Ungrateful clients

I am sorry to tell you that you may be a partial cause of this. By undervaluing your services, it seems like you have lost some respect. Ten keywords seems a bit high to target from the get go. I think that if you were only targeting a few keywords instead of ten you would be bringing in more leads already. For example, Page 1 for 2 keywords is better than Page 3 for 10 keywords. I would not just take this, find out why they are looking at other companies. In the end, you may have to fire yourself, and use it as a learning example.

I must assume that you discussed their needs/requirements initially and that they are, now, wanting to increase SEO efforts to yield greater results. If that is the case, have you discussed with them about offering a bigger package that is similar to what is currently being offered to them for $600?

You secured this client for SEO but they are going to keep receiving calls from other SEO agencies, offering them bigger and better services. That competition will never go away. You should do what you can to keep this client by offering value and providing a more suitable service, perhaps by revisiting that conversation to try to figure out what they want and what you can do for them currently. Your services must adapt to your client's needs. You should always stay on top of this. Hopefully, it's not too late.

You know they are willing to pay $800/month for SEO. Figure out what the other SEO firm is offering and top it. If you continue to work on a small campaign for this business, you may eventually get cut out of the equation, because if the other SEO firm is working on larger campaigns, the results that they yield will shadow yours.

ungrateful? Did the they agree to pay you for services and they in fact paid you? It's your fault for doing more than agree hoping they'd thank you or voluntarily paid you more. I'd check your entitlement attitude that is hinted at in your post. It might be showing through to your clients as well.

I say give them the chance to hire you at the higher rate with more keywords and service, THEN if they do not want to do that you walk.

The conversation may sound a little like this....

Look I understand that you have undervalued my services because I have charged so little and have over delivered. I didnt know if you all were serious about wanting to take advantage of internet and social media platforms and I wanted to give you a taste of what could be done. Now that I know you are serious and know that you know that Im a bad ass seo, Here is what I can do if you spend 1k a month with me.

Blast that site till its sandboxed - Spammy/Adult links LD

But only if you want some revenge

Entitlement Issues? I won't even go there.

I don't know specifically how you handle your business but it sounds like they are looking for something more "professional". And sometimes that could mean paying more and getting less.

What I'd immediately stop doing is any type of free work for them

What I'd do directly afterwards is make sure you contract EVERY SINGLE THING you do for this business. I still do free work for people even now that I realize what a terrible mistake it is. The second you give someone an inch, or anything free, they get the impression the job you're already getting paid to do for them is simple or easy.

Like "why is he doing free stuff on top of what we are already paying? Does he feel guilty about the services we are actually paying him for?

Either way, I'd start being a bit more arrogant/selfish with them. Start demanding more, speculate less, don't use idealistic language when speaking to them. Be very matter of a fact, "this is what you get" no more no less. When they get insecure about something you are doing, don't try to boost their ego with logic. Use emotional responses to make them embarassed.

For example when I have people tell me they want the cheapest price they can get, or want cheaper work, I call them on their bluff & immediately say "if you're looking for a business to do cheap work for you, our company is definitely not that place".

I don't reason the price out with them or use any math. I make them feel like if they go with a cheap business, they're going to get **** work, and I don't have any time to explain common sense bs like that to them. I think you get what I'm saying. I'm not even sure what your exact problem is but sounds like you communicated something to them that has them thinking you are inferior compared to other business's. Its weird how if I act like I don't care if someone uses my business it tends to make them want to use it more.

Kinda like "I'm the **** and if you don't use me someone else will". Telegraph that attitude to them nonverbally, may give you a bit of an upperhand if done right.

Have a talk with her.

I don't think that it's anything you did overtly, but she may just consider you someone who is freelancing for small jobs. She may not think you have the capacity or know how to take them to the next level.

Her perception of you and what you're capable of is in question. Doesn't really matter why...

So.... Change her perception.

Talk to her. Find out what she is looking to gain by her SEO efforts. What her mid/long term vision is for the website. How many new customers she wants. Etc, etc....

Help her see that you have the experience, know-how and capacity to solve her problem, whatever it is.

That, or if you don't like the way she is treating you, then cut her loose.

Believe it or not (big laughs) there are jackass customers out there. My 2 cents? Life is too short....

ok, I'll wait for your "blame ungrateful clients" WSO!

Thanks guys for your support. Hopefully, things will work out.

@ NewParadigm - Hope you're not such an obnoxious person in real life as you come across in your posts. Wishing you well either way.