​The problem is too many people think it isn’t
You could attempt to handle your branding and marketing in-house, but that’s like trying to perform open-heart surgery on yourself after watching a few YouTube videos. Sure, you might get the job done, but there’s a good chance you’ll end up with a serious mess on your hands.
After spending decades in the field working across industries, verticals, and brands we know how to cut through the noise and focus on activities that are proven to get results. We stay up-to-date on the latest trends and leverage them when appropriate. Shiny objects no longer distract us. We want to know what keeps your target market up at night so we can craft stories they will give a damn about.
Guiding Principles
Although each project is bespoke and requires thoughtful and unique strategies, we anchor our approach in the following principles:
Real People Require Real Solutions
The power of Design Thinking — a repeatable, human-centered method for creative problem-solving and innovation, is at the core of everything we do. Our holistic approach to design takes inspiration from real people, works within market and technological constraints, and considers every touch-point as an opportunity to surprise, delight, and deliver benefits to customers.
Embrace The Chaos
Marketing is exciting and wild. You are contending with the intangible: perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, and emotions. We have learned that by embracing the chaos we are able to encourage experimentation, be comfortable with change, adapt quickly to new situations, be open to new ideas, explore uncharted territories, and pivot quickly when necessary. Chaos drives us.
The right people At The Right Time
Utilizing a bench of experienced freelancers allows Swell to tap into a diverse pool of specialized talent. This flexibility enables us to staff our projects with exactly the right people, quickly adapt to changing project needs, deliver high-quality work at a competitive price point, and support the local design community.
Treat Our Clients Like Our Crush
You deserve a partner that cares about your brand as much as you do (or maybe even more, if that is possible.) We are brutally transparent. You will always know where your budget and timeline stand. We are not afraid to say “We don’t know, but we’ll figure it out.” We’re in it with you. When you win, we win.
Zero Ping Pong Tables
Your hard-earned money is best spent on talent, not boujee studios filled with kegerators and pool tables in some swanky part of town. Our studio is spread out in shared workspaces and home offices across the pacific northwest, so your dollars go directly toward the work.
Red Rover,
Red Rover
You’ve already won half the battle by knowing it is critical to invest in marketing because it will help you understand and reach your target audience, increase brand awareness, generate new leads, and ultimately improve your bottom line. However, deciding who should do it can feel like being captain of your fifth grade dodgeball team. You get the first pick but now what? Greer is experienced but Sofia is nimble. Niko is strong but Asher is strategic.
So many options.
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You could tap a current employee who has shown interest in marketing but is that enough? Can they take on more responsibilities or would you need to backfill their role?
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You could hire a marketing FTE but what role makes the most sense? Will a director who provides vision and strategy also be willing to manage social and track data?
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You could hire a traditional agency but will they provide the personal partnership you are seeking?
Maybe this will help:
