/about · The firm, the doctrine, the principals

Built rural. Built for owners.

Smart Marketing exists for owner-operators tired of fragmented marketing, unclear strategy, and vendors who disappear once the invoice clears.

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The story

Why Smart Marketing exists.

For years, businesses across Southeast Missouri and the surrounding region had the same choices: hire a freelancer with limited bandwidth, or hire an internal marketer stretched across five jobs.

Neither option solved the real problem. The business owner still ended up managing marketing themselves.

Smart Marketing was built to become the middle ground: a regional firm with senior leadership, measurable systems, and real accountability, built specifically for owner-operated businesses.

What makes us different

The difference is the discipline behind the website.

The difference is the discipline behind it.

Named senior leadership

Clear communication

Measurable outcomes

Faster delivery systems

Defined processes

Regional understanding

We are not trying to sound like a large-city agency. We're building the most trusted marketing firm in the region.

The principals

Real names. Real accountability.

Principal & Founder

Matt Bedell

Strategy, positioning, growth direction, and client leadership. The signature on the Pays-Itself Promise.

Marketing Director at a growing regional bank for six years, and before that at one of Poplar Bluff's leading medical offices. Founded Smart Marketing to serve the regional owners he'd spent a career working alongside.

Principal & Head of Operations

Paul Jarrell

Systems, production, execution, and operational delivery. The person who makes sure the work ships.

Over 10 years building websites and solving marketing problems for clients across industries, and running several of his own businesses along the way. Paul brings an operator's instinct to every project: he's been the client, the builder, and the owner.

The team

The specialists behind the work.

Director of Creative Design Group

Tyler Christian

Director of Digital & Media

Ryan Tomlinson

Lead Web Developer

Clay Craft

Senior Web Developer

Megan Dean

The region

We understand rural businesses
because we built this firm inside one.

Poplar Bluff is not a marketing hub.

That's exactly why the firm works. We understand how owner-operated businesses think because we've spent years working alongside them.

Not pitching them from a downtown high-rise.

What clients say

Twelve clients, on the record.

"The clear thinking team immersed themselves in Pack's Doit Center's daily activities and developed an ever evolving plan to take our message to our end users. They create discipline in their consistent weekly approach to achieving results."

Randy Stricker Owner — Pack's Do It Center, Poplar Bluff, MO

"A local company with big business solutions! They took on several big tasks for us and delivered! Love the professionalism and personal touch. Highly recommend for any business or up and coming brand!"

Christy Shawan VP of Operations — Saint Francis Medical Partners Southwest, Poplar Bluff, MO

"I knew Smart Marketing cared about the success of our company and that nailed down completely the decision to work exclusively with their company. For anyone looking to create and grow their company online, I'd strongly encourage them to work with Smart Marketing. They are great people, and most importantly, great people that care for you."

Chris Sledge Owner — Skeeter Kell Sporting Goods, Kennett, MO

"We have used Smart Marketing for multiple websites over the course of our 15 years in business and they have helped set our company apart in the virtual world. They are not just our website company, but truly a partner in furthering our success. We would recommend them to anyone looking to build a website, from start up to an established business."

Allen Rhodes Founder — 74 Auto, Sikeston, MO

"A HUGE 'thank you' to the entire team for helping Starr Properties build not one, but two, amazing websites this year! The entire process from the drawing board to going LIVE was faster and easier than I would have ever dreamed — and we are beyond THRILLED with how they both turned out!"

Janna Gates Manager — Starr Properties, Columbia, MO

"The team took great pride in developing our business website. They explain the process, evaluate our needs, and guided us to an easy to understand website. Very few companies go the extra mile like they do. I highly recommend them for all of your website design needs."

Davine Conover Business Development Specialist — Ozark Federal Credit Union, Poplar Bluff, MO

"We have utilized Smart Marketing for websites, emails and promotional services via social media. They are great to work with and very responsive any time I contact them. It's not common these days to have someone email or call you back in such a timely manner."

Rachelle Johnson Administrator — Mississippi County Health Department, Charleston, MO

"They did a wonderful job designing a new website for our agency which was terribly outdated! They were efficient, listened to our needs and gave us a website that we are more than happy with."

Lauren Platz Executive Support Specialist — Community Action Partnership of Northeast Missouri, Kirksville, MO

"I have been a client for many years. They are a very good company, and I attribute my success as a Realtor Team to their work. They respond when needed, and always offer top notch marketing and web presence options. I highly recommend Smart Marketing."

Pete Vakakes Realtor — Century 21 Meyer RE, Gulf Shores, AL

"The team is always responsive to any of our requests and far exceeds our expectations when projects are completed! We have recommended them to all we know needing these types of services and will continue to sing their praises!"

Cape County Public Health Center Cape Girardeau, MO

"Excellent to work with. Unbelievable response time, extremely responsive and very knowledgeable! I would have to say I have never had a problem that isn't fixed within just a short amount of time. Best web design team I have ever dealt with!"

Karen Ripee Mountain Grove Chamber of Commerce, Mountain Grove, MO

Start here

If you're tired of managing marketing yourself,
start here.