Please, introduce yourself and your business.
My name is Tom Galland, and I'm the managing director of SEO Growth. We are a Full SEO and PPC Agency based in Australia, servicing the Global Market. We work with incredible Companies, from Huskee to Oasis Partners and many more.
At SEO Growth, we are a lead—and sales-based agency. That means we don't succeed until you do.
Our key performance indicator (KPI) is to grow from submissions, contacts, and sales for your business, taking the risk out of your marketing investment.
We are committed to ensuring that every strategy we implement directly contributes to tangible business outcomes, providing you with the confidence that your growth is our top priority.
How did you start your business?
I started SEO Growth two years ago, and it’s our second anniversary this week as I'm writing this.
My journey in the SEO industry spans over 12 years, working with Brands like Red Bull, Nokia and Deputy. And during which I've experienced the full spectrum of what this field offers.
I witnessed everything from excessively prolonged sales processes to empty promises that benefited only the agencies, leaving businesses with little to show for their investment.
These experiences, rather than dampening my spirit, ignited a desire to create something exceptional. I aspired to establish an agency that would redefine success, one that would be a beacon of genuine growth and tangible results. This vision, this burning ambition, gave birth to SEO Growth.
My goal was to infuse a new level of passion and integrity into the SEO landscape, especially with so much changing.
I wanted to offer a service that was not just about numbers and rankings but about real, measurable growth in leads and sales. Every campaign we run has a direct, positive impact on our clients’ businesses.
When did you notice traction when building your business? The “Oh S**t!” moment, what did that feel like?
Having been in the industry a while, I knew that starting an agency would come with some perks, one of which was my network. I reached out to all of them early on to tell them I'd started an Agency. Within the first month, I had five clients.
Even though I'm two years in, I'm still in the early start-up phase. We're a small agency, three people, and part of me likes that cause we have a finger on the pulse with all campaigns.
However, I would love to be able to grow our current structure to service more clients and still have a high ROI on each campaign. Which is doable, but slow and steady wins the race.
What has been your best marketing marketing channel?
Linkedin has been a God sent for us. Even though it has its cringe moments, everyone is on there to network and connect. And if you can do it in an organic and authentic way then you'll get some great success out of it.
How many attempts at building something did you make before you found what you’re working on now? Did you always have an entrepreneurial drive?
I've always had some business going or building something. I never went full-time with any of them, so this has been a first. My most significant learning curve was being okay with the weight of running a business.
It won't always be sunny, and it pours when it starts to rain. Loose multiple clients in one month? You must be okay with that and trust that you'll bounce back. Use the burning drive to get back on.
What is your biggest overhead expense?
We're a service based Business, so Salary is our number one
What’s the most important skill you’ve learned?
Sales. I started this agency because I have a passion and experience in SEO. But I learnt early on that telling people you're incredible at SEO only gets you so far when they're in the conversation.
You need to learn how to sell your service, and is your offer even any good? There are hundreds of SEO Agencies in Australia. What makes my agency different?
Be passionate about meeting people and learn a few tricks in sales, and you'll start to win more clients.
What do you spend the majority of your time doing, in a given week?
My average day is checking in with the fulfillment team; we use Asana/Slack to keep on top of it all.
Then, I'll either jump into a client campaign and strategise or focus on Sales. How I do them is another conversation, but I would instead tell you this. The goalposts are always moving.
Having a passion for your agency and the clients you serve is crucial. Keep moving forward. So, you always have a backlog of tasks when you're in your day-to-day routine. I focus on these areas when I don't have burning tasks...
1. Newsletter Content
2. Google & Social Ads
3. Building Relationships: email someone in your network.
4. Follow Up on Previous connections.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when first starting your business?
I was armed with several crucial insights that, in hindsight, would have made the path smoother and more efficient.
Reflecting on these lessons has been a transformative experience, shaping the way we operate today and inspiring me to share these learnings with you.
Firstly, I wish I had fully understood the importance of building a robust and cohesive team from the very beginning. I tried to wear too many hats in the early stages and handle everything myself.
While this is a common scenario for many entrepreneurs, I quickly realised that having a reliable and skilled team is crucial for scaling the business and maintaining a high standard of service. Side Note: Charge more to hire more. I got caught out not wanting to hire cause of cash flow, so I started charging more, and then we could employ.
Secondly, I learned that setting transparent processes and systems early is essential. Much of our work was initially handled ad-hoc, leading to inefficiencies and inconsistencies.
Implementing structured workflows, using project management tools like Asana and Slack, and documenting our processes have significantly improved productivity and output quality. It has also made onboarding new team members easier and ensured everyone is aligned with our goals.
Another critical insight is the value of building strong client relationships and focusing on client retention. Initially, a lot of effort went into acquiring new clients, but I soon realised that nurturing existing relationships and consistently delivering exceptional results are equally important.
Happy clients are more likely to continue working with us and refer us to others, creating a sustainable growth cycle. Out of the 5 clients we started with in the first month, we only have lost two.
What’s a big problem you’ve faced as a business owner and what were the emotions behind it?
Many people perceive it’s always easy and glamorous, but the reality is often quite different. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a business owner is the relentless nature of the work.
Unlike a full-time job where you can take holiday pay and enjoy regular breaks, running your own business means that the work never truly stops. This can be incredibly demanding, both physically and emotionally.
Transitioning from a full-time job to owning a business, I quickly realized that success doesn’t happen overnight. It requires unwavering consistency and dedication over time.
There were moments of doubt and exhaustion, but staying focused on the bigger picture was crucial. Writing down our business vision and mission helped keep us on track, but it was equally important to articulate my personal goals.
For me, these personal goals are deeply intertwined with my family. I have a beautiful family with a loving wife and two wonderful kids. One of my main aspirations is to build my agency so that they are well taken care of and we can enjoy life together.
We live in Sydney, but we deeply love Europe and aim to travel there yearly. We dream of living in a beautiful city where our kids can explore and pursue their creative passions.
The emotions behind this journey are a mix of determination, hope, and sometimes frustration. There have been tough times, but keeping my family’s well-being and our shared dreams in mind has been a constant source of motivation.
Knowing that the hard work today will pave the way for a better future for my family makes every challenge worthwhile.
What is your best advice for someone who wants to build their own business but feels completely stuck?
If you’re stuck and unsure where to start in the business world, my best advice is simple: start.
It’s important to understand that your first business might not generate significant revenue, but it will be a crucial learning experience. The key is to embrace the process and recognise that every step you take is towards growth and success.
If you are passionate about doing your own thing, you’ll find a way to make it work.
It’s easy to get discouraged by the seemingly overnight success stories you see online, but it’s essential not to let them affect you negatively. These stories are often the result of years of hard work and perseverance that aren't always visible.
Start something on the side—whether working on weekends or dedicating a few hours each evening to your idea. It is essential to build something, no matter how small it initially seems. The more you do it, the better you’ll get. Consistency is key.
Check out Tom's,
Website: https://seogrowth.com.au/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-galland/
Twitter Profile: https://x.com/tom_galland
Newsletter: https://www.seogrowth.com.au/newsletter
