Headquarter In: Richmond, VA
Employees Headcount: 11-50
Small businesses are the backbone of American job creation, responsible for over 65% of new jobs, as reported by the Small Business Administration (SBA). However, these businesses often struggle with understanding the complexities of Google’s systems, which play a crucial role in how people discover them. This is where Third Marble Marketing steps in.
Imagine Google as the map that helps people find local businesses. Third Marble Marketing acts as the guide for small business owners who might not have the time or expertise to navigate Google’s intricacies. They have a track record of helping many businesses shine online, so they can attract more customers.
Third Marble Marketing has fine-tuned their approach over the years to ensure that businesses get noticed on Google without spending too much money. They’ve figured out how to deliver great results efficiently and affordably.
What’s amazing about Third Marble Marketing is that their work doesn’t just benefit businesses; it also has a positive impact on local communities. By helping businesses succeed online, they indirectly contribute to creating more local job opportunities.
In today’s digital world, where Google can make or break a business’s visibility, Third Marble Marketing stands out as a valuable partner. They simplify the complex world of online presence, letting small business owners focus on what they do best. With each success story, Third Marble Marketing shows how their expertise not only boosts businesses but also strengthens local economies.
The Visionary behind Third Marble Marketing
Chris Fawcett, Founder and CEO of Third Marble Marketing, brings an engineering background and experience from a major ecommerce company into his digital marketing ventures. His path into digital marketing started with a local pizza shop wanting a website. This early lesson emphasized that having a website isn’t enough; effective online advertising is vital for success. This realization prompted him to blend engineering precision with digital marketing finesse, creating a distinctive approach that considers both technical algorithms and human behavior, evident in his journey from engineering to the area of digital marketing.
A turning point emerged when the pizza shop owner sought guidance on a contract proposed by a digital marketing agency. The contract demanded a substantial $1200 monthly investment for a year-long commitment. This prompted Chris to delve deeper into the world of online marketing.
He embarked on an exploration of various strategies, including search engine optimization, email marketing, social media engagement, and pay-per-click campaigns across platforms like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. Through this process, Chris discovered that Google Ads outshone other strategies in terms of effectiveness, cost-efficiency, and time investment. Recognizing that Google Ads generated the lion’s share of website traffic, the pizza shop decided to focus exclusively on this platform, discontinuing other marketing efforts.
Chris was intrigued by the pricing discrepancies he witnessed. While he struggled to spend even $300 per month, a reputed agency quoted $1200 for similar services. This realization sparked his curiosity about whether other small businesses faced the same challenges and required accessible digital marketing solutions.
Inspired by his findings, Chris engaged with local businesses and unearthed shared stories of high costs and inefficiencies in their online marketing endeavors. This led to the birth of Third Marble Marketing, driven by his vision to offer effective and reasonably priced digital marketing solutions tailored to the needs of small businesses facing similar obstacles.
Unlocking Digital Success
Third Marble Marketing specializes in driving businesses to the forefront of Google search results through its comprehensive Search Engine Optimization (SEO) services and adept management of Google Ads campaigns. The company caters to a wide range of budgets, accommodating clients with budgets spanning from $300 to $50,000 or more per month for Google Ads. Their expertise covers various types of ads, including search, display, remarketing, shopping, PMAX, and YouTube ads. With a focus on local SEO, they also extend their services to national and ecommerce websites.
What truly sets Third Marble apart from competitors is its client-centric approach to Google Ads management. Unlike many other companies that tack on substantial management fees to the Google Ads spend, Third Marble provides flexibility with its service level plans. Clients can select the plan that aligns best with their needs. The Starter Plan offers email support and management, while the Growth Plan includes a dedicated contact and monthly progress review calls for a more hands-on experience.
Importantly, all plans offer the same level of service; the difference lies in the degree of included account management. This allows Third Marble to cater to both fledgling businesses and established enterprises seeking enhanced service.
Their Local and National SEO packages are also customizable, with options based on the number of website pages or additional services desired. For smaller local businesses with fewer pages, Package 1 (10 pages per quarter) is recommended. Tailored for sizable national businesses with ample pages, Package 2 presents an unmatched Local SEO offering. While encompassing 60 or more pages per month bridging the gap between Local and National SEO pricing tiers seamlessly.
Third Marble takes pride in its pre-planned packages, fostering marketing strategy flexibility. As a company solely dedicated to Google Ads and SEO, they possess an in-depth industry expertise that sets them apart from agencies juggling multiple specialties. The company distinguishes itself by its process-oriented approach. Unlike agencies often characterized by a project-based model, Third Marble applies its proven processes to Google Ads and SEO services. Their meticulously mapped-out processes and clear timelines ensure clients are paying solely for the work performed, with the option of additional Account Management if desired.
Strategy for Navigating Google’s Ever-Changing Landscape
From Third Marble’s perspective, Google’s dynamic nature necessitates a continuous evolution of the company’s operational processes. As a recognized Google Partner, the company enjoys privileged access to emerging features in Google Ads, often in their Beta stages. This partnership empowers it to offer its clients exclusive advantages derived from its status as a Google Partner.
The realm of SEO presents distinct challenges. Third Marble’s team is consistently engaged in analyzing various reports and monitoring industry blogs to detect shifts in Google’s algorithm. More often than not, its team identifies algorithmic changes before they are formally announced by Google.
Both its Google Ads and SEO departments maintain a vigilant watch over Google’s developments. Upon deciphering a significant change, Third Marble’s supper management evaluates the adjustments required in its processes. Subsequently, the entire company convenes for comprehensive training to integrate the updated processes.
Staying attuned to these changes is paramount, particularly within the context of Google Ads. Google frequently introduces updates that primarily benefit high-spending Google Ads accounts, accumulating substantial data. However, for Third Marble’s smaller business accounts, these updates may not be as advantageous. Therefore, while it capitalizes on these changes for its larger clients, the company also invests effort into mitigating any negative impact these changes may have on its more modestly budgeted accounts. This duality underscores Third Marble’s commitment to serving a diverse range of clients with tailored solutions.
Mission to Propel Growth Through Google Solutions
Third Marble’s vision is intricately tied to the growth of small businesses. The mission is to craft accessible Google solutions that propel their clients’ businesses forward. The foundation of the company’s approach rests on core values encompassing transparency, client-centricity, efficiency, collaboration, and excellence within their industry. These values converge to engineer tailor-made solutions that drive their clients’ business expansion.
Frequently, Third Marble receives inquiries from potential clients who have encountered challenges while managing Google Ads independently or with larger agencies. Given that a significant portion of their clientele comprises small or local businesses, often managed by multitasking owners juggling various responsibilities, the company places paramount importance on fostering transparency. This transparency serves as a bedrock for building trust swiftly and delivering results promptly.
According to Chris, a recurring challenge they navigate daily involves individuals who’ve faced negative experiences with other companies. A key aspect of their service is offering diverse levels of support to guide clients through the intricate landscape of Google Ads, which can be overwhelming due to its data intricacies, constant changes, and technical aspects. For clients who’ve encountered previous setbacks, Third Marble often recommends their Growth Plan. This plan facilitates regular monthly phone calls with dedicated Account Managers, providing a platform to comprehensively explain account developments. As clients become more comfortable and acquainted with the service, they can transition to the Starter Plan for cost-efficient support, eliminating the need for frequent calls and relying on email assistance.
In essence, Third Marble’s aspiration extends beyond immediate business growth. They aim to assist small businesses that have encountered setbacks with Google Ads in the past, fostering education, familiarity, and trust in this advertising medium. By being transparent and collaborating closely, the company endeavors to redefine the client experience and instill confidence in working with a reputable partner.
Creating a Collaborative Haven
According to Chris, one of the most exhilarating moments of achievement occurred during the transition to Third Marble’s current office space. As their client base expanded and the need for additional staff became apparent, the requirement for a more spacious office emerged as well. Liz Morrow, the Director of New Business, played a significant role in orchestrating the office’s design to align with the company’s requirements. Her efforts yielded an environment that seamlessly blended comfort and professionalism, catering to both the team and occasional client visits. In fact, the team even organized an office event involving acrylic paint pouring, resulting in a captivating collage of employee creations displayed in the lobby. This collage serves as a vivid representation of the diverse individuals that comprise Third Marble Marketing.
Furthermore, as the company continues to recruit for various positions, Chris expresses unflagging enthusiasm when welcoming new team members. Given their process-oriented approach, while skill sets are certainly important, a strong emphasis is placed on personality during the hiring process. They actively seek individuals who share the aspiration to facilitate the growth of local businesses, as they firmly believe in the reciprocal relationship between local business success and community economic growth. Their philosophy is that by aiding businesses to flourish, these businesses, in turn, can contribute to their communities by expanding their workforce, supporting local initiatives, and participating in charitable endeavors. Hence, the quest for motivated individuals who align with this goal remains a priority. The added bonus of harmonious teamwork and shared enjoyment in their collaboration adds a layer of fulfillment to each working day.
Navigating the Google Ads Landscape with Transparency and Patience
Chris’ foremost advice underscores the importance of transparency and patience in client interactions. In an industry where misleading claims and inexperienced practitioners abound, it’s vital to be forthright with clients and exhibit patience in guiding them through the intricacies of Google Ads. Many potential clients might feel overwhelmed by technical terminology, so the ability to explain concepts in accessible language or educate them about industry jargon is essential.
Simultaneously, it’s crucial to remember that the objective isn’t solely to drive website traffic; it’s about generating phone calls and quantifiable outcomes. This commitment to tangible results has remained unwavering regardless of evolving trends. Amid Google’s ongoing updates, ensuring that staff members stay informed about these changes becomes an imperative.
Analyze the data meticulously, recognizing that strategies yielding success for one client might not translate equally for another. Addressing client expectations is equally important, as many anticipate instantaneous results, which are seldom realistic. Google Ads operates as a database marketing tool, necessitating time to collect sufficient data for informed bidding adjustments.
Chris highlights the correlation between budget and results. While clients can witness outcomes with modest budgets, achieving a positive ROI may take longer due to the optimization process. In this context, increased data begets better decisions and results, making a healthy budget a catalyst for expediting data accumulation and trend identification.
Understanding user behavior, thought processes, and search patterns is paramount. The rise of voice search and digital assistants has introduced novel search terms, influencing how people seek products and services. Adapting strategies to these shifts is pivotal to maintaining relevance.
Building Bonds Through Communication
“We are big on collaboration and communication at Third Marble,” says Chris. Third Marble’s team places significant emphasis on fostering communication, connection, and collaboration among its team members through a structured approach to meetings and interactions. One of the central components of this approach is the bi-weekly team meeting, where the entire company convenes to receive general updates about Third Marble, collectively address challenging accounts, and maintain a sense of unity. This gathering also includes a round-table segment where each team member can share personal highlights, offering insights into their lives outside of work. This practice serves as a means of reinforcing the understanding that everyone is a multifaceted individual with rich experiences and stories to share. It cultivates connections among team members beyond professional roles.
In addition to these company-wide meetings, individual department meetings provide a space for team members to receive specialized support for projects or collaboratively tackle specific challenges that may arise within their areas of expertise. This structured framework allows for targeted problem-solving and knowledge exchange.
Acknowledging the significance of remote work in the modern work landscape, the company has adapted its communication strategies to accommodate this shift. Prior to the pandemic, the company already had a blend of office and remote work, but the complete transition to remote work prompted a deliberate effort to maintain strong connections among team members. Virtual meetings have taken on an elevated level of importance, serving not only practical purposes but also as a crucial means of sustaining the sense of collaboration and camaraderie that existed in the physical office environment.
Small Business Success in the Digital Age
Third Marble is actively focused on enhancing its online presence and providing valuable resources to support small businesses in improving their digital footprint. A key initiative involves sharing success stories and offering practical tips and tricks through the company’s blog. By sharing insights on optimizing Google My Business profiles or setting up effective landing pages for conversions, Third Marble aims to empower small businesses with actionable guidance that can significantly impact their digital presence. This approach is particularly beneficial for clients who engage Third Marble’s services for Google Ads management or SEO, as they can leverage these insights to maximize the effectiveness of their campaigns.
The company is committed to operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The company continually works on streamlining its processes to minimize overhead costs, enabling them to pass on these savings to their clients. Notably, recent efforts have involved conducting studies on shopping ads, leading to noteworthy successes for clients.
Recognizing opportunities for expansion, Third Marble has extended its services to include white label solutions for other marketing agencies. This strategic move not only broadens the company’s reach but also positions it to scale its business by providing specialized services to a wider client base. By combining a commitment to value-driven content, efficient processes, and innovative approaches to service offerings, Third Marble is positioned to continue delivering impactful solutions and support to small businesses seeking to enhance their digital presence and marketing efforts.