How Do I Respond to This Potential Client?

by im1217
15 replies
I emailed a client to do some offline local marketing. I have never gotten a reply. Today I did. Here it is:

"I am on first page--just like to know your cost
Bonuses ?--
No--need a firm price and a contract(standard)
I am on first page google for many keywords--google"

How do you go about settling a price and where do you get a contract? Thanks a lot.

R
#client #potential #respond
  • Profile picture of the author link82
    Maybe I'm missing something here. I am not sure what you offered to do for him or what he's even asking in return.

    Is he saying he is on page one but wants his website to be in the top five positions? Or is this for Google Places?

    The price can depend on a lot but is this your first time with this service? Are you sure you can deliver? What are you comfortable charging for whatever this service is?

    Sorry, no details, so not sure. But respond with more details and I'm sure someone here will help you out.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    First you need to do research on them.

    Which keywords are they targeting?
    Others they should target?
    Competition?

    Once you know that how many hours per month do you believe you should be spending on this? Or if you plan to outsource completely talk to your outsourcer.

    Now you need to figure out what you and your service are worth per hour.
    Hours * what you are worth * flub factor = monthly fee
    Flub factor I use is 120%. So a 5hr a month job still makes my hourly rate if I actually spend 6 hours on it.

    If you are not sure what you are worth per hour I can give you guidence for that too.

    Remember most SEO companies are charging $100 to $150/hr. And remember don't talk about how many hours you will be spending on the account but what yiou will do and how you will help bring him more business.

    You may even want to write up 2 or 3 quotes at different levels of service. But if you get an idea of his budget before quoting you can do just one.

    And don't be afraid to tell him we really need to do "this level" here to get the results you want.

    Remember that you can not guarentee results as position on google but you efforts will help his SEO. Plan to have a meeting in 30, 60, and 90 days to reevaluate. If you need to quote more after 90 days tell him that. "John looking at the results thus far I really believe to get the results we hoped for will require more work monthly. Here is a new quote based on that. Would you like to do this or continue as we were?" Leave it in their court. just be honest with them and they will respect that. You are quoting prices for the work not the results.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    I agree with Link82...I have no idea what you're offering or what they want.

    Clarify with them what the scope of the work is....what the price is and can they afford it...

    Sounds to me like they are tire-kickers based on the very limited info.
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  • Profile picture of the author pbarnhart
    You need to be selling to the guys showing up below him
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    • Profile picture of the author RentItNow
      Originally Posted by pbarnhart View Post

      You need to be selling to the guys showing up below him
      That is just hilarious! I love it!

      Personally, I would offer him a free keyword analysis (let him see how many times a month his keyword is searched in his area) and then show him the better words you could add to that for x dollars. Not sure of your service but it is a good start what I said. It starts a conversation because you already know HE has some kind of problem he is not revealing, you just need to pull that out of him and then sell the solution to him.
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      I have no agenda but to help those in the same situation. This I feel will pay the bills.
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  • Profile picture of the author im1217
    Yeah, I am not sure exactly what he is talking about. He won't tell me even what KWs he ranks for...he seems interested though. I am offering him a higher ranking and maybe ranking for other KWs. I also offered him results before charging. I guess I better not offer a specific ranking but an increase in ranking. I plan to charge $1000/month since this is a high paid doc. What do I do about a contract?
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    • Profile picture of the author bryson
      Sounds like he is fishing for numbers to compare against what he may already be paying.

      For an seo contract search this: intext:seo contract filetypedf or filetype:doc
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  • Profile picture of the author DonHuevos
    Follow the sales funnel my man. Right now he's a marketing suspect. If you can have a chat with him and find out more about his needs, you can move him to a qualified prospect. He he offers no information and just wants price he's fishing. Meaning he might be a prospect, but not a qualified prospect. Try to set up a call. I would not talk biz or try to move a person down the sales process via email. You need to find out his needs/point points so you can position a solution. This will keep you down the path of "value" selling vs. selling price. Next step: set up a call. If he's not open to a call, let him walk.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeff Lenney
    Originally Posted by john rambo View Post

    your worth what they are willing to pay
    *You're
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    Too lazy to write something clever here, so check out my marketing blog and learn from a REAL Super Affiliate at JeffLenney.com

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  • Profile picture of the author eramoke
    The problem for your question is completely sorted out. Potential clients are not believing to the words of machine but from the experiences of people so B2B campaign hire professional consultants that helps to respond your potential clients very easily.
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  • Profile picture of the author varsha
    The main problem for your question is completely not sorted out. Potential clients are not believing to the words of machine but from the experiences of people so B2B campaign hire professional consultants that helps to respond your potential clients very easily. so go throw the B2B clients
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  • Profile picture of the author mickmccrory
    I'm not sure what this client is talking about. I would offer a consultation and see what he is looking for in a service.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Yup. Not enough info here. If the OP doesn't have any more info than this, a talk needs to happen with the prospect.

    I can sense the OP's desperation to get a sale. MISTAKE! You have no idea what this person wants and what their motivation for contacting you is. I suspect they are tire-kicking or going for a price comparison. However, we don't really know until you talk with them. Do NOT be in a rush to make a sale: you could end up giving a free education away and get nothing in return.
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    • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
      Yep, get a verbal understanding what he/she wants to achieve, in what time frame, and budget for it.

      The prospect may need to re-calibrate his/her expectations.

      That's where negotiation comes in.

      What you look for is reasons to say NO.

      Turn it around so that he/she gives reasons why he/she should work with you.

      "Sorry that won't work for me...will x work for you?"

      Never, ever be afraid to say no, but come back with a counter offer.

      Once you get all the little agreements, then you put it in writing using the language the prospect used.

      Some negotiators will come back with a new change or clause.

      Always ask for something in return,
      so that it deters them for trying that gambit in future.

      Of course you can try it on with them.

      Best,
      Ewen
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  • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
    I know your on first page, and I want you to stay there. That's why I'm speaking with you.

    Then point out that every one else below him is spending money to take the top position and if he's not proactive in keeping that position, it could be you're next client that takes it.

    Be professional about it, but it is a fact.

    You don't need to really know any in-depth information, he needs to understand the concept of continued effort to keep ranking and that while he may be ranking on the first page of Google it firstly might not be for the best terms and various other reasons. The point is, you are the pro and you either get hired by him or by one of his competitors who's more aggressive.
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