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What Bartles & Associates Does and How to Work With Them

By Constance Obi · Culture & Recreation Writer

Bartles & Associates is a South Carolina marketing and public relations firm based in Columbia

Bartles & Associates is a full-service marketing agency that works with businesses, nonprofits, and organizations across South Carolina. The firm handles branding, digital marketing, public relations, and strategic communications—the kinds of services companies hire when they need to build their reputation, reach new customers, or tell their story to the public.

The firm operates as a private business, not a government program or nonprofit. If you are a business owner, nonprofit director, or organization leader looking to hire marketing help, understanding what they offer and how they work can help you decide whether they are the right fit for your needs.

Key Takeaways

  • Bartles & Associates offers branding, digital marketing, public relations, and strategic communications services to South Carolina businesses and organizations.
  • The firm is based in Columbia and works with clients across the state, including nonprofits, small businesses, and larger organizations.
  • Services typically include website development, social media strategy, media relations, and brand positioning.
  • Like any marketing agency, costs and project scope vary depending on what your organization needs and the complexity of the work.

Types of services Bartles & Associates offers

The firm's core services center on helping organizations communicate who they are and what they do. This includes branding work—developing or refreshing a company's visual identity, messaging, and overall brand strategy. They also handle digital marketing, which covers website design, social media management, content creation, and online advertising.

Public relations and media relations are another major focus. This means pitching stories to journalists, managing press releases, handling media inquiries, and helping organizations respond to news coverage. The firm also offers strategic communications consulting, where they help leadership think through how to message during major changes, crises, or growth phases.

Many clients also use Bartles & Associates for event marketing and promotion, helping organizations plan the communications side of conferences, fundraisers, product launches, or community events. They may also assist with internal communications—helping organizations talk to their own staff and boards.

Who typically hires Bartles & Associates

The firm works with a range of clients. Small and mid-sized businesses hire them to build brand awareness or launch new products. Nonprofits and community organizations use their services to raise their profile, recruit donors, or communicate their mission more effectively. Larger corporations sometimes bring them in for specific campaigns or to handle regional marketing in South Carolina.

Organizations often turn to Bartles & Associates when they are going through a transition—a leadership change, a merger, a rebrand, or a major initiative they need to communicate to the public. They also work with organizations that simply do not have in-house marketing staff and need an outside team to manage their communications.

How to contact Bartles & Associates

The firm is located in Columbia, South Carolina. To learn about their services, discuss your organization's needs, or request a proposal, you can reach out directly through their website or contact information. Most marketing agencies start with a consultation call or meeting to understand what you are trying to accomplish, who your audience is, and what your budget looks like.

Before reaching out, it helps to have a clear sense of what you need. Are you looking for a complete brand overhaul? Do you need help with social media? Are you launching a campaign and need media relations support? The more specific you can be about your goals, the easier it is for the agency to tell you whether they are a good match and what the work might cost.

What to expect when working with a marketing agency

Marketing projects typically begin with a discovery phase, where the agency learns about your organization, your competitors, your target audience, and your goals. They may ask for existing marketing materials, financial information, and input from your leadership team. This phase helps them develop a strategy tailored to your situation.

Once strategy is set, the agency moves into execution—creating the actual deliverables, whether that is a new website, a social media calendar, a press release, or a full campaign. Most projects involve regular check-ins and revisions based on your feedback. Timelines and costs vary widely depending on the scope of work, the complexity of your industry, and how much revision is needed.

Good marketing work is not a one-time transaction. Many clients keep an ongoing relationship with their agency, whether that is a monthly retainer for continuous social media management or periodic projects as new needs arise. Ask any potential agency about their typical project length and whether they offer ongoing support.

Questions to ask before hiring a marketing firm

When you are considering Bartles & Associates or any marketing agency, ask about their experience with organizations like yours. Have they worked with nonprofits, or only corporations? Do they have experience in your industry? Ask for examples of past work and references from clients they can share.

Clarify what is included in their fees and what costs extra. Some agencies charge a flat project fee, others work on retainer, and some charge hourly rates. Ask how they measure success—what metrics or outcomes will tell you whether the work is actually working? And ask about their process: how often will you communicate, who will be your main point of contact, and how do they handle revisions or changes mid-project?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire Bartles & Associates?

Marketing agency costs vary based on the scope and complexity of your project. A small social media management contract costs less than a full brand overhaul or a comprehensive digital marketing campaign. Contact the firm directly to discuss your specific needs and get a proposal.

Do they work with nonprofits?

Many marketing agencies, including those in South Carolina, work with nonprofits alongside for-profit clients. Reach out to Bartles & Associates directly to ask about their nonprofit experience and whether they offer any specialized services or pricing for mission-driven organizations.

How long does a typical marketing project take?

Timeline depends on what you are building. A social media strategy might take a few weeks, while a full website redesign or brand overhaul can take several months. The agency will give you a realistic timeline once they understand the scope of work.

Can they help with crisis communications?

Many full-service marketing agencies offer crisis communications support—helping organizations respond quickly and effectively when negative news breaks. Ask Bartles & Associates whether they offer this service and what their process looks like.

What if I only need help with one specific thing, like social media?

Most agencies are willing to work on individual projects or specific services rather than a full retainer. You can hire them for social media management alone, a one-time website redesign, or a specific campaign without committing to ongoing work across all services.