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I am curious for those who are offering search engine marketing, are the majority of your clients small, one person operations or larger companies such as advertising firms?
I recently started a SEM post on a local mailing list for women in technology and received one person interested in my services. I knew that she was quite small (she's a one person company offering web design) and didn't have an advertising budget. So I drastically underquoted, thinking that if I could get her in, she would really help spread the word on the list, which is chalk full of web designers and people working in the field of web design.
I so underquoted...in CDN dollars....that it's not even funny! And she had the gall to tell the group that my prices were hefty for simply optimizing and submitting to ODP! What I quoted her was keyword research, either she could do the work or I would do it (it would take just as long to explain what needs to be done as to do it); submission to ODP and recommendations on where else to submit to, depending on her budget.
I did realize a while ago that independent web designers choose not to afford this service, though I have paired up with one who will optimize from the start based on my recommendations and will include marketing with her information to the client. It's nice for me as the optimization can be done from the beginning and I don't have to hold the clients hand ;-)
I'd be curious to know how some others are finding their customers, or what the general demographic of your customers are?
itrainu
Within the organization that I help manage, our typical clientele quite honestly ranges from single proprietorships to Fortune 50 companies within the US. The majority of our clients? Right in between. I would say that they are considered to be small businesses based on the labels here in the states, but these organizations employ hundreds to a few thousand at most.
In all cases, whether they be large or small, our clients recognize the importance of SEO and SEM, and want to have it done right the first time. As a result, pricing never really becomes a factor so long as the plan is detailed and comprehensive, and properly conveyed to the potential client.
For what it may be worth, at first glance, we too second guessed our pricing structures. Following many meetings and new clients, we have been told that we are about 65% of "the other guys" bids.
Good luck, and don't limit yourself to a niche clientele so soon. With thousands of new web domains being purchased and developed daily, there's certainly no shortage of potential clients out there.
(Edited)
I failed to mention, that the two driving forces to our sales inquiries are online through a web site, and also through other areas of development within our parent organization.
I guess I am shocked that many sole proprietors have the money to spend on optimization. Perhaps it depends on their field or industry and how relevant a website is to that?
You are right in not narrowing down a market...but I'll take any market *grin* I *want* to work on a site where the customer has an understanding of what the goal is. I do computer training as my source of income so I don't have to worry about starving in this industry, however I would like to implement some of the skills that I have learned ;-) I emailed two contacts that I met a trade show yesterday to discuss possible alliances...
Thanks!
itrainu
What I have found to be true, within working with sole proprietorships, is that they are attracted to SEO if there is an evident ROI.
By that, consider this...
An optimization campaign for a 150 page site, will cost the same if it is pure information or a complete Ecommerce site. The ROI however, is greatly increased for those owning the Ecommerce setup, as they can use anticipated visitor sessions against their conversion rates - and then determine an overall worth to the end product (an optimized, well ranked domain).
So, I guess what I am saying is this... If the site looking to be optimized sells something or produces sales leads - the value is much more evident. Because of this, selling SEO at a price that is mutually beneficial becomes much easier.
Take care, and good luck!
This makes *alot* of sense. Thanks for that tidbit ;-)
itrainu
