How to deal with SEO Solicitations?

Most of our business is derived via word of mouth. We don't have an internal marketing department, nor do we use outside advertising agencies. As a boutique style agency our growth is both calculated and continuous, but slow. So what are these SEO solicitation emails you keep getting from other SEO companies? We've all seen them, but here's a great example from Todd Mintz at Search Engine Guide.

Dear Website Owner,

If I could get you five times the RELEVANT traffic at a substantially reduced cost would you be interested? N------- P-------- can place your website on top of the Natural Listings on Google, Yahoo and MSN. Our Search Engine Optimization team delivers more top rankings than anyone else and we can prove it. We do not use "link farms" or "black hat" methods that Google and the other search engines frown upon and can use to de-list or ban your site. The techniques are proprietary, involving some valuable closely held trade secrets. Our prices are less than half of what other companies charge.

I would be happy to send you a proposal using the top search phrases for your area of expertise. Please contact me at your convenience so I can start saving you some money. Please do not hesitate to email or call me if you would like further information.

Sincerely,
P--- R---------
VP Sales
N------ P--------
26500 W. A----- R---7
Suite ---------
C--------, C------- 9----

There are numerous informative write-ups on how to help a client understand why this is not likely a legitimate request. Unfortunately, all too often clients take these seriously and in some cases, if you are early on in an expensive campaign it can be a tasty proposition.

If you are a client of ours or of any SEO firm, it is best to be up-front about communication with outside resources. Forward this email onto your SEO. If you're working with a great company they will take the time to explain to you why this solicitation is not likely something you should pursue. The best SEO firms are small, agile companies. If you are sending out mass unsolicited emails it means that your business model contains aspects that include fast growth and short-term relationships. Because SEO is inherently a long-term marketing plan, this approach to soliciting customers is both counterproductive and revealing about the type of survive and expected success rate of service.

If it sounds too good to be true, in SEO it almost always is.

If you are interested in National Metrics or our services, please contact us or call toll free 1-888-404-6022.