SEOs: Should You Freelance Or Start An Agency?

Are you looking to make an extra $5,000 to $10,000 per month through SEO while potentially keeping your full-time job?

I’ve been in your shoes, and in just three years, I went from barely knowing what SEO stood for to building a seven-figure agency.

In this post, I’ll share my experiences and help you decide whether starting as a freelancer or an agency owner makes more sense for your journey.

The Freelancing SEO Path

For most people just getting started, freelancing is the most common route. (1) Whether you’re planning to make SEO your full-time job or a side hustle, your focus will be on doing the work yourself and maintaining direct client relationships.

Advantages of Freelancing

1. Improved client retention: By engaging directly with clients, you’ll build personal relationships that can withstand the occasional rough patch or algorithm update.
2. Flexibility: Once you have a few clients, you’ll have more choice in the projects you take on, as you’re not supporting a large team.
3. Lower overhead: With fewer employees and no office space, your expenses will be minimal.
4. Less stress: You won’t have the pressure of providing income for others, which can be one of the most challenging aspects of running an agency.

Disadvantages of Freelancing

1. Limited scaling potential: It’s difficult to grow a seven-figure business while maintaining all client relationships yourself.

Tips for Succeeding as a Freelancer

1. Get uncomfortable: Landing your first few clients will require stepping out of your comfort zone. Attend local business networking events, join the Chamber of Commerce, and create an Upwork profile.
2. Learn to say no: Since you’ll be doing most of the work yourself, you’ll need to be selective about the projects you take on.

The SEO Agency Path

If you’re considering starting an SEO agency, it’s best to make it your full-time focus. Your primary goal will be building a team to handle various aspects of the business, such as client management, AI editing, web development, and sales.

Advantages of an Agency

1. Greater scaling potential: With a team in place, you can take on more clients and expand your service offerings.
2. Less time spent on daily activities: As you build processes and procedures, you’ll spend less time on tasks like prospecting, client management, and fulfillment.

Disadvantages of an Agency

1. Higher overhead: A larger team means more expenses and lower profit margins, requiring more clients to break even.
2. More clients needed: You may need five to ten clients just to cover your overhead, whereas that same number could provide a freelancer with over \$10,000 per month.

Tips for Starting an Agency

1. Build a brand: Launch a website, utilize social media, and run paid ads with funnels to attract clients.
2. Consider legal and financial aspects: Consult with an accountant to structure your business, handle payroll, and navigate health insurance considerations.
3. Create a business plan: Determine your runway, costs, and the number of clients needed to break even.

Making the Decision

When choosing between freelancing and starting an agency, consider the following factors:

1. Income goals: If you’re aiming for \$100,000-\$150,000 per year, freelancing can get you there. For \$1 million or more, an agency may be the better path.
2. Current financial situation: If you’re struggling to make ends meet, consider starting with a full-time job and freelancing on the side.
3. SEO experience: Freelancing can be more forgiving for those new to SEO, as clients may have lower expectations and be more understanding of mistakes.

The Most Common Path

Most people begin as freelancers, land a few clients, and then transition to an agency. Here’s how to navigate this journey:

1. Provide your own fulfillment: In the beginning, do everything yourself to learn SEO quickly.
2. Outsource time-consuming tasks: As you grow, outsource tasks like citations and link building to free up your time. Check out icecreamtruck.shop for resources.
3. Build processes: Break down your tasks into simple, step-by-step instructions with written directions, login information, ChatGPT prompts, and short video tutorials.
4. Hire your first team member: Once you consistently earn over \$10,000 per month, consider bringing on an editor to help with AI-generated content.
5. Utilize tools: GoHighLevel is a fantastic tool for client and brand management in an agency setting.

Take Action Today

The best time to start your SEO journey is now. Don’t let excuses hold you back from landing your first client and building the business of your dreams. If you found this post valuable, stay tuned for my upcoming video series on how AI has changed my SEO agency’s model.

References:

1. Upwork, What is Freelancing?, https://www.upwork.com/resources/what-is-freelancing