Indianapolis performance marketing firm using its Math Before Marketing planning method
About Valve+Meter Performance Marketing
Valve+Meter Performance Marketing is an Indianapolis firm formed in early 2017, when Marcia Barnes bought the marketing agency division of the Sells Group and gave it a new name. Barnes had been CEO of DEFENDERS Inc. and later president of the Sells Group agency unit. The firm started with 16 staff, quickly added seven more and planned 28 new jobs by the end of 2017. 'Valve' refers to controlling how fast new business arrives, and 'meter' to measuring the results. Its office is at 10475 Crosspoint Boulevard, and the team has 50 to 249 people.
Before any campaign starts, the firm works through the numbers using a method it calls Math Before Marketing, which also has its own website. On podcasts including ServiceTitan's Toolbox for the Trades in 2024, Barnes has argued that the way companies buy marketing, and the way agencies sell it, is broken. The firm judges marketing by how many new customers it wins, at what rate and at what cost, and prices its work on those metered results rather than on tasks completed. Campaigns run as tests across paid, owned and earned media. Reviewers on Semrush also mention a planning process called ThinkFirst.
The firm is now an AI-powered marketing firm for home services contractors such as HVAC, plumbing, roofing, electrical, pest control and solar businesses. Its services cover search and visibility, websites, paid digital, content and creative, traditional media, and strategy. Healthcare and hospitals are among the industries it has served, but the firm has no dental page and names no dental clients. A dental practice would be a side client for them, best suited to an owner who wants local search and paid media judged strictly on cost per new patient.
It is rated 4.6 from 37 reviews combined from Google Maps and Semrush. Named reviewers include Pest Ops, E5 and Robert Manigold of PROOF, who describes a complex B2B proposal process. Reviewers mention the founder by name, a careful planning stage and clear return-on-spend data. Barnes has also written the book 'Here We Grow' and has appeared on business podcasts, including Self Made Is a Myth in 2022.
No fee schedule is published. A typical project budget is $5,000 to $10,000, and engagements usually last more than six months. Pricing is tied to measured results, and the firm offers SEO, local SEO, PPC, paid social, video, email and website design across small, mid-sized and enterprise clients.
Valve+Meter Performance Marketing's Website
Valve+Meter Performance Marketing at a Glance
| Founded | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Team size | 50-249 employees |
| Headquarters | Indianapolis, Indiana, USA |
| Leadership | Marcia Barnes (Founder and CEO) |
| Languages | English |
| Pricing | No public rate card. Typical project budget of $5,000-$10,000; priced on metered results rather than activities. |
| Contracts & reporting | Typical engagements last more than six months. Planning starts with Math Before Marketing modelling. No contract terms published. |
| Tools & partnerships | ServiceTitan (podcast partner context); Semrush Agency Partners listing |
Dental Marketing Services
- SEO
- local SEO
- PPC and paid social
- website design
- content and creative
- email marketing
- video marketing
- traditional media
- marketing strategy and ROI modelling
Why Dentists Choose Valve+Meter Performance Marketing
- Uses a trademarked "Math-Before-Marketing" planning method
- Models expected returns before a campaign starts
- Office on Crosspoint Boulevard in northeast Indianapolis
- Local SEO and PPC offered under one roof
- Also runs B2B lead generation programs
Key Strengths
- Plans for steady, sustainable practice growth rather than quick spikes
- Presents thorough plans and stays open to a practice's feedback
- Models expected returns before a practice commits budget to a campaign
- Runs local SEO and paid search for practices under one roof
How the DSA Score Breaks Down
Points earned: 31.7 of 100 (profile 21 × 0.8 + client feedback 14.9). DSA Score: 86/100
What Clients Say About Valve+Meter Performance Marketing
- 4 on review sites
Clients Most Often Praise
- Communication & responsiveness 1
- Value for money 1
In ShortBrightLocal reviews praise thorough plans, real ROI data and care for sustainable client growth.
Having used several agencies before, says Valve+Meter provided meaningful return-on-marketing-spend data to judge results.
See it on brightlocal.comTeam is strong in its fields and cares about the client growing at a sustainable rate.
See it on brightlocal.comAfter about a year of work, praises thorough presentations and plans and a responsive, feedback-open team.
See it on brightlocal.comShow 1 more client review
- Long-time client says the team, especially Molly, was helpful through launch and asked good pre-launch questions. BrightLocal, 17th January, 2023
Where Valve+Meter Performance Marketing Is Listed
Questions Dentists Ask About Valve+Meter Performance Marketing
Does Valve+Meter specialise in dental marketing?
No. They are now a marketing firm for home services contractors such as HVAC, plumbing and roofing businesses. They have no dental page and name no dental clients, though healthcare is among the industries they have served.
What is Math Before Marketing?
It is their planning method of working out expected customer numbers, acquisition rate and cost before spending on campaigns. Founder Marcia Barnes has explained it on podcasts, including ServiceTitan's Toolbox for the Trades.
Who runs the agency?
Marcia Barnes founded it in 2017 after buying the Sells Group's marketing agency division. She was previously CEO of DEFENDERS Inc.
How do they price their work?
They set prices on the measured results they generate rather than on activities. Typical project budgets are $5,000 to $10,000, usually over more than six months.
Reviews of Valve+Meter Performance Marketing
No reviews on this site yet. Have you worked with Valve+Meter Performance Marketing? Your review helps other dentists choose.