Your Path to Becoming a SEO Content Writer

I fell into writing for a number of reasons.

I could embellish this story with my childhood of reading Enid Blyton's Famous Five stories or daydreaming through Herge's The Adventures of Tintin comic books.

But the real reason why I enjoy writing so much is because you can always improve, adapt and change it.

In mathematics, one plus one will always equal two. That's it. End of the story.

However with a blank page and a decent font, the possibilities are endless.

And then along came SEO, which took writing to a whole new level.

Up until then, my role was to write catchy headlines and call-to-actions for print.

So I was quite nervous when my role became more of a digital focus around 2013.

I resisted it initially because I thought this scary, three-letter acronym would set my happy world on fire.

The funny thing is...it did.

In a good way.

It didn't take long to realise that SEO and content walk hand-in-hand.

They are not opposing disciplines, but rather are arguably two of the best friends you could ever find in the field of marketing.

You don't need a uni degree and you don't need to spend thousands of dollars on books to learn how to become a great SEO content writer.

And to be clear, I'm not a world-leading SEO content writer. I'm just a guy who is still making mistakes and learning from them every damn day for the last ten years.

If you are looking for a kickstart to learn how to become a SEO content writer, what I can do at the very least is point you in the right direction.

Step 1: Understand the fundamentals

To become an effective SEO content writer, it seems ridiculously obvious to say this but start by understanding the basic fundamentals of SEO.

Familiarise yourself with keyword research, on-page optimisation, link building, and the importance of user experience.

Don't worry, you don't need to become an expert in these fancy words overnight - it will take some trial and error to understand what these terminologies do and mean.

I also recommend exploring reputable resources, attend webinars, and follow industry experts to stay updated on the latest trends and best practices. I'm a big fan of Neil Patel if you're looking for a recommendation.

Step 2: Hone your writing skills

As I mentioned earlier, SEO and writing are partners, so this doesn't mean you can drop your game when it comes to producing exceptional copy.

Focus on improving your headings, sentence structure, and storytelling abilities.

As an SEO content writer, you'll need to create engaging, informative, and persuasive content that resonates with both readers and search engines.

Step 3: Understand your audience

One thing I always teach when it comes to SEO is understanding user intent.

Know your audience and target market. Research their pain points, preferences, and interests.

I'm not saying become a stalker, but at least take the time to do some research into your customer base.

As an SEO content writer, your job at the end of the day is to tailor your content to cater to the needs of your target audience, offering valuable solutions to problems they have.

And knowing that 68% of online experiences begin with a search should be incentive enough to get to know your customer more.

Step 4: Embrace keyword research

Keyword research is at the heart of SEO content writing.

If you want to know how to become a great SEO content writer, remember that the sun doesn't rise without doing keyword research.

Learn how to identify relevant keywords and phrases that align with your content and audience.

A personal tip I can offer is to focus on long-tail keywords, or keywords that are a question.

Utilise keyword research tools to discover high-traffic, low-competition keywords that can boost your content's visibility in search engine results.

Step 5: Optimise on-page elements

Learn how to optimise on-page elements such as titles, meta descriptions, headings, and URL structures.

I know...I'm using fancy SEO terminology words again, but all of the above things will depend on your writing skills, and not for you to be a software programmer.

Step 6: Stay updated with SEO trends

SEO is a constantly evolving field. Stay ahead of the curve by continuously learning and adapting to the latest SEO trends.

It was only in December last year when Google added the additional E to the E-EAT strategy. So you always need to be adapting.

Following industry blogs, attending webinars, and participating in online discussions can keep you informed and relevant.

Step 7: Collaborate and network

Connect with other SEO professionals, content writers, and digital marketers.

Join online communities, attend industry events, and participate in networking opportunities.

Trust me when I say that most of what I know today about SEO came from colleagues and mentors.

Step 8: Never stop learning and experimenting

As you progress in your journey as an SEO content writer, never stop learning and experimenting.

Continuously evaluate your content's performance, gather feedback, and adapt your strategies accordingly.

Hold yourself accountable. I mean it. Don't just add keywords to a Blog and forget about it after you hit the Publish button. Check your work.

How to become a SEO content writer

Becoming an SEO content writer requires dedication, continuous learning, and a passion for both writing and digital marketing.

I've been doing this for over a decade now, and I'm still learning new things every day - which is why the role is so exciting.