How to cultivate real SEO work from freebies?

[dickbaker]

For years, I've read just about every thread on this forum, trying to learn SEO. Without sounding boastful, I think I've learned well, as I've had very good success using the information provided here.

And, now that I've demonstrated my success, I'd like to make a least some money from it.

Pageoneresults once made a comment to the effect that, once you know what you're doing, paying customers will seek you out.

Well, that hasn't quite happened yet. Instead, I'm getting requests from friends to help them on their sites.

Just this weekend, I had two such requests. The latest was from a friend on the west coast, whose business has gone from gangbusters to nearly bust. He's hoping that going online will save him.

I took one look at his site, and saw problems immediately. All of them are fixable.

Two years ago, he could have afforded to pay me full rate. Now he can't, so all I can do is tell him what needs to be done, and he'll have to make those changes.

On Friday, I had a small-time client (albeit a small-time paying client) thank me for getting his site on the first page of Google for a number of fairly competitive terms. His prior SEO specialists weren't able to do that. His thanks made me feel good.

But how would you use these small-time personal connections to move on to bigger clients?

I don't claim to be the best SEO specialist in the world. But I'm finding that I have a very good track record.

Any suggestions on how to turn that record into income are much appreciated.

[Marcia]

Two years ago, he could have afforded to pay me full rate. Now he can't, so all I can do is tell him what needs to be done, and he'll have to make those changes.

Telling someone what to do so they can make the changes themselves is consulting, which is a billable deliverable. It shouldn't be a freebie. You could set up payment arrangements over a period of time.

On Friday, I had a small-time client (albeit a small-time paying client) thank me for getting his site on the first page of Google for a number of fairly competitive terms. His prior SEO specialists weren't able to do that. His thanks made me feel good.

Feel good feelings are fine, but tangible assets are better. Get a testimonial from him to put up on a site of your own.

But how would you use these small-time personal connections to move on to bigger clients?

Testimonials are tangible assets, and so are positive results you can show.

[dickbaker]

Marcia, for all of the bluster and the testosterone on online forums, I've found that women give the most blunt advice. I hope you will take that compliment in the spirit in which it was intended.

"Telling someone what to do so they can make the changes themselves is consulting, which is a billable deliverable. It shouldn't be a freebie. You could set up payment arrangements over a period of time. "

This friend and his friend have flown my wife to New Orleans twice in the last few years, and paid every expense. I feel that I owe them something in return, as I couldn't afford to do that for my wife. They'll be flying her out to visit again in October, and again at their expense.

Depending upon what this guy wants from me, though, I could see setting up a progressive payment plan as his site brings in more revenue.

"Feel good feelings are fine, but tangible assets are better. Get a testimonial from him to put up on a site of your own."

Oh, you can bank on that.

The problem I have in marketing my SEO skills is that the greatest successes I've had have to do with the retail gun industry. And that's not something that every widget seller understands, or wants to hear about.

I started as an advertising photographer in 1978, and much of my very good reputation was built upon work that I did for free for art directors hungry to establish their own credentials.

It's like starting all over again.

Thanks much for the reply.