RSO Consulting

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

Frontdesk Anywhere is a property management system and an SAS [statistical analysis system] company that provides property management system software to hospitality properties like hotels, motels, and so on. As an SAS company, everything goes online. We have 20 employees and are located in San Francisco.

What is your role and responsibilities?

I am the online marketing manager, and I am responsible for everything regarding marketing. I am responsible for SEO [search engine optimization], SEM [search engine marketing], inbound marketing, social media marketing, and lead generation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with RSO Consulting?

I started working here toward the end of 2013, but RSO had been working here for two years already. We wanted to bring on someone to handle the search engine marketing in-house. I was hired to do that. RSO Consulting was very understanding and professional about that decision. Now that I’m also responsible for this, they are working together with us to optimize what we are spending on Google AdWords and several other networks including AdRoll for the retargeting campaign.

RSO's responsibilities are to manage all of our campaigns in Google AdWords and AdRoll and to reduce the cost per leads for them. They sent out status reports and suggestions every week based on their experience and knowledge.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

Sometimes, they come to our office to join our discussions. They are part of the team, and they spend time here for advising or consulting work.

They are not responsible for SEO at all. Every two weeks, we meet and they talk about SEO. They have a suggestion list based on the keywords that they are targeting for SEM and based on the negative keywords that I give them. They find some themselves. We talk every day, and they really help us here.

What was your company's process for selecting RSO Consulting with which to work?

Our company's co-founder and CEO knew RSO's principal. They also interviewed other candidates as well.

Can you provide a ballpark dollar figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

Six months ago, they worked about five or six hours per month. Because the AdWords campaign was already running, we had two 30-minute meetings each month to discuss what was happening. They were optimizing it.

When I was hired here, that five hours went to about 10 or 12 hours a month. We talk about the AdWords campaign every day to optimize it.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Do you have any statistics or metrics to track improvement from the project?

They helped us improve by 40 percent. For the two years that they worked here, it was around the same number.

Are you satisfied with their performance?

It's not easy to work with a consulting company that doesn’t have the expertise that the company has. It’s not just about their team. It involves all consulting companies, and it is hard for them to understand. For a startup like us, we don't always know all the industry trends either.

The relationship was normal, like any other consulting company. After the first two years, we started to dig into the market. Therefore, we are very satisfied with what RSO did. They accepted what they didn’t know, which is a huge step. They learned about the patterns in our market and what was going on. They added another member to their team, and she was in contact with me every day and started to learn about what we were doing in our markets. That is the best way to do this. Even if a company knows about online marketing, they need to know about the specific market that they want to serve. They did this pretty well. They might know more about property management systems than I know myself.

Is there anything unique about them that really makes them stand out, compared to other companies?

They were very honest about what can work and what cannot work. Other companies I’ve worked with did not look long term. RSO does think about long-term goals, even if it might cost them in client fees. They really care about our work and doing the right thing.

I have seen things differently than RSO a few times, when we were talking about different strategies. I knew that their suggestions were good for us, not for themselves.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or that you might do differently?

Perhaps they could have looked into our markets earlier. That is something that they changed. SEO and SEM are two different things. If you want to have an SEM campaign like Google AdWords or AdRoll, that team also needs to be responsible for SEO. Their opinion was even though they could take responsibility for SEO, they were two different things. I believe they could do a better job to focus on some integrated services that they could offer, such as SEO and SEM, as well as social media marketing. Integrating SEO in SEM could be one of their few weaknesses.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

We are an online retailer and sell motorcycle helmets. We do a lot of online advertising. We’ve been in business since 1996 and online since 1997. We have one small retail location where we do our order processing, but we do very little retail there.

What is your role and responsibilities?

I’m the CEO.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with RSO Consulting?

My goal was to gain new visitors to our website and ultimately have more sales. They really know what they’re doing in this space and are real experts in Google Analytics. They can figure out what’s going on with our company in a hurry, and they’re very good at establishing and meeting goals.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

RSO Consulting helped us with PPC [pay-per-click], social media, remarketing, and any way to drive traffic in. We also have done conversion rate work with them.

What was your process for selecting RSO Consulting with which to work?

A few years ago, a friend who is a consultant and well connected in the IT [information technology] world, told me about them. He knew of RSO Consulting and said they were the real deal, and they really are. My friend was using them for another project, and they had a meeting with them. I was impressed with their knowledge. When you’ve been in business as long as I have, you’ve heard everything and you know quite a bit, but you don’t have time to manage everything. That is where RSO Consulting came in.

Can you provide a ballpark dollar figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

It varies, but they usually put in 40 to 50 man-hours a month. The work is ongoing. They are an important part of our business moving forward.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Do you have any statistics or metrics to track improvement from the project?

We have had tremendous success with PPC campaigns and Google paid campaigns. When RSO Consulting took over, we were using another company. Our previous vendor was much more expensive. RSO Consulting put a lot of energy into the campaigns, and they’re very efficient in what they do. We had a similar experience with the Bing ads, and they did a great job for us. We saw 100 percent increases in our PPC campaigns.

Is there anything unique about them that really makes them stand out, compared to other companies?

There are so many companies out there that make promises and that haven’t been in business that long. The team at RSO Consulting knows what’s going on in the SEO space. They are in touch with what Google is doing, and they know social media very well. They have high-level people on the team. They have all the right stuff. Their level of competence stands out to me. I feel like they’re always a step ahead of me, which I don’t feel about too many people. They are able to step back and look at the big picture more than I am because I’m in the trenches all day long. I appreciate that quality.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or that you might do differently?

Not really. We’ve had a lot of changes in our industry and the market. We hired them in the middle of the recession. I don’t think anybody could have done any better.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company.

At Skyhigh Networks, we work in the cloud security space. We are a cloud enablement and visibility company, a startup that came out of stealth mode in February of 2013.

What is your role and responsibilities, please?

I am the director of demand generation for Skyhigh Networks. I came on mid-July 2013 as part of the marketing efforts team they were beginning to ramp up.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What was your goal for working with RSO Consulting?

In November and December of 2013, I brought RSO Consulting on board to help manage our paid search engine marketing. Working with them resulted in more, qualified leads coming to our site.

SOLUTION

Please describe the scope of their work.

In addition to paid SEO [search engine optimization] marketing, they also do AdWords, paid search by keywords. We are also starting to do PPC [pay-per-click] outreach through programs. We're beginning programs in LinkedIn. A lot of people will come to us, self-prescribed because of the Internet and websites. Seventy percent of their time is spent upfront researching before they’re even ready to talk to a vendor. Using analytics, paid search, and finding someone to find a narrow focus on keywords that map to our solution, and people that are in the mindset of shopping for solutions is their role.

What was your process for selecting RSO Consulting with which to work?

I used Rob at a previous startup for a short time because it was acquired very quickly. I had some initial experience with him and brought him to this startup.

Skyhigh had a vendor in place when I came on board. At that time, they were just driving eyes to Web pages, and there really wasn’t an eye to demand and there was no lead conversion. We didn’t have a large budget to put behind this channel like some larger companies. Because of our minimal investment, we weren’t getting as much love from the other agency.

Can you provide a ballpark dollar figure for the size of the work that they’ve done for you?

We invested about $3,500 to $4,000 a month. That is about 20 billing hours per quarter.

The work is ongoing, and we're doing benchmarking work now. I haven’t increased our spend until we can make a case for the areas where we can double down. In the last quarter, we spent our budget getting back on track, making sure we have good landing page copy and calls to action that map to what people are searching for online. We’ve already started to see conversions from those activities, but we're getting a little more intelligence and refined information before we make further investments. We will continue and then expand if we see success.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Do you have any statistics or metrics to track improvement from the project?

We went from a zero acquisitions rate because we weren't getting any conversions based on the previous company's work, to about 15 to 20 average conversions a month. We are filling out the landing page. We are seeing a higher quality of person who fills out the form as we refine them. I was very pleased to see that while those numbers seem somewhat low, the quality was quite good. We were getting executive-level people filling out the forms off the page search.

How has RSO Consulting performed?

We are very satisfied. Rob [Sanders, founder of RSO Consulting] has a great expertise and knowledge with so many tools on the page searches, such as finding the dedicated targets online with customer or prospect acquisition.

Even with my minimal investment, I still got the expertise and handling of someone who had a bigger budget. They have an affinity and passion for what they do, and they want to share that knowledge. They want to invest in people's success, whether you’re a small company with a small budget or a big company with a big budget.

Is there anything unique about RSO Consulting that really makes them stand out, compared to other companies?

I think Rob's influence at the helm is a major factor. He is able to run a boutique-type agency versus some of the bigger agencies. He shares his expertise and is very knowledgeable, yet he can be very plain-spoken. At a startup, we all have to wear a lot of hats, and we're not able to put the time and attention into these programs. I rely on a team such as RSO Consulting.

Beyond that, Rob really takes the time to educate along the way, which helps me understand the metrics. He is able to do it in layman's terms, and he doesn’t come across as being condescending about his knowledge. He is able to show us where the progress is and make recommendations based on what we're learning. Even with my minimal investment, we work with his team members and have monthly calls for specific programs. I don’t think that Rob has missed a call yet. After a while, you might expect the top-level people to drop off in working with us day to day. Rob is always there to help monitor the success or any concerns or questions we may have.

Looking back on the work so far, is there any area that you think they could improve upon or that you might do differently?

It would be more on myself, to take more advantage of their knowledge and background, of being able to beef up budgets and take some of the learning away. I'm not tapping into them enough, versus any shortcomings on their side.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Attorney of Remedy Law Group LLP

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Represents employees in employment law litigation.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire RSO Consulting to accomplish?

• Maintain website and generate leads

SOLUTION

How did you find RSO Consulting?

Referral

Why did you select RSO Consulting over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Referred to me

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Maintained our website and generated leads.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We received leads that helped our business grow.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

RSO delivered quality work product.

What was your primary form of communication with RSO Consulting?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Their ability to generate leads was impressive.

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

More frequent check-ins.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Director of Marketing of a Community College 

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Community college

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire RSO Consulting to accomplish?

• Measuring ROI on digital marketing campaigns

SOLUTION

How did you find RSO Consulting?

in-person training

Why did you select RSO Consulting over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from RSO Consulting were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Google Marketing Platform Monthly Support for our College including Google Analytics, Optimize, Data Studio & Tag Manager and assistance with analysis, troubleshooting and other semi-advanced tasks to include but not limited to: 

• Identifying tracking needs (KPIs) 
• Setting up goals/events 
• Reporting assessment
• Setting up custom reports 
• GTM / GA configuration/tracking & setup 
• Content analysis 
• Website analysis and recommendations 
• A/B Testing

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

RSO has set up several LookerStudio (formerly DataStudio) reports for us to put all of our data in one place. We can measure campaign effectiveness and see highlights of site performance. Having all of this data in one place saves time.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

RSO is very responsive. We have a dedicated Slack channel and communicate regularly through email. We've received all of our deliverables in a timely manner.

What was your primary form of communication with RSO Consulting?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

RSO Consulting has become an extension of our own team.

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

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

 I am the Creative Project Manager

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Provide educational resources and online training tools.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire RSO Consulting to accomplish?

• SEO and digital marketing support

SOLUTION

How did you find RSO Consulting?

Other

Why did you select RSO Consulting over others?

• Close to my geographic location
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from RSO Consulting were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Support in SEO, digital marketing strategy, keyword analysis, PPC, etc.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Increased conversions and sales

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

They were always on time, attentive, and professional.

What was your primary form of communication with RSO Consulting?

• In-Person Meeting
• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

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

Creating a lasting and meaningful working relationship and collaboration

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

Our needs changed over time and they were always able to adapt

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Content Marketing Manager of Simplilearn

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Simplilearn is an online EdTech company specializing in innovative digital technologies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire RSO Consulting to accomplish?

• Content/blog creation
• Video tutorials
• Consulting

SOLUTION

How did you find RSO Consulting?

Other

Why did you select RSO Consulting over others?

High ratings

What was the size of RSO Consulting’s team?

I'm not exactly sure. 5 and 10 is my guess.

What was your primary form of communication with RSO Consulting?

Virtual Meeting, Email or Messaging App

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

RSO provided us with blogs regularly. The founder also presented in video tutorials and a few online classes.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

• Lead generation
• Engagement

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

RSO delivered assignments on time. While the quality was great, RSO immediately turned around any requested changes we needed.

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

RSO's expertise in digital marketing is exceptional. While working with RSO Consulting, I learned a ton from Rob and his team -- from the latest trends in the industry, search algorithm updates, content marketing strategies, and a style of professionalism that is both productive and fun.

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

Nothing that I can think of.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I was the marketing director for a company that manufactured electronics for industrial applications.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire RSO Consulting, and what were your goals?

RSO consulting was brought in to launch and manage our Google Ads project.

SOLUTION

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

I had worked with RSO at a prior company and was pleased with the results that we had achieved previously.

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

Our main goal was demand gen. Specifically, we wanted to maximize the volume of leads for our given budget. Our martech tools at the time were Salesforce and Marketo,

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

I believe we worked with 3 people at RSO. All were well versed in digital marketing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We were very pleased with the results. Volume was good, price per lead was great, and quality was within expectation.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

RSO was very easy to work with. Very responsive and very flexible.

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

RSO was able to manage the project with minimal oversight. They are very well organized and always completed their deliverables on-time and on-budget.

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

They were great to work with. No complaints.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the marketing manager a small off-grid solar e-com business in New Zealand

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire RSO Consulting, and what were your goals?

We hired RSO to help us with SEO and SEM, and some of the related digital marketing tasks that affected them

SOLUTION

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

I have worked with RSO previously at another start up in New Zealand and found the relationship beneficial.

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

We began with a kick off meeting and site audit to identify areas that needed work and budgets, then his team got stuck in and gave us a number of recommendations to work on and helped us create any relevant content needed for their work like digital advertising assets.

Over the next two years they've continued to manage our digital advertising (google ads etc) and have run a number of A/B tests, created and maintained reporting, the full run of SEO related tasks from keyword research to content creation, and a number or other small tasks in between.

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

We work with three key staff, Rob, Candice, and Anneliesz, who are our account manager, SEM contact, and SEO contact respectively.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

The digital advertising campaigns have been hugely successful. We're running a range of campaigns including shopping, search, display, and video, and together they have a ROAS of around 1000%. We've also seen our SEO improve greatly, I don't have exact numbers but we went from relatively obscure to appearing in position 1 for most of our preferred searches.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

We have zoom meetings twice a month to discuss progress and action items, with a live report we can check at any time. The team are always quick to respond to our email enquiries even with time zone differences.

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

They have a breadth of knowledge that allows us to ask them almost any question about e-com and digital marketing, and even if they don't have an answer they do their best to find one for us.

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

Nothing comes to mind!