Front Row Group

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the director of e-commerce at Space Brands, a beauty brand that sells cosmetics and skin care products. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Socium Media?

We engaged Socium Media to run our paid search and paid social media campaigns.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Socium Media oversees our paid search campaigns for Bing and Google, as well as ad campaigns on Facebook and Instagram. We collaborate with their team on copywriting and they provide feedback on different images to use to optimize performance. 

What is the team composition? 

Our main point of contact is Matthew (Paid Media Analyst, Socium Media), and he loops in the co-owners of the company as needed when it comes to strategizing larger campaigns. 

How did you come to work with Socium Media?

When I came on board, our company had been working with a different digital advertising firm, but we weren't getting great results. I gave that company a chance to make changes, but we eventually had to move on and find a vendor that could deliver results. A larger firm I reached out to recommended Socium Media for our specific needs, and I felt they'd be a much better fit for us after meeting with them.

What is the status of this engagement?

We've been working with them since May 2019.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They go above and beyond the scope compared to any agency I've ever worked with. They cleaned up some of the inefficient backend processes our previous vendor had set up, for example, getting on the phone with Bing or Google as needed to ensure everything ran smoothly.

Thanks to their efforts, CPCs decreased by at least 66%, while increasing ROAS by the same rate.

How did Socium Media perform from a project management standpoint?

They're very efficient. They provide thorough status updates each week, including next steps, so nothing ever gets looked over. 

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're very responsive and excel in their logical approach to ad campaigns. I'm also impressed by the passion they have for both their industry and helping small businesses succeed in crowded advertising channels. It feels as if they're an extension of our own team; we fully trust them. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not really. As they continue to grow, it will help them to become more specialized in specific industries for different clients. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Every client's expectations are different, but I'd just recommend being as clear as possible regarding project goals and challenges from the start. They're very transparent about their approach during the initial pitch process. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there. 

I'm the digital marketing manager at Phillips Auction House. We sell contemporary art, design, watches, and photography through four major global centers as well as through our online platforms.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with Socium Media? 

We’d been executing our search engine marketing (SEM) in-house. Not only was bandwidth an issue, but the strategy could use a professional touch from an agency embedded in the depths of SEM every day.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

Selling fine art or antique watches leads to a high volume of search queries. We previously didn't have a good lens into the performance of SEM efforts. Socium Media establishes benchmarks for where we were, and then applies a new strategy to build and grow the program. We started working with them right in the lead up to the busiest part of our season. They jumped in and hit the ground running. They create success stories for how the program is going and put together a roadmap for where we're going in the future.

What is the team composition?

Sam (Co-Founder, Socium Media) is our main person on the account. He works with one colleague on the day-to-day execution and speaks through strategies with the full Socium team.

How did you come to work with Socium Media? 

They were recommended through a relationship with another digital agency. As part of our search, we learned that the agency had recently worked with Socium Media on a project. Socium Media has a well-rounded dynamic and a client-centric approach, which is exactly what we were looking for. 

How much have you invested with them?

Off the top of my head, I’d say we’ve spent between $20,000–$25,000.

What is the status of this engagement? 

Work started in April 2019 and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

I’m so impressed with, and thankful for, Socium Media’s work. I don't know if we’d be where we are now without them. They learned the business very quickly and during our peak busy time. Their efficiency has been exponential with regard to cutting costs in areas that were not driving quality traffic. They’re reducing our spend while creating more clicks and conversions. They're able to execute a higher level of performance than we were capable of doing in-house. 

They also excel at creating strategies that are unique to our business. Socium Media works to meld our existing strategy with a new strategy that satisfies expectations from previous iterations of the program. Their client-facing approach is tailored to our business, which is amazing. I feel comfortable that they’ll only get better from here as there's infinite room to grow. 

How did Socium Media perform from a project management standpoint? 

Project management is quite efficient for a small shop. They're extremely diligent with regard to setting agendas and following up on tasks. Socium Media is willing to schedule around our commitments as needed. We communicate through conference calls and email. 

What did you find most impressive about them? 

Socium Media has so much brainpower in such a small team. They create customized strategies with industry-leading techniques that evolve based on the discovery of what our business needs. They’re like a large agency in terms of keeping up with the best practices and using a formal level of project management. Yet at the same time they offer a boutique level of care, service, and adaptation for our business. It’s the best of both worlds. 

Are there any areas they could improve? 

I wish there were more of them so we could use them more. 

Do you have any advice for potential customers? 

Socium Media are purists who want to apply the best tactics. Setting expectations in a roadmap is helpful in keeping everybody on the same page.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the vice president of Morro Capital, an e-commerce company that sells men’s clothing across 15 unique websites.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with FWRD Digital?

We wanted to run a paid advertising campaign on Google and Facebook, so we decided to outsource the project to a digital marketing vendor.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Before developing the digital ad campaigns, FWRD Digital set up 15 individual Google Analytics accounts for all of our websites. Since establishing the platform, their efforts are spent creating and managing targeted advertisements on Facebook and Google.

What is the team composition?

FWRD Digital’s founder and CEO serves as our main point of contact; however, multiple members within their team are assisting with our account.

How did you come to work with FWRD Digital?

I was not involved in the hiring process, but I assume that the connection was made through a referral; their relationship with our CEO predates my time at the company. 

How much have you invested with them?

We have spent less than $13,000 for their services.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our partnership began in December 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our primary objective was to increase site traffic and build brand awareness, and FWRD Digital helped us achieve those goals. We have also noticed a positive ROI on our advertising spend.

How did FWRD Digital perform from a project management standpoint?

Their deadline-driven team is remarkably efficient. We have yet to experience any delays or complications. Most of our communication is via phone and email. Although we have a scheduled phone meeting each week, they are always willing to answer our spontaneous calls.

What did you find most impressive about them?

FWRD Digital is renowned for their effective digital growth strategies, and our experience with their team fully supports their reputation. Their ability to reach multiple demographics and psychographic markets with targeted content is incredible.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We have no complaints. We’re pleased with their work.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Trust in them to deliver phenomenal results.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the senior marketing manager at a craft meat provider.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with FWRD Digital?

We hoped to scale with efficiency and increase our new customer acquisition volume through SEO and SEM.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They organize our online advertisement campaigns. In addition to SEO and SEM, they utilized Google Display Network ads and YouTube ads. FWRD Digital also took the initiative to set up a Google Smart Shopping campaign that has performed well. We tend to let their team handle the keyword research. I give some direction, but by and large, we’re pretty hands-off.

What is the team composition?

I only communicate with Sam (Founder/CEO, FWRD Digital).

How did you come to work with FWRD Digital?

My predecessor in this role decided to hire them.

How much have you invested with them?

We pay FWRD Digital on average $3,000 a week, an amount that reflects a percentage of our weekly ad spend.

What is the status of this engagement?

Our engagement began in April 2018 and remains ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We sometimes believe that they are a small shop that would benefit from some more resources. They seem overwhelmed at times, but lately, our metrics have improved.

How did FWRD Digital perform from a project management standpoint?

We have weekly calls to recap our progress, but otherwise, email is our primary mode of communication. There are degrees of proactivity, though. Most times, we have to reach out to check on our status. We’d like to see them challenge us a bit more and try to be our strategy leader.

What did you find most impressive about them?

The knowledge and experience present in their office are evident.

Are there any areas they could improve?

There are times when we want to scale at the expense of efficiency, and sometimes the opposite is true. They don’t always have that context, so it took a while for them to understand what we’re emphasizing at different times.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the former director of digital marketing of a legal advertising firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with FWRD Digital?

We had just lost an opportunity to capture a large marketshare almost overnight, so I was tasked with spending an extra $10,000 per month to generate leads.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

FWRD performed an extensive analysis of our competitive space, taking their time to understand our business and complex model, as well as our budgets according to geographies, personas, and how to package certain keywords. They then developed a plan for generating leads, set up an ad campaign and SEM strategy, and helped us track incoming calls to our call center.

What is the team composition?

I worked directly with Sam (Founder and CEO, FWRD Digital), but he managed others on our account as well.

How did you come to work with FWRD Digital?

They were referred to us and it was evident right away that Sam was very knowledgeable in his field and would be sensitive to our financial model.

How much have you invested with them?

Our ad spend was about $10,000 a month, so it came out to about $60,000–$75,000 in total.

What is the status of this engagement?

We worked with them from September 2017–February 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

FWRD implemented effective solutions that drastically increased our incoming leads. We were able to increase our ad spend month to month based on the results they were bringing in. If we would've had an enterprise system, I'm certain we would've been able to double or triple our ad spend.

How did FWRD Digital perform from a project management standpoint?

They were great. Sam was very responsive and sent daily and weekly reports. I continue to work with them in my new position at a different company based on my previous experience with them.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their focus on return on ad spend (ROAS) sets them apart. Other companies couldn't care less about what happens after they generate more traffic, but FWRD's dedication to ROAS is unmatched.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Not really, but it would make things slightly easier if they had their an in-house landing page developers, so we wouldn't have to outsource that part of the creative process.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Define your expectations, have systems appropriately set up for high volumes of traffic, and make sure that FWRD is aware of the company's business model.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the senior vice president at MyCloudUnion, a loyalty marketing program that supports global retailers and brands. Consumer members earn points when they shop with one of our merchant clients.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with FWRD Digital?

We wanted to raise our brand awareness with merchants to increase our sales and traffic.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They helped develop our SEO/ SEM strategy. Their team also implemented a system that tracks where clicks come from so we can better understand our traffic.

What is the team composition?

My main point of contact was the founder/CEO.

How did you come to work with FWRD Digital?

I met the founder at an event with professional connections. We met again to discuss my company’s digital marketing needs, in which they helped us understand our audience and goals. They then presented the cost estimate for their services. After these meetings, I decided to hire them because I knew what I’d be getting for my money.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent $40,000-$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We began working together in December 2017, and the work is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Customers can now find us through Google searching for “loyalty marketing programs.” We now have a better understanding of where our leads are coming from and how to access them.

How did FWRD Digital perform from a project management standpoint?

They are very responsive and capable, so I don’t need to be overly involved in the process. We communicate through email and, occasionally, the phone; the communication between our teams is solid.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They’ve followed through on what they promised to do, which stands out. All of the work they’ve delivered fulfills our expectations. Additionally, they have been knowledgeable and helpful during the process, and they thoroughly understand our business.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the senior director of online marketing for a nonprofit education company. 

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with FWRD Digital?

We approached FWRD to help fine tune our SEM campaigns. Our original goal was to increase our conversions by 30% this year.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

FWRD presented a plan of action to help us decrease our CPCs and increase conversions through SEM. Initially, they conducted an entire health check of our accounts free of charge and then developed a proposal for the scope of work. They also focused on both branded and non-branded terms, as well as an optimization on both Google and Bing.

What is the team composition?

We work directly with Sam (Founder and CEO, FWRD Digital).

How did you come to work with FWRD Digital?

A colleague of mine had worked with Sam previously and recommended FWRD to us. After speaking with him and going over the success he's had with other clients, we decided to give their team a shot.

How much have you invested with them?

Since FWRD's team has been able to deliver such great results, we've recently increased our budget to around $60,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We officially started working with them in April 2018 and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

FWRD's efforts helped us achieve about 25,000 conversions within just a couple of months.

How did FWRD Digital perform from a project management standpoint?

Sam is great at keeping his line of communication open to us at all times. We usually meet once a week, and he sends out an agenda in advance. He's even made himself available while on vacation and out of country. If he ever can't get to something right away, he at least lets us know he's working on it.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I'm most impressed by FWRD's knowledge and ability to deliver results through SEM. 

Are there any areas they could improve?

If anything, they could probably sell us on more services they offer (i.e., paid social campaigns), so we can continue to expand our relationship.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have a plan of action in place that includes future engagement, so you can continue to evolve and improve outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a founding partner and CMO of a menswear fashion brand.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with FWRD Digital?

We were going through a big organizational shift, moving away from the traditional model (when we were selling to other retailers) to selling directly to consumers. We were looking for a company to help us take our e-commerce model to a new level and develop a digital strategy.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They manage all of our digital marketing efforts. That includes everything from helping us strategize and target our prospects to running our paid social campaigns. In terms of Google AdWords, we had a rudimentary list of words we wanted to target, but it evolved as they helped us identify what is worth investing in and why.

What is the team composition?

I work directly with their CEO.

How did you come to work with them?

It was a referral through my network.

What is the status of this engagement?

I started working with them in April 2017 and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We get bi-weekly reports as well as Google Analytics reporting, so we can track the progress. We've already seen measurable growth in terms of traffic, conversions, and attributable revenue.

How did they perform from a project management standpoint?

They do an excellent job. They're very organized and have great insights. We usually use Google Docs to keep track of everything. It’s a very collaborative process and I can learn a lot from them (as an entrepreneur and a fashion designer, I don’t have much experience with digital marketing).

What did you find most impressive about them?

They're very conscientious and always make sure their client is happy. Also, they have a lot of expertise, so they bring great ideas to the table.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, nothing comes to mind. I've been quite happy overall.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Have a clear scope of work and objectives. As they grow, they'll get busier, so it’s good to stay on top of your agenda.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the executive director of the National Stuttering Association. We provide information and support to people who stutter, in addition to workshops, annual conferences, and family fun days.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with FWRD?

Our aim was to increase our visibility on Google, getting towards the top for relevant keywords, and generally enhancing any of the results to do with searches for “stuttering”.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

We sat down and created a plan to move forward and increase our visibility online. Since we're a non-profit and we're not savvy in terms of Google AdWords or any other aspect of digital marketing, they were tasked with handling this. They took a look of our website in order to see what we could enhance and what we could get rid of—which pages were dead and what titles could be enhanced to improve their search rankings.

They also helped me implement some online forms to go with various applications and scholarship funds. This is still an ongoing process, as those change monthly and yearly.

What is the team composition? 

Sam (Founder and CEO, FWRD) was our main point of contact.

How did you come to work with FWRD?

A member of the board recommended FWRD when we were looking for someone.

How much have you invested with them?

The cost of their work has been close to $5,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

Deadlines moved back and forth because of my availability. The work covered a six-week period, but we still have an ongoing relationship. 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They've gone over a couple of Google Analytics reports with me, and I've seen an increase in traffic, especially for pages onto which forms were inserted. The end-product was great.

How did FWRD perform from a project management standpoint?

They were meticulous and on-the-ball with anything they were supposed to do. Sam was easy to work with—we had a lot of back-and-forth over email, but if there was something I needed to stress the importance of, I could pick up the phone.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciated their way of explaining the subject matter to people who don’t fully understand it. It was helpful to me, allowing me to inform my board what I’m spending money on and what is being done. I liked that they provided this information in layman’s terms, as well as the fact that they do what they say they're going to do. Attention to detail is important and they certainly have it.

Are there any areas they could improve?

It may be because my project was so small, but I haven’t found any downsides to them or the way in which they handled anything.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Enter the project knowing exactly what you want. I believe that this is how I got the best end-result, as I could throw different ideas out there and they caught them all. Once I knew exactly what I wanted, they ran with it. 

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I am the chief marketing officer at Shatterproof. We are a nonprofit focused on reducing the devastation caused by substance abuse and addiction.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with FWRD Digital?

We wanted to use our Google Ad Grant to drive acquisition of new constituents into our database.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

FWRD helped us optimize our Google Grant by restructuring our previous keyword focuses to stimulate customer acquisition. They set up dashboards to manage PPC and track ongoing progress.

What is the team composition?

We worked mainly with the CEO.

How did you come to work with FWRD Digital?

I received a recommendation from a past partner.

How much have you invested with them?

We have spent $8,000 so far, but our full contract is for roughly $15,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We signed a yearlong contract beginning in February 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We saw our highest rates of grant utilization, email acquisition, and PPC conversions after the first month of using their optimization strategies.

How did FWRD Digital perform from a project management standpoint?

The kept an up-to-date and detailed GoogleDoc that allowed smooth communication between our teams. We scheduled a weekly call to discuss progress summaries and key insights.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team showed a passion for constant improvement.

Any advice for potential customers?

I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for SEO and PPC assistance.