Nathan Gotch

The average salary for an entry-level SEO specialist in the US is $67,388. That means many businesses are willing to pay $5,615 per month for someone who might have just learned what WordPress was yesterday. Yet I still see some very skilled people on the SEO services side charging < $1,000 per month. Once you consider campaign expenses, you might make more money working at McDonald's. If you're an agency owner, freelancer, or consultant, please do me a massive favor: 1. Stop undervaluing what you do 2. If you're doing good work and getting your clients results, please increase your prices by at least 3.30% every quarter (to match inflation). 3. Don't let businesses bully you into charging less because they're still living in 2011 (when any could rank #1 in Google). SEO is more complex than ever, and your prices should reflect that.

AI and SEO tools I use every day: 1. Rankability - Optimize for AI search + tracking AI search performance (public release soon) 2. Replit - Build HTML-driven websites, prototypes for software, and free tools. It's scary good when you know how to use it. 3. ChatGPT / Gemini - Data analysis, editing (anything), coding, brainstorming, improve clarity of copy, etc 4. Canva - YouTube thumbs, quick graphics, decks 5. Microsoft Clarity - UX analysis 6. Google Search Console - Daily check for new, untapped topic opportunities. The new Keyword Finder 2.0 in Rankability will be fully integrated with GSC 7. Whitespark - The most beautiful local grid tracking on the market