The Key To SEO Success: Effortless Expectation Setting

Can't you just call Google and tell them we want to be on the first page? We just changed keyword strategies last week. Where is our uptick in traffic? I've just read an article that says we should do x, y, z, and now I'm the expert. Sound familiar? Whether you're at an SEO agency or in-house, it can feel challenging to set and keep SEO expectations in check with reality. Helping non-SEO pros understand your long plays is easier said than done – or is it? Grant Simmons, Director of SEO at ClickFluent Consulting, joined me to discuss how to position yourself as the thought leader for your department, clients, and shareholders and stay positive. There's that disconnect between what agencies think about in-house people. –Grant Simmons, 10:49 Make sure expectations are met. That's essentially the job, and you sell it. You make sure people understand what was sold, and you make sure they know what they're going to get, and then you have to deliver it. And if you can't deliver it, as I said before, communication is key, just letting them know when. –Grant Simmons, 7:15 There are a lot of folks I know that are independent SEOs or consultants that get a contract. They do the audit, and they're done. There's no value there. I mean, there's some value that may be in the audit itself. Still, the ability to continuously keep communication going is gone. –Loren Baker, 8:14 [00:00] - Grant's background in search marketing. [05:00] - What Grant has learned on the agency side helped him in-house and vice versa. [18:29] - Tips for anyone looking to transition from consultant or agency to in-house. [21:41] - Why Grant hired multiple agencies & tips for handling them. [26:02] - Opportunities in media & non-digital partnerships. [28:32] - The example of haunted.com [41:25] - How to assess the ROI from an agency. [44:36] - Recommendations for agencies before signing on to projects. [47:46] - How important is it to focus on local SEO? [50:00] - Does Grant believe in pilot