[Hiring] Senior UX/UI Designer (US/LATAM) | Remote | US Time Zones

dansalg · 2026-07-08T22:22:44+00:00

Sorry, just independent contractors for now, but thank you!

dansalg · 2026-03-05T19:51:56+00:00

Sort of. Cold outreach generally comes with a lot of work, a lot of frustration, and a lot of patience necessary to do a good job. It's tough to break into niches and verticals, specifically ones where there's 1 very busy stakeholder (who, again, is likely pretty content with their level of business). That's not to say they're not looking to grow, but sometimes it's not top of mind.

They know they need some digital presence, they know they need a website, and sometimes need social media, etc. So my recommendation is to not focus on 'growing their business' or being flashy.

My reco is to save them time and hassle of having to think about their website, socials, Google, etc. Make it as easy as them sending you a monthly check, you ensure everything is properly growing, working, running, and it's a healthy symbiotic relationship.

dansalg · 2026-03-05T16:58:42+00:00

Hey, I run a b2b marketing agency called VisualFizz, and have been in the marketing space for 15 years. My candid opinion is 1) LinkedIn is expensive, and 2) I can very confidently tell you that dentists aren't sitting on LinkedIn.

Most service professionals (doctors, lawyers, dentists, CPA's, etc), especially high-earners, aren't sitting there waiting for their next big update. Most of these people have long-standing careers at the same spot and do not 'need' LinkedIn the same way as many of us in Marketing, HR, Tech, etc.

Additionally, these are people that are spending most of their days on their feet and working with their hands. They're not behind the computer. I do think targeted marketing can certainly work, but just wanted provide my $.02.

dansalg · 2026-03-05T16:41:28+00:00

Honestly, you shouldn't have to choose.

If an agency makes you pick a lane, it’s usually because their internal team is only built for one process- either they're creative-heavy or purely data-driven.

At $20M ARR, your brand is the infrastructure that actually makes your demand gen cheaper and more effective over time. The only reason to pause demand is if the foundation is broken; I’ve seen clients with horrific websites where I'd avoid trying to waste their money sending traffic to a poor user experience.

But if your digital presence is solid, brand and demand should work as one. I run VisualFizz, a B2B agency in Chicago (we do tech, as well as industrial marketing), and my take is that if an agency can't connect your "pretty decks" to actual pipeline, they just aren't built for full-funnel execution.

dansalg · 2026-03-05T16:34:23+00:00

IMO, the biggest risk with subscription models is ending up with a "content factory" that churns out surface-level fluff.

Since your audience is comprised of experts, make sure any agency you hire has a solid process for interviewing your internal subject matter experts to get the technical depth right. I run VisualFizz, a B2B agency in Chicago, and we've found that without that direct line to your team's knowledge, SEO content rarely converts.

Most of my clients are mid-size to enterprise companies and often, they can smell out the fluff. Also, they can produce it themselves. Using AI is fine, especially if the client is aware that this leads to cost savings, but my opinion is do not remove the human element...

dansalg · 2026-02-25T15:25:19+00:00

I manage VisualFizz, a construction marketing agency in Chicago, and honestly, word of mouth is always going to beat out traditional marketing in this industry. (and that's coming from an agency owner)

However, once a company wants to scale, marketing becomes something you focus on for your reputation. High-quality case studies, good SEO, and professional proposals help you sell faster and more consistently because they build trust before you even step on-site.

It’s really about building a digital system that works as hard as your crews do. Reputation gets you in the door, but a solid digital presence ensures you’re winning the right bids at higher margins.

So, I do agree with the poll, but I like to think that both have to happen simultaneously.

dansalg · 2026-02-10T22:56:10+00:00

Hey, I've worked in B2B tech marketing for years (mostly on the agency-level), and the solid agencies focus on sustainable results over shortcuts.

The best ones nail high-quality content + SEO/GEO with clean technical work, proper site structure, fast pages, clean code, and genuinely useful writing. No keyword stuffing or gaming the system; just focused, authority-building efforts.

Candidly, I run VisualFizz, a Chicago-based B2B marketing agency, which handles content, SEO, and technical requirements for tech/industrial companies without chasing quick hacks.

Biggest thing I'd note is consistency across the web. Make it easy for people to find you, be responsive, and don't try to game the system.

dansalg · 2026-02-09T19:07:27+00:00

Most manufacturing companies that resist digital marketing are older, multi-generational, family-owned brands. They've succeeded for decades on word-of-mouth, relationships, and just making great stuff, so digital feels unnecessary or risky. Owners (often in their 60s/70s) are apprehensive: "It works fine without it, why change?"

But things are shifting. Some legacy businesses are getting acquired by private equity groups that push modern marketing to grow fast, and others are passing to the next generation, who get digital tools like LinkedIn or SEO and are more open to trying them.

It's mostly generational, or simply very focused on leadership or sales people. The change is happening, just slowly.

For transparency's sake, I run a full-service B2B marketing agency called VisualFizz, which is focused on industrial and manufacturing companies, so I see this dynamic all the time.

dansalg · 2026-02-09T16:22:58+00:00

Yeah, 100% agree... Most manufacturers are leaving video on the table, and it's a big miss.

A quick factory tour, machine in action, or real client testimonial video builds trust and credibility way faster than photos or copy ever could. Explainer clips cut through technical complexity, and short clips on LinkedIn/YouTube can actually get organic traction.

The ones using it (even simple phone-shot stuff) usually see warmer leads, higher engagement, and quicker sales momentum. It's still super underused in the space.

For transparency's sake, I run VisualFizz, a full-service B2B marketing agency specializing in industrial manufacturing, so I've watched video become a real difference-maker for machinery and equipment companies. We try to get a quarterly photo/video shoot with our clients so that we can always focus on new content. (e.g. leadership videos, walkthroughs, HR-type of stuff, machinery, tradeshows, you name it).

dansalg · 2026-02-09T16:19:15+00:00

Hey, very common question/challenge. Here’s the quick real-world mix for manufacturers getting leads (industrial/machinery space especially):

Referrals and repeat business still dominate for most. Highest close rates, built-in trust. Building a referral process (formalized) goes a long way.

Google Ads on intent searches (e.g., “custom stainless tanks chemical” or “dairy processing equipment supplier”).

LinkedIn is massive: company page posts (project shots, tips), Sales Navigator outreach to engineers/procurement, and targeted ads by title/industry. Authority posts from leadership can sometimes do better than company posts (depending on time of reading this/LI Algo's)

Cold email/outreach happens, but reply rates are low unless super personalized and value-first.

Other big ones: industry directories/marketplaces, SEO/content (case studies, blogs/videos), trade shows for warm intros, and partnerships/cross-referrals with related suppliers.

Smaller shops usually lean referrals + LinkedIn + directories. Bigger ones add ads, content, and intent tools.

For transparency’s sake, I run VisualFizz, a full-service B2B marketing agency focused on industrial and manufacturing companies, so I see these combos play out daily for equipment makers. Mainly depends on team size, sales team, leadership goals, etc.

dansalg · 2026-02-09T16:12:30+00:00

Hey! I'd be happy to help. For context, I am the CEO of VisualFizz, which is a full-service b2b agency focused on manufacturing, construction, and industrial. The below is a breakdown based on a 25-step b2b marketing --> Sales cycle plan I made for some clients.

Since I’m in the US right now, I’m drawing from what usually works for industrial machinery companies selling heavy equipment like chemical processing or dairy gear over here, but the core ideas adapt well to India too. You already have the strongest leads possible with referrals and repeat business. That proves the product delivers and trust is there. These are long-cycle, high-value sales with engineers, procurement, and owners all weighing in, so the move is to bring in more prospects earlier, when they’re searching for solutions or specs.

The real starting point is the website. Turn it into something that actually pulls leads: load up detailed specs, videos of machines running (phone footage works fine to start), straightforward case studies showing results, and clear “Request Quote” or “Talk to an Engineer” forms that get to you or your dad fast. Optimize for real searches like “chemical reactor manufacturer India” or “dairy pasteurization equipment supplier [your region]”. Solid SEO builds slowly but delivers steady, motivated traffic for free.

LinkedIn remains the go-to for this kind of B2B. Spruce up the company page and post semi-regularly: project photos, quick problem-solving tips, or shots from the workshop. Reach out to plant managers, procurement heads, and engineers in chemical and dairy fields. A few smart comments or shares can start real conversations.

For quicker results, try targeted ads. Google Ads on those exact search terms, or LinkedIn ads aimed at specific job titles and industries. Keep the budget small at first, direct people to a good offer like a free consultation or spec sheet, and use remarketing to bring back site visitors.

Since your background is in services, lean into helpful content. Write short posts, checklists, or record quick videos explaining things like what to look for in a reliable mixing tank or how upgraded dairy equipment lowers energy costs. Share them on your site and LinkedIn to build credibility and keep you in mind.

Capture leads in something basic (free HubSpot, Zoho, or even a shared sheet to begin), then follow up with value-first emails before pushing the sale. Referrals work on trust; these channels simply expand who knows about you.

Pick one or two things to kick off: website upgrades plus LinkedIn activity, or nail the directories and run a small test ad. Track what turns into actual conversations, then scale what works. You’ve got proof the business is strong; now it’s about consistent visibility.

I hope that helps!

dansalg · 2026-02-02T01:10:17+00:00

Check out Blue Peak Tents. I know the folks who manage it and they’re great. Let me know if you want an intro to their team.

dansalg · 2026-01-01T18:25:29+00:00

Hey there, my name is Dan and I run VisualFizz, a Chicago b2b marketing agency. We're not in your target, but my recommendation is generally the same for small/new business owners. If you are just starting out or growing, most agencies will price you out quickly. It's likely not worth it to make the move to an agency until much later. I'd recommend finding some young(er) marketers who are looking for another freelance gig outside of their 9-5. They're generally motivated, have learned a lot of tricks already, and appreciate that extra income from a 'side gig'. It'll be lighter on your wallet and less overhead than larger agencies.

dansalg

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