Client Acquisition with Amanda Walls from Cedarwood

Amanda Walls is the Founder, Owner & Director of Cedarwood Digital, an award-winning digital marketing agency based in Manchester.

She is also an accomplished speaker & trainer, working with Google, Facebook, and some of the UK's biggest businesses to drive digital skills training at all levels. She speaks at conferences across the UK & abroad, including Brighton SEO, MissingLink Live, Sheffield DM, and Digital DNA, with a key focus on YMYL SEO projects — that is, SEO projects & insight for financial services, legal, gaming, insurance, and healthcare.

Amanda has worked in digital marketing for over a decade and has spent the last seven years as the head of her own agency, Cedarwood Digital, an ROI-driven boutique agency that focuses on strong return on investment and client relationships. The agency’s client retention rate is exceptional due to the nature of its approach, and the results speak for themselves.

Summary

In this GYDA Talks, Robert and Amanda discuss their client acquisition strategies, focusing on mitigating "ghosting" through initial calls and pre-qualification based on budget (£5,000-£15,000) and ideal client profiles (finance, insurance, healthcare sectors).  They emphasise a multi-pronged approach, including LinkedIn case studies, industry events, and a strong brand presence, while acknowledging AI's impact on SEO and the increasing importance of digital PR.

Rob and Amanda discussed:

• Client Acquisition Challenges and Ghosting

• Strategies to Combat Ghosting

• Ideal Client Profile

• The Role of Case Studies

• LinkedIn Strategy

• Client Acquisition Methods

• Website and Branding

• Referrals and Recommendations

• The Importance of Clear Positioning and Messaging

• AI's Impact on Client Acquisition

• Focus on Results and Client Value.

• Final Advice for Agencies

Amanda's final piece of advice was to "be nice to people" and avoid public disagreements or conflicts on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter.  Maintaining positive relationships within the industry enhances reputation and attracts potential clients.