Let me tell you 2019 was a rough year for my SEO agency.

I was grinding away clocking in those 14-16 hour days trying to build my business through local client retainers.

It was a recipe for burnout and I was feeling it.

Sleep was a distant memory my hobbies were on hold and the bills were piling up.

The company was barely making enough to cover the stress let alone the dreams I had for it.

But then something clicked.

I realized the retainer model was holding me back.

It was like trying to climb a mountain with a backpack full of bricks – heavy inefficient and ultimately unsustainable.

I decided to switch gears and focus on building passive income-producing assets: lead generation websites.

Tired of the grind? 😴 Get outta the retainer rut and unlock your agency’s true potential with GoHighLevel! 📈 Learn how I ditched the retainer model and built a passive income empire 💰 You can too! 😎

Table of Contents

The Retainer Model: A Double-Edged Sword

Before I dive into my lead generation strategy let’s talk about the retainer model.

It’s the bread and butter for many SEO agencies but it has some serious drawbacks.

Think of it this way: the more clients you take on the less time you have to acquire new clients.

It’s a vicious cycle.

Sure you can hire a team to handle fulfillment but that’s just the beginning.

You also need a solid marketing and sales department to attract and convert new clients.

Building these departments from scratch takes time money and an incredible amount of effort.

And even then you’re still limited by the number of clients you can manage.

The Pay-Per-Performance Model: Freedom and Scalability

The pay-per-performance model is a must.

It allows you to build a truly passive income stream focusing on lead generation assets that you own.

Here’s how it works: you create websites that generate leads for local businesses and you get paid a percentage of the leads you generate.

This model is the ultimate win-win.

For the client it’s low risk low commitment and they only pay for results.

They don’t have to worry about long-term contracts or monthly fees.

For you it means building a valuable asset that generates income 24/7 without the constant need to chase clients.

It’s like having a virtual sales team working for you around the clock!

GoHighLevel: The Key to Success

Now you might be thinking “Sounds good but how do I actually create and manage these lead generation websites?”

That’s where GoHighlevel (GHL) comes in.

It’s a revolutionary platform that offers a suite of tools designed to streamline and automate the entire process from website building to lead capture to CRM management.

From Struggling to Thriving: My GoHighLevel Transformation

When I switched to the pay-per-performance model using GoHighlevel my business took off.

It was like night and day.

I was no longer a slave to the retainer model constantly chasing clients and worrying about renewals.

Instead I was building a sustainable and scalable business that generated passive income.

GoHighlevel helped me overcome the biggest hurdles:

Building and Ranking Websites: GHL’s website builder made it easy to create high-quality conversion-optimized websites that ranked quickly in Google.
Lead Capture and Management: The integrated CRM system allowed me to capture and manage leads efficiently ensuring I didn’t miss any opportunities.
Automation and Efficiency: GHL’s automation features freed up my time so I could focus on growing the business instead of getting bogged down in tedious tasks.

The Advantages of Going National with Lead Buyers

One of the biggest benefits of the pay-per-performance model is the ability to work with national lead buyers.

These companies have the resources to handle a massive volume of leads allowing you to scale your business quickly.

They also have systems in place for managing leads and converting them into sales which means you can focus on what you do best: generating those leads.

When I started working with a national lead buyer it completely transformed my business.

My income increased significantly and I no longer had to deal with the headaches of managing a team of local clients.

From Retainer to Pay-Per-Performance: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to ditch the retainer model and embrace the power of pay-per-performance?

Here’s a roadmap to help you make the transition:

1. Identify Your Niche: Choose a local industry that is in high demand and has a high average transaction value.

2. Create a High-Quality Website: Use GoHighlevel’s website builder to create a conversion-optimized website with strong calls to action.

3. Optimize for Search Engines: Ensure your website is optimized for relevant keywords and search phrases to attract organic traffic.

4. Implement Lead Capture Forms: Capture leads through contact forms booking requests and other methods.

5. Automate Your Process: Use GoHighLevel’s automation tools to streamline your lead capture follow-up and nurturing processes.

6. Find Lead Buyers: Network with local businesses and national lead buyers to find partners.

7. Negotiate Your Payment Structure: Agree on a fair percentage of the leads generated ensuring both you and your partner are satisfied.

8. Scale Your Business: Once you’ve established a successful lead generation website replicate the process for other industries and locations to expand your reach.

GoHighLevel: The Key to Unlocking Your Potential

GoHighLevel is more than just a tool; it’s a must for SEO agencies.

If you’re looking to break free from the constraints of the retainer model I highly recommend giving it a try.

You’ll be surprised at the level of freedom scalability and profitability that it unlocks.

Remember you don’t have to spend years grinding away at the retainer model like I did.

With GoHighLevel you can build a successful and sustainable business faster than you ever thought possible.

So what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of lead generation and see the difference it can make for your SEO agency.

Success Story: GoHighlevel for an SEO Agency