Getting Ready To Start Business as SEO/IM/ORM Agent.

[Ampix0]

Well guys I think this is a business I would love to get into, it is basically a dream job for me, I am 19, and I'm a graphic designer, photographer, web designer, and business man. So I went out and bought myself a Black-and-White laser printer really cheap and am seriously considering giving it a go. I am quite good with SEO, I ranked my current money site to number one with the keyword "VIDEO GAME" + Free And it is a fairly popular game that is coming out soon.

I am currently deciding between a few domain name ideas. I would like to present myself as an All-In-One agent for online representation. I am considering a few domains with "SEO" in the title. How do you guys feel about presenting myself as an SEO Agent? and actually providing Online Reputation Management as well as Internet Marketing and SEO Services.

I think the hardest part of this is attempting to actually figure out how to charge and work for a client. I work for myself constantly, do you have any tips on creating a contract with a client? I was thinking about doing the mail technique and offering a $99 Consultation and Internet Marketing Strategy. In this mentioned meeting I would provide a detailed plan to increase their SEO, raise online presence, and improve online ratings.

Now the next step, how do you determine the scope and length of the contract. When is the work done? Only then can I consider what to charge for such a service.

 

[cash202]

Well guys I think this is a business I would love to get into, it is basically a dream job for me, I am 19, and I'm a graphic designer, photographer, web designer, and business man. So I went out and bought myself a Black-and-White laser printer really cheap and am seriously considering giving it a go. I am quite good with SEO, I ranked my current money site to number one with the keyword "VIDEO GAME" + Free And it is a fairly popular game that is coming out soon.

I am currently deciding between a few domain name ideas. I would like to present myself as an All-In-One agent for online representation. I am considering a few domains with "SEO" in the title. How do you guys feel about presenting myself as an SEO Agent? and actually providing Online Reputation Management as well as Internet Marketing and SEO Services.

I think the hardest part of this is attempting to actually figure out how to charge and work for a client. I work for myself constantly, do you have any tips on creating a contract with a client? I was thinking about doing the mail technique and offering a $99 Consultation and Internet Marketing Strategy. In this mentioned meeting I would provide a detailed plan to increase their SEO, raise online presence, and improve online ratings.

Now the next step, how do you determine the scope and length of the contract. When is the work done? Only then can I consider what to charge for such a service.

Turn $99 in $999 if yo'd like to get proper clients. $99 sound like "I am a cheap amateur" and will attract cheap clients forcing you to do cheap job when you get a contract (if you are in for a profit). Just think about. If the company has $50K budget per month for ads (this means SEO can be up to $10K), will they even consider $99 consultant?

 

[Ampix0]

Right. That would be great for ... Very large businesses. I was thinking local businesses. Restaurants, Gyms, Shops.
And this is not the bulk of the work here at all. I would not expect this to take much time at all to construct plans. The act of going on with the plans is more what I am selling. And even then I was thinking in the $400 area (totaling $500)

 

[Alinea]

How long is the $99 consultation for? Several hours? One hour?

 

[the_demon]

What SEO company do you know that charges for an initial consultation? I don't think I've seen that in years...

Seriously, who's going to pay a "newb" (as in new guy to the biz) $1k consultation fee without a serious background check first? I mean with no reputation, there's no way in hell I'd pay you or anyone sane person would. Especially as a solo guy and limited experience.

Honestly, if you wanna make it in the biz, you should be offering free consultations to begin at least and then work your way up as you build your client base and have references.

Lawyers --> Most offer free consultation (or nominal $25-$50 fee for first 30-60min)

Accountants --> Most offer free consultation (or nominal $25-$50 fee for first 30-60min)

SEO/ORM/IM Firms --> Most offer free consultation (first 30-60min after which usually at least $100-$150 minimum and that's on the low end.)

Now, consulting, yeah that's another thing. Really the price of which, needs to be backed up by evidence and an extensive resume.

 

[Ampix0]

Well I dont want to draw up a plan and give them everything they need to do for free and then HOPE they hire me to do it.

 

[cash202]

Right. That would be great for ... Very large businesses. I was thinking local businesses. Restaurants, Gyms, Shops.
And this is not the bulk of the work here at all. I would not expect this to take much time at all to construct plans. The act of going on with the plans is more what I am selling. And even then I was thinking in the $400 area (totaling $500)

These "small" businesses can spend up $50K per month on various sort of advertisement, according to my experience.
You'll make more money if work with someone who have money to pay you. You'll make less money if you work with
some cheapass.

$500 will not be enough to rank anything worthwhile. It's not 2005. Shit just doesn't cut in anymore. And you'll have to
resort to shit promotion if you are to profit and deliver results at $500/month. Alternatively you can just take money and
don't deliver results. This is what most of $500/month SEO companies in Australia are doing (well, sometimes they send
a shitty Scrapebox blast to the site but that's about it).

 

[Ampix0]

I really feel you may be overstating costs. I rank my sites with maybe $20 actual cost. Domain and fiverr videos. Scrapebox and backlink building does it for me.

 

[ArtVandelay]

These "small" businesses can spend up $50K per month on various sort of advertisement, according to my experience.
You'll make more money if work with someone who have money to pay you. You'll make less money if you work with
some cheapass.

$500 will not be enough to rank anything worthwhile. It's not 2005. Shit just doesn't cut in anymore. And you'll have to
resort to shit promotion if you are to profit and deliver results at $500/month. Alternatively you can just take money and
don't deliver results. This is what most of $500/month SEO companies in Australia are doing (well, sometimes they send
a shitty Scrapebox blast to the site but that's about it).

So you're saying that "'niche' in 'location'" (assuming that the location is a small-medium sized place) can't be ranked for $500 a month? Like 'pizza in fort collins', or 'real estate agent in sedona'? That sounds crazy, but maybe it's true - I don't know.
I find it hard to believe that a "small business" can spend $50k/month on advertising. Maybe the most successful chain restaurant in town, but your average business couldn't possibly be making enough money to justify that - right??
Just some questions - I don't have very much experience so I'm just trying to put it in terms of what I understand.

 

[Jumbo_Refill]

I think the best way to go about this is to offer 3 different service plans like $250 - Basic / $500 - Moderate / $1,000 - Advanced. Then change the price as you become more know and experienced. That way you can let the client pick, there is no way you are going to know what a company can afford and not afford, make it simple and let them choose what they can afford.

 

[Ampix0]

What I more need to know is what these plans truly consist of. Should I offer a plan and execute it regardless of time?