Comments on: Chatting About the Secret Fear of SEOs

By: Daria Goetsch

Daria Goetsch — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:10:38 +0000

We work with small businesses. I think education for the client is a key factor in their marketing success. It is important for the client to have as much information as possible in every step of the marketing process. For small businesses having access to their analytics helps them know what is going on with their website. You may indeed provide the client so much information they are able to function on their own. Hopefully your consultation and expertise is what the client will see as long term value in the marketing relationship.

By: Joe Hall

Joe Hall — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:59:52 +0000

That’s a good point Darren, do you think prioritizing information helps the client digest things in the long run? When I worked solely in IT, I found that was the case.

By: Darren Slatten

Darren Slatten — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 23:44:14 +0000

I withhold information from clients all the time, but not because I’m afraid of making myself obsolete. I withhold information because I bill them by the hour, and in order to deliver the highest return on a client’s investment (in my services), I prioritize DOING over TEACHING HOW TO DO.

When it really comes down to it, my clients are going to determine the value of my services based on the actual work I performed–they usually seem to forget about the Q&A emails that took up several hours of my time (and their money).

By: Joe Hall

Joe Hall — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 20:00:19 +0000

I can definitely understand this fear. And, I think it is heightened when you have a smaller base of clients. I know that I have been tempted to hold back some of my data in the past because I didn’t want to loose a client. Honestly, I kind of resent the notion that those that with hold data aren’t good SEOs. Many SEOs that are one-man-bands will do anything to desperately hold onto a client, because they have no other choice.

**This doesn’t automatically mean that they are dishonest or not giving 120%**

It just means that they have to make hard decisions about how to keep what might be their own means of revenue flowing, otherwise all of their clients suffer when they can’t afford to stay in business. Its easier for larger firms to stay transparent because they usually have brand recognition have built up capital reserves to go with out clients for awhile.

By: Mike | PlanetChiro

Mike | PlanetChiro — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 21:51:53 +0000

I say be open. As someone who has experienced much of the “go it alone” stuff I can say that you miss out on the added talents an expert hired team (especially someone like Rhea) brings. In my experience it’s more profitable for the client long term if they leave the details to the experts and themselves focus on what core service they provide.

By: Lisa Barone

Lisa Barone — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:13:38 +0000

i totally agree with you, David, which is why it’s so weird to hear the other line of thought — that you should hold on to your secrets or be replaced by someone’s inhouse SEO.

By: David Wallace

David Wallace — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:06:44 +0000

I’ve always experienced that the more detailed you are with clients in reporting, revealing what methodologies/strategies you utilize and even educating them, the more they value your services.

It is when you try to conceal what you are doing that they then begin to wonder if you are doing anything at all.