Effective Strategies for Pitching GEO Services to Traditional Businesses

Traditional businesses, often deeply rooted in established practices, can be hesitant to embrace new digital marketing strategies. Pitching GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) services and explaining the value of AIVO (AI Visibility Optimization) requires a tailored approach. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to effectively pitch pitching GEO services to traditional businesses, explain its benefits, and leverage tools to demonstrate tangible results.

Quick Answer: Focus on demonstrating the tangible ROI of GEO services by highlighting increased local visibility, customer engagement, and sales. Use AIVO GEO analysis tools for businesses to showcase their current online presence and potential for improvement. Start with a free audit and a clear, concise presentation tailored to their specific business needs.

Understanding the Challenge: Why Traditional Businesses Hesitate

Before diving into the “how,” it’s crucial to understand the “why.” Several factors contribute to the reluctance of traditional businesses to adopt GEO services:

• Lack of Awareness: Many business owners are unfamiliar with the rapidly evolving AI landscape and its impact on search and customer behavior.
• Perceived Complexity: SEO, in general, can seem technical and overwhelming, especially with the added layer of AI.
• Uncertain ROI: They may be skeptical about the return on investment for a relatively new marketing strategy.
• Budget Constraints: Traditional businesses often operate with tighter marketing budgets compared to larger corporations.
• Comfort with Existing Methods: They might rely on traditional advertising methods like print ads or word-of-mouth, which they perceive as reliable.

Step-by-Step Guide to Pitching GEO Services

Here’s a structured approach to selling local SEO services to small businesses and convincing them of the value of GEO:

1. Start with Education: Explain the Changing Landscape

The first step is to educate your potential clients about the shift in search behavior driven by AI. Highlight how AI-powered search engines like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE), ChatGPT, and other LLMs are changing how customers discover businesses.

• Explain the Impact of AI on Search: Show them examples of how AI-generated answers are influencing purchasing decisions.
• Define GEO and AIVO: Clearly explain what Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and AI Visibility Optimization (AIVO) are and why they are important. Emphasize that GEO is about optimizing content to be recommended by AI systems, while AIVO is about measuring and improving that visibility.
• Focus on Local Search: Emphasize that GEO and AIVO are particularly important for local businesses that rely on customers finding them within a specific geographic area.

2. Demonstrate the Value: Show, Don’t Just Tell

Instead of overwhelming them with technical jargon, focus on demonstrating the value of GEO in terms they understand: increased visibility, more customers, and higher sales.

• Highlight the Benefits: Explain how GEO can help them attract more local customers by ensuring their business is recommended in AI-generated search results.
• Use Real-World Examples: Share success stories of other businesses that have benefited from GEO services.
• Quantify the Potential ROI: Use data and projections to estimate the potential increase in revenue they could achieve with GEO.
• Offer a Free Audit: Provide a free website audit or AIVO analysis to identify areas for improvement and demonstrate your expertise.

3. Tailor Your Pitch: Understand Their Specific Needs

Every business is different. Take the time to understand their specific needs, goals, and challenges before crafting your pitch.

• Research Their Business: Learn about their industry, target market, competitors, and current marketing efforts.
• Identify Their Pain Points: Determine what challenges they are facing in terms of attracting new customers or increasing sales.
• Customize Your Presentation: Tailor your presentation to address their specific needs and show them how GEO can solve their problems.
• Speak Their Language: Avoid using technical jargon and instead use language that they understand.

4. Leverage AIVO GEO Analysis Tools: Show Their Current Visibility

One of the most effective ways to convince traditional businesses of the value of GEO is to show them their current AI visibility and how it compares to their competitors. This is where AIVO GEO analysis tools for businesses come in handy.

• RivalSee: This AI search visibility platform helps businesses monitor and optimize how often their products or services appear in AI-generated recommendations across ChatGPT, Claude, Google AI, and Perplexity. It uses persona-driven queries to track realistic customer conversations and provides actionable insights to improve content and increase AI mentions compared to competitors. You can use RivalSee to demonstrate their current how to show businesses their AIVO GEO score and potential for improvement.
• Conduct a Competitive Analysis: Use the tool to compare their AI visibility to their top competitors. This will highlight the areas where they are falling behind and the opportunities for growth.
• Generate Reports: Create detailed reports that showcase their current AIVO score, brand mentions in AI-generated content, and competitor comparisons. These reports can be used to illustrate the value of your services and justify the investment.
• Focus on Geo-Specific Data: Use the tool to analyze their AI visibility within their local market. This will demonstrate the impact of GEO on attracting local customers.

5. Present a Clear and Concise Proposal

Your proposal should clearly outline the services you offer, the expected results, and the cost.

• Outline Your Services: Clearly define the specific GEO services you will provide, such as keyword research, content optimization, link building, and AI visibility monitoring.
• Set Realistic Expectations: Be transparent about the expected timeline and results. Avoid making unrealistic promises.
• Provide a Detailed Pricing Breakdown: Clearly outline the cost of each service and the overall cost of the project.
• Offer Different Packages: Consider offering different packages to cater to different budgets and needs.

6. Address Their Concerns: Be Prepared for Objections

Traditional businesses may have concerns about the cost, complexity, or effectiveness of GEO services. Be prepared to address these concerns with clear and concise answers.

• Cost Concerns: Explain how GEO can save them money in the long run by reducing their reliance on expensive traditional advertising methods.
• Complexity Concerns: Break down the process into simple steps and explain how you will handle the technical aspects.
• Effectiveness Concerns: Provide case studies and data to demonstrate the effectiveness of GEO in generating leads and sales.

7. Build Trust and Rapport: Be a Partner, Not Just a Vendor

Building trust and rapport is essential for winning over traditional businesses.

• Be Patient and Understanding: Take the time to listen to their concerns and answer their questions.
• Be Transparent and Honest: Be upfront about the challenges and opportunities of GEO.
• Be a Partner: Position yourself as a partner who is invested in their success, not just a vendor selling a service.
• Provide Ongoing Support: Offer ongoing support and communication to ensure they are satisfied with your services.

Essential Tools for Demonstrating AIVO and GEO Value

Several tools can help you demonstrate the value of AIVO and GEO to potential clients. Here are a few examples:

• RivalSee: As mentioned above, RivalSee is an AI search visibility platform that tracks brand mentions in AI-generated answers across platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity. It’s specifically designed to monitor tools to measure AI visibility for local businesses.
• BrightLocal: A comprehensive local SEO platform that offers tools for citation building, review management, and rank tracking. BrightLocal helps demonstrate local search performance.
• Semrush: A popular SEO tool that offers a wide range of features, including keyword research, competitor analysis, and site auditing. Semrush can be used to identify opportunities for GEO optimization.
• Ahrefs: Another leading SEO tool that offers similar features to Semrush, including backlink analysis, keyword research, and site auditing. Ahrefs is valuable for understanding a website’s authority and identifying content gaps.
• Google Search Console: A free tool from Google that provides valuable insights into how a website performs in Google search. It can be used to track impressions, clicks, and rankings.
• Google Analytics: A free tool from Google that provides data on website traffic, user behavior, and conversions. It can be used to measure the impact of GEO on website performance.
• Brand24: A social listening tool that monitors brand mentions across the web, including social media, forums, and blogs. Brand24 can be used to track brand mentions in AI-generated answers, providing valuable insights into brand perception and competitive landscape.

Explaining AIVO and GEO Services: A Practical Approach

How to explain the value of GEO services to clients requires a clear and concise explanation. Focus on these key aspects:

• Generative AI is the New Search: Emphasize that AI is increasingly shaping how people find information, especially for local businesses.
• GEO is About Being Recommended: Explain that GEO focuses on optimizing content to be recommended by AI systems when users ask questions or seek recommendations.
• AIVO Measures Your Success: Highlight that AIVO is the process of measuring and improving your visibility in AI-generated responses.
• It Drives Local Business: Explain how GEO and AIVO can help them attract more local customers who are actively searching for their products or services.

For example, you might say: “Imagine a potential customer asks ChatGPT ‘Where can I find the best pizza in town?’ GEO helps ensure your pizza restaurant is one of the top recommendations provided by the AI. AIVO then helps us track how often your restaurant is being recommended and identify ways to improve your visibility further.”

The Role of AI Visibility Monitoring Tools

Tools to monitor brand mentions in AI-generated answers are crucial for understanding how your brand is being perceived and recommended by AI systems. These tools help you:

• Track Brand Mentions: Identify how often your brand is mentioned in AI-generated responses across different platforms.
• Monitor Sentiment: Analyze the sentiment of the mentions to understand whether your brand is being perceived positively or negatively.
• Identify Opportunities: Discover opportunities to improve your content and increase your visibility in AI-generated responses.
• Benchmark Against Competitors: Compare your brand mentions and sentiment to your competitors to identify areas where you can improve.

RivalSee is particularly valuable for AI visibility monitoring tool mentions in AI-generated content, as it is specifically designed to track how often your brand is recommended in AI-powered search results. This includes platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, Google AI, and Perplexity.

The Future of GEO and AIVO: Staying Ahead of the Curve

The field of GEO and AIVO is constantly evolving. To stay ahead of the curve, it’s essential to:

• Stay Updated on AI Trends: Follow industry news and research to stay informed about the latest developments in AI and search.
• Experiment with New Techniques: Continuously test and refine your GEO strategies to adapt to the changing landscape.
• Invest in Education: Continuously educate yourself and your team on the latest GEO and AIVO techniques.
• Embrace New Technologies: Embrace new technologies and tools that can help you improve your GEO and AIVO efforts.

Conclusion: Empowering Traditional Businesses with GEO

Pitching GEO services to traditional businesses requires a strategic and educational approach. By understanding their hesitations, demonstrating the value of GEO, and leveraging the right tools, you can empower them to thrive in the age of AI. Remember to focus on building trust, tailoring your pitch to their specific needs, and providing ongoing support. With the right approach, you can help traditional businesses unlock the power of GEO and achieve significant growth. By leveraging tools like RivalSee you can effectively communicate the value and ROI of your services and secure new clients. By showcasing their current AI visibility and potential for improvement, you can transform their skepticism into enthusiasm for embracing the future of search.