CultMethod

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I run a website where I write about different experiences, share my background, and produce different programs and courses to supplement the material I teach and to profit from it. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with CultMethod?

I’ve been writing on my own — on social media and on my website for quite some time. However, I needed to have a professional-looking website, one that was technically sound that would maximize my ability to rank for keywords and compete in SEO against other people in my space who have a similar if not an identical business model.  

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

At the start, CultMethod conducted a lot of interviews about what I wanted to accomplish and who my ideal clients were. So far, the main project that we completed was my website and it’s hosted and run by Jon (Founder & Brand Designer). They helped us not only on the technical aspects of the platform but also on the business angle of it. 

Most recently, they led the reboot of my platform, so we put together a comprehensive color scheme and press package. That includes the selection of colors down to the font, and they also developed some marketing and messaging. The main goal was to make it easy for people to work with me, identify me, and make me stand out from my competitors. 

On the SEO part, they suggest keywords I can work on. The team also provides brand strategies and provides advice on the articles we need to write to have the best chances of ranking and to keep up with Google. Overall, they serve as a one-stop-shop.

What is the team composition?

We work with Jon. 

How did you come to work with CultMethod?

Jon reached out to me a long time ago and offered to redo our WordPress website. They did great and helped me rebuild the position I have today on social media. He also told me he’s been rebuilding websites for other clients.

We sat down and I looked at what we had in mind, and I thought it was a good fit. I’ve also known Jon for a long time, even before he started CultMethod. 

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve probably spent in the neighborhood of $50,000–$100,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started collaborating in 2013, and we’re still working together. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We monitor our SEO in the Google Search Console, and it’s one of the fastest sites on the internet. We’ve been moving and loading faster than our competitors.

Additionally, the site continues to rank for keywords because of the team's technical expertise and the platform's high readability. Overall, in terms of metrics, CultMethod's work is solid. 

How did CultMethod perform from a project management standpoint?

They have an excellent project management method. I have absolutely no complaints regarding CultMethod’s workflow. One of the reasons why I work with them is that I don’t have to think about anything.  

We communicate on WhatsApp and meet twice a week on Google Hangouts. Furthermore, any updates or information that we need are shared through Google Docs.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The combination of their technical expertise and understanding of our branding impresses us. A lot of providers are typically good at one or the other, but Jon really brings both together. He’s good at the design aspect and technical metrics. With his work, our site has become quick, easy to navigate, and indexable. Above all, Jon really thinks about how to create the best UX for our end uses.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I don’t think there’s anything they can improve. However, I can’t imagine that Jon’s going to be able to keep this up alone, and he should probably get some help soon.

I also know a lot of most people in my industry can’t afford what he charges, and what he charges me is already slightly discounted because of the length of our relationship. However, I’m not dissatisfied in any way, shape, or form. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Make sure you’ve done some things on your own because it’s very easy to get feedback on what works and what doesn’t. You can rely on Jon’s responsiveness on that aspect.

However, if you’re hoping for a one-off solution that you can set and forget, they probably won’t be the right company for you. Our process has been very intensive, but it’s necessary. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the owner of The Conversion Co., a marketing consultancy. We help marketers get to a point where they can scale their business to a more significant degree.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with CultMethod?

The quality of our graphic design elements was not consistent. Our branding and social media content were not recognizable so we wanted help crafting a more cohesive branding across various platforms.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

CultMethod helped us establish a new visual identity. We performed user research, seeing who our customers were and what they expected from us. The CultMethod team helped us keep our customer groups separate to encourage clarity.

From there, they refreshed our logo and branding assets. We chose a much more distinctive font and color palette. They then applied these designs to our website and social media content. Their team also wrote copy to refine our messaging strategy.

What is the team composition?

My main point of contact was Jon (Owner).

How did you come to work with CultMethod?

I had seen some of Jon’s previous work on Twitter, where he spruced up a website and branding assets for a writer. From there, I looked at more of CultMethod’s past work, all of which had the clean and uncluttered look we were going for. 

It was also clear that they were able to provide messaging help as well, which not all design firms offer. CultMethod’s ability to think about what it is we were trying to communicate and imbuing the designs with that really set them apart.

How much have you invested with them?

We invested about $6,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement with CultMethod ran from December 2020–January 2021.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We now have a set of brand guidelines that are easy for anyone on our team to follow. We are able to create content we feel confident in. CultMethod helped us push past our mental bottleneck by helping us understand what we should be doing. Our content is primed to be more recognizable and a method for driving traffic.

How did CultMethod perform from a project management standpoint?

Their project management was absolutely flawless. Jon has a process where you know from day one what the steps are going to be which also helped keep the cost down. We knew exactly when each stage was going to happen and when our approval and input was needed. 

He didn’t miss any of his own deadlines and we never had to wait on anything. It was a very slick, well-organized practice. It made us feel comfortable knowing Jon has done this before. We mostly communicated via email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The level of organization impressed us. Jon clearly knows what he’s doing, has done it a number of times before, and has refined his process. We were able to achieve results within a short time period.

Sometimes with design projects, you are presented with assets that are a bit surprising or not what you expected. Jon is great at backing up his decisions and explaining why he made certain choices. He always tied it back to our messaging efforts.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We did some very basic designs, what an Instagram post or Youtube thumbnail might look like. Jon could provide follow-up services where he provides more complete social media designs, although it’s not necessary.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the managing director of Creme Carpets. We are a small carpets and floor coverings business that sells carpets for domestic and small-scale commercial jobs.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Cult Method?

We are a boutique shop, and I just purchased the shop from my father a few months ago. The first thing I realized I needed to do was to rebrand and remarket the business completely. I need to grow, and my method of growth works around a new brand and marketing strategy.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We did a market analysis to begin with. Cult Method did research of all the other competitors in my region and an analysis of their marketing to set us up to stand out from the others. We talked about target markets and which markets we wanted to move into rather than where the company had previously been. We then developed a brand strategy and worked through what our purpose and goals were.

They tried to understand who we were as a company, and ultimately developed a new brand, which included development of a logo, color scheme, new name (particularly challenging), market position, and website.

What is the team composition?

I work directly with Jon (Founder, Cult Method).

How did you come to work with Cult Method?

Jon is a friend of mine. I knew of the work he had done for other personalities and had read his blog online. I realized they were a smart company and that Jon really knew what he was talking about.

How much have you invested in them?

I have spent around $25,000 AUD (Approximately $16,870 USD).

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working with them in April 2019, and the work is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our name is different and was meant to be short and memorable to differentiate us. I think everyone that is informed of the name remembers it. They don’t necessarily immediately love it, but that wasn’t the intent. The logo on my truck and on the front of the building has been really well-received as well.

How did Cult Method perform from a project management standpoint?

We use email and WhatsApp to communicate. I’ve been able to call him when I need to, whether it’s to check something or just have a quick chat. We’ve also had scheduled Skype meetings, some that go as long as three hours to really work through stuff. We also use Google Drive for sharing files.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Jon is passionate and committed to helping. He goes above and beyond and is professional and meticulous with details and design. Naming is hard, and not only myself, but also my main business partner and the employees had to like the name as well. Getting through that was really hard, but Jon held us to our principals of the name being memorable, short, evocative, and different. I think we landed in a good spot.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Over time, he will get even better because of the experience. We’re both young companies, and it is just seasoning I suppose.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Trust in the process, which can be challenging. Marketing shouldn’t be what you like; it should be what works, which is what Jon told me. Trust in that marketing strategy.