Black Propeller

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the director of public relations and social media at Valet Living, a full-service amenities provider in the multifamily housing industry.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Black Propeller?

We needed their team’s help in lead generation.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We’ve initially engaged Black Propeller to handle our Google Ads efforts. They manage our ad spend by allocating it to different campaigns, so we can strategically capture more leads. Recently, we've tasked them with handling our social media and PPC ads to help us acquire additional avenues for lead generation and recruitment.

What is the team composition?

We work with a team comprised of 4–6 resources, including an account director and a social media manager.

How did you come to work with Black Propeller?

We weren’t pleased with the results we were getting with a previous agency, so we searched for similar service providers online. Black Propellerwas one of the ten teams we shortlisted, and we decided to onboard them because of their reputable profile.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent about $25,000–$30,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started our ongoing engagement with Black Propeller in April 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We’ve only worked with Black Propeller for a few months, but they’ve already driven substantial upticks in our business. Their team lowered cost per lead (CPL) by 30%, doubled our conversion rate, and escalate our total qualified leads. Overall, we’re pleased with the lucrative results they’ve been delivering.

How did Black Propeller perform from a project management standpoint?

We mainly communicate via email and Google Meet. Black Propeller is a highly collaborative partner. They go above and beyond to address our needs and make it a point to secure our approval before implementing anything.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Black Propeller is a communicative team that’s keen on delivering data-driven results. They have an inquisitive and goal-oriented approach, which unfailingly helps them meet our expectations.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There’s nothing they can improve. We’re pleased to be working with such a reliable and responsive team.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Trust Black Propeller’s team to meet your needs with their dependable skill set. You’ll only need to define your goals clearly if you want to make the most of your engagement.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

We are a technology support company. We support organizations who are looking for assistance with cloud migration, modern workplace, cloud optimization and security, data & insights, managed services, and more.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Black Propeller?

Due to the size of our team, we are not able to appropriately give enough time and attention to manage our own digital campaign strategy at the campaign level. We have been looking to expand out brand awareness in the marketplace, but also increase our flow of qualified leads into the pipeline.

SOLUTION

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

We decided on this vendor because of their solutions they offered. Black Propeller had some stellar expertise in the areas of PPC, keyword analysis, competitive analysis, and campaign management - which is what we were looking for.

Describe the project in detail and walk through the stages of the project.

Since beginning with Black Propeller, they have managed our PPC campaign strategy. It began with a deep dive into our goals and offerings and then came the planning stage where they offered their keyword recommendations before pushing the campaign live. From that point on, we meet on a regular basis and then make adjustments and increase the number of campaigns since then.

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

We had an account management team that has been meeting with us on a regular basis. There is also a design team that helps with landing page development when needed.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since beginning our campaigns with Black Propeller, we have definitely seen an increase in our lead flow and steadily as campaigns progress we have seen a cost per lead go down as the campaigns become more optimized.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Workflow is excellent. At the meeting we met on a weekly basis to get things off the ground and make sure both parties are happy with how campaigns are progressing. Then we have eased back and meet every two weeks with a quarterly review every quarter. But we also communicate effectively through email in between those meetings as needed. BP also created a dashboard for us to live track our campaign outcomes between our meetings.

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

Their ability to take the project and run with it.They're a team that could manage our projects so we can spend time on operational matters. 

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

I can't think of anything right now.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a marketing manager for an electric manufacturing company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Black Propeller?

We wanted to expand our business and get more visibility.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Black Propeller is responsible for providing web design, PPC, and a marketing strategy for us. They’ve established great landing pages that outline what our business is about and make it easy to target correct clients. Their team has also helped us increase leads across different platforms by launching Google ads and PPC campaigns.

What is the team composition?

We work directly with John (Founder & CEO), Kelsey (Paid Social Manager), and Delaney (Account Manager).

How did you come to work with Black Propeller?

A friend who uses Black Propeller’s services recommended them to us.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent over $60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement began in March 2020, and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our partnership has been very successful — numbers speak for themselves. We’ve seen an increase in traffic and a reduction in the cost per conversion. Every time we get certified with a company, we expand our work with Black Propeller, and they’ve always been readily available. They add value to our company, which is why we continue to work with them.

How did Black Propeller perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicate through phone calls and have Zoom meetings once every three months. Their team has performed very well; they work together and have set meeting times, which they’ve never missed.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their performance has been very professional. Moreover, they deliver on their promises.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I can’t think of anything right now, but there’s always room for improvement.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Give them a shot — they’re awesome.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner of an advertising, consulting, and marketing company called Mad Girl Marketing.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Black Propeller?

I don’t handle any PPC or SEO myself, and neither does my team. So, I brought on Black Propeller to handle that for one of my lead-driven clients.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Black Propeller does a number of things. They do display advertising, which they’re also providing for my client, video content for social platforms, and remarketing. I primarily use them for PPC services.

What is the team composition?

I worked with John (Founder & CEO) at the beginning, but I now primarily work with Annie (Senior Account Manager).

How did you come to work with Black Propeller?

I heard great things from other clients who had worked with Black Propeller, so I thought I’d reach out and vet them. I spoke with Annie and John, and we hit it off at the beginning.

Besides their capabilities, I felt an instant connection. John was very friendly and forthcoming, and he provided all of the information that I was looking for. We’re also both small businesses, which we have in common, and we both give our clients a hands-on experience. 

How much have you invested with them?

My clients have spent about $350,000 on the PPC, as well as another $50,000 on fees.

What is the status of this engagement?

We’ve been working with them since November 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Black Propeller has played an instrumental role in the growth and success of my client. We sold over 900 confidence plans and we’re in a record-breaking year. Our leads are constantly going up and our cost per click is really low.

I can attribute this success to them because this particular client doesn’t use any other media outlets apart from billboards. Black Propeller has come to the table and has done what they said they would do.

How did Black Propeller perform from a project management standpoint?

They perform very well. They communicate clearly, and they have a clear, concise plan of how they’re going to handle things. The plans that they put in front of us are accurate and backed up by their expertise. They always convey why we should take certain steps, even though our clients don’t.

Every Tuesday, my client and I receive a simplistic report from them. Their reports are very straightforward, and we can see our spend, conversions, and what we’re getting week-to-week. Black Propeller recaps everything and specify’s each campaign that we’re involved in.

I’m a little different than who they’re normally used to working with because I’m the middleman between their company and my clients, but we’ve navigated through it extremely well.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their hands-on experience distinguishes them. When I have an issue, I can call Annie and we can discuss it that day. The ability to reach them and not getting handed off to other people is great. Black Propeller is responsive and cares. They also take responsibility and know what they’re good at.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Black Propeller could make sure that they have their T’s crossed and I’s dotted in terms of paperwork, which Annie and I talked about. Verbal agreements don’t always work out the way you like, so everything should be written down. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Be transparent about what you’re looking for. People are only as good as the information given to them. Black Propeller is good at what they do, but you need to make sure that expectations are set up upfront. 

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the CEO and Founder of The Garden Montessori school, which is a private preschool serving students ages 18m-5yrs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Black Propeller, and what were your goals?

PPC, increase leads for enrollment

SOLUTION

How did you select Black Propeller and what were the deciding factors?

I interviewed them along with several other companies and found them to be cost effective, professional and honest. Ultimately, they seemed to be the most knowledgeable and confident in producing real results.

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

I met with them and discussed the priorities of the project, laid out our goals and their strategies for achieving those results. From there, they put together a Google ads campaign that ultimately delivered great results.

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

I worked with the CEO directly.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Increased site traffic, gained multiple leads that led directly to enrollment.

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

We met by phone and email and their communication was always clear and consistent. They set forth clear timelines and answered all questions without hesitation.

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

They are extremely professional and communication is definitely their strong suit, but I think their knowledge base sets them apart from other companies. I also felt they are extremely honest and reliable and genuinely care about getting their customers the best results possible.

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

I don't have any complaints at all. I'll continue to work with John & his team for all of my future needs. Definitely could not ask for anything more from this awesome team.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the marketing manager for a microscope sales and service company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Black Propeller, and what were your goals?

We hired Black Propeller to reorganize and manage our Google Adwords Campaign with the goal of efficiently driving an increased volume of sales.

SOLUTION

How did you select Black Propeller and what were the deciding factors?

We conducted a search for a PPC partner, and based on Black Propeller's reputation, opened discussions. They evaluated our existing campaign to identify opportunities, proved to be very flexible (based on our needs) and offered a reasonably priced proposal.

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

After a "download" of our business needs and goals and the initial evaluation of our existing campaign, we met with the Account Manager to discuss each phase of a complete reorganization, including:

1. Keyword analysis
2. Development of negative keywords
3. Optimization of settings
4. Re-alignment of sub-campaigns
5. Development of ads
6. Bidding strategy

After this work was completed, Black Propeller has continued to optimize our campaign, making adjustments to bidding, keywords, and architecture as needed.

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

Account Manager with a supporting team

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Since implementing the changes to our campaign, we have seen a substantial decrease in our Cost Per Click coupled with a significant increase in sales volume.

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

Our Account Manager is proactive in indentifying/communicating both challenges and opportunities and responsive to our questions. We have bi-weekly status meetings, however, we are in contact throughout the week.

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

Their knowledge of digital marketing is profound which engenders trust and a willingness on our part to explore new approaches to the project.

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

We are seeing great results, however, simplified reporting would help reinforce this.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

Owner of a midsize firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Black Propeller, and what were your goals?

We were looking to expand and refine our online presence. We were spending too much on AdWords through google and not seeing enough return for our money.

SOLUTION

How did you select Black Propeller and what were the deciding factors?

I get approached my agencies wanting to help me with my advertising on a daily basis. Black propeller didn’t seek out my business, I researched the industry and was impressed with their results and reached out to them. I liked their boutique size and found them to be direct and honest.

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

They handle my cost per click marketing in a very competitive field.

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

Typically one but now and then an addition team member is brought in to help with particular pieces.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’ve seen over 20% growth since bringing black propeller on. I expect continued growth, despite the market becoming more and more competitive and going through a pandemic.

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

Direct communication, immediate responses to any questions or suggestions I have.

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

Their commitment to me hasn’t wavered. They are deeply connected to my businesses success. Our market requires a constant and vigilant watch, it requires being smart and creative to get ahead of the competition. Black propeller gives me that edge.

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

No.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder and CEO of a teddy bear company called ZZZ Bears. We make teddy bears that represent our nation's heroes (military, police, fire and healthcare) and gives back to the children of fallen heroes by donating bears to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. As the sole owner, I am responsible for all aspects of the business.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire Black Propeller?

ZZZ Bears is a side hustle for me and the truth is I don't have the expertise or time to handle our digital marketing. I've hired other digital marketing agencies in the past with mixed results. More often than not, their set up fees and monthly fees alone make it difficult to turn a profit, even if the advertising itself works. I was soured on the prospect of hiring another digital marketing agency when someone I trusted recommended Black Propeller to me. BP had tripled their sales within months.

What were your goals for this project?

Our goals for the project were simple. Create a digital marketing strategy using Facebook, Google and Instagram ads with high conversion rates and low cost of customer acquisiton. I wanted Black Propeller to handle all aspects of the campaign including copywriting and design. We gave them a large bank of photos and videos they could pull from and gave them the flexibility to create their own assets as well.

SOLUTION

How did you select Black Propeller?

A company that we regularly do business with told me about Black Propeller. They said that BP had tripled their sales within months. I figured it was at least worth a conversation with them so I emailed John and set up a consultation call. What I liked about them (besides the fact that they were likable) was that there was no set up fee and no contracts. Meaning that if they didn't perform to my standards, I could walk away at any time. That's quite an incentive for an agency. With a solid referral in hand and a what-do-I-have-to-lose-mentality, I decided to give them a try.

Describe the scope of their work in detail.

After we officially selected BP, we had a kickoff call with the the people who would be directly managing our account. We talked in depth about our company, our history with digital advertising, our goals, existing assets, etc. They took about a week to look through our account, conduct market research and a competitive analysis and develop a plan. That plan included Facebook, Google and Instagram as the main platforms.

What was the team composition?

I was immediately assigned an account manager - the same one that tripled sales for the company I mentioned earlier. From what I could tell, she was responsbile for almost every aspect of the account (besides design) - developing strategy, placing the ads, interfacing with me, etc. About a month or two into our relationship we were assigned a second manager who handled the Google side of our business.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The first month saw an uptick in sales but was largely a learning phase. In month two sales went up and cost of acquisiton went down. In the third month, they really hit their stride with a significant increase in sales and average order value and a decrease in COA.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Every Monday, I'd receive a weekly performance report and every Wednesday was a 30 minute status call. However, I didn't have to wait for Wednesdays for access to my account manager. She was extremely responsive to my emails and open to listening to any ideas and answering any questions at any time.

What did you find most impressive about this company?

We're a super small business with a relatively small ad spend. Most digital agencies would likely hand us over to the intern. With Black Propeller, I felt like I was just as important as any of their other, larger accounts and I truly believe they were motivated to help us for all the right reasons. They were passionate about what they do and really wanted to see us succeed.

Are there any areas for improvement?

Nothing comes to mind.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

Here at CUBE84, I’m the director of business development. I oversee our marketing efforts as well.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Black Propeller?

We had a poor experience with other firms working on Google Ads, so we looked for another firm to support our marketing efforts. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They redid our entire Google Ads campaign. They took the time to do completely new keyword research and competitor analysis. Whenever somebody clicks on the ads, it takes them to a landing page rather than our website, and that helps with our conversion rate. We noticed that the landing page was phenomenal compared to our website, so we engaged with them to build a custom site for us.

What is the team composition?

Annie (Senior Account Manager) is my pain point of contact, and I work with two other team members- Bill (Project Manager) and John (Founder & CEO).

How did you come to work with Black Propeller?

I went on Google and searched for a few firms and connected with them. I honestly hired them for their attention to detail and the preparation they put in before the call blew me away. Ultimately, the cost was unreal. For the quality of the service they provide, their fee is low. I thought it was too good to be true.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve roughly spent $12,000 and the website was the bulk of that.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in March 2020 and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

 The project has been extremely successful. My organization has never had these results with their Google Ad campaigns until we brought in Black Propeller. Before I came in, we didn’t have a marketing place and we were getting about five leads a month. Now we’re getting about five leads a week.

They always over-perform for us. They provide phenomenal work for us for what we pay. We recouped our costs within the first two months of working with them and continue to see massive ROI. We’ve actually doubled our ad spend because the engagement has been so successful.

With the result they’re generating, their experience with Google Ads has to be their biggest strength. The difference between them and their competitors is night and day.

How did Black Propeller perform from a project management standpoint?

They’re really nice, cool people. I look forward to our weekly check-ins with them. Since we started working with them, they haven’t increased our rate. We communicate with them via email or Google Chat in addition to our calls. For documentation and proposals they use Panda Docs.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I can’t say enough good things about Black Propeller. We’ve become friendly with our points of contact. It’s not solely a business engagement. They’re an awesome small team. They truly want us to succeed. They know if they give us good work, we will continue to work with them and give them referrals.

I also like that they’re available to talk through challenges with them. Even if it’s a one-off task and isn’t a part of the scope of our project, such as a graphic design project, they are willing to help us out and introduce us to their graphic designer. The biggest takeaway is that they go above and beyond.

Are there any areas they could improve?

If I was being nit-picky, there have been a few times that I’ve asked to reschedule meetings, and I just get a calendar invite. If it was me, I’d also send a response saying that it wasn’t a problem/ It’s such a minimal thing.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Trust their experience, insights, and recommendations. That’s how you can get the best results. They’re the experts.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the owner and president of Helms Electric. It’s a residential electrical company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Black Propeller?

We were trying to get more business. I tried Google Ads myself and wasn’t having a lot of success with it. I talked to Black Propeller and they were super nice.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They designed my website and explained in great detail what they’d be able to do for me. They handled my search optimization on Google and PPC. They make sure that people can message us through our website. They regularly provide analytics for us. They were able to tailor it for people searching in my area.

What is the team composition?

I just talk to John (Founder & CEO). If I have any questions, he answers right away and calls me back immediately. We have a good working relationship.

How did you come to work with Black Propeller?

I did a Google search. Long story short, I’ve worked with several other web development agencies and have had issues in the past. When I spoke to John, he assured me that the website they designed would be ours, I’d control it, and I could have them manage it. He was very upfront, and that’s what I liked about him.

How much have you invested with them?

We spend about $800/ month (approximately $19,200 in total).

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working in August 2017 and it’s ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They came through with everything they said they could do. Once we started working with them, we got a lot more calls and business picked up a lot—we probably doubled our business.

How did Black Propeller perform from a project management standpoint?

I can just send an e-mail or text them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’re super nice and they do what they say they’re going to do.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not that I can think of.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

I highly recommend them. Doing it on your own can be tough, but they’re experts.