We are SearchSwarm! We are a data-driven search marketing agency. The core principles behind digital can be reasonably straightforward but for us, it goes much further than that.
We pride ourselves on understanding the data used to influence search algorithms.
“Never give up and don’t be afraid to ask for advice when needed”
How did the idea of SearchSwarm came about?
Having worked in digital for over 10 years. I found that most agencies used a “shotgun” approach to solving problems. Campaigns would be created around the personal biases of the creative/marketing manager in charge of the project. Because of this, I found that almost every campaign was nothing short of a complete failure in its ability to achieve the desired impact. Approximately, 10-30% of all marketing campaigns would carry the overall success of the project. Having 70%-90% of total effort being wasted was completely farcical.
However, with my background in Software Engineering, I found using a ‘data-first’ approach led to more accurate campaigns. This ultimately reduced the amount of effort and resources being wasted and spurred me to found SearchSwarm.
Your philosophy is; “leverage the power of your data”. Do you think every brand should adopt data-driven marketing?
Ultimately, the success of every business rests with making the right decisions; do you increase the number of staff in your organization or invest the extra capital in marketing? Should you use print or digital media to promote your products or services? If you do, when and how do you promote your products or services?Decisions are always the key to success and having the right information at the right time is critical to informing and empowering those decisions.
Simply put; data is information, information is insight and insights inform decisions!
When asked if business should adopt a data-driven approach, my answer’s always the same; “your competitors have and if you don’t, you will fall behind”.
According to you what is the next big trend in online marketing?
Mobile. Absolutely mobile. Google have already started to put mobile first in some ways and with more and more people using mobiles over desktop we can envision that mobile will become the dominant device for everything, including being a human like personal assistant in the future!
What are the biggest struggles in your startup journey you came across so far?
As we’re entirely self-funded, the initial push to become ramen sustainable was probably the most arduous challenge. Though it’s great to have complete control and autonomy to execute a vision and build a company based on my values; the lack of a safety net normally associated with investment has been very challenging.
As the company has matured, I’ve found the challenges themselves change; but we’re still faced with a challenge of some form. That’s startup life, always challenges.
If you had one golden rule for any budding entrepreneurs out there, what would it be?
Never give up and don’t be afraid to ask for advice when needed.
You have chosen Rainmaking Loft as SearchSwarm’s first home, why did you choose to establish your startup in a co-working space?
Rainmaking Loft is definitely a great startup home for us. As getting a private office can be expensive when you are such a young company, a co-working space is an ideal place! Although cost is an important factor, you do not realise until you are here, the invaluable knowledge you get from everyone from the loft!