AI Search Workshop Recap: Key Takeaways from Vishal Mahida’s Playbook for Agencies
Why It Matters
Vishal Mahida (E2M), who has worked with 200+ agencies, lays out how agencies can package, sell, and deliver AI search optimization as a real revenue stream, not a buzzword add-on.
The client conversation has shifted. Brands aren't asking for AEO or GEO. They're asking "How do I rank in ChatGPT?" and "Why is ChatGPT recommending my competitor?" The new promise to sell is "We'll make sure AI recommends you when it matters," not rankings or traffic.
His 5-step framework: define the ICP with a detailed intake form, build a 20-30 question prompt list (replacing traditional keyword research), develop answer-first content hubs, nail technical SEO for AI (bot access, server logs, custom schema), and secure natural brand mentions across reviews, forums, YouTube, podcasts, and niche blogs.
Prompts can be mined from Search Console, sales calls, customer chats, Reddit, and Amazon reviews, then tested in ChatGPT and Perplexity to see whether the client is showing up, recommended, and cited.
The packaging is concrete: a paid AI Search Audit ($1,000-$3,000), a 90-Day AI Program ($5,000-$12,000), ongoing AI Visibility Growth ($3,000-$8,000/month), and an Enterprise Program ($10,000-$20,000+).
Most agencies start with a paid audit (minimum $500) covering baseline visibility, prompt and citation gaps, structured data recommendations, and a content plan, then expand from there.
Vishal also shared a template library, including audit and proposal templates, cold email scripts, pricing sheets, sales decks, SOPs, and a KPI dashboard, so agencies can start with a few mini audits for prospects.
Who This Is For
This is a ready-made playbook for Foxwell Founders agency owners looking to add an AI search offering, or to sharpen the one they already have. If you're wondering how to price it, what to deliver, or how to pitch it to e-commerce clients already asking about ChatGPT visibility, Vishal's tiers and five-step process give you a concrete starting point. It's also useful for brand founders and in-house marketers who want to understand what good AI search work looks like before hiring for it.
If you’ve been following the buzz around AI search, you know there’s a lot of noise, and a lot of opportunity. We recently invited Vishal Mahida, Director of SEO at E2M, to talk about how agencies can actually package, sell, and deliver AI search optimization. Vishal has worked with over 200 agencies and broke this down into a clear, actionable framework. Keep reading to learn what you should know if you want to turn AI search into a real revenue stream for your agency.
Why AI Search Matters
E-commerce brands may not even be asking for AEO, GEO, or AI Search. They’re probably asking instead, “How do I rank in ChatGPT?” or “Why is ChatGPT recommending my competitor instead of me?” Helping brands get recommended by AI and getting their information right in large language models (LLMs) is what matters most for many brand owners.
Pricing an AI search audit is easier when agency owners who've already sold it can tell you what worked. $500+ million a month in ad spend, 600+ operators.
Vishal’s 5-Step AI Search Strategy for Agencies
Vishal laid out a five-step process that’s working right now for agencies rolling out AI search offerings. Here’s the quick version:
1. Define the Target Audience (ICP)
Begin by clearly identifying your client’s ideal customer. Vishal uses a detailed intake form with questions like “What services drive 80% of your revenue?” and “Who are your biggest competitors?," and recommends supplementing it with a recorded call. The goal is to create a detailed profile of your client’s services, customer personas, and the actual questions their customers are asking.
2. Build a Prompt List
Traditional keyword research is no longer a best practice, as AI search now centers on understanding and optimizing for user prompts. Build a “prompt bucket” with 20-30 questions users are typing into LLMs. You can mine these from Google Search Console, customer chats, sales calls, Reddit, social media comments, Amazon reviews, and anywhere your customers hang out online. Review and test these prompts in tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity to see if your client is showing up, getting recommended, and cited.
3. Develop Content Hubs
Once you identify the prompts, create clear and authoritative content that directly answers them. Vishal’s team creates content hubs (pillar pages and subpages) that target these prompt clusters. The content must be:
Answer-first and concise
Include real examples and up-to-date info
Show expertise (EEAT)
Feature original research and unique points
4. Nail Technical SEO for AI
The fundamentals still matter, but now they come with an AI twist. Double-check that AI bots can access your site, review your server logs to be sure they’re crawling the right pages, use custom schema markup instead of relying solely on plugins, and help AI truly understand what you do or are offering or selling by connecting your business, people, and services through structured data. You want LLMs to easily understand who you are, what you do, and who you serve.
5. Secure Brand Mentions Across the Web
AI models pull from the entire web, so you need brand mentions in reviews, directories, forums, YouTube, podcasts, and niche blogs. Natural, non-promotional mentions are best. Vishal emphasized how important it is to keep your listings and reviews accurate and up to date because the more positive signals you send out, the more likely AI is to notice and recommend your client.
Emails worth reading. The Foxwell Digital Download is valuable, real, and actionable, with no spam and no fluff.
How to Package and Sell AI Search Services
This is where it gets interesting. Vishal’s advice: stop selling “rankings” or “traffic.” The new promise is: “We’ll make sure AI recommends you when it matters.” The service tiers he outlined are as follows (all in USD):
AI Search Audit: A quick paid audit, typically costing between $1,000 and $3,000, helps uncover where your visibility and citation gaps are so you know exactly what to improve.
90-Day AI Program: Content, technical, and authority work come together in this phase to build your online presence, with costs typically ranging from $5,000 to $12,000.
AI Visibility Growth: This ongoing phase focuses on continuous optimization and monitoring, with monthly costs usually falling between $3,000 and $8,000.
Enterprise Program: For those who want a comprehensive, all-in approach, the full-service package typically starts at $10,000 and can go beyond $20,000.
Most agencies kick things off with a paid audit, charging at least $500 USD, and then build out additional services from that starting point. Deliverables include baseline visibility reports, prompt/citation gap analysis, structured data recommendations, and a content plan.
Resources & Next Steps
Vishal also dropped a library of templates: audit and proposal templates, cold email scripts, sample pricing sheets, sales decks, SOPs, and a KPI dashboard. If you want to get moving, start by building sample reports, setting up your pricing, and running a few mini audits for prospects.
Final Thoughts
AI search feels a lot like SEO did a decade ago – a bit chaotic but absolutely full of opportunity. Agencies that jump in early, turn their expertise into clear services, and pay attention to what clients truly care about are the ones who will come out ahead. With Vishal’s framework, it’s possible to offer something genuinely valuable and practical without getting swept up in the hype.
If you want to check out the full webinar for a deeper dive into these strategies and actionable frameworks, be sure to check it out.
