Trying to do some freelance work...

[Sassmo]

I'm experienced in social and viral marketing through Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Plurk, Digg, Reddit, and SU. I've got a marketing plan that I'm pitching in about a week and I feel like it's pretty difficient with what I've got.

My experience: I have a moderately successful SU, Digg, and Reddit account and I have access to a handful of Pro social marketers and SEO's that can lend me a hand.

About the company: It's a hotel with some Google search presence and it's been featured on television. It has the a customer base of young tech-savvy people, but the hotel hasn't tapped into the social marketing world at all. They have a newsletter that has a fair amount of subscribers and their blog where they advertise specials and contests gets a fair amount of clicks too.

What can I offer in the realm of SEO when I'm fairly inexperienced? Is pitching them a plan in the social world enough? Since this is my first freelancing gig, what kind of pay should I ask for?

 

[smaxor]

The best interview you sell results. NOT the way you achieve them. If you come to the table with a bunch of facts of the things you're going to do that's probably more then they want to know. I suggest you keep things to the very basics. Ask them about what "they" want to achieve. Get a clear picture of that, then tell them you can achieve it but don't get into how. Let them pry and pull information out of you as you do the same thing to them.

 

[Sassmo]

These are a few bits of info I probably should have included:

I approached this company and they have a manager that handles their online "presence." He's done alright in some aspects, but they have the potential to really increase it. I talked to the manager via email and he's interested in working with me, however, I have to sell the idea on him first.
The hotel is in my hometown, but I live in another state now so I have to sell him on the idea via phone/email. My plan is to send him a Powerpoint outlining the areas where I think they're lacking and my ideas for increasing their visibility.

 

[xecutech]

IMHO I don't think I would send them a power point presentation. I have found these to only be effective if your there with it, and then again I normally don't bore them with one.
Tell ing them what they are doing wrong is not a good idea. I would give them a pat on the back for what they are already doing and then go into discussing what you can do for them. Don't spend alot of time explaining your background, unless you are giving them an example of how you effectively helped another company.
Bottom line, tell them what they want to hear without overselling yourself. This way you won't scare them off and you won't look unprofessional.

Again, this is my opinion, but I have been in sales for over 15 years. Just be cautious about not sounding like your trying to sell them anything, but don't be afraid to ask for their business.

 

[The_Stove]

You need to tailor your approach to the company you are trying to get work from. Since this person manages their online presence, they may be a little more well versed in things like SEO and social media. If not, you have to make sure people understand what you are offering, and how it is beneficial to them. Explain how what you do gets them more money,and has a profitable ROI, without getting into too much technical detail. This has always helped me out.

 

[Sassmo]

Thank you all for the advice. I'm sending him the proposal on Monday, so I'll let you know how it goes.