If you’re reading this, you’re probably a marketing professional who’s interested in becoming a freelance SEO. I think that’s great.
As someone who has been successfully freelancing for the past few years and as someone who loves helping other people launch their own freelance careers, I’m excited to help you find your success.
This post will cover the skills you’ll need to learn to be an SEO freelancer, how to do keyword research, why customer service is so important as a freelancer, and more. Let’s get started!
Takeaways |
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1. Embrace the flexibility and independence that comes with being a freelance SEO specialist. |
2. Develop a strong understanding of SEO principles and stay updated with industry trends. |
3. Build a portfolio showcasing your SEO skills and results to attract potential clients. |
4. Utilize effective marketing strategies to promote your freelance SEO services. |
5. Network with other professionals in the industry and seek opportunities for collaboration. |
6. Provide excellent customer service and deliver measurable results to build a strong reputation. |
7. Continuously improve your skills and stay adaptable to changes in search engine algorithms. |
8. Set clear goals and manage your time effectively to maximize productivity and profitability. |
9. Stay organized with client communication, project management, and financial tracking. |
10. Constantly evaluate and adjust your pricing to ensure it reflects the value you provide. |
Get Your Skills On Point
Being a freelance SEO optimization is not as simple as just knowing the right things to do. You need to have the right skills, time, and price range to be successful in this field.
You must be able to complete your jobs within the time frame in which they were assigned. If you cannot do so then it will affect your reputation and may cause clients not to hire you again because they did not receive their product or service on time.
You also want to make sure that you have enough experience for the people who are hiring you will know that they can trust their business with yours if there are any problems at all.
Then we’ll always be easy enough if one has been around long enough then it makes sense why we should trust our business with theirs especially since we’ve known each other now for quite some time already which means there’s no reason why everyone else shouldn’t trust each other either!
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Choose A Specialty Within Your Niche
You should choose a niche that you are passionate about, good at, and can make money in. This is probably the most important part of the process. You need to find your passion! If you’re not sure what your passion is, check out this article: How To Find Your Passion In Life And Career?
Once you have found your niche, it’s time to start building up some experience as an SEO expert within that field. Read as much as possible on this subject and try applying what you learn in real-life situations.
Once have done so for several months or even years (depending on how long it takes), consider yourself an expert by now!
Keep Track Of Important Dates & Tasks
There are many tools available to help you manage your time and tasks. The following are the ones that I use:
Google Calendar – This is my main calendar tool, where I can keep track of deadlines, events, and more. I also use it to create recurring tasks such as checking email or social media every hour or so.
Trello – Great for organizing creative projects by task or theme (I typically have one for blog posts, one for website development, and another for client work). You can add due dates and labels so it’s easy to see what needs attention at a glance!
Evernote – A note-taking app where I store ideas and contacts (email addresses). This is handy if you need something quickly when out at a networking event or elsewhere!
Set Up A Website With A Portfolio Of Projects You’ve Completed
Setting up a website to showcase your work is one of the most important things you can do as a freelance SEO expert. It’s a great way to establish yourself as an authority in your field and build trust with clients. Here are some tips on how to create a website that gets results:
- Make sure it’s easy to read and navigate. Make sure everything on the page loads quickly and there aren’t any unnecessary features or pages cluttering up the design.
- Include some examples of your past projects so potential clients have an idea of what they’re working toward if they hire you but don’t overwhelm them with too much information (you want them focused on what’s relevant).
- Include contact information in case someone wants more details about what you offer or wants more information about their specific project before deciding for hiring you as their SEO expert.
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Get A Blogger Account At Medium
As a freelance writer and SEO optimization consultant, I knew that it would be important to have my blog.
One of the first things I did when I started my business was set up a WordPress site and put up some content on it. But there’s no better place than Medium to get your name out there as a writer.
Medium is not just another blogging platform (although it is that). It’s also an easy way to share ideas with others in your industry who may want or need help with SEO optimization services.
You can find freelance opportunities by searching for job postings on the site or simply by browsing through other writers’ work, who often advertise their services in their posts.
Set Up A Facebook Business Page As Well As A Twitter Account
Facebook Business Pages and Twitter Accounts are two of the most important social media platforms to set up if you’re a freelance SEO optimization specialist. A Facebook Business Page is a profile page for your business, while a Twitter account is an account that allows you to post 140-characters-or-less messages on the platform.
Both can be used in similar ways: they allow users to share information with their friends, followers, and fans. The reason why these are so important when it comes to freelance SEO optimization is that they can help drive traffic back to your website or blog, which will ultimately result in higher rankings on Google.
Find Creative Ways To Market Yourself (For Free)
You do not have to spend a lot of money on marketing yourself. There are many free ways that you can market your services as an SEO expert.
- Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are great places to start if you want to market yourself in the digital world. All three of these sites have large audiences that you can target with your business and work.
However, it is important to note that social media is not only used by young people; older generations also use it quite extensively so don’t discount this option just because you think there aren’t enough people on those sites who would be interested in what you do!
- Your blog can also be leveraged as a tool for marketing yourself as an SEO expert. If your blog is informative and helpful then other readers will likely share it with others who may be interested in hiring someone like themselves for future projects down the line which could lead directly to more business for yourself!
Make Sure Your Business Cards Are Handy
Having business cards on hand is one of the most important things you can do to help yourself build up a freelance business. They’re a powerful tool for networking and meeting potential clients, so make sure they’re handy at all times.
You should have your business cards with you when you go to meet new people or attend events, and they should include all of your contact information: website, social media accounts (if applicable), email address, and phone number.
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Get Linkedin And Put Out Some Feelers There, Too
There are other social media sites you can use to find freelance work. LinkedIn is one of the most popular, and it’s also a great way to network with other freelancers and potential clients.
You can use your professional profile on LinkedIn to post your work history, highlight any special skills you have, and even put out some feelers for jobs or for other freelancers to team up with.
You should also pay attention to local events that might be happening in your area. If there’s an event coming up that looks interesting, attend it! You never know who you might meet or what opportunities may arise from being at such an event.
Finally, look into conferences and events relevant to the industry you’re pursuing as a freelance SEO expert; if there’s no conference happening in person nearby (or if it doesn’t seem worth paying travel expenses).
Consider joining online seminars instead so that they won’t cost anything more than time spent watching videos online between assignments/projects (and maybe reading some articles).
Make The Most Of Buzzsumo To Find New Clients (And Content)
In addition to cultivating your client base, you can also use Buzzsumo to find potential clients.
This tool allows you to search for content that has been shared on social media and ranked well by its users. You can then look at the type of content that is most popular, as well as where it’s being shared.
If a lot of people are sharing blog posts about SEO optimization on LinkedIn, this may be information worth sharing with an agency or company working in the same field.
Even if they don’t hire you straightaway, they may reach out when they have a project coming up that doesn’t require your expertise but would benefit from hiring someone like yourself who can help them get started on creating high-quality content with optimized keywords (which are extremely important!).
When pitching new clients, offer them something free so they’ll give your work a shot before committing to paying for more work down the line; maybe offer them a link-building report based on their website’s current backlink profile or give them some tips.
Regarding keyword research methods (both topics should be covered in detail later in this guide). Once they’ve seen how seriously dedicated you are to helping their business succeed online and how much value we’re able to provide they’ll want more from us.
Network Like Crazy At Local Meetups And Conferences (In-Person Or Online)
If you’re at all like me, networking is hard to do. It’s awkward talking with strangers, and it can be even more difficult meeting new people online. But if you want to grow your business as a freelancer, there are a few more powerful ways than building relationships with other freelancers.
The easiest way to start networking is by joining Facebook groups related to your industry (for example: “SEO Freelancer Group”). You can also find local meetups through Meetup or Eventbrite that focus on your area of expertise (examples: “Social Media Marketing Meetup in San Francisco” or “Digital Marketing Workshop Chicago IL”).
You could also attend conferences or industry events like South by Southwest (SXSW), Blog World Expo, or PubCon that bring together professionals from all over the world!
Talk To Other Freelancers – A Lot
In the end, freelancing is a community of professionals. There are plenty of resources out there to help you make your way in this industry and meet other people who are interested in doing the same thing as you.
You can easily connect with SEO experts, SEO consultants, and even SEO agencies through LinkedIn. It’s a great place to network and ask questions about things that you don’t know yet or just need clarification on.
This is also where I spend most of my time researching new trends and ideas for how to improve my own business. It’s free so I highly recommend giving it a go!
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Invest In A CRM Software That Can Help You Stay Organized
CRM software is a great tool that can help you stay organized. It functions as a customer database, so you can keep track of your clients and their needs. The best CRM software for you is one that allows you to easily access customer information and provide them with the service they need at any given time.
For instance, if a client has an upcoming project deadline, your CRM system should allow you to send reminders via email or SMS text message. This way, they’ll know when they need to submit their work to meet their deadline while also staying on track with other projects they might have in the pipeline.
The best part about working with CRM software is that it allows you to focus on what matters most: your clients.
Investing in this type of technology early on in your freelance career (or making use of an existing platform), will save time later on down the road when juggling multiple projects becomes overwhelming to do manually without any help from outside sources.
Like Google Calendar appointments or spreadsheets with notes written out by hand which could lead to errors such as missed deadlines due to lack thereof communication between parties involved: Client/Freelancer/Task Manager/Client’s Employer (if necessary).
Apply For Freelance Seo Jobs Through Major Job Boards
You may be wondering where to find these job boards. Here are a few major ones to get started:
- Freelancer (www.freelancer.com)
If you’re applying through one of these sites, make sure that you’re applying to the right type of job board; this is important because it can mean the difference between getting hired and not getting hired for a certain position!
To determine whether or not an opportunity is right for you, check out this article about identifying freelance SEO jobs on different websites:
Seek Out Local Seo Jobs On Linkedin, Craigslist, Or Other Job Boards That Cater To Your Area
The final thing to do is to search for local SEO jobs. This is where you will find the most relevant and applicable positions for your skill set, as well as a good opportunity to meet people in your community who can refer new clients or possibly even become customers themselves.
If you’re unfamiliar with how LinkedIn works, I’d recommend looking at their directory of job postings. You can also use Craigslist or other sites that cater specifically to certain industries to get more targeted results.
As always when applying for new work opportunities (especially if they’re freelance gigs), make sure it’s something that suits both your interests and abilities.
Don’t just take any old job because it pays well; pick one that lets you grow professionally while still being something fun and exciting enough for you not only survive but thrive doing every day!
Create An Account On The Best Agencies For Your Work And Scope Out Their Jobs Board For Openings
If you want to be a freelance SEO consultant, then there is no way around it: you’ll need experience. The best way to get this experience is by working with agencies that offer contract opportunities.
While they’re not always available, they will pop up from time to time and if you are dedicated enough and good at what you do, it’s worth applying when one does come up!
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Final Thoughts
I hope that this guide helps get you started on your SEO freelancing career. In case you’re still feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, here’s a quick summary of the steps:
Start by understanding the fundamentals of SEO, then focus on gaining skills in a niche area. Use a task management system to keep track of important dates and goals. Create an online presence for yourself with a website, Medium blog, and social media accounts.
It’s important to set aside some time each week for marketing yourself through traditional methods like business cards or LinkedIn as well as creative strategies like personalization or building partnerships.
Generally, Invest in software tools that will help keep you organized, such as CRM software or freelancing boards like FlexJobs. (There are tons out there!)
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful for further exploration:
How to Become an SEO Freelancer: Learn the essential steps and skills required to become a successful SEO freelancer in this comprehensive guide by GoDaddy.Short Description: A detailed guide providing step-by-step instructions on becoming an SEO freelancer and acquiring the necessary skills.
SEO Freelancer: How to Start Freelancing in SEO: This blog post from Ahrefs offers valuable insights and practical tips on starting a career as an SEO freelancer.Short Description: Discover expert advice and actionable strategies for entering the SEO freelancing field and building a successful career.
How to Become an SEO Freelancer: The Complete Guide: Reliablesoft provides a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know to become an SEO freelancer, from acquiring the right skills to finding clients.Short Description: A complete guide that walks you through the process of becoming an SEO freelancer, including skill development and client acquisition strategies.
People Also Ask
What Is SEO?
SEO stands for search engine optimization, which means that you’re optimizing the way your website appears in search engines (like Google or Bing) to better match what people are searching for.
For example, if you’re an accountant who specializes in taxes, you might want to make sure that when people search on Google for “tax accountants,” your site comes up as one of the top results.
What Do You Need To Become A Freelance In SEO optimization?
First, you have to have a good knowledge of the Internet, especially search engines and their algorithms. You must also know how to optimize your site for search engines by using keywords and other techniques.
Next, you need to be able to write content that is attractive to the reader and will attract visitors. Finally, you need to have some experience in marketing your services so that clients will come to you.
How Much Do You Earn As A Freelance SEO Expert?
The answer to this question depends on a lot of factors. The most important one is how experienced you are in the field and how many clients you have. If you’re just starting, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to make more than $50 per hour or so.
However, if you have years of experience and hundreds of clients, then your income could be much higher $100 per hour or more isn’t unusual for people with a lot of experience in SEO optimization.
Is It Easy To Become An SEO Expert?
SEO optimization is not easy! It takes time and effort to learn how to optimize your website for search engines. You also need to be able to write content that appeals to humans as well as bots, and that can take some practice too.
If you’re thinking about becoming an SEO expert and want to test the waters first by doing some freelance work before committing full-time, then this might be for you but only if you’re serious about learning all there is about SEO optimization first.
What’s The Difference Between SEO and SEM?
SEO stands for “search engine optimization,” while SEM stands for “search engine marketing.” SEO is the process of making sure that your website appears as high in search results as possible. SEM is the process of using paid ads to get your site to appear even higher in search results than it would organically.
What’s The Best Way To Become A Freelance SEO?
The best way to become a freelance SEO is by learning about it! There are lots of books out there that can help you get started, and there are also tons of free resources online. The more you know about how search engines work, the better you’ll be at optimizing your own site or client’s sites for them.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.