SEO Tycoon

**vangogh** · 10-03-2007, 06:38 PM

Sean the best way you can figure out who to hire would simply be to talk to them. Do a little homework first. I know you're thinking of hiring because you don't have the time to do the work yourself, but it's worth a few night's reading to understand a little.

Even a few days of research will be enough to help you see through some of the snake oil peddlers and have good questions prepared for everyone else.

In the end it will probably come down to how much you trust the SEO and how comfortable you'll feel working with them. Talk to them and ask questions.

**w3bmaster** · 10-07-2007, 05:23 PM

I'm a SEO freelancer pmb me url and keyphrases and age of site for an quote
Regards

**ADAM Web Design** · 10-07-2007, 05:58 PM

Now this is a perfect example of what to avoid, Sean.

What we have here is someone who didn't even bother to read the post you made (where the URL is clearly showing), and he's also asking for the age of the site (which is fairly easily obtained via a WHOIS lookup of the same domain that he ignored in the first place.)

Thanks, w3bmaster.

**SeanB** · 10-07-2007, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADAM Web Design

Now this is a perfect example of what to avoid, Sean.

What we have here is someone who didn't even bother to read the post you made (where the URL is clearly showing), and he's also asking for the age of the site (which is fairly easily obtained via a WHOIS lookup of the same domain that he ignored in the first place.)

Thanks, w3bmaster.

My thoughts exactly. The age of the site can also be seen in the attachment I provided but I doubt he looked at that either. He probably just noticed the "$."

Actually, I've been in contact with Steve (vangogh), and hope to get a quote sometime this week. I want real, lasting results and I don't think they'll be had by someone who doesn't even take the time to read through my question thoroughly.

BTW Adam, thanks for all your feedback. I've been doing a lot of SEO research the past few days, and while I don't know enough to tackle it myself, I do have a better grasp of what to expect and what it's worth.

**MrCat** · 10-12-2007, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADAM Web Design

Now this is a perfect example of what to avoid, Sean.

What we have here is someone who didn't even bother to read the post you made (where the URL is clearly showing), and he's also asking for the age of the site (which is fairly easily obtained via a WHOIS lookup of the same domain that he ignored in the first place.)

Thanks, w3bmaster.

Lols! That was very true and a bit rude hehehehe

**SeanB** · 10-12-2007, 04:20 AM

What's rude is when someone pretends to be an SEO expert, but doesn't even take the time to listen to the client - that's rude.

In contrast, Steve and I spent over an hour on the phone yesterday just so he would have a better idea of what I'm looking for and so that I would understand what to expect from the process. That was all just so he could do his pre-work to prepare a formal proposal. Somehow I doubt w3bmaster gives that type of service.

**Harlequin** · 12-11-2007, 07:51 AM

Hi guys.

I've had many discussions with clients who choke when I give them even a rough idea of what it would cost to hire me to optimise their site and I usually close it something like this:

Look, if I take $1,000 off you but you generate $1,001 as a result of my work you've made a profit, yeah...?

OK, so what if I could double that...? triple or even quadrouple that investment...?

Now, I never sell myself as an expert. I simply say that I've focused on SEO for a number of years, that EVERYTHING I recommend I have already tried and tested on my own sites before putting the MO in place on a client's site and that I have never had a site go further down the rankings.

Also, I work "with" my clients as they can learn from what I am doing for them and I also hand a lot of work, such as content re-writing, off to the client to save costs and then I simply review what they've done prior to uploading.

**scorpionagency** · 12-11-2007, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harlequin

Hi guys.

I've had many discussions with clients who choke when I give them even a rough idea of what it would cost to hire me to optimise their site and I usually close it something like this:

Look, if I take $1,000 off you but you generate $1,001 as a result of my work you've made a profit, yeah...?

OK, so what if I could double that...? triple or even quadrouple that investment...?

Now, I never sell myself as an expert. I simply say that I've focused on SEO for a number of years, that EVERYTHING I recommend I have already tried and tested on my own sites before putting the MO in place on a client's site and that I have never had a site go further down the rankings.

Also, I work "with" my clients as they can learn from what I am doing for them and I also hand a lot of work, such as content re-writing, off to the client to save costs and then I simply review what they've done prior to uploading.

Ok, your close is faulty for one main reason, & thats that you insinuate to the potential client that you CAN & WILL make them a profit & or double their money on the investment in you (In order to win their business).

Now, I'm not an SEO consultant & am lucky to be graced with the simple basics of SEO, However, one thing I do Know about SEO to be 100% true is that you can NOT make any type of guarantees in relation to it.

SEO is an ongoing effort & the first shot out might not generate a profit Nor hold a first page position longer than 48 hrs (Due to all the competition).

We wont even get into the on-page monetizing that would be required to convert targeted traffic once it arrives Via SEO/SEM.

Seeing that this thread is about "Is it worth it & Who should I Hire", It's my opinion that any SEO Consultant that makes & or insinuates that they will double your money or give you a first page position for any amount of time is a big "RED FLAG"!

**johneva** · 06:44 PM

Well worth it if you can find someone you can trust.

There are alot of rip off companys in SEO but then you also have alot of very good people working in SEO its the same as all trades I suppose if you land on the right person doing the job then yes SEO is very very worth it.

When looking for someone get them to give you details for previous happy customers who will say yes this guy was great look at where I am now in the search engines and that was done by him/them. I have worked for a few different sites now and always managed to make them more than happy getting them in the top 10 for many of there main search terms for their trade, thats no plug for me either I am not looking for anymore work.

**fbuenanry** · 12-19-2007, 07:25 AM

IMO, yeah, its worth it..check you ROI or sales.. but of course, good and effective SEO techniques, patience, and hardwork are important..

**full house** · 12-19-2007, 07:51 AM

you can do SEO by your own! You can study it over the web and you don't pay anyone to promote your site!

**ADAM Web Design** · 12-19-2007, 03:54 PM

Or he could save time and money and make more money by hiring someone like Steven who doesn't have his head up his *** like most so-called SEOs spitting out advice.

Bit of a no-brainer to me.

**seo_expert** · 12-19-2007, 06:34 PM

Hi

I think i have got your point! You dear should focus on people who are flexible with continous Search Engine changes and able to adapt them.
Those expert should also have an acute passion for R&D inorder to run a show for you.

So better hire people who are not only "Seo but also an Online Branding Strategist"

Good Luck
Nawaz Shahzad
Seo Expert

**ADAM Web Design** · 12-19-2007, 07:53 PM

Do you have any idea what you just said?

**jamestl2** · 12-19-2007, 08:00 PM

I think he said:

something, something, focus on people, blah something something, search engine changes, blah blah blah

*hire an SEO expert, like me*