How to find non stingy clients

[Netboost]

I was browsing around other SEO websites and seeing how they charge upwards of $2500 a month...

In Australia things are a little different, many potential clients gasp in shock at the prospect of paying just $500 a month...

Because of this it seems all the SEOs in Aus have taken to undercutting each other to the point where you can get 'guaranteed' 1st page results for just $200 a month - its become a necessity of doing a guarantee and having a low price just to compete...

How do you find clients that actually have decent budgets? Most of the clients I have so far are from referals from web developers or from my participation on business forums etc. I have thought about trying a telemarketing campaign or a direct mail campaign to try and snag some lawyers, and cosmetic surgeons etc

Has anyone had experience with these methods or can offer any other suggestions to snag clients with deeper pockets?

[EGOL]

Maybe for these jobs you eliminate the admin work.  Then strike a deal with the client.... he pays $250 up front and then another $250 after you have doubled his traffic.  Sweet deal for the client and he should be happy to pay $250 after your work makes a kickass impact.

[Netboost]

Our policy at the moment accomodates and gets results for everyone, I think we even have a $170 client

It is frustrating though because of the increased admin load (reports and client contact etc). It is annoying when a client will spend $5000 on a radio campaign but thinks that a similar value SEO campaign is too risky or not worth it.

I enjoy working with small businesses from a personal aspect but I feel it is not the best for my business financially

[dignan99]

It really comes down to the overall revenue and industry.  Mom and pops gasp.  The Target and Deloitte type companies do not.

In my opinion, as a small business owner who gets contacted by SEO folk on a weekly basis, I would hate to hire anyone who thinks I have deep pockets.  I am also of the opinion that chasing people/companies because you want the big score is the best way to ruin your SEO business.

The key is being able to explain the value of SEO and internet marketing in a way that makes sense.  Whether that is to a mom and pop business or a multinational company, they have to see the value.  If you are turned down often by these "stingy" folk, you may be doing or saying the wrong things.

[EGOL]

In Australia things are a little different, many potential clients gasp in shock at the prospect of paying just $500 a month...

I think that this is true in the USA also.  People think that you just tweak the code and the site goes up.

However, in the USA most SEO jobs are either a local job such as "Scranton Auto Glass" which doesn't usually cost a lot - a few hundred a month might do it, or a national campaign selling "brass widgets" that will probably need at least the $2500 budget to become competitive.

Perhaps most of the people advertising the $200 are doing SEO for a small company targeting a single city?