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Getting on Google Page One
Have you ever wondered how to get on Google page one? Let me tell you how we did it.
One rainy Florida afternoon, a gentleman I didn’t know walked into our office; the visitor had been referred by someone I had a lot of respect for, and I had agreed to meet without knowing why he was there.
The stranger was a big guy – maybe 6′ – 6” – and about as wide as he was tall. Turns out he had been a college football player but never got drafted into the pros.
He was affable, kind, gentle, and very respectful. A “yes sir/no sir” kind of guy.
Now I love to watch people “sell.
” And this guy spent almost an hour at it – telling me everything he knew about how to get my business listed on Google page one. And, just like all the other people attempting to get us to write a check for similar services, he was realizing that I was not going to be signing that check anytime soon!
That’s when he switched tactics and pulled what marketers call a “risk-reversal” strategy – he offered to get one of our enterprises on Google page one for free. “Don’t pay me until I get you there” he said, “and you won’t have to pay me again unless I keep you there.”
How could I resist an offer like that?! Free and free! We agreed on what his potential monthly fee would be based solely on his successful performance, shook hands, and he left.
Of course, I was sure I would never hear from him again. But wouldn’t you know it? – three weeks later he called and asked me to Google our business name. I did as he asked and… sure enough, there we were smack dab on Google’s front page!! Then he told me to Google about 15 other words and phrases, and on each one there we were again – Google page one!!
You already know what I was thinking… How in the world did this guy do that?! How did he figure out the Google MOJO??!!
Based on his performance, I gave him a few additional businesses to rank and sure enough – three to six weeks later he called with the exact same results! Google page one for each business. Wow! I was blown away!!
I had an idea. I called him up and scheduled a meeting.
When we met, I asked him what part of his business he enjoyed the most – selling to skeptical prospects or working his magic on Google? When he told me he’d rather work online, I asked if we could do his selling for him. He readily agreed.
We created a two-step campaign. The first step was a big postcard that announced our offer and drove interested businesspeople to our website. The second step was a video where we made our offer.
Getting Paid to Get on Google Page One
We spent about $5,000 promoting the new service and in the following eight to ten months we collected over $400,000 in income. Almost all of it was pure profit.
During those months I discovered how my new partner had been so successful. He had no insider secrets or special relationships. He had simply figured out how to work his magic by taking three courses from a guy who’d decoded Google’s algorithms. And because this guy continued to decode the algorithms every time Google made an update, the system stayed up-to-date and effective.
Staying on Google Page One
Of course, if you’re thinking this was just too good to be true, you’re right. Because after about a year his magic touch wasn’t quite so magic anymore. Suddenly we were losing clients when their businesses got pushed off page one. Apparently, Google had developed new algorithms that were harder and harder to decode.
We continued to make good money for about a year but eventually had to accept that the business had reached its natural conclusion – we had always known the magic was bound to end at some point. Clearly, we’d reached that point.
We stopped sending the postcards and turned off the website. I thought I’d be disappointed that we’d lost the goose that laid the golden egg. Until I read a Dr. Seuss quote a few months later that perfectly summed up how I felt:
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
Great summary of fantastic interaction(s) and events. Also love the conclusion.
Thanks,
Thank you for your kind words Kurt.
This is my first comment after reading at least a hundred of your emails. I started a response a couple of times but never followed through. I do enjoy them…. by the way. I love Dr. Seuss anytime any where. I have used his quotes a few times over the years. You hit a cord with me today. Thank you for that!
Thank you so much for writing back Jane. Sometimes writing a blog post is like yelling into a chasm – you send out the information and then wait for an echo, wondering if anyone is actually listening.
Your note made my afternoon. Thank you for letting me know you read what I write and that you enjoy it too!
And yeah, I’m a big Dr. Seuss fan too!!
Great story, well told, and what a cool ending!
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”
LOVE, LOVE LOVE IT!
You rock, Bruce.
Thank you Thomas.
Love the closing quote. Might be using it soon!
Hmmmm…🤔
Since 30 years, I always learn something new when i read articles written by Bruce. So, now I will Bruce as the “go-to” person when I want help in getting exposure on Google page one. Thanks Bruce….. Banu Dadlani, Albany, CA
So good to hear from you Banu.
Love to help but when it comes to getting on page 1, that chapter has closed firmly.
I was reminded of something important- we must be ready for opportunities that come our way, and flexible enough to ride the wave.
I’m smiling Bruce (& Dr. Suess) 😃
…and enjoy them while they’re happening.
That’s been my mantra for a long time. I think it’s what a kept me going through life’s ups and downs. It’s definitely the key to re-making yourself, which is a necessary part of our lifetimes. Thanks for posting!
Thanks Karen. I don’t think I used the post in my book on re-making ourselves (Is That All There Is‽) but it would have fit in perfectly.
I enjoyed your blog, Bruce. My husband passed away on Valentines Day, 2015 after being together 35 years. It was always our favorite day together. He was a great guy. I was so sad but then I came across this Dr. Seuss quote and found it on a little wooden box that I still have standing on my window sill in the kitchen. I smile when I read it and remind myself of the great memories we had together as a family. Thank you!
Thank you Liz. And thank you for sharing.
I never know how my thoughts will touch people — so glad what I wrote (and what Dr. Seuss wrote) made you smile!!