In January 2006, Angie and Will Scott launched Search Influence in a spare bedroom in their New Orleans home with one simple goal: help businesses succeed online.
Now, the 10-year-old company is the largest online marketing company on the Gulf Coast with 85 full-time employees and 125 contract writers. Last year alone, they hired 36 New Orleans area employees. Additionally, more than 70% of our staff is women.
When the founders were asked if they envisioned themselves here 10 years later, they said, “Who knew, really? Some days it feels like 10 years is an eternity, others it feel like it was an instant. The business is great, and in 2016, we’ll likely hit 100 local New Orleans area employees.”
To celebrate their 10th anniversary, they hosted a giveaway offering $10,000 worth of free online marketing services. The prize was awarded to the New Orleans Shotokan Academy, a martial arts studio.
Other local clients they work for include the National World War II Museum, The Audubon Nature Institute, and The New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation. Some others they are excited about are Dr. Jeff Donaldson in Columbus, Ohio, The American Language Communication Center in New York and Civic Source, the company who runs municipal tax sales for many parishes in Louisiana.
Over the last decade, the Scotts have learned a lot. “Mostly, we learned that it doesn’t get any easier. We’ve got great managers and metrics and processes. That doesn’t mean we’re checked out. We may have different issues to focus on, but we’ve still got to bring our ‘A’ game.”
In 2016, Search Influence is focusing on building their sales machine so they can support even more customers. And they will be launching a new set of products focused on what they think represents the next big wave in marketing.
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This 2015 Silicon Bayou 100 was made possible by sponsors 365 Connect, a leading provider of award-winning marketing, leasing and resident technology platforms for the multifamily housing industry, and LookFar, a software development studio. Beer from our beverage sponsor, the startup brewery Cajun Fire, will also be provided. 
