Need Some Help Promoting My SEO Service

Hey guys,

I started my SEO service two days ago, I've spoken to one person who had my MSN (didn't even know who he was) anyway, I rang him and he said he'll reply by tomorrow after he goes over the packages.

Anyway, I am looking for some ideas on how I can promote this. I don't want to be spoon fed and I have done my own research, here is what I have come up with:

- Searching phone directory and emailing/calling businesses
- Searching Google, emailing/calling businesses on the second-third page for their keywords
- Handing out flyers to local businesses

Looking forward to some other ideas, perhaps an ebook or a thread with some really good information on offline promoting an SEO service?

Thanks!

Interesting, I was thinking about the same thing this weekend. Google actually says to stay away from SEO's that contact you by email. So I am thinking about advertising in local papers and maybe even CL. Also some targeted adwords wouldn't hurt either, something like "SEO your town". Target businesses right in your area and give them a media packet that includes keyword research for their site and a blueprint on how you can improve their ranking and traffic.

I have several customers right now and the first 5 customers I ever had were pro bono. Now I have 4 paying customers and those were recommended by the pro bono cases. So "word of mouth" and "referrals" seem to be a good way to.

Thanks for the tips Nick, I was also considering Adwords, ArticlesBase sent me a $75 voucher so I might as well give that a go and see if I can get a couple of leads.

Local papers is also another go, CL may or may not work effectively here, I'll try it out - nothing to lose I guess.

Thanks again

its odd, maybe you could do seo......
you want help promoting a service where you promote things for people? Am I the only one that sees this as crazy?

vivalafeva said:

its odd, maybe you could do seo......
you want help promoting a service where you promote things for people? Am I the only one that sees this as crazy?

Click to expand...

Its not odd at all, because a lot of small business owners have no idea what SEO is, and therefor would never look for it. So the only way to reach them is some sort of advertisement.

vivalafeva said:

its odd, maybe you could do seo......
you want help promoting a service where you promote things for people? Am I the only one that sees this as crazy?

Click to expand...

nicklesbr said:

Its not odd at all, because a lot of small business owners have no idea what SEO is, and therefor would never look for it. So the only way to reach them is some sort of advertisement.

Click to expand...

Exactly that, it may sound like the logical way to address this issue would be to implement the service which drives traffic. However, as mentioned above people aren't looking out for this sort of thing - which leads me to the thinking cold calling and flyers + emails would be the best option as you get to clearly explain what you can offer to the business.

Do it all for locals! And I like the "pro bono" that nicklesbr mentioned. Get a good small portfolio going, and take your time!

Walk the streets with your business cards, and also do some cold calling (even though you hate it). You'll get over the fear real fast!

The flyers to local businesses, is great......but don't forget to follow up.

You may want to join your local Chamber of Commerce, or some other networking groups.

Try not to be hard on yourself, as this takes some time. After a while, provided you're good at SEO, they'll be calling you!

Cheers.....Mike

I have done this a few times - it netted me several great clients. I contact very large churches and offered a workshop for small business owners on web security - for free. How to keep porn, smut, and MSNBC from using your website or blog for disreputable purposes. 30 minute talk, little handout, and a few mentions of "blackhat", "nefarious," and "foreign" thrown in the mix. A basic 'keep your website safe for Godly commerce' presentation. At the end, I mentioned - at the very end, almost as an aside - that I did "whitehat seo" and "honest facebook marketing" for select clients committed to Christian principals and ethical standards. I find these are the people most willing to pay good money for blackhat, value-added and easily marked-up services.

I had not even made it to the cheepo donuts before the first business person (Amway localeer and blogmom) gave me her card and asked to sign up.

Churches are GREAT sources of revenue - if you are the kind of person happy to buy Elmer Gantry a few drinks Free workshops on web security and safety are easy to create - especially if you can create a good back story that combines asian porn and keyword stuffing before you saw the light and committed to more appropriate commerce.

Thanks guys

Back to cold calling, I've found a solution which will eliminate me having to do it - I'm looking into hiring a Personal Assistant that can search through Google and then call these people offering my services for a commission of the sale.

I've heard you can find these people at Odesk, any other ideas?