Why Tough Conversations Are Critical For A Successful SEO Campaign (Real Life Example)
Trust me, I get it. I don't like confrontation either. We've all stayed silent or didn't take action because of an uncomfortable situation or had hope that it might just go away.
In my 14 years of providing SEO services I have learned that avoiding difficult conversations turns into the first sign of an SEO engagement failing.
Let me walk you through a real life example:I was hired to support the Director of SEO in an advisory role for an up and coming company that now does nearly half a billion in sales annually.
The Director of SEO was smart. He knew what he was doing but brought me in to help him get more internal buy-in.
This company is well siloed and often requires multiple buy-ins from leaders across each silo to get even the most basic SEO tasks accomplished.
Fast forward a year and the Director of SEO left the company. The inaction and de-prioritization of SEO had gotten to him. The process was painfully slow.
I had to step up and have a very difficult conversationHere I am talking to the CMO. He wants to know why SEO performance isn't close to matching projections that were made earlier in the year.
I told him that the company was at fault.
As I sat there chewing on my tongue (and waiting for confirmation that my contract wouldn't be renewed...) This CMO responded:
"Tell me more.."At this point I shared examples where and how various SEO initiatives were blocked and by what team.
The focus was NOT on individuals but where the system was broken and how the organic channel would see value with buy-in from the right individuals.
The CMO agreed!Over the next quarter a few organization changes were made and SEO was assigned a new owner. This didn't solve for ALL issues but performance has increased significantly since.
All of this because of an extremely difficult conversation...Action Items or Takeaway
1. Track where your SEO efforts are failing and why.
2. Document the potential impact of SEO efforts not taking place.
3. Provide a solution.*
4. Identify the change maker.
5. Schedule time for conversation.
*Note that number 3 is CRITICAL. Without a potential solution, having a difficult conversation is no different than whining or complaining.
Good leaders think in the form of
issue - impact - solution. If you can't talk to them in this manner, you won't get results.
What kind of difficult conversations have you had? Did they help fix anything?
