SmartSearch case study

The Business

SmartSearch – A leading provider of anti-money-laundering software, both for the UK and international markets.

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Industry Sector

Financial Services RegTech

What they use bClear for

Strategy and Messaging
Media relations including in the US and Netherlands
Social media and digital comms
Awards
Blogs, videos and website content

Objectives

To launch SmartSearch into the financial services and estate agency markets so that lenders, advisers and estate agents are aware of what the SmartSearch platform is, what it does, and why it is essential to their business.
To position SmartSearch as the RegTech leader providing a one-stop-shop for anti-money laundering checks by raising their profile through key press, social media and winning relevant industry awards.
To establish SmartSearch as the expert voice on anti-money laundering in the financial and property sectors.
To support and help the growth of SmartSearch with strategic PR consultancy and advice.
To launch into new sectors including property, legal and accountancy

The results:

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Heightened awareness of SmartSearch across all its target sectors: mortgages, financial services, accountancy and legal – and latterly: property, estate agency, fintech, gaming and crypto-currency.

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A significant uplift in clients from 3,000 to over 5,500 in five years.

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Writing up to eight thought-leadership pieces per month, bClear achieved 1,747 total pieces of coverage online, in print and on social media during 2022 – up 6% on the 2021. This included 4 record-breaking months when coverage exceeded 200 pieces.

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Shortlisted for seven awards written by bClear in 2022, SmartSearch won 3 including trade, regional and fintech awards.

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bClear developed social media profiles on LinkedIn and Twitter both for SmartSearch and its directors. Tweet impressions increased 86% and mentions 250%. We increased LinkedIn page views by 16% and followers by 75% in just one month.

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Carried out strategic research campaigns each year since 2021, resulting in hundreds of pieces of coverage across all target press, two white papers and dozens of links back to the SmartSearch website which help significantly with SEO.

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Took SmartSearch into the US and the Netherlands markets, creating successful PR opportunities for them in both places.

What the MD says:

“Over the years we’ve worked together bClear has consistently exceeded expectations, achieved higher levels of coverage year-on-year and on a daily basis ensured that the SmartSearch brand is out there.

“This has been a great support to our business which has grown year-on-year and resulted in our most successful year ever in 2020.

“The team at bClear are always easy to deal with, responsive to the news agenda, understand the brief and our objectives, and crucially for me always do what they say they will do.

“We look forward to continue working with them as our ‘go to’ agency, as our business grows further in the coming years.”

Martin Cheek