How to sell AI SEO services to clients

Your clients are asking how to show up in ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity. They're seeing competitors get cited by AI. They want in on this new traffic source — and are willing to pay for it.

AI SEO is the fastest-growing service opportunity for agencies. But the market is flooded with overnight "GEO experts" making impossible promises. Your clients are interested, but skeptical. They want AI visibility, but they've been burned by hype before.

In this episode, Ryan Shelley of SMA Marketing reveals the exact framework for selling AI SEO services — the proven playbook that's helping agencies add $5–10K/month AI SEO retainers, without sounding like snake oil.

What you'll learn

• Decode what clients are really asking for — and how their concerns differ from what most agencies assume
• Use "trust-first" framing to reduce skepticism and establish authority early
• Position AI SEO as visibility + demand capture, not manipulation or "gaming the algorithm"
• Package, price, and prove your offer so clients see the business case instantly

Whether you're already offering AI SEO or still figuring out how to explain it, this episode gives you the playbook for selling it with confidence.

Meet Ryan Shelley

Ryan Shelley is the founder of SMA Marketing, a top-tier search marketing agency based in Florida. As an AI and SEO consultant with over 15 years of experience, Ryan helps businesses grow their organic visibility across AI and traditional search platforms. Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn.