You’ve probably come across the acronym “SEO” if you’ve spent much time on the internet, especially if you’ve ever authored online content. When hiring copywriters for their blogs or websites, many business owners and marketers stipulate that they have SEO experience or skill.
But what exactly is SEO, and how can you, as a freelancer, add it to your skill set? Why do companies and clients seek SEO writers in particular? And how can you get started as an SEO freelancer in this industry?
In this post, we’ll go over what SEO is, what freelance SEO entails, and how to get started in this profession part-time or full-time. You’ve come to the correct place if you’re looking for a quick guide to learning how to become an SEO expert.
What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
The term SEO refers to the process of optimising a website for search engines. It refers to optimising information published on the internet so that users may quickly locate it when using a search engine as part of a bigger digital marketing plan.
You’re probably used to utilising search engines like Google or Bing. They are frequently used to look for information. The search engine makes a best guess as to which webpages contain the content you’re looking for and shows them in order of relevancy using complicated algorithms.
If you develop an article or other piece of content for the internet, you want it to get high rankings so that internet users can find it easily, which will improve your organic traffic results. The issue is that there is already a lot of content on the internet, and a lot of it is likely to be identical to what you published. SEO is the process of ensuring that your post or webpage is found by users.
When a user performs a search, the algorithms that select what material to return are complicated and always changing. As a result, a good SEO campaign necessitates a particular level of competence and skill. This is why companies are prepared to pay freelancers who know how to navigate this terrain and create content that will help them rank higher in search engines.
What exactly does an SEO freelancer do?
An SEO freelancer develops and optimises site content. When developing that material, they use a variety of tactics to make it more likely to appear as a top search result. Their ultimate purpose is to direct users to the requested webpage.
SEO freelancers use a variety of tactics, including:
Keyword research is the act of determining the queries that will lead searchers back to your site in its most basic form. You can include those exact terms and phrases in your article title, headings, and body once you’ve determined the words or phrases people are using. The idea is to strategically use these keywords in your article to help it rank better in Google.
Competitor analysis: Competitor analysis compares your content to content published by high-ranking competitors. A technical SEO audit can help you prioritise certain keywords in your SEO strategy by identifying what you’re already ranking for and any gaps with your rivals’ rankings.
Services for on-page SEO: On-page SEO refers to SEO tactics that can be implemented on a website or webpage where you’re publishing content. Detailed meta tags, embedding structured data inside your content, adding relevant internal links, and other page optimization tactics are just a few examples.
Link building and media outreach: Link building is the process of getting other websites to link to your content (these links are often referred to as backlinks). Links are viewed as votes of confidence by search engines, and if your site has enough external sources pointing at it, it will likely rank better as a result. Backlinks can be obtained in a variety of methods, including pitching your material to publications in the hopes of receiving a piece that includes a link to your site or looking for guest posting possibilities.
Businesses and individuals who rely on internet traffic are in great demand for SEO skills. Some businesses, particularly e-commerce, rely on driving traffic to their websites to obtain clients or raise awareness of their goods and services.
What steps do you need to take to become an SEO freelancer?
You’re not alone in your desire to work as an SEO freelancer. This is a popular freelance option and a high-demand sector. Any business that has a website wants its pages to appear towards the top of search results. It has the potential to make or break their business or revenue stream.
We’ll walk you through the stages to becoming a successful SEO freelancer with a constant stream of clients.
Become an SEO guru:
It’s a good idea to understand as much as possible about SEO best practises. The more you understand, the better your webpages will perform and the easier it will be to acquire new customers. Consider reading more about SEO or enrolling in classes to improve your knowledge.
The following are some resources for SEO knowledge:
Classes. A class can give you with the opportunity to fully engage in studying SEO principles, whether it is online (the most common) or in person. There may also be chances to collaborate or ask questions. Courses may be offered for free or for a fee. Coursera, Udemy, SEMrush Academy, and other online SEO courses are available.
Books. Look for SEO writing reference materials at your local bookstore or library. Many industry leaders have issued how-to publications that may walk you through the basics of SEO. For example, have a look at the most recent version of Search Engine Optimization for Dummies. Consider subscribing to the Search Engine Journal as well (SEJ).
Websites. Another excellent resource is high-quality websites that provide information on SEO methods. Google has a beginner’s guide to SEO, and MOZ has The Beginner’s Guide to SEO and other resources.
Experts in the field. Find and follow SEO industry specialists on social media. You’ll then receive their latest insights, links, and ideas in your newsfeeds, helping you to stay up to date on changes in SEO best practises and new learning opportunities. The SEJ has compiled a list of 140 top SEO specialists to follow.
Make a collection of your work in a portfolio:
When a potential client hires an SEO expert, they want to know that they’ll get what they pay for. Showing examples of your work is the best method to demonstrate your worth. This becomes more difficult as you progress, but you can start by creating your own blog and adding material.
A portfolio allows potential clients to examine examples of your work and determine whether it is a good fit for them. It’s more valuable than a list of credentials or a resume in this regard.
The following are examples of a strong portfolio:
Your first and last name, as well as your phone number and email address. This information should be prominently displayed at the top of your portfolio so that potential clients may contact you.
Your customers. Include a list of your current or previous clientele so that potential clients may get a sense of who you’ve worked with in the past. You might also provide links to articles or pages for each of those clients that you’ve authored or optimised.
Your most effective search terms. Provide a list of optimised search keywords you’ve used, as well as the number of results returned and your page’s ranking. It’s also a good idea to give a link to the page that was ranked.
Statistics about the performance of a website. Include any evidence that demonstrates how your SEO optimization enhanced a client’s website performance. If feasible, keep track of before-and-after statistics and share them as well.
Examples of how to construct links. Include some examples of how you used link building to increase traffic and click-through rates on a website (CTR).
Any other projects you’ve worked on. Include an example of how you implemented a strategy that enhanced site traffic or other critical metrics.
You want potential clients to be able to glance through your portfolio and get a good idea of the type of work you’ve done, as well as how that work looks in terms of content quality and critical SEO improvements.
Obtain testimonials and references:
Words from satisfied clients, in addition to a portfolio, provide further confirmation of your abilities and value. Request that clients provide reviews, and make sure that these reviews are made public so that other potential clients can see them.
Requesting reviews may seem odd at first, but it is a typical occurrence. To utilise for this, consider generating a carefully crafted email template. It’s a good idea to start with compliments directed at the client, such as how easy they were to work with. Then make it plain that they are not obligated to post a review, but that if they do, it will be very appreciated.
The goal is to make the customer feel important to you. As a result, they feel compelled to return that value expression. You can also offer to trade reviews if it makes sense given your relationship with a client to submit a review for them.
You can submit reviews on your personal website or any other platform where you get clients, such as Upwork. You may also share them on social media or add them in your portfolio.
Make a website:
Creating a website accomplishes several goals. For starters, it creates an online landing page where people can find you, learn about your services, view your portfolio, and contact you if they’re interested.
Second, it can give you an opportunity to show off your writing even before you start getting clients. Create your own SEO content and put them on your website. Prospective clients will consider your personal website as additional proof that you’re the ideal fit for them if it follows proper SEO techniques and is attractive. This task can be simplified by using a content management system (CMS) platform like WordPress or Wix.
Make use of social media:
Social networking networks like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn can be used to promote your work and demonstrate your abilities, as well as a source of future work.
Many businesses advertise freelancing positions on their social media profiles. In freelancing Facebook groups, people may also post opportunities they’ve come across. If you follow SEO specialists on social media, they may post chances on a regular basis.
You can also brag about your numbers on social media. If you’ve recently completed a large SEO makeover, write an article that compares the before and after traffic to your site and includes a link to your portfolio for people who are interested.
Get the best SEO tools for your toolbox:
Many SEO tools are available on the market to assist you in improving your SEO approach. Some are free, while others have a fee associated with them. The following are some popular options:
Google Search Console is a tool that allows you to manage your search results The Google Search Console is a free tool that allows anyone with a website to track and report on various SEO parameters.
SEMrush: This company provides a single platform that combines SEO, content marketing, competitor research, pay-per-click (PPC) marketing, and social media marketing. Professional to business price plans are available.
KW Finder: This SEO keyword tool aids in the discovery of long-tail keywords as well as the generation of backlink and SERP analyst reports (SERPs). Basic to agency pricing levels are available.
MOZ Pro is a premium version of MOZ. Site audits, rank tracking, backlink analysis, keyword research, and more are all included in this popular all-in-one SEO tool suite. You may even test it out for free for 30 days to see whether it’s right for you.
Make use of job boards: Creating a website and announcing your availability on social media may be the initial step toward obtaining clients, but you’re likely to find far more opportunities on websites and job boards dedicated to freelancer positions. Upwork is one of several sites available. Based on your abilities and experience, our online talent network can connect you with the best clients.
Begin your SEO freelance job right now:
Hopefully, this article has given you a good starting point as you look into SEO freelancing. Many companies looking for SEO freelancers use Techlancer to find in-demand expertise. Every week, many jobs are posted on Techlancer, and hundreds of businesses trust it. You may create an account for free and begin bidding on contracts right away, allowing you to present yourself in the best light for potential clients.
