How do you resolve SEO copywriting disagreements?

Any SEO content should be part of a greater communications strategy. By having a clear plan in place, you've created a touchpoint to talk through any concerns or identify the disagreements before diving in. A plan will also help you highlight the value and the 'why' behind any SEO-driven content you'll be publishing. Once you've had a chance to measure the results, you'll have the data to know whether your theories were correct or whether it's time to go back to the drawing board and recalibrate.

Business goals should always center around the problem you are solving for the client. When creating a content marketing plan identify the 12 biggest problems that the target market is searching and focus on your content on solving the problems. The problems you are solving are the keywords your using to make you content searchable on the search engines. SEO is about connecting to the internet bots with relevant information that people are searching. You put your twist on it to show why your different using the same keywords. If you focus on helping your client solving problems for their target market would help avoid any disagreements because your goal is to serve the target market.

Diminishing the meaning or value of an article for the sake of SEO is doing it wrong. There are certain types of content structure that flow well for SEO, and it should be possible to adapt most content to fit into a more SEO-friendly layout. As for individual keywords, they can be placed elsewhere. Don't water down your most impactful messages for the sake of keywords. It's very, very obvious to readers when articles were written to communicate a valuable message vs. being written purely for cynical SEO reasons.

When faced with SEO copywriting disagreements, navigate toward resolution with these three collaborative approaches: 1. Foster open dialogue: Encourage all parties to express their perspectives and concerns openly, fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for constructive discussion. 2. Seek common ground: Identify shared objectives and goals, focusing on areas of agreement to find a mutually beneficial solution that aligns with both SEO best practices and brand messaging. 3. Test and iterate: Embrace a spirit of experimentation by testing different approaches or variations of the content, leveraging data and analytics to inform decisions and drive consensus.

Understanding the goals of your project is crucial for effective SEO copywriting. Start by clarifying the primary purpose of your content—are you aiming to inform, persuade, or entertain? Identifying your target audience is equally important; knowing their interests and needs will help tailor your message effectively. Make sure to gather essential keywords and topics to focus on, aligning them with your audience's search intent. Discuss success metrics upfront—will you measure engagement, conversions, or traffic growth? A well-defined brief serves as a roadmap, ensuring that all parties share a clear vision and minimizing the risk of misunderstandings.

"...common ground and work towards a solution that satisfies both sides." But also warn your customer that they are not necessarily the target audience for the text and that compromising to fulfill the customers viewpoint may lead to suboptimal achievement from the text. They should respect the SEO writer's competence.

Effective communication is vital for successful collaboration in SEO copywriting. When disagreements arise, articulate your viewpoint clearly and support it with data or examples to reinforce your argument. Use respectful and constructive language, steering clear of personal attacks or negativity. Active listening is equally important; make an effort to understand the other person's perspective and validate their points. Strive for common ground by exploring solutions that address the concerns of both parties. This collaborative approach not only resolves conflicts but also fosters a positive working relationship, ultimately leading to more impactful and cohesive content.

Your SEO content strategy should always be data-driven. Which data you use depends on the disagreement, but it's out there. (And if it's not, then maybe you're wrong.) If it's about which word/phrase to use, use a keyword tool like SEMrush to check search volume on every option. Then use a depersonalized search to validate the intent/need behind the keywords. If it's about organization or structure, refer back to what winning content is doing (because you audited that before you started writing, right?). Demonstrate what high-trafficked pages on the same topic are doing. Then show how you're doing that, but better.

Using tools and guidelines can greatly enhance your SEO copywriting process and help resolve disagreements. Keyword research tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs provide valuable data on search volumes and competition, ensuring your content targets the right terms. SEO analyzers can offer insights on optimization, while readability checkers help ensure your writing is clear and accessible. Plagiarism detectors protect your originality and integrity. Moreover, adhering to industry standards, best practices, and established style guides fosters consistency and quality.

Make sure it's feedback/advice from someone that you and the disagree-er both trust. Or at least someone with credentials to back up the value of their opinion. If you're looking for advice on SEO content, the third party should be a demonstrated SEO authority.

SEO is crucial, but it's not everything. No good marketer will sacrifice brand or conversions, for example, for the sake of SEO - nor should they. Learning how to be flexible and compromise where you can will give you more authority to put your foot down when it really matters.

Seeking feedback and advice from third parties is a valuable strategy in resolving SEO copywriting disagreements. Engaging with trusted colleagues, mentors, or professional editors can provide fresh perspectives and constructive criticism, allowing you to identify strengths and weaknesses in your work. This collaborative approach fosters creativity and helps refine your content to better meet audience needs. However, it’s crucial to balance external input with your unique voice and style. Use feedback as a tool for improvement, not as a replacement for your creativity.

Get your customer to agree that the SEO text is for their customers, and get them to put on their own customers' shoes. Make them think from the customers' viewpoint. Make them think about what is important for their customers, what their customers are searching for. Replace what they want to say with what their customers want to hear. To achieve this, you can start by showing them some examples of SEO texts from other companies that are way too corporate in style and message.

If you absolutely must sacrifice some SEO value for brand voice, etc., be immediately clear on what you expect it to "cost" in terms of SEO results. "I can do that, but I wouldn't expect this to win for the target keyword if we do," etc. Re-align expectations. It MIGHT help you win the disagreement, but even if it doesn't, be clear that the content cannot be held to the same SEO standards right away.

Understanding the goals of your SEO copywriting project is paramount. Clearly define the purpose of the content: Is it to inform, persuade, or entertain? Identify your target audience and their needs—knowing who you're writing for will shape your approach and content style. Keywords are crucial, so ensure you conduct thorough research to select relevant terms that resonate with your audience's interests. Discuss how success will be measured, whether through engagement, conversions, or traffic growth. A shared vision documented in a brief will not only streamline the writing process but also minimize misunderstandings. By aligning your content with clear goals, you enhance its effectiveness and relevance.