^This.

I talk about this topic *a lot* with my SEO writing students. There is no reason to waste time and energy on a prospect who doesn’t get SEO. Even if you do land them as a client, they’ll never be happy with the results — even if you’re driving major traffic (yup, it’s happened to me and every other SEO in the world.)

Thanks for your super spot-on comment!

From day one, SEO has been something that a CEO or other top level executive either understands, or doesn’t. Very little convincing will change the minds of the ones who don’t.

This is because anything that they don’t understand is off their radar. They have “achieved” what they have achieved in their lives without any attention to SEO. (which may not be true, as they may unwittingly have been huge beneficiaries of search traffic, but that’s how they perceive it), therefore, it is not necessary in their world.

If their sales fall due to search traffic changes, they look for culprits elsewhere, simply digging bigger holes.

SEO awareness is, and always has been, reserved for people who are paying attention. That’s actually the beauty of it. You can’t get there with traditional advertising or sales teams.

The sad fact is, many modern managers are simply clueless.

Hi, Derek!

Thanks for your note!

You’re right about cheap content. I’ve worked with agency owners who insist the only way they can make their margins is by paying $15 a blog post. It’s sad, because the end client (usually) doesn’t know any better — and the copy quality just isn’t there.

It’s wonderful that your daughter-in-law pays more than the prevailing wage (and she handles the most lucrative work.) It sounds like she’s built a successful business! As have you, if you’ve had a long-term client– five years is great!

Do you prefer writing SEO copy? Or books?

Thanks for stopping by and for your comment. It’s great to “meet” you!
:)

If they can’t provide the required quality, they are dumped. However, if a contractor is willing to pay, she will turn it out and charges top prices. She runs a couple of dozen writers.

I write SEO copy, and have done for seven years. I’m pretty good and charge accordingly. I’ve had one contract for more than five years so I assume I’m doing something right. I also write articles and books. SEO pays more than five times the hourly rate for books. For articles it’s about twice as much.

In the UK we have a minimum wage. I’ve never attained that for a book, yet three are quite successful.

It’s a harsh world out there.

Yes, great point! It’s better to know early on if a client’s budget is lower than what you need. It’s no fun to get excited about a prospect, work up a quote…and then realize you’re out of their budget.