Our Marketing Package
Smart online marketing begins with a plan.
I’ve seen a wide variety of approaches to online marketing programs, packages and pricing.
But something is deadly wrong with most of what I encounter.
Sure, they all make sense in their own right for consulting firms. Who wouldn’t want a long-term contract – maybe for a year? You can’t blame an agency for wanting a big up-front fee. And some firms charge so little that they probably make a nice profit from volume, not client retention.
Business executives and owners need to ask a simple question. “Is what I’m signing up for the best approach for me?”
With so many choices – and the time and money at stake – it’s best to take a practical approach to online marketing solutions.
Start with a plan like our Online Marketing Navigator Package.
I feel like I’m betraying some kind of cardinal rule of Internet marketing firms by willing to share my knowledge without the certainty of a long-term contract. It’s like businesses should have to pony up some serious cash before they qualify for insights and tricks of the trade.
I’m not opposed to long-term contracts – if the project warrants that amount of work. Search engine optimization (SEO) is a prime example. In a sense, that’s an ongoing activity. But why not establish a lengthy agreement – if it’s needed – after a planning phase?
Plans are good for businesses that want to do the bulk of the work on their own. Why not show them how to do something or at least send them in the right direction?
Some consultants like to pretend that only they know best, like they have the best perspective from training and by working with other clients. In some cases, that’s true. In other scenarios, companies sometimes employ workers with prior online marketing experience or sharp professionals who quickly pick up on core competencies.
With my affordable Online Marketing Navigator Package, I absorb what I need to about the business and website to properly frame good ideas and develop custom strategies. Businesses are free to run with what they learn. Sometimes I simply affirm the direction they considered before I show up on the scene.
Sure, I’d like to line up a deal that requires a lot of work over the long haul. Those contracts don’t come along every day. I’m content to help businesses size up their situation and make sensible moves to be as successful as possible – with or without me.
Here are 3 central reasons plans make sense:
1. Plans save money.
Can you imagine signing a one-year contract for $20,000 and not needing all of the services a consultany offers? What if you can boost traffic, leads and sales for a lot less?
2. Plans put everything in perspective.
With my Online Marketing Navigator Package, I can uncover a lot of problems and list thousands of dollars worth of work a month. What if the client only has $500 a month to spend? That’s OK. My menu of options is just a list of possibilities until I get started. Ideas don’t cost much; the meter kicks into high gear with implementing them.
A plan helps me get acquainted with a business, understand the budget limits and frame strategies based on what a business can afford. Some work will just take longer to tackle.
3. Plans define real challenges and real opportunities.
Some businesses are way behind the times – and their competitors. What they need can be staggering. Between my skills and experience – and their own internal resources – practical, measureable progress isn’t out of reach.
It’s not always easy to give business owners and executives frank advice. Who really wants to tell them that their ugly website will turn off visitors?
In the midst of shaping an online strategy, I can bring some good news too. I’ve seen plenty of decent websites that just need architecture improvements to turn the corner and generate a better ROI. Some just need better content or more pages. Some desperately need to catch up with link building.
The trick is finding the right combination of next steps will have the best payoff for the best price.
When I present a plan, the strengths of current marketing efforts – and the deficiencies – all become apparent. It’s just a matter of being candid about the state of the website and how well it’s reflecting offline business objectives.
I’ve found that business executives can be cooperative and open-minded. I’m also encouraged by how much industry expertise many of them have – knowledge that I can use to help support online marketing initiatives.
Do you have a plan? Let’s get started.
Mike | 
September 7, 2010 12:31 am
Subscribe
