As a freelance SEO writer, you can work from anywhere in the world and set your own schedule. You just need a laptop and internet connection! The best part is that you don’t have to answer to anyone but yourself no boss, no co-workers to keep up with.
While there are many benefits of being a freelance SEO writer, there are also some challenges. To succeed, it’s important to know how to market yourself as an SEO writer and build up your brand for future clients.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Master the art of SEO writing to enhance your freelance career. |
| 2. Build a personal brand that reflects your expertise and style. |
| 3. Understand the importance of keyword research and incorporation. |
| 4. Craft compelling content that resonates with your target audience. |
| 5. Develop a strong online presence through social media and a website. |
| 6. Network with industry professionals to expand your opportunities. |
| 7. Provide value and solve problems through your writing to stand out. |
| 8. Continuously improve your skills to adapt to changing trends. |
| 9. Collaborate with other freelancers or businesses for mutual growth. |
| 10. Maintain consistency and professionalism in all your interactions. |
1. Offer Your Writing Services For Free
The first step in starting your freelance writing business is to get your name out there, build a brand, and get experience. If you are an SEO writer with no experience or portfolio, then it’s almost impossible to land big clients right away.
The best way to gain this experience is by offering your writing services for free (or nearly free) at first so that people can see what you have to offer and give their feedback on your work. You can also use these testimonials as part of your portfolio when pitching new clients later down the line.
This will help you prove that other people trust the quality of your work enough to refer others back to it!
Looking to venture into the world of SEO copywriting? Our guide on becoming an SEO copywriter offers valuable insights and steps to help you kickstart your journey in this dynamic field.
2. Create A Website To Market Your Business
Creating a website is key. Whether you decide to go with Squarespace, WordPress, or another platform, it’s important that your website is mobile-friendly and has all the bells and whistles you need to market yourself as a freelance SEO writer (and/or brand).
Create a Brandable Domain Name: This isn’t something most people think about when they’re getting started with their websites but it’s one of the most significant factors in setting up your site.
It’s also one of the hardest things to do because it requires creativity and thoughtfulness. The best way to begin creating a domain name is by brainstorming different ideas for what yours could be what types of words would describe what you do?
Do some research on which word combinations are popular for other businesses like yours (i.e., “SEO” vs “SEO Writer”). Then come up with three or four options that feel right for who you are as an individual/business owner then start testing them out! If one sticks, great! If not…try again!
Hosting & Blogging Platforms: Once you’ve figured out what kind of hosting package works best for your needs, set up hosting through Cloudflare (if needed)
Then login into WordPress’ dashboard where they have tutorials on how everything works together seamlessly thanks to their intuitive interface design which makes creating new posts simple enough even if no coding experience whatsoever exists beforehand.”
3. Get A Professional Email, Not A Gmail Account!
Get a professional email. This might seem like an obvious step, but you’d be surprised how many freelancers use Gmail accounts as their primary ones.
If you want to succeed in this business, your first step is to get a professional email address that reflects who you are and what you do. If it’s hard for your potential clients to remember your name, then it’s even harder for them to trust that they will receive quality results if they hire you.
Look for features like:
Mobile-friendly design-This should be an absolute must-have when choosing an email provider! Make sure they offer full functionality on all devices so that none of your clients miss out on any important information during their busy day.
The last thing anyone wants is having emails land in their spam folder because they were sent from such an unprofessional domain address!
Balancing SEO writing with a side job? Discover our comprehensive guide to becoming an SEO writer on the side for practical tips on managing your writing career while maintaining stability elsewhere.
4. Participate In Social Media Groups
One of the best ways to build your brand is to participate in social media groups. You’ll want to join online communities where you can share your knowledge and ask questions.
You must be an active member of these groups, so make sure that you’re regularly posting content, getting involved with discussions, asking questions when needed, and being helpful whenever possible.
These days there are many different types of social media platforms out there (Facebook Groups, LinkedIn Groups, etc.), but I would recommend starting with either Facebook or LinkedIn if you don’t have much experience using these tools for marketing purposes.
5. Start Your Monthly Newsletter
Email is a great way to keep in touch with your audience. A monthly newsletter shows that you’re actively working on your brand and staying on top of trends in the industry. You can use this tool to promote yourself, as well as share useful information with subscribers.
Your goal should be to build an email list of at least 1,000 people who are interested in what you have to say about SEO writing and content marketing. This will make it easier for you to distribute blog posts, podcasts, or any other type of content that you create as part of your business model later down the road.
To make sure everything goes smoothly when starting up this newsletter, here are some tips:
Start small by sending out one email per week until people start opening them regularly (usually around 300 subscribers). Once they do open them regularly and want more information from you then send two emails per week; after they’ve read those two emails then start sending three per week etc., until finally reaching 10+ emails per month!
6. Build A Network Of Writing Colleagues And Friends
Having a network of colleagues and friends is one of the most important things you can do to succeed as an SEO writer. First, it helps you build valuable relationships with people who are doing what you want to do. The more connections you make, the better chance you’ll have of finding new work opportunities or even editing jobs (which we’ll get into later).
Second, networking allows your name recognition in the industry to grow. This will help when hiring managers search for freelancers on Upwork, or when they Google “SEO writers near me if they’re lucky enough to find your name first among all those other writers vying for their attention!
Thirdly: building up a network takes time and effort; once it’s established through once its there it becomes easier every day because these relationships become resources that can help each other out at any point in time
Crafting effective SEO articles requires skill and strategy. Learn the art of writing an SEO article that captures attention and drives organic traffic to your content with our insightful tips.
7. Ask For Client Testimonials And Reviews
As a freelance SEO writer, you’ll want to ask for client testimonials and reviews. After all, a recommendation from an existing client is the best way to get more business. But you can also ask for testimonials on blog posts or social media platforms.
You might even consider adding a “client testimonial” section to your website that includes links to any online reviews you’ve received. This will help potential clients see what others have said and make them more comfortable working with you.
8. Document Your Most Commonly Asked Questions And Answers
FAQ pages are a great way to provide answers to commonly asked questions and can help your business stand out from the competition. If you have a website, you must have some kind of FAQ page on it. This is something that readers look for when they’re trying to find information about your business or services.
Being prepared with an answer before someone asks the question will allow you to say something instead of feeling awkward or having nothing in response. It also shows customers that you care about them and want them to be satisfied with their experience communicating with your business or brand as much as possible.
One thing I’ve found effective while working on my websites is creating a simple FAQ page on the homepage where people will see it right away if they need answers quickly!
9. Set Up Google My Business Listings For Local Marketing
Google My Business listings are the backbone of local SEO. Google will give you a free GMB listing if you have an official website and a physical address, but it’s important to make sure that your listing is accurate and up-to-date.
Being listed on Google My Business means that your business will be found when someone searches for specific keywords in their area, so having one is crucial if you want to attract new customers.
This is particularly true if you’re planning on selling products or services locally because they can be easily discovered without needing any additional research into who might be selling them nearby.
10. Host An SEO Webinar Or Giveaway On Social Media Sites
Hosting an SEO webinar is a great way to build your brand, become an expert and get new clients. You can host these on Facebook Live or Google Hangouts, or you can use a platform like LeadPages with their landing page feature to make it easy for people to sign up for the webinar and receive reminders before it happens.
CoSchedule has also started making tools available in the paid version of their software that allows you to set up an interactive webinar using Google Docs and YouTube Videos (example).
You can choose any topic relevant to your business, but make sure that there is something valuable in exchange for attending if you decide on charging money for tickets or access codes!
If not charging anything upfront but wanting increased engagement from attendees after creating a buzz about what’s being offered live during the presentation
Then consider giving away some type of incentive such as free eBooks, access codes /passwords for other platforms like LinkedIn Ads Manager or BufferApp which offer free trials when signed up through these particular links etcetera.”
Aspiring to write like an SEO wizard? Dive into our ultimate guide to writing like an SEO wizard to gain a deep understanding of SEO techniques that can elevate your content and boost your online visibility.
11. Stay On Top Of SEO Trends This Year And Next!
When you’re starting your freelance writing business, it’s important to stay up-to-date with search engine algorithms and learn how they work. You can keep up with changes by using Google’s keyword planner, search console, and keyword tool.
All three platforms will show you helpful information about how Google determines which content ranks higher than others and what people are searching for online at any given time. Additionally, you should use Adwords to see how keywords are already being used in ads which can give you an insight into what people want from a certain brand or product.
Finally, use Analytics from Google Analytics (or another analytics tool) to monitor how well your website is doing in terms of traffic flow and conversions both positive indicators that there’s an audience for whatever it is that your site offers!
Want to avoid common pitfalls in SEO copywriting? Our guide on SEO copywriting do’s and don’ts provides actionable advice to enhance your writing skills and drive more traffic to your content through effective strategies.
Conclusion
When you are a freelancer, you have the freedom to work for yourself and make your hours.
This means you can set your schedule, but also means there will be times when things get busy and stressful like during tax season or when there’s an important deadline approaching. If you want to become a freelance SEO writer, then you’ll need to be prepared for these challenges ahead of time!
Further Reading
Personal Branding for Freelance Writers: Explore the importance of personal branding and how it can elevate your freelance writing career.
Becoming a Successful Freelance Writer: Discover essential tips and strategies to kickstart your journey as a freelance writer.
Scaling Your Freelance Writing Business: Learn effective ways to expand and grow your freelance writing business for long-term success.
And here’s the FAQs section:
FAQs
How do I establish a strong personal brand as a freelance writer?
Building a strong personal brand involves showcasing your unique writing style, expertise, and values. Develop a consistent online presence through social media, a professional website, and engaging content that reflects your identity as a freelance writer.
What steps should I take to become a freelance writer?
To become a successful freelance writer, start by honing your writing skills, identifying your niche, creating a portfolio, networking, and pitching your services to potential clients. Continuous improvement and adaptability are key in this competitive field.
How can I scale my freelance writing business effectively?
Scaling your freelance writing business requires careful planning. Consider outsourcing tasks, diversifying your services, and building a team if needed. Focus on client relationships and maintaining high-quality work as you expand.
How do I manage time effectively as a freelance writer?
Time management is crucial for freelancers. Create a schedule that balances writing, client communication, and personal time. Utilize productivity tools, set clear deadlines, and prioritize tasks to maximize your efficiency.
What are some strategies to find consistent freelance writing work?
Consistent work can be secured by networking within your niche, joining freelancing platforms, reaching out to potential clients, and maintaining a strong online presence. Building a reputation for delivering quality content can lead to repeat business and referrals.
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.