how do you respond to this offline client?

[yianni]

Hi

I've recently been discussing with an offline client
to build site, do seo, and im for them

got this email back from them

how would you respond?

"For me, I am not happy to consider working for two years with you, if the agreement isn’t what I am requiring for starters.* At this stage I have no guarantee that what I would be paying for is going to give me the required traffic that I am wanting from a new website.* You may be able to get me onto the front page of Google, but the traffic is what I am needing for future monetising success.
*
I do feel that if you were really confident that you are able to deliver to future clients you would not tie them into a long-term contract.* If we worked today, I would, of course, continue with you if I was achieving what I wanted in the first place.* This of course would be the same for any client you worked with.
*
I would want a guarantee of the daily unique traffic I would receive if I as working with you.* I am not aware of the daily unique traffic that you are achieving from xxxxxx's website, let alone your own.* This is what I am wishing to achieve and is imperative with whom I decide to work in the future as I am proposing to have a lot of product on my site.* I have no knowledge of any other clients you have and how their sites are going or the success they are having from a traffic and monetising perspective.
*
I do wish you well with the building of your business but feel that the agreement needs to be a win-win, which I am feeling that this may end up not being in the long run."

i appreciate your feedback and help

thank you

[ChristineR]

So, you're asking them to sign up with you on a 2 year contract? Unless you're able to provide absolute proof that you can achieve their requirements (previous clients) or you're prepared to give them a results guarantee (agree what you'll achieve, or no fee) or a time guarantee (good results in the first six months, or contract cancelled) then I can understand their reluctance. Seems like they're just getting started and locking themselves in for two years is a big ask.
Never easy is it!

[Jim Gillum]

Time to get a new client and offer concrete expectations with some sort of realistic guarantee...

[Contempo]

The way you would respond to this client is first - We can see the rebuttal is in the fact that they are afraid to lock themselves down to 2 years, as in their minds they are then limited to other marketing opportunities, by either contract or limited monetary resources. I have dealt with many customers this way.

In order to get them on the same page in regards to expectations I suggest you utilize the Google Keywords Tool that can give you ball park figure for traffic, based on their niche. If someone is selling whatchamacallits, and there is no market demand or current search data then it is near impossible to guarantee any numbers. Focus on their product, focus on the product being fit for the market place, hold the potential clients hand, and get on the same page with them. Go to the tool and if for instance the individual is selling red cars, check to see the number of inquiries. If that number is lets say 500,000,000 million per month or Year, simply say all we need, and or looking for is to get .001 percent of the market, thus providing reasonable terms in regards to expectations and YOUR PERFORMANCE. Now if you suck at SEO, call me LOL, no seriously consider the client, and gauge their products value, put the focus back on them, but if they are new you should offer either a 12 month contract or 6 month contract, or non contract billable monthly at a 5% premium with the option to cancel anytime, but be honest and suggest that results are typically seen within 3 to 6 months.....Think about it, and if you need help closing this guy, PM me, I do this all the time....

[ejfern22]

I wouldn't worry about it too much and I would just forget about this client and move on. There are hundreds even thousands of clients online that are looking for people to work for them; so I wouldn't waste my time with this particular client. There are more available that would be willing to work with you. Good luck with your business!

[jamesryanjones]

Get a new client and don't make a very long term contract, start from trial first.

[Posylane]

A long term contract could be good for both sides if both sides can agree to a reasonable traffic goal. Now part of the problem here is your potential client has very little trust in you and SEO is one of those services that an actual contract may not capture reality very well.

I.e. it might be very easy for you to get him "traffic" that has no interest in his products. What he really wants is not traffic but sales, correct? However sales is something you can't measure very well.

You probably have to try and boil down a traffic goal you think you can deliver, and do a shorter contract to build some trust. I have a website, I would pay anyone who was actually delivering good value for the money.

[inboundcp]

well, great

[Jim Gillum]

Originally Posted by inboundcp

well, great

What is great?????

[Inright]

Agree with the trial guy, give them something to believe in, prove them you can do it and maybe don't lock them for 2 years, make it 1 year, most companies do their marketing plan for one year only.