Essentium

Case Study

Brainstorm Helps 3D Printer Manufacturer Increase
Website Traffic and Inbound Leads

The Company

Essentium is a manufacturer of innovative industrial-grade 3D printers and materials, serving a variety of government agencies and large organizations across the globe in aerospace, defense, biomedical, and electronic manufacturing applications, among others.

Essentium's version of 3D printing technology, called High Speed Extrusion, is bigger, better, faster, and more accurate than most competitive systems, delivering several performance advantages. Their website and marketing strategy, however, undersold the company.

Mobile design for 3D printing company

The Challenge

Essentium saw organic growth after winning several government contracts, and management was seeking to leverage those successes to further accelerate growth in the commercial sector. The company website showcased its technology well enough, but it fell short on capturing the forward-thinking strategic partnership and exciting development opportunities that Essentium offered. As a result, the website generated minimal traffic and had a limited impact on sales.

Management needed a nimble, inbound marketing and web development agency that understood high-tech and manufacturing to drive qualified web traffic, increase brand awareness, and increase lead generation. Essentium called Brainstorm.

Services Provided
Website Development, Inbound Marketing and Paid Search

View Website

The Solution

First, our web development team conducted a thorough discovery to understand Essentium's business, goals, target audience, and competition. That gave us the data needed to plan and build a custom WordPress website with a user-first experience in mind; one that would enable visitors to easily find the products and technical resources they're looking for.

Next, our SEO and technical writing team worked with subject matter experts to populate the site with content intended to help educate engineers and prospects learn how Essentium's unique brand of 3D printing technology and materials could solve their problems and support their applications. The written content included blogs, design tips and material selection guides, white papers, technology comparisons, and customer case studies-all optimized for search engines (SEO) and coupled with a paid search campaign to boost qualified traffic. Each piece contained a call-to-action with links to forms to download gated content. Captured lead information is then ranked with an advanced HubSpot lead scoring system to prioritize prospects and alert the sales team.

Then, we used automated email workflows (also through HubSpot) as the foundation of an inbound marketing program. Leads captured from content downloads were nurtured through a coordinated series of emails designed to guide the buyers' journey and move them to a conversation with the Essentium sales team. All of the contact data was automatically synced from HubSpot to Salesforce CRM, ensuring the sales team had accurate prospect information and intelligence.

HubSpot + Salesforce

The Results

After the website and inbound marketing programs were launched, site traffic increased by 135% compared to the prior year. The average time spent on the website also increased 50%, demonstrating the site's enhanced content proved more engaging to the audience. More importantly, there was a 52% increase in leads for the first year of the inbound marketing program as compared to the previous year. Finally, the end result was a measurable 55% increase in sales, from marketing activities, plus a pipeline full of prospects for future sales.

More Conversions

135%

More Traffic

Fastload

52%

Increase in Leads

More Sales

55%

More Sales

AccuData Workforce Solutions

Accu Data Workforce Solutions

Client name

Challenge

Accu Data is a payroll and human capital management solutions provider, serving small- to mid-sized businesses in the Tri-State area and beyond. Though their current client base was loyal, Accu Data needed help standing out in a crowd of large competitors. One key issue was an outdated website, which made it difficult for potential clients to discover Accu Data’s unique offerings.

Services Provided

  • Inbound Marketing
  • Website Development
  • Video Production
  • SEO & Paid Search

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Workforce Website Design

Solution

After auditing Accu Data’s website and their existing marketing strategies, we determined Accu Data’s cloud-based technology and dedicated, personal approach were key differentiators to highlight. We refreshed their website, not just to emphasize this new message, but to improve the user experience, with a responsive design, simpler navigation, videos and helpful resources. We also developed a strategic SEO and inbound marketing program that included informative blogs, guides, infographics and automated workflows to engage current and potential clients.

Workforce Print Collateral

Results

Accu Data’s new website effectively communicated their value to prospects with a fresh and easy-to-navigate design that stood out against the competition. With improved usability and easy access to insightful content and business resources, Accu Data developed a steady stream of qualified leads while positioning itself as a trusted expert in their industry. The client also greatly improved their search engine rankings, with several Page One listings in Google.

Wave Broadband

Wave Broadband

Client name

Overview

Wave Business is a leading provider of business-class broadband solutions, serving West Coast businesses of all sizes. Wave turned to Brainstorm for strategies to help build awareness of their internet and voice solutions, boost social media engagement, and increase business leads.

Services Provided:

  • Content Marketing
  • Email Campaigns
  • Social Media
  • Paid Search

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Wave Technology Mobile Web Design

Solution

We developed and implemented an aggressive multi-channel, digital lead generation program, consisting of email campaigns promoting new offers, plus programmatic display and paid search ads. We also created articles and white papers on high-interest industry topics and trends, which presented Wave as a thought leader in the communications services space. Through it all, we managed all social media posts and interactions to keep users informed and engaged. This digital program has helped Wave build its brand awareness, promote its key services, and increase new business leads.

Results

Our social media push resulted in a substantial growth in followers, engagement and post clicks. Net follower growth on Twitter rose 604% and on LinkedIn, it rose 258%. Paid search ad campaigns delivered a steady stream of leads per month, and our inbound marketing materials increased website traffic significantly, as well as the average time spent on the site.

Digital Whitepaper Marketing

Digital Transitions

Digital Transitions

Challenge

Digital Transitions, a New York-based provider of high-end photography and scanning equipment, came to Brainstorm Studio looking to update their existing websites and expand into other markets. Key goals included unifying the brand identity, creating unique sites for the company’s various divisions, integrating more advanced e-commerce functionality, promoting the company’s workshops and events, and developing a CMS-based “Photographer Spotlight” that allowed the DT team to showcase emerging talent.

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Website Design: DT Commercial Photo

Solution

The Brainstorm and Digital Transitions teams first redesigned the company’s commercial website. A logo and brand identity package were created and the WordPress-based site was re-engineered and optimized for improved performance. A similar re-branding and redevelopment project was then undertaken for the company’s Cultural Heritage division. Finally, a parent company website was built as a gateway to the various divisions. Site enhancements included: animated responsive banners, a new online software license management system, better overall integration with the Salesforce CRM and much more.

Results

As the Brainstorm/DT partnership continues to evolve, we’re thrilled to help the company expand market share within the high-end photography and imagine market. As each new challenge arises, our teams come together to brainstorm new ideas, iterate enhanced website functionality, and create high-impact digital experiences that benefit the company’s bottom line.

RCN Telecom Services

RCN Telecom Services

Challenge

RCN Telecom is well known in multiple geographic markets for its residential offerings. To help expand its B2B presence (for both enterprises and SMBs) and generate new revenue, RCN needed to increase social awareness of its products and services – such as internet connectivity, hosted voice, managed security, etc.

Telecom-Eblast-Ipad

Solution

Brainstorm proposed a social media program to position RCN as a thought leader and trusted advisor and to foster social conversations among followers and key target audiences. Brainstorm created relevant and helpful content to appeal to RCN’s defined buyer personas, with the goal of adding value at every stage of the buyers’ journey.

Telecom Social Media Marketing

Results

In just the first 90 days of the RCN social media program, Brainstorm increased engagement on LinkedIn by 8% (the industry average is 2%), boosted Twitter and LinkedIn followers by over 10%, and increased the average time spent on web relevant web pages by 50%.

Telecom Digital Map Design
Telecom Brochures Design

Services Provided

To achieve the above results, Brainstorm incorporated a strategic mix of targeted services:

  • Social Media Management
  • Short-Form Articles
  • White Papers
  • Infographics
  • Social Listening
  • Off-Line Marketing Support

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CloudFirst

Case Study

Brainstorm Uses Inbound Marketing to
Help Cloud Services Provider Stand Out

The Challenge

After their parent company Data Storage Corporation (DTST) went public on NASDAQ, CloudFirst needed to demonstrate significant growth by raising brand awareness and increasing revenue for their subscription-based cloud services to keep shareholders happy.

The problem was two-fold: First, not every company is ready to migrate IT services to the cloud; some decision-makers are reluctant due to data security and performance concerns, making every lead more valuable. Second, cloud services is a highly competitive market for with several big players such as Amazon and Google dominating the industry. But CloudFirst had a niche in the IBM Power Systems market that was the center of its go-to-market strategy, content, and website that was not being fully exploited.

The Solution

Brainstorm planned and executed an inbound marketing program, supplemented by highly relevant content in the form of blogs, guides, white papers, videos, and webinars to drive qualified prospects to CloudFirst's website and help educate visitors on the unique benefits of its cloud-based solutions to resolve any hesitancy about safely migrating to the cloud

The content, developed by Brainstorm technical writers in partnership with CloudFirst subject matter experts, specifically addressed the pain points organizations often experienced with IT services and proven examples of how CloudFirst's solutions have helped others. The content was carefully coordinated with SEO keyword research to maximize organic search traffic, while also driving traffic with paid Google and LinkedIn ads.

Top-of-the-funnel content such as blogs were made available for immediate download on the website, while gated content offers (in-depth white papers, webinars, and guides) were used to capture contact information for qualified leads.

All contacts were stored in CloudFirst's HubSpot CRM and graded using a customized lead scoring system so they could be prioritized for appropriate follow-up by the CloudFirst team. Marketing qualified leads (MQLs) were nurtured with a series of emails to move prospects along, while Sales qualified leads (SQLs) were quickly elevated to the sales team to schedule meetings and provide quotes. All campaigns and activities were managed with HubSpot software and synced with the clients' Salesforce CRM.

Services Provided

  • Inbound Marketing
  • Content Creation
  • Marketing Automation
  • HubSpot to SalesForce Integration
  • Social Media
  • Paid Search
  • Website Development

Data Storage Corporation

The Results

The inbound marketing program has proven to be so successful in delivering highly qualified and cost-effective leads that CloudFirst has seen a 400% return on investment (ROI) for five straight years (2017 to 2022).

Today, the inbound marketing campaign and associated content continue to evolve to maintain relevancy in the face of the latest trends and threats to the IT community. In the first half of 2022, Leads continue to increase, up 21% compared to the prior year. The program continues to be a major part of CloudFirst’s growth strategy going forward, along with an emphasis on recruiting channel partners and expanding their geographical footprint.

Fastload

21%

Increase in Leads

More Sales

15%

Decrease in Lead Cost

More Conversions

400%

Return on Investment

Brocade Communication Systems

Brocade Communication Systems

Challenge

Brocade, a global IT networking solutions company, came to Brainstorm in need of a compelling video that would effectively position the brand as a viable source for networking technology for the healthcare sector. Previous attempts at videos for this sector hadn’t properly positioned the brand.

Healthcare Video Production

Solution

After in-depth discussions with the client, we scripted a narrative for the video that elevated the human level while highlighting Brocade’s unique business value. With sign-off from the client, our video team brought the script to life, marrying dynamic motion graphics with imagery from Brocade’s extensive iconographic library. The finished video was completed on schedule for display on the corporate website and at trade shows.

Healthcare Video Marketing

Results

Working on a tight deadline, Brainstorm delivered a video that came in on time, on budget, and beyond expectations. The client said that no vendor had ever been as successful in picking up their visual language so quickly, utilizing their brand in a creative way to impactfully deliver their message. Services provided included:

  • Scripting
  • Storyboarding
  • Audio casting and recording
  • Creative production
  • Animation
  • Sound design

Let’s Brainstorm

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