Acquire SEO Clients Without a Website
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Partnerships
- Speaking at Conferences
- Inbound Marketing
- Applying for Jobs
- Cold Outreach
- Conclusion
Introduction
Just two years ago, I was running an agency. Our client base was pretty widespread, everyone from lawyers to banks to world-renowned DJs. Now, you want to know the craziest part of this all? We didn't even have a website. So how were we able to get SEO clients and how can you get them for your business? Keep watching because I've got some pretty cool tactics to share with you today. Stay tuned.
Partnerships
1.1. Team up with Non-Competing Agencies and Freelancers
The first way to get SEO clients is to get involved in partnerships. This can be done by teaming up with non-competing agencies and freelancers. For example, if SEO is the service you sell, then look for like-minded agencies that specialize in other digital marketing channels like PPC, web design, or social media. Referring clients to each other is a free and passive way to grow together. It's important not to get greedy and remember that the SEO industry is approaching 80 billion dollars. By meeting like-minded people at marketing conferences, you can build relationships and find potential partners.
1.2. Partner with Companies in Unrelated Industries
Another partnership model is to partner with companies who have your audiences but are in completely unrelated industries. An example of this is teaming up with business bankers and private lenders. They have tons of leads coming in every day, and if you're dealing with one of the bigger banks, they can send you more clients than you can handle. In this model, the lender can sell a high-level SEO strategy and upsell your services for a one-time fee, taking a percentage cut. You then have the opportunity to showcase your value and bring them onto a retainer agreement. You can also approach other professionals like accountants and corporate lawyers for referrals.
Speaking at Conferences
If you want to find SEO clients, consider speaking at conferences where your target audience would be present. This is a great opportunity to deliver value and showcase your expertise. Speaking at conferences can attract decision-makers from companies doing 1-20 million dollars in ARR or backed by VC money. By applying to speak at conferences and delivering valuable talks, you have the potential to attract potential clients to your business.
Inbound Marketing
Inbound marketing is likely the most valuable strategy for your business in terms of finding SEO clients. By creating content that demonstrates your expertise and ranks well in search engines, you can build trust with prospective clients through proof of concept. Content marketing allows you to target keywords that potential SEO clients might be searching for, attracting them to your website or blog. By teaching how to do SEO and providing valuable insights, you can not only attract customers for your tools or services but also receive numerous requests for consultations. Focus on building trust through valuable and informative content.
4.1. Focus on a Specific Niche
If you are relatively new to the game, it may be advantageous to focus on one specific niche. For example, if you want to do SEO for realtors, you can use keyword research tools to find relevant topics and keyword ideas. By focusing on a specific niche, you can create targeted content that caters to their needs and positions yourself as an expert in that particular industry. This can help you attract clients who are specifically looking for SEO services in that niche.
Applying for Jobs
Applying for jobs might seem unrelated to finding SEO clients, but it can actually be a powerful approach. When a company posts a job listing, they likely want to hire someone in-house. By applying for such job listings, you have the opportunity to showcase your skills and expertise. If you can sell yourself as an individual candidate, converting them into an agency client becomes easier. This approach relies on the fact that both you and the lead have the same overall intention, making it easier to establish a working relationship.
Cold Outreach
Cold outreach involves reaching out to potential clients who have not expressed any prior interest in your services. When doing cold outreach, it is crucial to provide value and avoid being too pushy in your first email. One approach is to identify pain points or shortcomings on their website and offer solutions. Creating personalized videos for each prospect can make your outreach stand out and give a more personalized feel. Make sure to mention competitors that the prospect should be aware of and focus on starting a conversation rather than making a hard sales pitch. By providing value and showcasing your expertise, you can generate interest and convert prospects into clients.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are various strategies to acquire SEO clients for your business. Partnerships with non-competing agencies and freelancers, partnering with companies in unrelated industries, speaking at conferences, inbound marketing, applying for jobs, and cold outreach are all effective approaches. Each strategy requires effort and valuable insights to attract clients and establish trust. By implementing these tactics and continuously refining your approach, you can grow your client base and succeed in the competitive SEO industry.
Highlights:
- There are several effective strategies to acquire SEO clients, including partnerships, speaking at conferences, inbound marketing, applying for jobs, and cold outreach.
- Building partnerships with non-competing agencies and freelancers can lead to passive referrals and mutual growth.
- Partnering with companies in unrelated industries can provide access to a large number of leads.
- Speaking at conferences allows you to showcase your expertise and attract potential clients.
- Inbound marketing through content creation helps establish trust and demonstrates expertise to potential clients.
- Focusing on a specific niche can make your SEO services more appealing and targeted.
- Applying for jobs can lead to agency client conversions if you can sell yourself as an individual candidate.
- Cold outreach should focus on providing value and starting a conversation rather than a sales pitch.
FAQ:
Q: How long does it take to see results from inbound marketing?
A: The timeline for seeing results from inbound marketing can vary depending on various factors such as the competitiveness of the market, the quality of the content, and the effectiveness of the SEO strategies. Generally, it takes several months to start seeing significant results, but consistency and quality are key to long-term success.
Q: How often should I reach out to potential clients through cold outreach?
A: When it comes to cold outreach, striking the right balance is essential. You don't want to inundate potential clients with multiple outreach attempts in a short period of time, as it can come across as spammy. A good rule of thumb is to space out your outreach efforts and follow up after a reasonable amount of time, such as one to two weeks, depending on the nature of your initial contact.
Q: How can I differentiate myself from other agencies when applying for jobs?
A: To differentiate yourself from other agencies when applying for jobs, focus on showcasing your unique expertise, track record of success, and the value you can bring to the company. Provide specific examples of your previous work and highlight any specialized skills or certifications you possess. Additionally, tailor your application to address the specific needs and goals of the company you're applying to, demonstrating that you understand their industry and challenges.
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