Use Maps rank as your opener
Every Google Maps lead in Prospect Cheap includes its Maps rank for the keyword that found it. A business ranked 9th for "emergency plumber Denver" knows what that costs them. That number is your opener.
Find businesses that can afford SEO
Filter for:
- Rating 4+ and 30+ reviews — established and busy
- Website present — something to optimise
- Rank 4 or lower — outside the top 3 where most calls go
Pick niches with high job values
SEO pays back fastest where one customer is worth a lot: personal injury lawyers, roofers, dentists, HVAC, solar.
Pitch with their own data
"Hi Laura — I searched 'family lawyer Tampa' and your firm is 7th. The three firms at the top have between 150 and 400 reviews and dedicated practice-area pages; you have 60 reviews and one services page. Want the short list of changes I'd make first?"
Offer a mini audit
A one-page audit — rank, reviews, profile completeness, website speed — sent free shows expertise. See local SEO audit outreach.
Keep a pipeline per city
SEO clients in the same niche compete with each other. Work one client per niche per city, and prospect the next city when that slot is full.
Build a repeatable prospecting week
- Monday: pick one niche and three cities; run a bulk search.
- Tuesday: filter to ranked 4–15, rating 4+, website present.
- Wednesday: record a 2-minute Loom or write a 5-line audit for the top 20.
- Thursday–Friday: send, then follow up the next week.
Show the money
Translate rank into calls. If the top three listings take most of the clicks, moving from 7th to 3rd is worth real jobs. Use ballpark numbers the owner recognises, like the value of one roof replacement or one new patient.
Don't overpromise
No one controls Google's ranking. Promise the work (profile improvements, reviews, pages, links) and the reporting, not a guaranteed position.