I just read an email from an agency wanting SEO for their client: "Our client wants to improve their search rankings but is on a limited budget. Also, what results can we expect?"

Seems like an innocent question at first glance, but I know better. These agency types are so used to negotiating ad prices and media buys, they think SEO works the same way. SEO is not a value meal.

What would a PR firm say to this kind of logic? "Our client wants to improve their reputation in the industry, but is on a limited budget. Also, what results can we expect?" Or a direct mail firm: "Our client wants to mail out their holiday catalog, but is on a limited budget. Also, what results can we expect?"

Should companies on a limited budget be able to improve their search results? Of course. But leading with the "budget" comment isn't going to get the attention of any SEO who is any good at what they do. Those people are in high demand and their limited availability doesn't mix well with a limited budget.

It just goes to show how much more we have to go in educating agencies and companies on search engine optimization.