After 26 years in the manufacturing sector, Scott Kwit knew his industry inside and out. He had relationships. He had product knowledge. He had customers asking him for solutions he didn’t even carry yet.
That’s why he started Compass Industrial Sales — to be a one-stop shop for his customers in the forging and casting industry. Instead of sending buyers searching the internet for products and services, they could come to Scott.
The business grew through what’s always worked in industrial sales: relationships, phone calls, and face-to-face meetings.
But Scott knew that wasn’t enough anymore.
The Limits of Doing It Alone
“In the old days, 26 years ago, LinkedIn wasn’t around. Social media wasn’t around,” Scott says. “The one-on-one relationships were really the only way you were going to get business and scale.”
Scott was on LinkedIn. He understood the platform had value. His customers were there. His prospects were there. But turning that into consistent, professional content was a different challenge.
He tried two other agencies. Neither understood the industrial sector.
“It’s a lot different than retail,” he says. “Their work just wasn’t representative of what I was looking for and how I wanted to brand myself out there in the industry.”
So Scott started creating his own ads and doing direct email pieces. It worked to a degree, but it ate up time he didn’t have.
“It just got to the point where I needed help. I needed somebody who was willing to be a part of the team — my right hand in terms of marketing — because it takes a lot of time. And I can’t do it all myself.”
The Right Partner Changes Everything
Scott connected with eLuminate Marketing, and the difference was clear from the start.
“Your team has listened to exactly what I want my company to look like, what I want my company to represent out in the marketplace,” he says. “They’ve listened. They’ve taken the notes. They’ve done the due diligence. And they’ve created posts and marketing campaigns that I could have never dreamed of.”
The content resonated. People noticed.
“I get numerous DMs that tell me they love my posts. They love the graphics. They love the messaging. They ask me how I do it. I tell them it’s not me — it’s eLuminate Marketing.”
But the real proof isn’t in the compliments. It’s the phone ringing.
3–5 Extra Calls a Week — Directly From LinkedIn
Less than a year into the partnership, the results are tangible.
“I probably get an additional three to four, if not five calls a week just due to the visibility on LinkedIn and all the posts that are generated through eLuminate Marketing,” Scott says.
Those aren’t cold calls. Those are inbound inquiries from people who saw his content and picked up the phone.
“I saw your post on LinkedIn, and it just made me call you. That’s why we’re calling today. That’s why we’re talking today.”
Those calls turn into RFQs. RFQs turn into purchase orders.
“It’s been tremendous.”
A Partnership That Exceeded Expectations
Scott has worked with other agencies. He’s tried doing it himself. Neither compared.
“Your company has not only met my expectations — they exceeded them,” he says. “I’m very grateful and looking forward to the future and continuing to grow this partnership.”
For a 26-year industry veteran who built his career on relationships, the highest compliment is choosing to build one more — with his marketing team.
What Scott Would Tell Other Industrial Sales Professionals
For anyone in manufacturing or industrial sales who thinks LinkedIn isn’t for their industry, Scott doesn’t hold back.
“They’re missing a huge opportunity. LinkedIn is where business gathers, where business meets, where business trades ideas, where business scales. If you’re not on it, you’re missing the boat.”
His advice is simple: “Get on LinkedIn. Get your name out there. Get your company out there. Send the right messaging, and you’re going to see results. No question about it.“
