Comments on: Dear Potential SEO Clients, Please Don’t…

By: Eric Layland

Eric Layland — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:08:55 +0000

Ah yes….the RFP response or lack thereof after submitting. As a common courtesy, if we fail to make the cut in an RFP review, it should be required (wishful thinking) that we receive a follow up call with an explanation of our shortcoming. For the half-day or more invested in replying, a 20 minute call is not much to ask for.

Nick, I agree with all your points, but I think we as SEO experts and search marketers carry some of the blame. There’s a real lack of transparency from the very top (Google/Bing) to sharing with clients what worked and what didn’t and why. There are far too many snake-oil peddlers (guaranteed #1 rankings) and clients willing to take shortcuts (JC Pennys). The lack of education leads to a lack of respect and it’s up those in the profession (SEMPO, etc.) to help the unknowing understand the value of what SEO/SEM professionals bring.

Dear potential SEO client, if you wouldn’t skip out on a doctor’s office visit or negotiate the cost of a surgery, why treat someone who can significantly increase your revenue with such little respect?

By: Terry Pierce

Terry Pierce — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:53:10 +0000

Well said Nick. My favorite point is the last one. It’s sad to say but I’ve had to cancel contracts before because of this fact. I’d also like to contribute one more to your list…

Dear potential customers, please don’t call me 12 times a day and expect me to answer each and every time. We do work with others as well…

By: Ivan Bayross

Ivan Bayross — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 03:59:45 +0000

Hi Nick,

I recognize almost all of the points raised in this post of yours.

I must admit that I’ve been guilty of a few myself.

Over the years I’ve come to understand what’s Good and what’s not so Good to do when hiring SEO specialists.

I’ve changed and the world has become a better place. :-0.

In my defense there are a lot of SEO specialists who are really not SEO specialists.

BUT – that is no excuse for boorish behavior.

I wrote in just to let you know that I for one, who pay for SEO services, have read this post and agree with most of what you say here.

By: Mike Glover

Mike Glover — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 14:42:25 +0000

My least favorite are the ones who go back and forth on the proposal with you (pricing, terms, etc…) one or MORE times only to disappear after you do concede. Those are buying indicators in my opinion. You know them…the “if you can make this adjustment or that adjustment to your proposal, I think we can do business”. Then when you take the time to actually redo the proposal and adjust your package or terms, you never here from them again.

On the other hand, I have had clients that we have gone back and forth as many as 7 times on the proposal and then received a signed contract….so I guess it works both ways!

Like you said Nick…I think it’s part of the business we are in