How do marketing agencies sell AEO services to clients in 2026?

Step 1. Run a free AI visibility audit for the prospect using a tool like Scenair. Scan their domain across ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity and capture the gap: what percentage of queries in their category mention them vs. competitors. Step 2. Show the data in a meeting. Most clients are shocked because they've never seen it. The average mid-market B2B brand has Share of Voice under 10% on their own category terms, while a competitor has 30-40%. Step 3. Position the retainer. Frame it as 'your competitors are already winning the AI answer, we close the gap.' Agencies typically sell AEO as a $2,000-$5,000/mo add-on to existing SEO or content retainers, or as a standalone $3,000-$8,000/mo service for larger brands. The audit-first approach works because the data sells itself. You don't have to convince anyone AI search matters when they see their own report.