NEEDED: Reasons to not use an SEO firm

A couple of things: 1) I knocked myself out for the original pitch, and 2) there are a couple of factors that make me want to really want this one. Money, security, and further related opportunities.

crackp0t said:
I think he meant it as "helping their business grow and succeeding where the other guys failed". If he didn't then I fully agree with you. It's a really shitty attitude to have and if he doesn't drop it he won't get far.
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More than what I meant, it's what I feel like doing, an emotional urge. While it's not my style to ever say "I told you so", I need to read this stuff to not let distractions distract.

Chasing this gig is important to me, that's why I started this thread, and the advice tendered here is the kind I've sought, exceeds it even. So thank you.
 
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They told you they didn't have the money because they did NOT see the VALUE in "your" service and did not see how THEY would benefit from it.


Don't ever be afraid to ask QUESTIONS of the decision maker.

What are you looking to achieve with your web presence?

1.) Subscribers for your financial tool?

2.) New clients?

3.) A stronger presence for your existing clients?

4.) A way to automate the handling of some aspects of your business?


The point here is that YOU know what you can do for them, BUT get them to tell you what THEY want and then tailor your presentation to their wants & needs.

Once they know that you can satisfy their immediate needs & wants you will get in.


Then as you accomplish the tasks they initially paid you for they will be more confident in your abilities and service. Then you pitch the other projects/plans you have i mind to HELP them grow their business. ( Don't hit them with all your ideas up front. You might know you can accomplish them, but they might not see that way.)


You have NOT lost this account yet.


Whatever you do.......DO NOT RUB THEIR FACE in the fact that they just wasted a few thousand dollars as well as a few months.


I would go so far as to say that you should NOT point out the faults of the SEO firm they went with either. I'd "advise" you to try and find the GOOD things that got done for them so that they feel better about the money spent that they already know was NOT spent wisely.


This way you are not attacking their investor and at the same time you will be BUILDING on and USING their initial investment that was spent in an unfamiliar area for their business.


Just get in the door at a price you can profit with and get them some timely results towards their goals. Then and only then should you start talking about the other things you want to do for them.


If they come to you about other service providers go ahead and give them your opinion. But don't get all defensive about it and start using adjectives like Shady, Sleezy, and Scammy to describe them.


If a service they need is beyond your abilities OFFER to help them find a COMPETENT provider. Or offer to learn what they need if time allows and do it pro bono the first time through.



Start out with something that they want done that you can deliver timely results on and the rest will come to you in due course.


I know this is really simple and basic advice, but sometimes that's what is needed.


Others above have given you a lot of GREAT advice in this thread.
 
stefanie said:
Another client has a bizarre attachment to always coming up for one specific keyword. It doesn't convert especially well, but it concerns him, so I moved things around to make sure that his precious keyword doesn't lose a single impression if the budget gets maxed out for other keywords.
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Haha I have one of those. I have this client from Boston that drove me crazy with this 1 keyword that doesn't convert at all. I showed him all the proof through both PPC and Analytics that that keyword doesn't convert well, but he doesn't give a flying fuck because that's basically the keyword that defines his industry (informative keyword... no commercial intent at all)... so I got him to the #2 spot for that keyword (right under Wikipedia) just so he'd shut up. He was so happy when I got him there that he keeps paying me a monthly "maintenance" fee just so I keep him there. I haven't touched his site in 3 months. lol

But yeah, dealing with clients is a psychology game, you have to mold yourself to the person sitting in front of you. Tell them what they want to hear without "shocking" them and making them feel like they're idiots.
 
If you're ranking people for informational keywords, you can convert them with content marketing, but it's a longer conversion funnel.

I used to think that the only way to get conversions was to target high intent keywords, but the last few months, I've had to rethink that approach. With Google shifting most of the high intent searches to favor PPC above the fold, you better be able to find good informational searches, and develop the traffic in a permission marketing channel.
 
All help here has been paying off. The only emotion I've been showing is friendliness and being as forthright as possible.

Right now, I've worked a per month base they will offer and now we're working on a performance comp.

Any suggestions on how I might suggest subscriber targets for a $50 price point over a 3 month period - ie. as in 20% per sub ($10) until 300, 30% ($15) over 300?

I believe that 20% payout is in place already, the rest is totally subjective. They seem to be willing to be quite generous provided I can land subscribers (I know, I know, who wouldn't be... but they are being quite clear about this.).

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I'm also itemizing the tasks I'll do for them. Really looking to make "I'll handle your social media", etc. sound more professional or substantial. Any tips in that department would also be welcome.
 
According to me seo firms are some sort of companies,they dont give as much attention as individual seo providers give .if we hire a individual we can make him work according to our needs,if we go with seo companies,we have to take what they are giving.
 
samgeneric said:
Why odn't you just register yourself a company and be an "SEO firm"?
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Actually the situation is breaking down right along the lines as iSynergy Media described.

They got little results from a small impersonal SEO/SEM firm, now they are giving me a shot to do their selling from scratch.

I like the product. I like who these people are and how they are situated in the media (Forbes/CNBC/WSJ, etc.) - now I have to sell their shit online. So I have to devise the whole plan, essentially from scratch, but I'll be digging like hell through this site for ideas, etc.

One thing that interests me is selling internationally. They have virtually no subscribers outside the US. I have carte blanche to do whatever I want.

And I'll try to do so without coming on WF asking whiny bitch questions.
 
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