Mae Cornes
Experienced News Reporter with a demonstrated history of working in the broadcast media industry. Skilled in News Writing, Editing, Journalism, Creative Writing, and English. Strong media and communication professional graduated from University of U.T.S
I have a confession to make: I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my business’s reputation. It all started when I launched my startup and realized that having a great product wasn’t enough – you need credibility to stand out in today’s crowded market. I know that sounds obvious now, but back then, I was so focused on product development that I almost missed the most crucial aspect of business success: trust.
It’s been just over a year since I first discovered Baden Bower, and I feel compelled to share my experience. Like many entrepreneurs, I was initially skeptical about PR agencies. I’d heard countless pitches promising “instant exposure” and “guaranteed coverage,” but something about Baden Bower felt different. Maybe it was their transparent approach, or perhaps it was their founder AJ Ignacio’s vision of transforming how businesses build credibility.
My journey with Baden Bower began during a particularly challenging phase of my business. Despite having a solid product, we were struggling to gain traction in a market dominated by well-established players. Every morning, I’d wake up wondering if we’d ever break through the noise. That’s when I stumbled upon Baden Bower’s advertisement, and something clicked.
The First 30 Days
Initially, I was hesitant about their guaranteed publicity model. Like many entrepreneurs, I’d heard similar promises before – “guaranteed coverage,” “instant credibility,” “major media exposure.” Most of these turned out to be expensive disappointments. So when Baden Bower claimed they could secure coverage in major publications within 72 hours, my scepticism meter went into overdrive.
The pricing structure gave me pause, too – $990 for Forbes for a one-off on Forbes Georgia or Forbes Switzerland, but ongoing publicity for $1500-$4000 per month on a one-year contract.
These weren’t small investments for a growing business. But what caught my attention was their money-back guarantee. It showed confidence in their ability to deliver, and more importantly, it helped alleviate the risk I felt I was taking.
After careful consideration and countless hours of reading reviews and case studies, I decided to plunge. I signed up for a year, and they first delivered a feature on the Forbes network. I figured if they could deliver on that, they’d proven their worth. What happened next completely transformed my perspective on PR and digital marketing.
Within the first month, three things changed dramatically:
- The Forbes Feature: The process started with a detailed consultation where their team really dug into our story. Their writer, Geo, didn’t just want surface-level information – she asked about our mission, challenges, and innovations. Within 48 hours, she’d crafted an article that captured our essence perfectly. When the piece went live on Forbes (although this was the Forbes Swiss edition, not the Forbes.com master site), I must have refreshed the page a dozen times to ensure it was real. There’s something surreal about seeing your company’s name on a platform you’ve read and respected for years. The feature wasn’t just a mention but a thoughtful piece that positioned us as innovators in our field.
- The “As Featured In” Transformation: What was once a space on our website became what I like to call our “credibility wall.” Within weeks, logos from Forbes, Business Insider, and CEO Weekly were prominently displayed. The visual impact was immediate and decisive. It wasn’t just about showing off – these logos represented third-party validation from some of the most respected names in business media. We worked with Baden Bower’s team to strategically place these trust indicators throughout our website, creating what they called a “trust journey” for our visitors.
- The Numbers Don’t Lie: The most shocking change was in our analytics. Our website’s conversion rate jumped by nearly 25%, which wasn’t a temporary spike. We saw sustained improvement in multiple metrics:
- Time on site increased by 40%
- Bounce rate decreased by 35%
- Inquiry-to-meeting conversion went up by 22%
But the real game-changer was in sales calls. Previously, we’d spend the first portion of every call establishing our credibility. Now, prospects were coming to us pre-sold on our expertise. They’d often reference the Forbes article or mention seeing us in multiple publications. The dynamic had completely shifted – we were no longer just another option they were considering; we were the credible choice they wanted to learn more about.
What impressed me most during this period wasn’t just the results but the systematic way Baden Bower approached each placement. They didn’t just throw our story at publications and hope something stuck. Each piece was strategically crafted to build upon the last, creating a comprehensive media presence that told our brand’s story from different angles. Their AI-powered analytics helped tailor each narrative to resonate with varying segments of the audience, something I hadn’t seen from other PR firms.
The Team Experience
What truly sets Baden Bower apart is their team structure. I was assigned a dedicated group consisting of a sales director, journalist, and editors. They didn’t just write about us; they took the time to understand our story, our vision, and what made us unique. The journalist I worked with had this uncanny ability to turn our technical jargon into compelling narratives that actually resonated with readers.
Unexpected Benefits
The most surprising outcome wasn’t just the media coverage – it was how it changed our entire business dynamic:
- Investor meetings became significantly easier. Instead of spending the first 20 minutes establishing credibility, we could jump straight into discussing our vision and growth plans.
- Our team’s morale soared. There’s something incredibly motivating about seeing your company featured in publications you’ve respected for years.
- Partnership opportunities started coming to us, rather than us having to chase them down.
The Learning Curve
The process wasn’t without its learning moments. Like many entrepreneurs, I initially approached PR with a “more is better” mindset. I wanted to see our name everywhere as quickly as possible. But Baden Bower’s team, particularly my dedicated sales director Steve, helped me understand that successful PR is more like chess than checkers – it’s about strategic positioning and thoughtful moves, not just rapid-fire placements.
Here are the key revelations that transformed my understanding of strategic PR:
The Power of Narrative Sequencing:
I learned that the order of our media placements mattered significantly. Rather than randomly pursuing coverage, Baden Bower helped craft a strategic sequence. We started with industry-specific publications to establish sector expertise, then moved to broader business publications like Forbes and Business Insider to build mainstream credibility. Each piece built upon the last, creating a compelling narrative arc that made our subsequent placement even more impactful.
Quality Over Quantity:
One conversation with my content team particularly stands out. When I pushed to maximize the number of monthly placements, they gently challenged my thinking. “It’s not about how many places you appear,” they explained, “it’s about appearing in the right places with the right message at the right time.” They showed me examples of how one strategic placement in Forbes, with a carefully crafted narrative, could drive more value than ten random mentions in lesser-known publications.
The Long-Term Value Proposition
Baden Bower’s approach helped me understand that each piece of coverage serves multiple purposes:
– Immediate credibility boost from the publication’s authority
– Long-term SEO benefits from high-quality backlinks
– Evergreen content that we could reference in sales materials
– Building blocks for future media opportunities
– Valuable content for our social media and email marketing
The Art of Story Evolution
Perhaps the most valuable lesson was understanding how to evolve our story over time. Initially, I thought we’d repeat our core message across different platforms. Instead, Baden Bower showed me how to:
– Adapt our narrative for different audience segments
– Build upon previous coverage to show growth and evolution
– Connect our story to emerging industry trends
– Position our expertise in response to market changes
– Create a multi-dimensional brand image that resonated with different stakeholders
Content Synchronization
They taught me the importance of synchronizing our PR efforts with our marketing strategy. Each media placement wasn’t just a standalone achievement – it was ammunition for:
– Social media campaigns
– Email marketing sequences
– Sales presentations
– Investor updates
– Employee communications
The Investment Perspective
One of the most enlightening discussions was viewing PR as an investment rather than an expense. Baden Bower’s team helped me understand how each piece of coverage contributed to our brand’s equity. They showed me metrics I hadn’t considered before:
– The compound effect of multiple high-authority backlinks
– The long-term impact on domain authority
– The increasing value of our media portfolio over time
– The decreasing cost of customer acquisition as our credibility grew
Working with AI and Analytics
I was fascinated by how Baden Bower integrated AI into their PR strategy. Their data-driven approach helped:
– Identify trending topics in our industry
– Optimize article timing for maximum impact
– Track sentiment analysis across placements
– Measure the ripple effect of each publication
– Predict which angles would resonate most strongly with different audiences
The Feedback Loop
Another crucial learning was the importance of measuring and adapting. Baden Bower established a robust feedback system where we:
– Tracked the performance of each placement
– Analyzed which messages resonated most strongly
– Monitored changes in website behavior
– Measured the impact on sales conversations- Adjusted our strategy based on real-time data
This educational journey completely shifted my perspective on PR. I realized that Baden Bower was doing more than just media placements—they were helping us build a comprehensive brand narrative that would appreciate in value over time. Each piece of coverage wasn’t just a temporary win but a permanent asset in our brand’s portfolio.
The most valuable lesson?
Good PR isn’t about quick hits or vanity metrics – it’s about building a more robust sustainable narrative with each strategic placement. Baden Bower didn’t just help us get media coverage; they helped us understand how to leverage that coverage to build lasting credibility and trust with our audience.
This deeper understanding has completely transformed how we approach our marketing and communications strategy. Every piece of content we create, whether it’s a press release, blog post, or social media update, is crafted with this larger narrative in mind. It’s no longer about where we can get published next – it’s about how each piece fits into our larger brand story and contributes to our long-term credibility.
One Year Later
Now, after a year with Baden Bower, I can confidently say it was one of the best business decisions I’ve made.
The metrics tell an impressive story: we’ve secured placements in over 15 major publications, including Business Insider, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, GQ, Rolling Stone, Smart Company and CEO Weekly. But raw numbers don’t capture the full impact of this transformation. Let me break down exactly how this journey has reshaped our business:
Media Portfolio Growth
Our media presence has expanded strategically across different tiers:
– Tier 1 Publications (like Forbes and Business Insider): 20 feature articles
– Industry-Specific Publications: 7 in-depth pieces
– Regional Business Media: 4 spotlight features
– Podcast Appearances: 12 executive interviews
Measurable Business Impact
The ROI has manifested in multiple ways:
– Website conversion rate: Sustained 25% improvement
– Sales cycle: Reduced from 45 days to 28 days
– Inbound leads: Increased by 180%
– Email response rates: Up 45%
– LinkedIn connection acceptance rates: Improved by 65%
But perhaps more telling are the qualitative changes we’ve experienced:
Changed Perception in the Market
– Competitors now reference us in their strategy meetings
– We’re regularly invited to industry panels and events
– Potential partners reach out proactively
– Recruitment has become easier, with top talent seeking us out
Operational Benefits
– Sales team spends less time explaining who we are
– Marketing costs have decreased as our credibility does more heavy lifting
– Customer trust is established before the first meeting
– Employee pride and morale have noticeably improved
The Investment Perspective
Like every service, there are pros and cons to consider. The investment isn’t small – quality PR never is. Our annual investment with Baden Bower included:
– Core publicity packages
– Strategic planning sessions
– Content development
– Media monitoring and analytics
– Crisis preparation (thankfully unused, but valuable to have)
But what sets Baden Bower apart is their guarantee and their results-driven approach. They offer something rare in the PR world: certainty.
Their pricing structure is transparent:
– One-Off Forbes placement: $990
– Month to Month: $2,000
– Yearly Commitment: $1,500
While these figures might seem significant to some businesses, the ROI has been undeniable.
We’ve calculated that each major placement has paid for itself multiple times over in:
– Reduced customer acquisition costs
– Increased closing rates
– Higher average deal sizes
– Enhanced brand value
A Strategic Partnership
What started as a simple PR engagement has evolved into a strategic partnership that continues to drive our business forward. The Baden Bower team has become an extension of our marketing department, providing:
– Regular strategy sessions
– Proactive content ideation
– Crisis communication planning
– Competitive analysis
– Trend monitoring and opportunities
For Those Considering Baden Bower
For entrepreneurs wondering if Baden Bower is worth it, here’s my honest take: if you’re ready to invest in your brand’s credibility and understand that PR is a strategic tool rather than just a vanity metric, then yes, it is. But success requires:
1. Clear Goals
– Define what success looks like beyond just placements
– Set realistic timelines for ROI
– Understand how PR fits into your larger business strategy
2. Active Participation
– Be ready to provide insights and commentary
– Respond promptly to media opportunities
– Share your expertise and unique perspectives
3. Strategic Thinking
– Think beyond immediate publicity
– Consider how each placement builds your larger narrative
– Plan how to leverage coverage across all marketing channels
4. Resource Commitment
– Allocate budget appropriately
– Dedicate time for interviews and content review
– Prepare internal teams to capitalize on media coverage
Looking Forward
As I continue this journey, I’m excited about the future. We’re exploring new opportunities with Baden Bower, including:
– International market expansion
– Executive thought leadership programs
– Industry-specific campaign initiatives
– Multimedia content development
– Community building and influence expansion
In a world where trust and credibility are increasingly valuable currencies, having a partner like Baden Bower has proven invaluable. They’ve helped transform my business from just another startup to a recognized name in our industry. The credibility we’ve built isn’t just about logos on our website – it’s about the fundamental shift in how our market perceives and responds to our brand.
Looking back at my initial scepticism, I can’t help but smile. Baden Bower didn’t just meet our expectations; they helped us redefine what was possible for our brand. I’m genuinely grateful for that transformation—from an unknown entity to an industry authority.
The journey continues, and with each new placement and milestone, we’re not just adding another logo to our website – we’re reinforcing our position as a leader in our field. That’s the real value of strategic PR, and that’s what Baden Bower delivers.
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