Fiverr Pro seller Michael Borgelt (aka Mborgelt) has always had his head in the game. This former college basketball player and the referee started his off-court career as a computer programmer, moved into database administration, and finally found a niche for his technical skills in internet marketing. He is now director and founder of 51 Blocks, a Denver-based digital local-search agency that handles search engine optimization (SEO), paid search (PPC), and social media with proven results in some of the most competitive industries. After working with companies like Microsoft, Volkswagen, Burger King, and American Express, he is ready to take on his next client: you!
Much more than your average web specialists, Michael and his team offer high-quality SEO, PPC and local search marketing services for local businesses looking for a competitive edge on Fiverr Pro. But why take our word for it? See Michael and his team in action in the latest episode of ‘Meet the Pros’, and then keep reading to learn more about Michael, his motivations, and why “a rising tide raises all boats” in the interview below.
Tell us a little about yourself. Who you are, where you’re from, what you do on Fiverr Pro.
I’m a Minnesota native with strong Midwestern values. I still believe in the handshake agreement. It’s how my grandfather ran his business and it’s how I run mine. To me, trust and transparency are just as important as the service we’re delivering. You can’t be an effective marketer without a deep understanding of the businesses you’re working with and how they operate. We do more than sell SEO, PPC, and build WordPress sites; we forge paths with businesses and create partnerships with people who hold the same values as we do.
A lot of companies promise results, but fall short when it comes to measurable ROI. That’s where we’re different. We create value and generate new business for our clients, and we make sure they know how we’re doing it by providing detailed monthly reporting complete with analytics and insights on how to further improve. There is no one “silver bullet” when it comes to internet marketing, you need an arsenal… and we’ve got the armory.
What motivates you as an entrepreneur? Why do you do what you do?
My motivation as an entrepreneur has always been the same, to help small to medium-sized business compete on what I believe is the last level playing field, the internet. You don’t need a massive bankroll to expand your digital footprint, and our team is set up to do just that. Our company is set up to foster more than just a client -> account manager relationship. Behind every client is a whole team of experts in the field, some with specialties that are better suited than others for specific businesses. We don’t paint every client with the same brush. In fact, we custom tailor marketing solutions for our clients after a deep discovery and onboarding process that helps us dig in to what makes our client’s businesses unique. That process of improvement and discovery continues throughout the relationship.
How did you get your start? Is Fiverr Pro your full-time Gig, or just a side hustle?
I actually started this as a side business while I was working full time for Mortgage 101. While there, I was able to get them ranking #1 for the keyword “mortgage.” Not a simple accomplishment. It was after that I realized that I could expand on the knowledge gained while getting my degree in Computer Science & Marketing and help other companies achieve the same success online. I saw an opportunity to combine skill sets and offer more than the other internet marketing companies I had come into contact with throughout my professional life.
How have your skills grown since joining Fiverr Pro?
Fiverr Pro has been a fantastic way to reach new industries and businesses that I wouldn’t have had access to before. With Fiverr Pro, we have the opportunity to talk to potential clients who are already looking for the best possible solution for their internet marketing needs. In the industry, leads are generally measured by temperature, and the folks contacting us through Fiverr Pro are white hot.
The continued ability to grow our portfolio helps all of the businesses we work with. As a company who relies on creating partnerships over clients, the ability to grow and learn as we work truly shows in our results. “ROI” is a term that gets brandished quite a bit in this business. The proof is in the pudding, and our average length of engagement is two years longer than the average SEO firm.
Tell us about some of your favorite projects (and, if possible, please share some of the deliverables).
There are too many to possibly name. We truly love what we do here, and every success story for a client is a success story for us. That said, the one that always comes to mind is a small business based here in Colorado. When we first met this client, they were generating about 100 leads per year via their website and maybe $100,000 in business. Last year alone, we generated 1,637 website leads and over $2.1 million in revenue from those leads. Things have only improved since then.
What impact has Fiverr had on your life? Has it changed the way you think about your profession or career?
As I said, Fiverr has truly opened my eyes to the fact that we aren’t limited in what we can offer businesses geographically. Fiverr has shown me that we have the opportunity to help businesses all over the globe not only compete with larger companies but thrive. As the saying goes, “A rising tide lifts all boats,” and that couldn’t be truer in the world of internet marketing. We are thrilled with what Fiverr has to offer not only us, but also what we can offer our clients through this incredibly valuable resource.
Have a success story like Michael’s to share? Tell us in the comments below or email us at community@fiverr.com
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