DaveAtIFG - 3:22 am on Oct 30, 2000 (gmt 0)

mrsubmit - Custom bids and the Setup/Maintenance model is where I'm gonna start. I'm in the enviable postion of being able to select/reject work and not starve, so I'll take the jobs where I can comfortably work with the client, and where I'm confident I can provide good results. I'm not looking for high volume or big bucks, just a modest steady income. I'm a one man band working from home and want to keep the pace comfortable.

As to guarantees, I plan to simply guarantee a percentage traffic increase within a certain timeframe, typically, "double your traffic in six months", obviously dependent on an existing sites current status, custom bid again. If I don't meet the traffic goal I committed to, I continue my "most diligent efforts" to do so at my expense, until I do.

In response to your comment:
>to manage client expectations in the face of all the hype out there from scammers and spammers.

I plan to target webmasters like myself, entrepenuers, and I'm not much interested in beginners or big dollar web sites. I guess I'm targeting people that have been around long enough to know the "$29 submit" doesn't work, but haven't learned to do SEO themselves. A well crafted web page and doing good followup on inquirys is all you can do here, I think. I believe most people recognize the truth when they see it.

sagerock makes a good point:
>Another fact of the matter is people want to know that they are going to get something for their money.

I think this can be addressed with a portfolio and offering references although building this is a "chicken and egg" situation. And I'll need to accept the fact that only a small percentage of inquirys will result in work. Also, one of the terms of my agreements with clients is that they agree to provide an honest reference upon requests from potential clients, which may help sales.

That's about all I have so far...

sagerock - You obviously spent some time on your post. Thanks for your input!