So, you’ve decided to dive into the wild world of local SEO. But here’s the kicker—you’re not the only one. In fact, you’re up against a staggering 187,705 SEO and Internet Marketing Consultants in the U.S. alone. That’s a crowded field, my friend. If you want to stand out, you’ve got to do more than just hang your shingle and hope clients come knocking.
In this chapter of our Agency Playbook, we’re getting real about what it takes to set your agency apart from the competition. We’re talking actionable insights from top agency experts who’ve been there, done that, and are still leading the charge.
Getting Noticed in a Sea of Competitors
Let’s face it, getting noticed in a crowded market is no small feat. Before you even get a chance to pitch, you need to make sure prospects know who you are—and that you’re worth their time. So how do you do that?
Amanda Jordan from RicketyRoo keeps it simple: “Honestly, what we do to get noticed is what we tell our clients to do to rank and grow their businesses. We just work on being a positive and impactful part of our community.”
Joy Hawkins of Sterling Sky takes a different approach, focusing on building a strong inbound funnel. “At Sterling Sky, we don’t do any outbound sales. When leads reach out to us, we usually don’t have to ‘brag’ too much about our accomplishments because the businesses have already seen it on our website.”
For Emily Wassell at tmwi, it’s all about referrals. “SEO is a channel where having someone to vouch for your work can be a game-changer. Our team is focused on building really strong client relationships and quantifying the results of our work.”
The takeaway? Be visible, be valuable, and let your work speak for itself.
Developing a Unique Selling Point (USP)
A USP is more than just a catchy tagline—it’s what makes your agency different and better than the rest. So, what’s yours?
RicketyRoo’s Blake Denman has nailed it with transparency. “We are refreshingly transparent and upfront. This isn’t just with our clients but also applies to how we work within our team and present to the industry.”
At Sterling Sky, their USP is all about being ahead of the curve. “We are trend leaders in the local SEO space and understand the local algorithms very well,” says Joy Hawkins. “We have also discovered and named almost every local algorithm update Google has done in the last decade.”
tmwi’s Emily Wassell points to their unique process for content creation as their USP. “The ASIM strategy takes a step back from the keywords to start with the audience interests and affinities, then overlay the keywords back over the top.”
Whatever your USP is, make sure it’s something you can own—and something your competitors can’t easily replicate.
Hindsight: What Would You Do Differently?
Looking back, there are always lessons to be learned. So, what would these experts do differently if they were starting their agencies today?
Amanda Jordan says, “Focus on the horizon, not the rearview mirror; hindsight is not a guide. We’re focusing on seeing where this road takes us.”
Joy Hawkins wouldn’t change a thing. “Some people think this idea of ‘giving away your secrets’ is nuts, but I would argue that it helps identify us as experts and is also the main reason why businesses want to work with us.”
Emily Wassell emphasizes the importance of connecting SEO to broader marketing goals. “We’re definitely more focused on connecting search optimizations to paid activity now… It means we can demonstrate the value of SEO outside of just organic metrics.”
Be Loud and Plan for the Future
The common thread here? Transparency, expertise, and a solid plan for the future. Don’t be afraid to share your knowledge, be loud about your expertise, and let your work do the talking. And always keep one eye on the horizon—because that’s where the real growth happens.
Remember, in a digital world where visibility is everything, GMB Fox ensures your business isn’t just online—it’s the first choice customers make. Let us handle the complexities of digital marketing, so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
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