Rapid Growth of Social Media Management Agency Ideas That Evoke Driven by Referrals and Word-of-Mouth

Iowa native Kelly Ehlers has seen her social media management agency, Ideas That Evoke, experience rapid growth since moving to Wisconsin in 2012. About 70 percent of Ehlers' work is with beauty, salon, and spa companies, including Procter & Gamble, Wella Professionals, and Elizabeth Arden. The agency's focus on managing social media details and building relationships with clients has led to its success.

Key Takeaways:

• Ideas That Evoke has grown rapidly due to 100 percent referral and word-of-mouth business, with all clients coming from existing relationships.
• Ehlers believes that overmanaging details, rather than micromanaging, is the key to the agency's success in managing social media relationships.
• The agency excels in areas that other agencies often overlook, such as the finite details of social media relationships, which has led to its growth.
• Ehlers emphasizes the importance of self-education and staying up-to-date with social media trends to avoid getting left behind.
• She suggests reading industry publications, such as Advertising Age, Inc. magazine, and Entrepreneur magazine, to stay informed.
• Ehlers encourages transparency on social media and advises employees to maintain a professional online presence.
• The agency monitors employees' social media activity to ensure that their personal brand aligns with the company's brand.
• Ehlers recommends that job applicants be cautious about posting questionable material on social media, as it can impact their professional reputation.
• She suggests that businesses capitalize on Snapchat by building a following and engaging with customers during live events.

Statistics:

• 70 percent of Ideas That Evoke's work is with beauty, salon, and spa companies.
• 30 percent of the agency's work comes from various industries, including Tide Dry Cleaners, CapTel Captioned Telephone, and Vince's Wine, Beer & Spirits.
• The agency has seen rapid growth since moving to Wisconsin in 2012.
• 100 percent of Ideas That Evoke's business comes from referrals and word-of-mouth.

Sources:

• "Local Business Scene" Wisconsin State Journal