Getting 'Found' By Clients

There are a lot of discussions going on across the internet concerning change as well as the new technologies taking place that can assist recruiters in various ways. The major buzz is about social networking, social media, everything 'Web 2.0'. Some people consider the internet a fad, one that will go out with the typewriter once the next major technology comes around the corner. That may be true, but it is important to utilize the trends of your current time.

While taking the time to track down clients that you have good matches for is always positive, why not spend some of that time enabling clients to find you? This allows you to spend as much time as possible running your business while still achieving a recurring base of clients that come to you. I personally use search engine optimization to my advantage. If you have a website, search engine optimization is detrimental to allowing potential clients to find it and learn more about your services. If you do not already have a website, get one. You are living in the dark ages. I have compiled a list of techniques that I have learned:

Build links If you haven't already done so, it is important to have at least some form of online brochure with links to it. Make sure you are on every free directory out there, and some of the paid ones as well. Remember this: Search engines consider inbound links when they decide where to position you in search results.

Optimize your keywords. Use the handy little free tool that Google offers to find the most commonly searched related keywords, and make sure they are included into your content. This will drive related traffic up significantly.

Analyze Your Website Taking advantage of the many free analytical tools out there will help you understand where your traffic comes from, the type of traffic you are getting and why, and how to increase it.

Write, a LOT The content that you put out there regarding what industries you service or specialize in will also help you attract targeted visitors.

Make Your Contact Info Apparent. Your contact information should be easy to find, and to the point. It just takes a click of a button and a split second for a visitor to become frustrated and leave your website.

Know how search engines work. While not many people completely know the algorithms search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing use, there is a basic concept that can easily go over the heads of the technically challenged. A search engine is a tool designed to search information on 'the web'. There are several out there, Google being the most popular and therefore the one many website owners try to please the most. Search engines rank websites based on quality and related content, and sites that have the most 'weight'- a.k.a inbound links.

Make the bots happy. When you type certain 'keywords' in these search engines to find information, the search engine presents that information to you based on what the google bots find. Make sure your site is search engine friendly and the content is easily read by these bots. Remember, most search engine bots cannot read the word content on images or flash.

So, I have elaborated on how I enable clients to find me, but am curious as to what other techniques recruiters are using? How do you attract your clients?

Comment by Darren Scotland on October 28, 2009 at 4:20am: "Some people consider the internet a fad, one that will go out with the typewriter once the next major technology comes around the corner."

Really???

Comment by Alex Putman on October 28, 2009 at 5:18am: Client attraction is like dating, just keep putting yourself out there! I find every way I can to be in control of content about me on Google (great points above)! Create blogs, respond to blogs, tweet, write on industry specific sites. Basically be a genuine part of their communities (web and "real"). Thanks for the post!

Comment by Barbara Ling on October 28, 2009 at 7:58am: Build a client resource center on your site too - that will give passive clients a reason to check out what you have to offer as well.

Comment by Maureen Sharib on October 28, 2009 at 8:06am: Ahhh. After my own heart.

Comment by Jessica Miller-Merrell on October 28, 2009 at 11:48am: good post. i'm working on updating my site so that potential clients can find my contact info better.

Comment by Charles Van Heerden on October 28, 2009 at 11:58am: Good points. Too many people believe they can get someone to put a basic web site together, without adopting an integrated approach. Building links is a key one, as your web site is otherwise like an island.

Comment by Todd Kmiec on October 28, 2009 at 12:41pm: Good post Jackie. I'm in the dark ages. Probably ought to turn a light on. I'd love to see some discussion of clients finding recruiters through their sites. I've never done it that way, but would love to if it is effective.

Comment by Slouch on October 28, 2009 at 12:53pm: Todd, though this old blog post of mine is old, from 2003, I picked up two orders from it and filled one of them. Here is the link

Comment by Alex Putman on October 28, 2009 at 1:10pm: Slouch, Thanks for the link, I have been toying with the idea of a blog just for job posting. Several people in the Atlanta area have had huge success with this model. Todd, setting up a blog and directing a purchased domain is not as complex as it sounds. I am also certain you can find tons of helpful people via this community to provide helpful tips!

Thanks everyone!!

Comment by Craig Silverman on October 28, 2009 at 1:12pm: Getting found by clients, candidates, other recruiters... It's all good. You can either be a leader in your community that shares information or you can choose not to.... I heard this once at a conference: Some people make things happen, some watch what happens, while others wonder what happened...