We caught up with the amazing David Bayliss from Herdl. Nestled in Leicestershire, this multi-award-winning agency boasts a team of digital maestros dedicated to solving complex challenges through data-driven strategies. At Herdl, it’s not just about delivering results; it’s about wearing the client’s hat, becoming an indispensable arm of their business, and propelling their growth journey forward.
Please describe Herdl in under 500 words
Herdl is a multi-award-winning, data-driven marketing agency based in Leicestershire. We’re a team of digital experts putting shared problem-solving at the forefront of our robust processes. Our goal is to integrate seamlessly with our clients’ businesses and “wear their hat” – we want our clients to see us as the marketing arm of their business and integral to their growth and success. A partner rather than a supplier.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I’m not sure there’s such a thing as a typical day at Herdl! One minute you could be helping optimise a PPC campaign for a recent product launch, and the next thing you know, you’re putting in redirects for a website Go Live. As RevOps Manager, my days are focused on client communications – such as helping with a marketing query or making website updates – as well as speaking to new prospects. But it’s safe to say the agency environment is very fast-paced and incredibly varied.
Growing competition for online visibility means standing out requires more planning and effort than before, what points of advice are you currently sharing with clients?
As the saying goes, content is king for SEO. Following Google’s Helpful Content update, search engines expect websites to provide value and insights as well as display expertise. So, you need a solid content strategy in place that aligns with how your target audience is searching for your product/service and how you’re going to demonstrate you’re an authority on the topic. There’s no substitute for high-quality content that’s based on solid research & planning.
How do you predict your industry and services evolving in the next five years?
It feels like AI is going to shake up many industries dramatically – and digital marketing is no different. We’ve been experimenting with AI long before ChatGPT stepped into the limelight. We’re already integrating AI into our workflows and beginning to offer training and AI-related services to clients. Right now, the changes are relatively small but it’s clear there’s a lot more to come. We feel that staying on the bleeding edge of these developments is part of our remit as a digital partner.
What advice would you give to someone looking to break into SEO and work for an organisation like Herdl?
Be honest and be humble. SEO, PPC and digital marketing are vast, quickly evolving landscapes, so it’s impossible to know everything. But be keen to learn and try to find a varied agency that will help you strengthen the areas you’re not so strong in whilst allowing you to deliver on the parts you do best autonomously!
What’s on the horizon for Herdl?
2024 is a big year for Herdl – last year, the company celebrated 10 years, and the team has been growing rapidly. It feels like we’re on a really good trajectory and we’re excited to bring even more to the table in terms of service range and quality over the next 12 months.
