You’ve done the research. You understand that AI search optimization is critical for your business. You know your competitors are either already optimizing or planning to.
Now you’re ready to take the next step: partnering with an agency that can deliver real results.
But here’s the problem: Not all AI search agencies are created equal. Some will pitch you a one-size-fits-all package that treats your $50 million SaaS company the same as a local plumber. Others will promise the moon but deliver generic SEO tactics rebranded as “AI optimization.”
A custom strategy proposal solves this problem. It’s how you ensure the agency actually understands your business, your market, and your unique optimization challenges before you sign a contract.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about requesting, evaluating, and getting value from a custom AI search strategy proposal.
Why a Custom Strategy Matters More Than a Standard Package
Standard packages have their place. For simple, straightforward needs—like a local business wanting basic visibility in ChatGPT—a templated approach can work fine.
But if you’re a B2B company, a SaaS platform, an ecommerce brand, or any business with complex products, multiple buyer personas, or competitive markets, you need strategy tailored to your specific situation.
Here’s What a Generic Package Can’t Do:
- Account for your unique competitive landscape: Who’s already dominating AI citations in your space? What gaps exist?
- Prioritize your highest-value content: Which pages drive revenue? Which keywords actually convert?
- Address your technical constraints: Maybe your CMS makes schema markup challenging, or your dev team is slammed for 6 months
- Align with your business model: Subscription businesses need different optimization than transactional ecommerce
- Integrate with your existing marketing: AI search optimization doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it needs to complement your SEO, content marketing, and paid strategies
A custom strategy proposal addresses all of this. It’s the agency saying, “We’ve looked at your business specifically, and here’s what will actually move the needle for you.”
For context on how AI search fits into modern marketing, check out our overview of B2B marketing trends shaping 2026.
What to Expect in a Quality Custom Strategy Proposal
A comprehensive custom AI search strategy proposal should include these core elements:
1. Current State Assessment
What It Is: An honest audit of where you stand today in AI search visibility.
What to Look For:
- Your current citations in ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google SGE for target queries
- Competitor citation analysis (who’s winning and why)
- Technical audit: schema markup, site structure, page speed, mobile experience
- Content gap analysis: what questions your audience asks that you don’t answer
- Authority signals: backlinks, author credentials, E-E-A-T indicators
Red Flag: If an agency skips the current state assessment and jumps straight to tactics, they’re not doing strategic work. They’re selling you a pre-built solution without understanding your starting point.
2. Opportunity Identification
What It Is: Specific, actionable opportunities unique to your business.
What to Look For:
- High-value keywords where you have content but lack AI citations
- Quick wins: existing content that can be optimized with minimal effort
- Content creation priorities: topics where you can establish unique authority
- Technical optimizations with the biggest impact for your site architecture
- Schema opportunities specific to your industry (e.g., MedicalBusiness schema for healthcare)
Example: “Your ‘Ultimate Guide to B2B Email Marketing’ ranks #3 on Google but has zero AI citations. With proper restructuring and FAQ schema, this page could dominate ChatGPT responses for ‘B2B email marketing tips’ within 60 days.”
Understanding how this fits into your overall digital strategy? Explore our guide on marketing tips for new businesses for foundational context.
3. Phased Implementation Roadmap
What It Is: A realistic timeline for executing the strategy, broken into phases.
What to Look For:
- Month-by-month milestones and deliverables
- Clear priority order: what gets optimized first and why
- Resource requirements: how much of your team’s time is needed
- Expected results by phase (with realistic ranges, not guarantees)
- Dependency management: technical work that needs to happen before content work
Red Flag: If the timeline promises “thousands of citations in 30 days” or shows no understanding of how long AI crawlers take to index changes, walk away. Realistic agencies will show incremental progress: initial citations in 2-3 months, substantial visibility in 4-6 months, market leadership in 8-12 months.
4. Competitive Positioning Strategy
What It Is: How you’ll differentiate from competitors who are also optimizing for AI search.
What to Look For:
- Specific competitive intel: what your top 3-5 competitors are doing
- Your unique advantages that can be amplified in AI optimization
- Content angles competitors aren’t covering
- Citation-stealing tactics: how to replace competitor citations with your own
- Authority-building approaches unique to your industry
Example: “Your competitor MarketingSaasCo dominates citations for ‘marketing automation tools,’ but they have zero original research. By publishing quarterly benchmarks with real data, you can become the citeable source AI platforms prefer.”
For insights on outpacing competitors in related areas, see our guide on conversion rate optimization.
5. Measurement Framework
What It Is: How you’ll track success and ROI.
What to Look For:
- Specific KPIs beyond “more citations”: traffic from AI platforms, conversions, demo requests, etc.
- Baseline metrics established during the audit phase
- Tools and dashboards for ongoing monitoring
- Monthly reporting cadence and deliverables
- Clear definition of success for your business specifically
Good agencies will track:
- AI citations by platform (ChatGPT, Perplexity, SGE, Bing Chat)
- Share of voice in AI results vs competitors
- Traffic and conversions from AI referrals
- Featured snippet positions (SGE proxy metric)
- Schema markup coverage and validation
6. Investment and ROI Projections
What It Is: Transparent pricing with expected returns.
What to Look For:
- Clear monthly retainer or project cost
- What’s included vs add-ons
- Team composition: who’s actually doing the work
- Estimated ROI based on your current customer lifetime value
- Payment terms and contract length
Example Pricing Models:
- Monthly retainers: $3,000-$15,000/month depending on scope
- Project-based: $10,000-$50,000 for comprehensive 3-6 month buildouts
- Hybrid: Initial setup project + ongoing monthly optimization
ROI Reality Check: If an agency can demonstrate that AI-driven traffic converts at even 50% the rate of your existing organic traffic, and they can drive 100+ qualified visits per month within 6 months, the investment pays for itself. Good proposals will show this math.
Need help evaluating different agencies? Check our comparison guide: Compare AEO Agencies: Which One Is Right for My Business?
How to Prepare for a Strategy Consultation
Agencies can only deliver a great custom proposal if you give them the information they need. Here’s how to prepare:
Share These Upfront (If Possible):
- Google Analytics access: Last 6 months minimum, ideally 12 months
- Google Search Console access: To understand current search visibility
- Competitor list: Your top 5-10 competitors by revenue and visibility
- Content inventory: What you’ve published and what performs best
- Business goals: Are you driving demos? Sales calls? Ecommerce transactions?
- Current marketing stack: What tools, platforms, and agencies you already work with
Be Ready to Discuss:
- Your ideal customer persona(s) and what questions they ask
- Your biggest marketing challenges right now
- Past efforts in SEO, content marketing, or paid acquisition
- Internal resources available (content team, developers, subject matter experts)
- Timeline expectations and urgency
- Budget parameters (even a range helps)
Pro Tip: The more transparent you are about budget, timeline, and constraints upfront, the better the agency can tailor the proposal to what’s actually achievable. Playing coy wastes everyone’s time.
For businesses new to agency partnerships, our guide on choosing an Answer Engine Optimization partner provides valuable context.
Questions to Ask During the Strategy Presentation
When the agency presents their custom proposal, here are the critical questions to ask:
About Their Approach:
- “Can you walk me through your process for getting a client from zero AI citations to consistent visibility?”
- “How do you prioritize which content to optimize first?”
- “What’s your approach to original research and unique data creation?”
- “How do you handle industries where E-E-A-T is especially critical?” (healthcare, finance, legal)
About Their Experience:
- “Can you share a case study from a similar business or industry?”
- “What’s the average time to first citations for your clients?”
- “Have you had any clients who didn’t see results? What went wrong?”
- “Who on your team will be doing the actual work on my account?”
About Working Together:
- “What do you need from my team on an ongoing basis?”
- “How often do we meet? What’s your communication cadence?”
- “What happens if we don’t hit the milestones? Do we adjust the strategy?”
- “Can I speak with 2-3 current clients?”
About Results and Accountability:
- “How quickly should I expect to see initial results?”
- “What’s your client retention rate?”
- “How do you handle competitive markets where multiple clients might be in the same space?”
- “What are realistic expectations for my specific business and industry?”
The Best Question: “If you were me, what would concern you about this proposal?” Great agencies will be honest about risks, limitations, and potential challenges.
Exploring different types of agencies? Read our comparison: Top-Rated AI Search Marketing Agencies Versus Traditional SEO Firms
Red Flags to Watch For
Not all agencies are worth your time or money. Here are the warning signs:
🚩 Guarantees of Specific Rankings or Citation Numbers
Why It’s Bad: No agency can guarantee AI behavior. ChatGPT, Perplexity, and SGE use dynamic algorithms that change frequently. Anyone promising “guaranteed top citation” is either lying or doesn’t understand how AI platforms work.
What to Look For Instead: Agencies that talk about trends, percentages, and ranges. “Based on similar clients, we typically see 40-60% share of voice in target queries within 6 months.”
🚩 No Mention of Original Research or Unique Data
Why It’s Bad: Original research is the single most powerful tool for earning AI citations. If an agency’s strategy doesn’t include creating citeable, unique data, they don’t understand the game.
What to Look For Instead: Specific plans for surveys, case studies, industry analysis, or other forms of original research tied to your business expertise.
🚩 Focus Only on Technical SEO Without Content Strategy
Why It’s Bad: Schema markup and site speed matter, but they’re table stakes. The real competitive advantage comes from what you say, not just how you structure it.
What to Look For Instead: Balanced approach covering technical optimization, content creation, authority building, and ongoing iteration.
🚩 Cookie-Cutter Proposals That Could Apply to Any Business
Why It’s Bad: If you can swap your company name for a competitor’s and the proposal still makes sense, it’s not custom. You’re paying for generic advice.
What to Look For Instead: Specific references to your products, your competitors, your market, and your unique challenges. The proposal should feel like it was written for you, not adapted from a template.
🚩 Lack of Transparency About Who Does the Work
Why It’s Bad: Some agencies sell you on senior strategists but hand execution to junior contractors or overseas teams with no AI search expertise.
What to Look For Instead: Clear team introduction with bios, role definitions, and assurance that the people you meet are the people doing the work.
For startups evaluating agencies, also check: Reviews of Generative Engine Optimization Services for Startups
What Happens After You Approve the Proposal
Once you’ve evaluated proposals, chosen an agency, and signed on, here’s what a typical engagement looks like:
Month 1: Discovery and Foundation
- Deep-dive kickoff meeting with your team and the agency
- Comprehensive technical audit and content inventory
- Schema markup implementation across key pages
- Initial FAQ sections and content restructuring
- Competitor intelligence gathering
- Measurement framework setup
Deliverable: Detailed audit document, prioritized optimization roadmap, baseline metrics established
Month 2-3: Core Optimization and Content Creation
- Top 10-20 pages optimized for AI search
- 3-5 new comprehensive guides published
- First round of original research planned or launched
- Internal linking structure improved
- E-E-A-T signals strengthened (author bios, credentials, citations)
Deliverable: First AI citation reports, traffic trend analysis, content gap analysis
Month 4-6: Expansion and Authority Building
- Additional content creation based on performance data
- Original research published and promoted
- Advanced schema implementation
- Ongoing citation monitoring and iteration
- Competitive positioning refinements
Deliverable: Share of voice report, ROI analysis, next phase recommendations
Month 7+: Optimization and Scaling
- Continuous content optimization based on AI platform changes
- Expansion into new topic areas
- Testing and iteration on high-value queries
- Quarterly strategy reviews and adjustments
Deliverable: Full performance dashboards, competitive intelligence updates, strategic recommendations
For businesses integrating AI search with other channels, explore our guide on automation in marketing.
When a Custom Strategy Makes More Sense Than DIY
You can handle AI search optimization yourself using our step-by-step guide. But a custom agency strategy makes more sense when:
You Have Limited Time or In-House Expertise
If your marketing team is stretched thin or lacks AI search experience, an agency provides immediate access to specialists who’ve done this dozens of times.
ROI Calculation: If it takes your team 40 hours/month to learn and execute AI optimization (at $75/hour fully loaded), that’s $3,000/month—the same as hiring an experienced agency that can deliver faster and better results.
You’re in a Highly Competitive Market
If your competitors already have AI citations and you’re playing catch-up, you need strategic expertise to leapfrog them. Agencies know the shortcuts, the competitive tactics, and the authority-building moves that take DIY learners months to discover.
Your Business is Complex
Multi-product companies, B2B SaaS with multiple buyer personas, or businesses with technical constraints benefit immensely from strategic guidance tailored to their complexity.
You Want to Move Fast
Agencies can parallelize work—running technical audits while creating content while building authority—in ways solo marketers or small teams can’t match. If speed matters, agencies deliver.
Your Industry Requires Deep E-E-A-T
Healthcare, finance, legal, and other YMYL (Your Money Your Life) industries face stricter authority requirements. Agencies specializing in these verticals understand the compliance, credentialing, and citation standards required.
Looking for local expertise? Explore best AI search optimization agencies in Los Angeles or your target market.
How Much Should You Expect to Invest?
Pricing varies widely based on scope, competition, and agency experience. Here’s what the market looks like in 2026:
Budget Tier: $2,000-$5,000/Month
What You Get:
- Basic schema markup implementation
- Optimization of 5-10 existing pages
- 1-2 new content pieces per month
- Monthly citation reports
- Best for: Small businesses, local companies, or those with simple products
Mid-Tier: $5,000-$10,000/Month
What You Get:
- Comprehensive technical optimization
- 3-5 new content pieces per month
- Quarterly original research projects
- Advanced schema and structured data
- Ongoing competitor analysis
- Best for: Growing B2B companies, mid-market SaaS, competitive ecommerce
Premium Tier: $10,000-$25,000+/Month
What You Get:
- Full-service AI search domination strategy
- 6-10+ content pieces per month
- Monthly original research and data studies
- Dedicated account team
- Integration with PR and link-building
- Multi-platform optimization (ChatGPT, Perplexity, SGE, Claude, Gemini)
- Best for: Enterprise companies, heavily competitive markets, brands seeking AI thought leadership
Project-Based Alternative: Many agencies offer 3-6 month intensive buildouts ($15,000-$75,000) that establish the foundation, then transition to lower monthly retainers for maintenance.
Smaller businesses often benefit from starting with focused strategies in specific areas. Check out our conversion rate optimization guide for complementary tactics.
How to Request a Custom Strategy Proposal
Ready to move forward? Here’s the simple process:
Step 1: Identify 3-5 Potential Agencies
Start with:
- Agencies that publish their own AI search content (they practice what they preach)
- Recommendations from peers in non-competitive markets
- Directory listings on trusted platforms
- Agencies that specialize in your industry or business model
Resources:
- Best AI Search Optimization Agencies in Los Angeles
- Reviews of Generative Engine Optimization Services for Startups
- Compare AEO Agencies: Which One Is Right for My Business?
Step 2: Fill Out Contact Forms or Request Consultations
What to Include:
- Your business name and website
- Brief description of your products/services
- Your primary goals (visibility? traffic? conversions?)
- Budget range if you’re comfortable sharing
- Timeline expectations
Pro Tip: The more detail you provide, the more tailored the initial response will be.
Step 3: Schedule Discovery Calls
Expect 30-60 minute calls where agencies will:
- Ask about your business and goals
- Explain their process and approach
- Discuss timelines and pricing ranges
- Determine if there’s a good fit
Your Goal: Assess expertise, communication style, and strategic thinking. Do they ask smart questions? Do they challenge assumptions? Do they understand your market?
Step 4: Review and Compare Proposals
Give agencies 1-2 weeks to deliver proposals. Compare based on:
- Strategic depth and customization
- Realistic timelines and expectations
- Team experience and composition
- Pricing and payment terms
- Case studies and references
- Your gut feeling about fit and trust
Step 5: Make a Decision and Get Started
Once you’ve chosen an agency:
- Negotiate any final terms
- Sign contracts and set up billing
- Schedule your kickoff meeting
- Grant necessary access (Analytics, Search Console, CMS)
- Assign internal point people
Timeline: From initial contact to starting work typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on contract approval processes.
For businesses also building out content systems, explore our guide on AI-powered content prompt generation.
Common Objections (and Why They’re Usually Wrong)
“We can just do this ourselves.”
The Reality: You can, but should you? If your team has the time, expertise, and commitment to stay current on rapidly evolving AI platforms, DIY is viable. But most teams underestimate the effort required and end up with half-finished implementations that deliver weak results.
Ask Yourself: Would you rather have your product team building features or learning schema markup? Your choice.
”AI search optimization is too new—we should wait.”
The Reality: The businesses waiting are the ones falling behind. Early movers in AI search are establishing authority that will be harder to overcome in 12 months. The longer you wait, the more competitive catch-up becomes.
Data Point: Businesses that started optimizing in late 2024 now hold 3-5x more AI citations than competitors who waited until 2026.
”We’re already doing SEO—isn’t that enough?”
The Reality: Traditional SEO and AI search optimization overlap but aren’t identical. AI platforms prioritize different signals: direct answers, original data, E-E-A-T, structured data. You need both strategies working together.
Example: A site ranking #1 on Google for “marketing automation” might have zero ChatGPT citations if the content isn’t structured for AI understanding.
”The ROI is too uncertain.”
The Reality: Fair concern—AI search is newer than paid ads or traditional SEO. But early data shows AI referral traffic converts at 40-70% the rate of organic search, and AI platform usage is growing 50%+ year-over-year. The ROI uncertainty is directional: it’s likely better than expected, not worse.
Mitigation: Work with agencies that offer phased approaches or performance milestones. Start with a 3-month pilot to test results before committing to a year-long contract.
Wondering how AI search fits into the bigger picture? Read our analysis of AI search vs traditional search.
The Bottom Line: Why Custom Strategy Delivers Better ROI
Here’s the fundamental truth: AI search optimization is too complex and too competitive to succeed with cookie-cutter approaches.
A custom strategy proposal ensures:
- You’re optimizing the right content, not just any content
- Your technical implementation matches your CMS and stack
- Your unique competitive advantages get amplified
- Your team’s limited time focuses on high-impact activities
- You avoid wasting money on tactics that don’t fit your business model
The cost of getting this wrong isn’t just wasted marketing budget. It’s lost market share, competitor advantage, and months of runway burned while you figure out what actually works.
The value of getting it right is transformative: Dominant AI citations, traffic that grows exponentially as AI platforms gain users, and positioning as the authoritative voice in your industry.
If you’re serious about winning in AI search, you need strategy as unique as your business. A custom proposal is where that journey begins.
Ready to Get Your Custom Strategy Proposal?
We specialize in custom AI search optimization strategies for B2B companies, SaaS platforms, and ecommerce brands serious about dominating ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google SGE.
Our process:
- Discovery Call (30 min): We learn about your business, goals, and challenges
- Preliminary Audit (1 week): Our team analyzes your current AI search visibility, competitors, and opportunities
- Custom Strategy Presentation (60 min): We present a detailed proposal tailored to your specific situation
- Q&A and Refinement: We answer questions, adjust the strategy based on your feedback, and finalize terms
- Kickoff and Execution: Once you approve, we start executing within days
What makes our approach different:
- We’ve helped 50+ companies achieve consistent AI citations across ChatGPT, Perplexity, and SGE
- We publish original research quarterly (we practice what we preach)
- Our team includes former Google engineers and content strategists who understand both technical and editorial requirements
- We specialize in complex B2B and SaaS businesses, not just local plumbing companies
- We’re transparent about timelines, risks, and realistic expectations
No generic packages. No one-size-fits-all tactics. Just custom strategy built for your business.
Get Started Today
Contact us for a free discovery call →
Or:
- Email: hello@emarketed.com
- Phone: (555) 123-4567
- Calendar: Schedule a 30-min strategy call
What to expect: We’ll respond within 24 hours to schedule your discovery call. No sales pressure, no obligation—just a conversation about whether a custom AI search strategy makes sense for your business.
The companies winning in AI search right now didn’t wait. They got strategic guidance, executed with focus, and now they’re reaping exponential benefits as AI adoption accelerates.
Your competitors are either already optimizing or about to start. The question isn’t whether to get a custom strategy—it’s when.
Ready to lead instead of follow?
Get Your Custom Strategy Proposal →
Additional Resources
- Download: Free AI Search Optimization Audit Template
- Guide: Get Started with AI Search Optimization for Your Business Today
- Comparison: Compare AEO Agencies: Which One Is Right for My Business?
- Reviews: Reviews of Generative Engine Optimization Services for Startups
- Local: Best AI Search Optimization Agencies in Los Angeles
- Trends: B2B Marketing Trends: What’s Next in 2026
References
- Gartner: “B2B Buyers’ Journey and the Role of AI Search” (2026)
- McKinsey: “The Economics of AI-Driven Discovery” (2025)
- Search Engine Journal: “AI Search Platform Usage Statistics” (2026)
- HubSpot: “State of Marketing Report: AI Search Impact” (2026)
- Forrester: “The ROI of Answer Engine Optimization” (2026)
