This method ALWAYS works...
Here is a method of getting SEO clients that I used to use successfully on and off for about 2 years. This is based on real results, no theory, or ideas. It's simple and it ALWAYS works. I'm releasing it now because I have a pretty successful SEO business and I haven't had the need to use this method in quite sometime (maybe someone else has talked about this here, but I've not seen it).
1. Search for professional forums. Forums that are just like BHW except they are designed for contractors, roofers, accountants, lawyers, plumbers, etc. I started with contractorstalk.com. They have individual forums for just about every trade. Just search for them. I've used forums for just about every niche I could think of (accountants, lawyers, etc).
2. Sign up for the forum. You may have to sign up as a "vendor". Follow the rules, be a good member.
3. Most of these forums have a "marketing" section... some even an "online marketing" section. Spend a few days answering some questions and helping people out who have questions.
4. Many of the members have signatures or put their websites on the forum for feedback, etc. Take a look at these sites and see where they are ranked for the most important keywords, how well they are designed, do they already have PR, links, etc.
5. Select one or two sites that are on about page 3 or 4 of Google. Pick sites that have some age, maybe some PR, that look pretty good but have probably not been professionally optimized... sites that you feel could be helped out pretty quickly by simply updating title tags, keyword density, H1 tags, few high pr backlinks, etc.
6. Contact the owner of the site by email. Tell him you are a member of "xyz forum" and that you have an offer for him that should be hard to refuse. Offer him FREE SEO services (temporarily) IF he is willing to open a thread that documents his SEO journey for the rest of the forum to follow!
7. Explain to him that you don't want him to say that this is a free offer. Just have him say that he has "partnered with an SEO firm that he found here on the forum". His job is to document the starting positions and talk a little about the process as it unfolds, give ranking updates, etc. Your job is to get the site ranked on page 1 and of course to interact in his thread saying what is generally being done, what to expect, what will happen next, etc. Sort of showing off your knowledge, without all out bragging. Answer other peoples questions, but don't let other SEO people get involved in your thread.
8. In short order, your "test site" will be on page 1 of Google, if you've done your research well. Always, Always, Always, you will get PM's, phone calls and emails from others on the forum who want you to help them as well (make sure you fill out your profile with your contact information, because most of these forums won't allow you to have a sig right away).
9. Move from forum to forum and do this and watch your client list grow. I can tell you this ALWAYS works.
Without a word of exaggeration, I can tell you I have gotten a minimum of 25 clients this way when I was starting out. It is more effective than ANY other type of prospecting I have ever tried.
Hope you find this useful.
Here is a method of getting SEO clients that I used to use successfully on and off for about 2 years. This is based on real results, no theory, or ideas. It's simple and it ALWAYS works. I'm releasing it now because I have a pretty successful SEO business and I haven't had the need to use this method in quite sometime (maybe someone else has talked about this here, but I've not seen it).
1. Search for professional forums. Forums that are just like BHW except they are designed for contractors, roofers, accountants, lawyers, plumbers, etc. I started with contractorstalk.com. They have individual forums for just about every trade. Just search for them. I've used forums for just about every niche I could think of (accountants, lawyers, etc).
2. Sign up for the forum. You may have to sign up as a "vendor". Follow the rules, be a good member.
3. Most of these forums have a "marketing" section... some even an "online marketing" section. Spend a few days answering some questions and helping people out who have questions.
4. Many of the members have signatures or put their websites on the forum for feedback, etc. Take a look at these sites and see where they are ranked for the most important keywords, how well they are designed, do they already have PR, links, etc.
5. Select one or two sites that are on about page 3 or 4 of Google. Pick sites that have some age, maybe some PR, that look pretty good but have probably not been professionally optimized... sites that you feel could be helped out pretty quickly by simply updating title tags, keyword density, H1 tags, few high pr backlinks, etc.
6. Contact the owner of the site by email. Tell him you are a member of "xyz forum" and that you have an offer for him that should be hard to refuse. Offer him FREE SEO services (temporarily) IF he is willing to open a thread that documents his SEO journey for the rest of the forum to follow!
7. Explain to him that you don't want him to say that this is a free offer. Just have him say that he has "partnered with an SEO firm that he found here on the forum". His job is to document the starting positions and talk a little about the process as it unfolds, give ranking updates, etc. Your job is to get the site ranked on page 1 and of course to interact in his thread saying what is generally being done, what to expect, what will happen next, etc. Sort of showing off your knowledge, without all out bragging. Answer other peoples questions, but don't let other SEO people get involved in your thread.
8. In short order, your "test site" will be on page 1 of Google, if you've done your research well. Always, Always, Always, you will get PM's, phone calls and emails from others on the forum who want you to help them as well (make sure you fill out your profile with your contact information, because most of these forums won't allow you to have a sig right away).
9. Move from forum to forum and do this and watch your client list grow. I can tell you this ALWAYS works.
Without a word of exaggeration, I can tell you I have gotten a minimum of 25 clients this way when I was starting out. It is more effective than ANY other type of prospecting I have ever tried.
Hope you find this useful.
