What I Do as an SEO Content Writer
Sometimes, when I tell people that I’m an SEO content writer, I get a confused look.
I get it, it’s a jumble of marketing words. Six years ago, I couldn’t have told you what they meant. But the more I’ve learned about business, the digital age, and what helps companies get noticed online, the more important these words became to me.
With the rise of entrepreneurship over the last several years, there have been so many incredible brands, coaches, and startups that barely saw the light of day before perishing to the graveyard of unmet dreams. Great products and services matter, but they won’t get far if no one knows they exist.
For businesses to make their mark, people have to know who they are, and a key part of that comes from their presence online. Not just social media–but a website that is searchable and can be easily found among an endless sea of goods and services.
That’s where SEO content comes in.
What is SEO Content?
“Okay,” you might be thinking. “That’s great and all, but what the heck is SEO, and what’s with all of these dang acronyms?”
I sympathize with you. The endless marketing jargon is tiresome, but I promise, if you’re a business owner, this one is worth knowing about.
SEO stands for “Search Engine Optimization.” It’s the process of optimizing your website through certain keywords so Google declares you useful and relevant. When your website is optimized with the right keywords, it has a higher chance of ranking on the first page of the major search engines.
For example, if you’re a company that sells fishing bait, you might want your website to be optimized for phrases like, “bait shops near me” or “best bait for fishing.” This way, when newbie fisherman is packing their cooler and getting ready for a day on the water, they will inevitably google something like, “What’s the best bait for fishing?” and come running across your website.
Ideally, your site is not only optimized for these words, but it also has a blog full of answers to frequently asked questions. Articles like, “These Top Five Types of Bait Are Irresistible to Fish,” or “How to Properly Put Bait on Your Fishing Line” will help add value to your customers and teach them something new.
Thoughtfully-written blog posts not only create buy-in, but also increase your company’s visibility. If your web page is ranking on the 2nd, 5th, or even 18th page of google, people won’t find you. I mean, when was the last time you went digging that deep to get an answer to a question?
Building awareness around your brand is all about removing resistance and making sure your content lies front and center for your customer.
Why Companies Hire Freelancers Instead of Writing SEO Content Themselves
So, it all seems pretty straightforward, right?
Well, there is a catch (pun intended). And it’s this: writing quality, SEO content takes time and energy–a lot of it.
If you’re a business owner, you probably have a lot of responsibilities: creating business plans and strategies, accounting, operations, overseeing employees, and most importantly, making sure your company doesn’t burst into flames.
A blog is probably the last thing on your list. I mean, are you really going to prioritize writing over doing the financials? Blogs take hours to create. They take expertise, skills, and a knack for writing (or at least lots and lots of practice).
So why not outsource it to an expert freelancer who knows what they’re doing? The freelance marketplace is full of people who are aficionados in all different niches and industries. As a business owner, you can find someone who has experience in your specific industry and hire them without having to provide the benefits you’d need to give a traditional employee.
SEO content writers like me choose to do freelance work because it allows us the freedom and flexibility to choose projects that align with us. We’re able to dedicate the time we need to write well. We don’t have a 9-5 mindset of “doing just enough to get by.” We want to deliver quality work so people come to us for their all of their content needs.
My Process For Writing an SEO-Friendly Blog
If you’ve read this far, you’re probably interested in my ~secret sauce~ for writing SEO content.
Well, lucky for you, it’s not a secret, and it’s actually pretty simple. These are the steps I follow to write SEO blogs for my clients:
I do keyword research to find the words and phrases that are being searched most often in the industry I’m writing about.
I review commonly asked questions to understand what information the target audience is looking for.
Based on this information, I come up with a topic to write about and create a title and subheaders that include the keyword(s) and/or phrases.
I write the article and include the keywords at a 1-3% frequency. I fit them in naturally (google can tell when you’re throwing in keywords and phrases all over the place–it’s called “keyword stuffing” and it’s a big no-no) and make sure I’m adding value and connecting to the reader.
Rinse and repeat!
Voila! Add in some consistency, time, and prayers to the google-verse, and there you have it: a website that is visible, searchable, and popular according to search engine standards.
SEO content is a long game. The more blog posts you publish, and the longer you’re consistent, the more likely you are to get your website noticed. And the best part is, the results are ten-fold. According to Marketpath, companies with a successfully-run blog generate 67% more leads on a monthly basis than those that don’t have one.
My advice? Hire a freelance writer. Your business will thank you.
How You Can Work With Me as a Freelancer and SEO Content Writer
If you’re looking for some help starting a blog or posting content regularly, you’ve come to the right place. I can take content writing off your plate and do the heavy lifting for you. I’m experienced in writing long-form SEO content and have spent the last three years helping my clients connect with their customers on a deeper level.
For more samples of my work, you can check out my blog and portfolio. I also write newsletters, podcast scripts, and social media copy. If you like what you see, click here to fill out an intake form with me!
Happy blogging!
