We're On Pace To Double Our Digital Marketing Agency [Update]
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This is a follow up story for 930co. If you're interested in reading how they got started, published over 2 years ago, check it out here.
Hello again! Remind us who you are and what business you started.
My name is Joshua Hurley and I own 930co. Here is my original story and my follow up. 930co provides a full range of digital marketing services to our clients. We offer SEO, website design and development, social media marketing, paid ads, and much more. As an industry leader in SEO services, we have garnered excellent results for all of our clients.
Our company began at the height of the Pandemic. Despite the challenging times, we persevered and focused on delivering top-notch digital marketing solutions. Over time, we have not only expanded the variety of services we offer but have also seen significant growth in our revenue.
By the end of April this year, we had already surpassed our total sales for 2023, and we continue to experience steady growth.
Our journey has been one of dedication, innovation, and resilience. We owe our success to our committed team and our loyal clients who trust us to elevate their digital presence. As we look to the future, we are excited about the new opportunities and advancements in digital marketing that will allow us to serve our clients even better.
Tell us about what you’ve been up to. Has the business been growing?
Our business has seen growth not only in sales but also in the services we provide. We have added social media management, influencer recruitment, custom coding, and more. These new additions have provided us with new avenues for increased sales, allowing us to offer full digital marketing solutions and become a one-stop shop for marketing and IT. This April, we celebrated our 3rd anniversary.
Our team continues to evolve and grow as our business expands. With the introduction of new services such as social media marketing and influencer marketing, we recognized the need to enhance our skill set. This effort has paid off, as we have seen excellent results in driving foot traffic, website traffic, and sales for our clients across the United States.
In our third year, we are proud to say that we have maintained a 100% contract renewal rate with clients we have offered new contracts to. We remain loyal to the clients who have been loyal to us, providing them with new services and long-term pricing.
In 2023, we were once again named a top digital marketing agency by DesignRush, marking the third consecutive year we have received this honor. In late May this year, we also won a Netty Award for Best SEO and Content Strategy for our work with one of our clients, helping them open their doors and exceed their expectations.
As we continue to grow and innovate, we are committed to delivering exceptional results for our clients and exploring new opportunities in the ever-evolving digital marketing landscape.
What have been your biggest challenges in the last year?
Our biggest challenge has been adapting to growth that is quicker than anticipated as a company. As our client base expands and their needs become more complex, we continually look for new technologies, services, and talented individuals who can help us scale effectively.
Sometimes, the rapid pace of growth has made it difficult to keep up with client demands without additional support. To bridge this gap, we are partnering with several companies to not only provide extra capacity but also to bring in more technical knowledge across each area of service we offer.
Our business model has shifted predominantly towards digital marketing. This transition has been an invaluable learning experience, marking a significant evolution in our agency's approach. We have also benefited from our roots in IT services, seamlessly integrating these clients into our marketing division.
This integration has enriched our service offerings and reinforced our ability to deliver comprehensive solutions. Our growth can be attributed to our commitment to excellent service and the principle of always delivering on our promises.
This journey of rapid expansion has tested and proven our agility as a company. We've learned to adapt quickly, implementing new processes and technologies to keep pace with our clients' evolving needs. Our strategic partnerships have been crucial in this phase, enabling us to offer a wider array of services without compromising quality.
By continually seeking out innovative solutions and skilled professionals, we ensure that we can meet and exceed client expectations.
As we navigate this dynamic landscape, our focus remains on maintaining the high standards that have defined our success. We believe that our dedication to reliability and excellence sets us apart and drives our continued growth. Looking ahead, we are excited to explore new opportunities and further solidify our position as a leading digital marketing agency.
Don’t let setbacks drag you down. There’s going to be a bill you forgot about. Or a sale that you needed that fell through. Keep pushing forward.
What have been your biggest lessons learned in the last year?
The biggest lesson we've learned this year is about the potential pitfalls of over-investing in AI. Enthusiastic about the promise of AI to revolutionize our operations, we tested different AI systems for various tasks, including technical SEO, content creation, and data analysis.
However, as we rigorously evaluated these systems, we quickly realized that they aren't quite developed enough to make a significant impact on our work. The current capabilities of AI, while impressive in many respects, still fall short of the nuanced understanding and strategic thinking that our clients require.
Consequently, we've made the decision to scale back our use of AI in our digital marketing efforts almost completely. While the technology shows great potential, it is clear that for now, human expertise remains indispensable in delivering the high-quality, tailored services our clients have come to expect.
Despite this, we remain very open to AI and will continue to monitor its advancements. Our commitment to innovation means we will keep testing and experimenting with AI as the technology evolves, always ready to integrate it into our operations when it meets our stringent standards for efficacy and reliability.
This experience has been a valuable learning opportunity. It has reinforced the importance of balancing excitement about new technologies with a pragmatic approach to their implementation.
We have also strengthened our resolve to maintain our focus on providing exceptional, personalized service to our clients, leveraging human insight and creativity in ways that AI is not yet capable of replicating.
As we move forward, we will continue to explore the potential of AI, but with a more cautious and informed perspective, ensuring that any technological investments truly enhance our capabilities and service offerings.
One of our core objectives is to make high-level marketing services accessible to businesses of all sizes, including non-profits. We recognize the critical role that affordable, effective marketing plays in the growth and success of these organizations.
What’s in the plans for the upcoming year, and the next 5 years?
In the next year, we aim to enter our next stage of expansion by bringing on new team members and clients. This ambitious goal requires a multi-faceted approach and thorough planning. To achieve this, we are currently developing niche-specific products tailored for clients across various industries.
These specialized offerings will allow us to address the unique challenges and opportunities present in different sectors, ensuring that our clients receive highly relevant and effective marketing solutions.
Our team is deeply immersed in research and testing to refine these niche products. We are exploring innovative strategies and tools to enhance our services, and the initial results are promising. This exciting phase of development is fueling our enthusiasm and optimism for the future. We believe that these targeted products will not only differentiate us in the market but also significantly broaden our client base.
One of our core objectives is to make high-level marketing services accessible to businesses of all sizes, including non-profits. We recognize the critical role that affordable, effective marketing plays in the growth and success of these organizations. By offering fair and reasonable rates, we aim to support a wider range of clients, helping them achieve their goals and make a positive impact in their communities.
In the near future, we will be fine-tuning our niche-specific products and expanding our team to include professionals who bring diverse skills and perspectives. This expansion will bolster our capacity to serve an even broader array of clients. We are committed to maintaining the high standards of service and reliability that have become our hallmark, even as we grow.
As we look ahead, the potential to make a significant difference for our clients and to expand our reach is immense. We are dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation, ensuring that we remain at the bleeding edge of the digital marketing industry.
What’s the best thing you read in the last year?
Honestly, one of the best things I've read in the past year has been from a long-term client who recently created a new blog called Habitual Balance (www.habitualbalance.com). Her writing is not only real and intriguing but also infused with a great sense of humor. She has a remarkable ability to engage her readers through her authentic and relatable voice.
What makes Habitual Balance particularly special is her deep passion for helping people, especially in the realm of mental health. Her posts provide valuable insights and practical advice about being your best self. She addresses mental health issues with sensitivity and compassion, aiming to break the stigma and encourage open conversations.
She typically posts weekly, ensuring that there is always fresh content for her readers to enjoy. Her blog has quickly become a must-read for anyone interested in personal growth, mental well-being, and finding balance in life.
I would highly recommend everyone take a minute to visit Habitual Balance.
Advice for other entrepreneurs who might be struggling to grow their business?
Don’t let setbacks drag you down. There’s going to be a bill you forgot about. Or a sale that you needed that fell through. Keep pushing forward. I know it's cliche but don’t ever burn a bridge, things can change. Be open to evolving to what your customer needs, not just what you want to sell them.
Are you looking to hire for certain positions right now?
At this time we are not actively looking for any staff but will be looking to add teammates in the very near future. These positions will mostly be in the digital marketing services we provide.
Where can we go to learn more?
If you have any questions or comments, drop a comment below!
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