What do you do if your boss's expectations in the search engine field are unrealistic?

1 Assess the situation

The first step is to understand why your boss has unrealistic expectations in the first place. Maybe they are misinformed about how SEO works, or they are influenced by competitors or industry benchmarks that are not relevant to your niche or goals. Maybe they have unrealistic timelines or budgets, or they are not aware of the technical or content limitations of your website. Whatever the reason, you need to assess the situation and identify the root causes of the disconnect.

2 Communicate clearly

The next step is to communicate clearly and respectfully with your boss about your SEO strategy, results, and challenges. You need to explain the basics of SEO, such as how search engines rank websites, what factors affect SEO performance, and how long it takes to see results. You also need to show them the data and metrics that support your SEO efforts, such as traffic, rankings, conversions, and ROI. You need to be honest and realistic about what you can and cannot do with SEO, and set clear and achievable goals and expectations.

3 Educate and involve

Another way to deal with your boss's unrealistic expectations is to educate and involve them in the SEO process. You can share relevant and credible sources of information, such as blogs, podcasts, webinars, or courses, that can help them learn more about SEO best practices and trends. You can also invite them to participate in regular meetings, reports, or audits, where you can showcase your SEO achievements, challenges, and plans. By educating and involving your boss, you can build trust and credibility, and show them the value of SEO.

4 Negotiate and prioritize

Sometimes, you may need to negotiate and prioritize your SEO tasks and resources, especially if your boss has conflicting or unreasonable demands. You need to be assertive and confident, and explain why some SEO activities are more important or effective than others. You need to prioritize the SEO tasks that align with your business goals and have the highest impact on your website performance. You also need to negotiate the time, budget, and support that you need to execute your SEO strategy successfully.

5 Seek feedback and support

Finally, you need to seek feedback and support from your boss and other stakeholders, such as colleagues, clients, or mentors. You need to ask for constructive feedback on your SEO work, and use it to improve your skills and results. You also need to seek support from others who can help you with your SEO challenges, such as technical issues, content creation, or link building. By seeking feedback and support, you can demonstrate your professionalism and willingness to learn and grow.

6 Take care of yourself

Working in the search engine field can be stressful and demanding, especially if your boss has unrealistic expectations. That's why you need to take care of yourself and your mental and physical health. You need to manage your stress levels, set boundaries, and balance your work and personal life. You also need to celebrate your achievements, reward yourself, and have fun with your SEO work. By taking care of yourself, you can avoid burnout and enjoy your SEO career.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?