside from digital services, they work on-site to engage our customers and created pamphlets for use in our establishment.

Everything gets done before I even have to call them. They listen closely to the client, so my ideas are executed professionally. If something I suggest is misguided, their consultation helps me make an informed decision. We’ve only ever skipped a single day, which was never due to oversight. If we've had high-volume user engagement lately, they assess if we can take a brief break.

What is the team composition?

We work directly with the owner, Joseph (Advertising Director, Social Media 55).

How did you come to work with Social Media 55?

My friend recommended using them. He told me they're really good, and he was right.

How much have you invested with them?

We've spent a little under $5,000. Sometimes I make spontaneous requests that influence the budget.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together seven months ago, since the day I opened my restaurant. Our partnership is definitely still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Social Media 55 helped us formulate a better marketing strategy than the one that’s run by corporate headquarters. Our Instagram page is far more engaging than any other franchise location. It’s the second most active after the head office’s page. We feature better pictures, and everything about our strategy has been consistent.

For a busy guy like me, Social Media 55 is the perfect agency. It's easy to delegate marking and focus on my business. We’ve been getting better reviews on Google and Yelp. Their advertising has notably improved our Facebook and Instagram traffic. Most importantly, this partnership has grown our revenue. College students are especially active on our social media accounts and have been eating at our restaurant more often.

How did Social Media 55 perform from a project management standpoint?

We mainly use text messages to communicate. Everything was done on time and within the given budget. I've worked with several other marketing agencies in the past and Social Media 55 is much more attentive by comparison. They’re available whenever I need them. If a task is urgent, they pick up my phone call right away and get the job done. They even execute same-day requests. Even though they have other clients, I always feel like my work is taken seriously.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Social Media 55’s comprehensive level of involvement is fantastic. The owner lives two hours away, yet still visits once or twice a month. He spends time on-site to take nice pictures, talk to my staff and get their advice, and see what's happening. He takes my goals to heart and treats his clients like family. I like how he doesn't try to change my mind about ideas, despite having more digital marketing experience.

Are there any areas they could improve?

The only way they could improve would involve larger future engagements. Their work has exceeded my expectations. Once they land and satisfy a major client, they'll improve naturally. Whenever I gave a critique, they outdid themselves overcorrecting the error.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Honesty and trust are key to a good business relationship. If there's something you don't like or want, just tell them.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I own a small business that sells flower arrangements for individuals and events.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Social Media 55?

I needed a vendor to build my company’s social media presence.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They created our Facebook and Instagram accounts. The team also obtained a web domain. Additional services have included branding and multimedia content creation. They’ve produced photos and text that fit the vision for my company.

What is the team composition?

The brand strategist is my main point of contact. We speak at least once a week.

How did you come to work with Social Media 55?

I found them through a referral.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent around $1,500.

What is the status of this engagement?

Work started in January 2018 and is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The accounts haven’t launched yet, but I’m confident about their success. They provided great service and made me feel comfortable about social media, even though I don’t know anything about the platforms.

How did Social Media 55 perform from a project management standpoint?

They were helpful, efficient, and thorough. The deliveries matched my expectations.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I got amazing service at an affordable price.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I can’t think of anything.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

We all need social media. It's worth engaging vendors that have expertise in that space.