With 4 out of 5 buyers searching the web before buying online, most tech savvy brands are doing everything to get themselves in front of their target customers, including taking steps to improve their online visibility but, only a smart SEO content writer can make this dream come true.
As the competition for online visibility becomes fierce, the role of an SEO writer in connecting these brands with customers is becoming even more crucial recently than it was years ago but the shortage of real industry experts has left a vacuum that is yet to be filled up – which is where you come in.
If you become a search optimization expert that knows their onions, not only will you have what it position brands before their audience, you will also get paid for it, and you can eventually make a career out of this. But this is not a cake walk.
That’s why I’ll be sharing with you in this guide, the steps you can get started with, the lessons I learned and how you can also navigate the system to become a result drive SEO writer from scratch.
Why Become an SEO Writer?
SEO writing is the practice of creating highly valuable and well optimized content for websites, to improve their visibility on the search engines. It is a specialized kind of writing aimed at creating specific results.
One of the perks of getting into this writing niche is that It gives you leverage. As far as you can create consistent result for brands, you can use your skills to work in nearly any industry. Also, considering that this is an advanced kind of writing niche, as an expert in this field, you can command a higher earning based on your results, compared to someone who’s just writing generally.
In addition to that, you can specialize. You can target a specific niche or industry, establish yourself as a specialized SEO writing expert in that niche, sharpen your skills, build on experience and cement your expertise.
With that said, the following are some of the key steps you can take to build up your career in this writing niche…
Ramp up your Writing
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As someone that’s aspiring to become an SEO content writer, it’s very likely you’re already familiar with writing because if you’re not, transitioning into this aspect of writing can be quite tasking.
So, let’s get this sorted first, ramp up your writing. If you were just a creative writer before now, try to extend beyond creative writing. Explore other areas of writing.
In the long run, doing this equips you to cover a more diversified area with your writing. This is very important because SEO writing is specialized in a way. You may not necessarily write about your preferred niche or topics.
Read widely. Especially online. Find some good blogs with a decent writing style, read up their content and learn to understand their writing style.
Don’t stop at reading. Take out time to try out writing until you’re able to write for the web. This is very important.
PS: At this stage, you do not necessarily have to choose a preferred niche. All you need is to build up your writing skills first. Read widely, try to write real content and then grow from here.
Learn SEO Fundamentals
There’s so much about search engine optimization but there are some very fundamental aspects of search optimization that is very crucial to your overall success as someone trying to become SEO content writer.
As you brace yourself to get started, pay attention to these basics. Consider on-page SEO for example which takes care of search engine optimization on the web pages.
This is going to be an important aspect of content writing SEO you’ll have to learn as most of your content will be used on website pages and you’ll need to have them optimized for the web.
In addition to that, you’ll also have to pay attention to local search engine optimization, off page SEO and link building.
The local search engine optimization will get you to understand how to optimize a particular web page for a specific region or locality. This is a much needed skill that can cement your success in the industry.
Also, off-page SEO will play a crucial role in getting you to create content that targets the right platforms and audience while building links back to your target websites.
You also want to know a bit about technical SEO. You want to be able to use tools like Google Search Console, Google Analytics etc. to know what contents are doing well in terms of visibility and traffic so you can further position such content.
And finally, a good understanding of link building will get you positioned to master the use of on page link building for page visibility, off page link building for page rank improvement and the use of correct anchor texts for your links.
Understand Keywords Research & Positioning
Keywords research and positioning are the hallmark of SEO content writing. In fact, you can’t make a mark as an SEO writer without a good knowledge of keywords research.
For every piece of content you create, you want to understand the goal of that piece of content, the target audience and the keywords that will enable you to achieve that goal.
In essence, keyword research is the link between writing and acing your goal of getting visibility for your piece of content.
Remember, SEO writing is not just about writing. It is a result drive writing that must deliver specific outcomes, and as expected.
To make it far in this niche, aim at mastering keywords research and positioning. You can start by learning to use the important keywords research tools like Wordstream, Google Keywords tools, Ahrefs, Ubersuggest etc.
Learn to use these tools to understand things like keywords search volume, average competition, keywords trend over a certain period etc.
In addition to that outside using these tools, learn the art of keywords research using other competing platforms, websites, web pages etc. this also gives you a first-hand information on where the industry is going and how you can position your search engine optimized content effectively.
Finally, learn about keyword positioning. From positioning for page titles to on page keywords placement, it is very crucial you create a balance in a way that your use of keywords in any piece of content is well balanced out for both your human users and the search engine.
You don’t want to create a piece of content that is optimized for the search engines while sounding robotic for human users.
Brush up your Skills
Now that you’ve learned the rudiments of SEO content writing, it’s time to delve into a more rooted learning experience, where you’ll also get the chance to brush up your existing skills and of course dig in deeper to the core of search engine optimization.
You could say you’re just an SEO writer and therefore would have no need for a more in-depth knowledge of search engine optimization but there are certain projects that could get you thinking otherwise. This is why you need a more hands on skills here.
This is where you’ll sign up to SEO training courses for writers. There are a lot of free offers and paid offerings too like the ones we have here for example.
Getting signed onto any of these trainings will give you a more hands on practical experience with search engine optimization for content writers.
You’ll also learn the rudiments of writing for the web, creating search engine optimized content in particular and of course search engine optimization generally.
To make the most out of your learning experience, consider using what you earn to solve real live problems around search visibility. Doing this puts into perspectives the skills you’ve learn.
Practice your SEO Skills
As an aspiring to learn SEO content writing, there are so many reasons you want to practice the skills you just learned after acquiring it.
One of the firsts of these reasons is that it gets you grounded. Search engine optimization is very practical and result driven. The more you learn and use the skills, the more you understand what is currently working.
Also, considering that the search optimization industry is very dynamic and fast changing, you can’t really stay on top of the game without creating and using your skills to create actual results.
Back in the days when I started out as an SEO writer, one of the things that kept me grounded was my ability to practice my skills on a regular basis. So I wasn’t just learning and dumping the skills, I practiced what I learned.
This gave me real hands on experience. It also built my confidence in the job.
Learning about industry SEO trends as it happens was also very beneficial. I found ways to align my SEO strategies with current industry trends and this became very instrumental in creating the results I was able to deliver to my clients.
You can apply this strategy.
Build a Portfolio
In the SEO industry, you can barely get jobs without a portfolio because this is a result driven industry. You have to show results to get real jobs.
It’s hard to get clients that will take a chance on you if you don’t have proofs to sow that you can actually get the job done. So, you have to build a portfolio.
It doesn’t matter what jobs you’re getting done or the industry you’re planning to target, try to build your portfolio as much as possible.
Getting real live jobs to build a portfolio can be hard at the start. To get around this, you can opt for the low hanging fruits.
Use your own website as your portfolio. Take on specific pages on your website. Build, document your processes, results and share with your audience.
Volunteer as an SEO content writing expert. Create optimized content for specific website an web pages from some top organizations or companies, free or at a discount, in return for testimonials and good feedback. Use these as part of your portfolio.
To dig in even deeper, consider opting for subsidized charges for your first few clients. This can give them an incentive to hire you or refer your SEO writing services to their friends and family.
Taking these steps will not only get you a hands on experience as an SEO writer, it will also give you the real jobs you can display as a part of your portfolio.
Get the Job
Now that you’ve established yourself as the expert in SEO content writing, it’s time to go get the actual jobs.
Remember, there are different ways to get the jobs.
For example you can position your brand online through your website. This means you’ll create a brand, get a website for your brand, showcase your portfolio and position yourself as the expert.
Outside setting up your website, you can also position yourself for SEO writing jobs by setting up your brand on the social media platforms frequented by your target audience.
This is a great strategy that will not only increase your brand visibility but will also build trust with your audience however for this strategy to succeed, you’ll have to create and share engaging content with your audience at intervals.
You’ll also have to connect and engage with them from time to time, tell your own stories and showcase your work.
Another approach you can use to get jobs is the use of Pay Per Click Advertising. This is a great approach that can generate leads far more faster than the other approach mentioned here.
And finally, one of the most popular approach used by most freelance SEO writers is the use of third party freelancing platforms like Fiverr, Freelancer etc. to search for jobs. You can also jump on this strategy if it fits your goals.
Whatever the case may be, be sure you try out different approaches when it comes to looking for jobs. Do not forget to market yourself and your skills. This is very important, regardless of your preferred platforms.
Final Words
Becoming an SEO content writer is not a walk in the park but it is actually doable. I am saying this because I’ve been there. And I’ve had students that started from scratch to become exceptional in the field, just like you’re about to start.
But, besides what you learned here today, remember that you’ll need to set up a brand for yourself, regardless of whether you’re starting as an SEO writing agency or a freelance writer.
You’ll also need a decent grasp of writing and storytelling before getting started as this will come in very handy in selling your brand.
Finally, you’ll put in the work if you must succeed in this field. And you’ll also have to evolve to adapt your strategies to changes in the industry.
Believe me, this can feel overwhelming but with the right effort you’ll get the results coming in. And you don’t have to do this alone. Jump on our trainings and get all the mentorships you need here.
Now. It’s over to you. What are your challenges when it comes to SEO writing for beginners? Drop your comments below.
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