What do you do if your SEO career is stagnant and you want more opportunities?

SEO's who find their career path stagnant should look at upskilling by improving their skill coverage - for example SEOs should also have a good fundamental understanding of UX, conversion, GA4, Tag manager, heatmapping and click mapping. SEOs who can do "more" can get more done and will find themselves able to go for higher profile jobs. Other things that are key: SEOs should at least have their own portfolio of site/s - such as affiliate. Run public SEO tests and share findings - demonstrating expertise through testing is attractive to prospective employers where HOM'S have good SEO knowledge. Share your own thoughts and findings consistently over platforms like LinkedIn.

No Doubt Upskilling is the only thing to ensure you get enough opportunity. At the same time you can also look for freelancing opportunity, managing communities and learn about the industries than you are working.

I'm a massive believer in upskilling in a hyper-focussed area. When I first became an SEO analyst the initial area that I identified was advanced Excel skills (back then all reporting was in Excel). I began by building the relevant Excel skills to automate reporting to make myself more efficient, to the extent I became the reporting specialist in the team. Added to this when I wanted to specialise more technically I began specifically looking into site speed. Importantly I wasn't reading content on site speed by SEOs I went straight to the source, by researching the developers who are optimising site speed everyday. There was a steeper learning curve but it meant that I had developed new found knowledge my fellow SEOs didn't have.

I can’t recommending upskilling yourself more highly. When I first got into SEO I would devour all the information I could find, and still the same today. Back when I started it was necessary to know HTML. Even though it’s not used as much because of the CMS platforms out there, I would still say it’s worth you understanding the basics of coding. The next thing is excel. You won’t realise how much you’ll use this until you work as an SEO with a large agency or big eComm website. Understanding little things like pivot tables and being able to extract information from large data sets.

SEO needs persistence and growth mindset. These things should help to have a thriving SEO career in my opinion: 1. Constant upskilling: A thing that worked last year might prove irrelevant now. So, upskilling is the only way. 2. Diverse projects: each project can pose varied SEO scenarios to sharpen this skill 3. Networking: helps in learning from others experience (good or bad) as not everyone will get to work on all types of SEO projects. And, it goes without saying, networking helps in finding career opportunities. 4. Implementation: SEO in theory looks very simple, but in reality it works differently. So, learning happens on the go with implementation.

Keep leveling up your SEO skills - trends evolve rapidly, so stay ahead of the game. Dig into Reddit for untapped keyword gems, optimize content for Google's latest AI models, and revive old blog posts with fresh updates. Networking is key - attend industry events, engage on LinkedIn, join online SEO communities. New connections could open exciting opportunities. A career shakeup might reignite your passion. SEO roles come in many flavors - technical SEO, content marketing, link building, and more. One could be your perfect fit. The SEO landscape never stops shifting, so neither should you. Embrace lifelong learning - read industry blogs, listen to podcasts, take courses. Keep evolving your skills and expanding your knowledge.

Networking Events: Attend industry conferences, seminars, and networking events to connect with fellow professionals and potential employers. Networking provides valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, learn from others' experiences, and discover new career opportunities. Actively participate in discussions, join relevant online communities, and follow influential figures in the SEO industry to expand your network and stay informed about job openings or freelance projects.

Networking online is a great option. Partner with web development freelancers or companies as there are many web development companies that are not really SEO-savvy.

Volunteer at SEO conferences or workshops. This not only broadens your network but also positions you as a proactive member of the SEO community. Volunteering can lead to deeper connections with organizers and attendees, enhancing your visibility and opening up new opportunities.

Attend Industry Events: Participate in SEO conferences, workshops, and meetups to connect with industry peers and thought leaders. Exchange Ideas and Learn: Utilize these platforms to share insights, learn from experiences, and stay updated on emerging trends. Build a Professional Network: Cultivate relationships that can lead to mentorship, collaborations, and potential job opportunities. Engage with Thought Leaders: Take advantage of the opportunity to interact with experts and gain valuable advice and perspectives. Stay Connected: Maintain and nurture your professional network as it could be crucial for future career advancements and opportunities.

Business is built on relationships. People buy from people. When my business gets stuck, I get on social media (Linkedin is where my clients are) and share about my life, my work, and my approach to SEO. By working on my personal brand I can build trust with other business owners, they can connect with me and eventually maybe we can work together.

Personal Branding: Build a strong personal brand by showcasing your expertise and accomplishments in SEO. Create a professional website or blog to share insights, case studies, and industry updates. Establish a presence on professional networking platforms like LinkedIn, where you can engage with peers, share relevant content, and demonstrate your thought leadership. Consistently curate your online presence to reflect your skills, experience, and passion for SEO, which can attract potential employers or clients.

Personal branding is essential, you can start youtube channel, Twitter (X), Linkedin or Reddit where you can built your connection to similar minded people like you.

Initiate an SEO-focused podcast or YouTube channel. This platform can serve as a medium to discuss industry trends, interview other SEO experts, and share your own case studies. Such initiatives can significantly boost your personal brand and attract attention from industry peers and potential employers.

Create Compelling Content: Develop content like blog posts, case studies, or videos that highlight your expertise in SEO. Engage on Social Media: Share insights, participate in discussions, and engage with the SEO community on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and industry forums. Build Trust and Recognition: A strong personal brand showcases your knowledge and helps establish credibility and trust within the industry. Open Doors to Opportunities: A well-established personal brand can lead to speaking engagements, consulting roles, and new job prospects. Consistency is Key: Maintain a consistent and professional online presence to strengthen your personal brand over time.

Specialize Further: Identify specific areas within SEO where you can specialize to differentiate yourself from the competition. Whether it's technical SEO, local SEO, e-commerce optimization, or voice search optimization, becoming an expert in a niche area can lead to more specialized career opportunities. Focus on honing your expertise through targeted projects, case studies, and research, positioning yourself as a go-to authority in your chosen specialization.

The field of SEO is constantly evolving, offering various specializations. If you're feeling stuck in a general SEO role, consider specializing in a particular area. Maybe you'd like to focus on technical SEO, e-commerce SEO, local SEO, or SEO for specific industries. Deepening your expertise in a niche area can make you a highly sought-after SEO professional.

Specializing further in a particular aspect of SEO allows you to deepen your expertise and differentiate yourself in the field. This can open up more opportunities for advanced roles or specialized projects that require specific skills. Additionally, becoming an expert in a niche area can make you more valuable to potential employers or clients.

Consider specializing in a niche within SEO, like local SEO, e-commerce SEO, or voice search optimization. Specialization can set you apart and open up new opportunities. Look for roles that might offer growth, such as SEO Manager, SEO Consultant, or even roles in adjacent fields like digital marketing or product management.

Dive into the intricacies of voice search optimization. With the rising use of digital assistants, specializing in optimizing for voice searches can place you ahead of traditional SEO practices, catering to the next wave of search queries.

Share Knowledge: Mentor less experienced SEO professionals to share your expertise and insights. Refine Your Skills: Teaching others can help you revisit and solidify your own understanding of SEO fundamentals. Stay Updated: Mentoring keeps you engaged with current SEO practices and trends. Enhance Leadership Abilities: Taking on a mentoring role can improve your leadership and communication skills. Establish Authority: Being a mentor can elevate your status and credibility as an authority in the SEO community.

Mentor Others: Share your knowledge and experience by mentoring junior professionals or volunteering to lead SEO workshops or training sessions. Mentoring not only helps others grow but also reinforces your own understanding of SEO concepts and techniques. Additionally, mentoring can enhance your leadership skills and visibility within the industry, potentially leading to new career opportunities or partnerships.

Sharing your knowledge with others is a great way to solidify your understanding of SEO and build your reputation within the industry. Consider mentoring junior SEO professionals or offering to speak at industry events. Helping others not only benefits them but also reinforces your own knowledge and keeps you updated on the latest trends.

I have always found that mentoring others does two things. It takes your focus off you..and years down the road, often that mentoring comes back in some form or another business or otherwise! Sometimes the best thing to do to reach your goal, is focus on something else!

Organize community workshops or online webinars to teach SEO basics to beginners. By facilitating these sessions, you not only solidify your own knowledge but also foster a community of learners who may look up to you as an industry leader.

One of the most valuable ways to continually challenge yourself, expand your knowledge and put yourself in situations that aren’t a part of your day to day. I’ve had untold learnings from these, they allow me to apply & share my learnings with the rest of my team too.

In my experience freelancing is it a great opportunity if you want to upskill yourself if you feel your career stagnant. As you freelance, you get the opportunity to work on multiple industries at one time, making you face several different challenges at one go!

Freelance is a great way to get outside your comfort zone and even experiment in projects that don't normally fit into your regular routine. I've taken on numerous freelance projects over the years that have pushed my boundaries, allowed me to further expand my marketing skillset, and opened the door to long-term partnerships and professional acquaintances that have provided long-term benefits to my career in digital marketing.

Take the challenge and the beauty of freelance projects' diversity - you will harness your skill in different platforms, different niches, and even train yourself to be attuned to the smallest details. For example, I am quick to adjust my communication according to the client and/or their target audience's type of English (Australian, British, Canadian, or American English). When you challenge yourself with different situations, it hones your SEO skills.

Freelancing helps you staying sharp and working / seeing a variety of projects that are yours and yours only. You'll learn lots but there are a LOTS of hats you need to be wearing. It's not easy.

Ideally you should: - Cry into your cornflakes - Blame anyone but yourself - Take no responsibility for your actions or lack of - Stop learning new skills Do the opposite of the above and you will be ok.

Something effective last year may be irrelevant now, so upskilling is essential. You can improve your SEO and other digital marketing skills where you are right now or find a better job in the company itself. For example, you can learn and try paid search or social media marketing as well. I highly recommend upskilling in any area of digital marketing, whether it's SEO / Paid Search / Social Media.

Sometimes, career stagnation can be a result of limited growth opportunities within your current organization. My advice, look for opportunities to take on more challenging projects within your current organization or seek freelance projects outside of your regular work. Take initiatives to drive results and do not keep the results to yourself. Tell your stories on LinkedIn or platforms that industry professionals/target audiences frequent.

SEO is a multi-faceted discipline. It takes a variety of skills to become successful. If your career is stagnant, considering diving more deeply into one of those skillsets and explore the opportunities it might bring.

If your SEO career is stagnant, check if there are viable alternatives within reach. It's not a good time to find SEO jobs. Upskill and do a better job where you are. Look for a better job within the company, say in paid search, social media, or marketing. Those skills will help you later if you return to SEO.