Mariya Bentz founded MBM Agency to help small business clients create more impactful — and profitable — websites. Launched in 2017 as a side hustle, her self-funded venture now boasts over 75 clients. Mariya also hosts the top-rated Marketing Mindset Podcast. Mariya’s work has been recognized by Forbes (on Forbes Next 1000 List in 2021).
FWM: How did you pivot during the pandemic?
Thankfully, we didn’t have to pivot too much during the pandemic, since most business owners realized how important having an online presence was. We had a lot of inquiries from people who didn’t have a website, or needed to add to their website to be able to operate remotely (like adding payment options, a shop, etc).
One thing I will say about 2020, is we stepped into almost a consulting type of role with some of our clients, and helped them figure out new online strategies to keep their business going during the shut downs.
FWM: You were just named, Forbes Next 1000 Inspiring Entrepreneurs. Tell us about MBM Agency.
Thank you so much! It felt so surreal and a dream come true. I’m a little bit of an overachiever by nature (hello being a number 3 on the enneagram), and I would always joke around with my husband how I will be on a Forbes list of some kind. It was always a goal, but it almost felt somewhat out of reach because it’s FORBES. They have so many inspiring people to choose from to highlight!
But the day the list came out– I got the email that I have been chosen to be a part of their Fall Class of the Forbes Next 1000 List– and I think I had some tears of joy come out. I felt so incredibly honored and so so grateful. Such a pinch me moment.
But it put a renewed fire in my heart to keep growing MBM Agency, and see how many more client’s we can help achieve success with their business! While a pretty website is important, that’s not the only thing we focus on. We make sure all of our websites are profitable all around.
FWM: MBM is helping entrepreneurs to create more impactful and profitable website. Share your success stories.
Yes! We take such pride in our work because we spend hours on perfecting not only the design, but the search engine optimization plan as well. We do thorough research on what keywords people are searching for in your industry, which keywords you would be able to rank for fastest, then we interweave it throughout your content. Seeing our client success stories makes it all worth it.
A couple of stories I would love to share about how we’ve been able to help some of our clients:
The first story is about a local roofing company here in Georgia. When this roofing company connected with our agency at the end of 2019, their website had not been updated for over 7 years and they were not getting any leads from their website. The owner told us that they were lucky if they were able to get one lead every few months.
When we redesigned their homepage, we implemented our “Homepage Formula” that is based on sales psychology. On the front page you want to communicate who you are, who you serve, and why your potential customers should trust you.
In about 6-12 months, our client started ranking for their industry keywords in the positions 1-5 on Google (meaning they were on the first page). Now, on a monthly basis, they receive on average over 30 monthly leads from their website. And this number just keeps on increasing.
Another story is about our client Sev, who is a CFP Exam tutor. Our client Sev, came to us to redesign his website. He had a financial planning practice, but had an idea of starting an additional business that tutored students for the CFP exam.
When he came to work with MBM Agency, he was not receiving any leads from his existing website. We worked on a personalized SEO plan + redesigned his website with our signature homepage formula and updated the design.
In about 6-12 months, our client’s website started ranking #1 for his top industry keywords on Google Search. That means that when someone typed that into Google’s search bar, our client’s website shows up FIRST. Since this has happened, Sev’s business has exploded and he has hired additional tutors to help with his growing online presence.
FWM: How are you turning website visitors into qualified leads for clients?
We really focus on three key elements that make all of the difference:
1. Making sure that you show up in Google search when someone searches for your product or service.
2. Having a professional design that captivates someone’s attention and curiosity to continue to glance through your website (especially if they came from that Google search).
Having a clear message of who you are, what you do, and why your potential client should trust you. We have a homepage formula that we use for all of our websites that hits on the main items a potential customer needs to see in order to make a decision if they want to work with you.
FWM: Tell us about the Marketing Mindset Podcast.
I launched The Marketing Mindset Podcast because I believe that in order to grow a successful business you need two things: the right marketing strategies and the right growth mindset.
With both solo and interview style episodes, this podcast delivers actionable strategies and advice from creating a success mindset to creating a marketing plan for your business using social media, email campaigns, blogging, SEO, and more.
You are able to walk away from each episode motivated to grow your business and actually have actionable steps that you can utilize right away.
Within its month live, The Marketing Mindset Podcast hit the iTunes charts under: ► Business New & Noteworthy
► Top 200 Business Podcasts
► Over 4k Downloads
FWM: What is needed to grow a successful business?
Honestly, first is having the courage and motivation to actually go out and do it– and keep going if it doesn’t grow right away. Growing a business is not easy, and it’s natural to go through ebbs and flows in different seasons.
But if you’ve already started on your venture, my top three things are:
– Having a website that is easily found.
– Growing your testimonials and referral network.
– Showcasing your work and knowledge on social media.
FWM: You launched your business in 2017, as a self-funded venture. What advice do you have for entrepreneurs as we move towards 2022?
As we move forward, my advice is having multiple realms of how you gain new clientele. If 2020 has shown us anything, it is to not settle for just one stream of getting new business.
I think it’s a good idea to diversify your network, don’t just post on Instagram, try gaining a new audience on Linkedin.
Don’t just rely on the internet for new clients, have strategies for meeting people in person (and vice versa).
Make sure you own your own space online– you never know if social media will shut down when a new one comes along. You don’t want to just build on a platform you don’t own. Invest in a website, invest in an email list so that if anything goes wrong, you still have access to all of your past and possibly future clients.
https://www.instagram.com/mariyabentz/
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