From March to July, 2018, my firm, Bernstein Crisis Management, paid Brand Iron Marketing more than $22,000 to develop and launch a new business development program for us using marketing automation techniques, amongst others. Plus the costs of the SharpSpring marketing automation software under their license. By July, we had zero ROI (return on investment), no business developed whatsover. We had some improved tools (e.g., a capabilities presentation) with which Brand Iron had assisted, but hardly any decent leads and none which converted into new business - or even close. Also in that first six months, we had continuous issues with the relatively junior account person assigned to write new business pitches and teach us how to use SharpSpring effectively as a marketing automation tool. Frequent typos. Frequent demonstration of the fact that she didnt really understand what we do for a living. Belatedly, one of their most senior people stepped in and they actually provided two more months work, gratis. But heres the deal. There was STILL zero percent ROI. Zero. We dropped them. We dropped SharpSpring. We hired an independent marketing rep to do virtually the same thing. Six weeks from when he hit the ground running, we had eight STRONG new relationships with senior partners at national law firms (major referral source for us) that bill over $50M annually. Within two days of an intro meeting with one of those attorneys, that lawyer referred another lawyer at his firm to us, and we billed a quick $5K+ in two days, more than paying for all of my sales reps first two months fees. He even re-pitched some of the same attorneys to whom Brand Iron had reached out - and landed more appointments. So, proof positive that it could be done - but Brand Iron failed. When I asked for at least a partial refund, this was the reply from Brand Iron president Michael Doyle: Jonathan - I am happy that your current "sales guy" is producing results for you. I know we worked hard for you to get the program set up for you all and fulfill our contractual obligations. We actually delivered more emails and collateral than what was in the proposal. Brand Iron will not be offering a refund for any services. In other words, Mr. Doyle thinks that just because they sent out a lot of emails, theyve earned their keep. With zero ROI, I dont think so. Caveat emptor.
Taking forever for our small project and the simplest things a kindergarten can see, they can't.
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