Hey BHW!
I wanted to introduce myself and share my upcoming journey, which I’ll be updating twice a week.
I’m Stevie, 33 years old, and I’ve been involved in internet marketing since 2017, mainly focusing on building websites for clients. I’ve launched a few businesses along the way, though many didn’t last. Since 2019, I’ve been deep into SEO and project management. That’s a bit about me—feel free to ask if you want to know more!
My Journey
Today, I woke up determined to see if I can build a successful SEO business in the coming months, targeting clients across Europe. Is the SEO market saturated? Probably. Are clients willing to spend on SEO right now? I don’t know, but I’m ready to find out. This journey isn’t about chasing quick money; it’s about building a solid, sustainable business.
My Plans and Next Steps
Balancing this with my day job means my time is limited, but I’ve set aside $2,500 to get things started. Here’s my approach:
- Build a Landing Page
I’ve hired a freelancer to build a landing page for my SEO agency. While launching another agency isn’t revolutionary, I have a bigger vision in mind. The page, including WordPress coding, should be done by next week, costing $850.
- Translate the Website into Multiple Languages
Once the site is live, I’ll translate it into multiple languages to better target the European market.
- Build a Client Dashboard
I plan to implement a simple CRM/ERM system or use a white-label client dashboard to streamline onboarding and payments.
- Implement SEO Strategies
My first investment will be in press releases to get “As seen on” badges from platforms like Business Insider and MSN, which will cost about $1,000.
- Set Up GMB, Trustpilot, and Capterra
I’ll create profiles on Google My Business, Trustpilot, and Capterra, experimenting with backlinks for these profiles and keeping the GMB updated with relevant content.
- Outsource SEO Work
Given my day job commitments, I’ll outsource all SEO tasks to ensure things run smoothly.
Client Acquisition and Initial Steps
The biggest challenge will be landing my first clients. Luckily, I have a network of friends and contacts who own businesses like restaurants, hotels, and more. I plan to leverage this network with a “money-back SEO offer” to get started.
To generate leads, I’ll use a lead form with a funnel and automated email flow offering a free SEO audit report. If this approach doesn’t work, I’ll adjust my strategy. I’ve got a specific niche in mind that I believe holds potential—I’ll test it first and reveal more later.
I also plan to boost GMB, Trustpilot, and Capterra profiles with fake reviews using aged Gmail accounts, residential proxies, and footprint-free browsers to see if they stick.
To gain more traction, I’ll use AI-generated human-like content for blog posts (about $50/month) and buy content from freelancers. I might also create a simple ebook or checklist as a lead magnet.
Pricing Strategy
Pricing will be key, and I need to calculate it carefully. My goal is a 3x-4x return on investment, considering the costs of outsourcing, taxes, freelancer fees, and other expenses.
What Makes This Journey Unique?
Honestly, there’s nothing radically different, but I’m trying to find unique approaches to lead generation, like offering free SEO audits—yeah, I know, groundbreaking! But I believe my niche is not saturated, at least not yet.
Fingers crossed
Why Another BHW Journey Post?
I’m not entirely sure—maybe it’s just to keep myself motivated and accountable.
Thanks for following along, and I’ll keep you posted on my progress or if you have any suggestions - HMU lol
All the best and I try to keep the post up2date as often as I can.
Stevie(s)
