Become an SEO Copywriter: How to Teach Yourself; Details on Upcoming SEO Writing Class

 

I’m a self-taught SEO copywriter. I often receive requests from wannabe SEO writers asking me where I received my training. When I say, “Nowhere, I taught myself,” many simply don’t believe me or they ask how I did it. Case in point: the following is an email conversation I had recently. FYI, learn more about me here.

Email from a wannabe SEO writer:

I am emailing you from London, England. Furthermore I am fascinated by the potention [sic] for SEO copywriting and am very eager to get into the field. Could you be so kind to suggest any courses one may take to become a proficient seo freelance copywriter who can handle all types of assignment? Moreover where did you get your training?

I responded:

I’m self-taught as an SEO writer. I’ve been a freelance writer since 1993, but got into SEO writing in 2007. Now, it’s practically the only type I do. I don’t know of any courses in SEO. So many people ask me about it, that’s why I wrote, my SEO ebook, which explains how I got into it. You can learn more at http://inkwelleditorial.com/e11-excerpt.htm. Good luck if you decide to pursue this lucrative niche.

He responded:

You mentioned you are self-taught. But you must have acquired the knowledge from somewhere? SEO copywriting is quite vast and complex and there is a lot to learn. Did you read books on the subject, can you recommend any? There is basic SEO and Advanced SEO. To be able to handle every type of assignment in this niche you must have spent acquiring the knowledge. Please can you share where you picked it up.”

I responded:

I used the web. I didn’t read a specific book or take a course. SEO is not hard. Sure, there’s a lot to learn, but anyone who takes the time to do some web research can learn it. Start with reading google’s guidelines on SEO, then read publications like searchenginewatch.com and dailyseoblog.com regularly.

I’m amazed that people think SEO is hard. It’s not. It constantly changes and you have to stay abreast of those changes; but the fundamentals are easy to learn. All it takes is time.

BECOMING AN SEO COPYWRITER IS NOT HARD: HERE’S HOW I DID IT

I recounted this email exchange to underscore – it’s not hard to learn how to become an SEO writer. You do have to put in the work though. So, following is exactly what I did.

1. Google “SEO”: I literally typed this acronym into Google and started reading. Once I’d read five or six articles, I had a foundational grasp of what it was all about. Before this, all I knew is what “SEO” stood for. I didn’t know anything about keyword density, blackhat tactics, how to write meta tags, backlinks, etc. Nothing!

But, as a long-time freelance writer, I did know how to research it.

2. Look up Terms: When I was doing my reading on what SEO was, I wrote down industry terms I came across and then Googled them to find out what they meant (eg, keyword density, anchor text, long-tail keywords, meta tags, etc.).

Again, once I read a few articles on each phrase that I didn’t understand, I had a basic grasp of what it was all about.

3. Dug Deeper: Once I had this rudimentary education under my belt, I dug deeper. As Google delivers well over 50% of search results in the world, it was common sense to me to figure out how not to run afoul of their policies.

So I poked around their site reading stuff. They have tons of video and written tutorials on SEO strategies, tips and practice. A good one to start with is their Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide.

Google’s Adwords Learning Center is also a good place to start. Even though it’s for advertisers, it’s good knowledge for SEO writers because a lot of the practices you put to use in advertising on Google are exactly the types of things you should know as an SEO copywriter. You’ll wind up being more knowledgeable than most of your clients – you’ll just have to trust me on this.

4. Never Stop Learning: To this day, I still read articles on SEO almost every day. Sites like WebProNews.com, SearchEngineWatch.com, DailySEOBlog.com are ones I’m on all the time. FYI, DailySEOBlog.com has an excellent, extensive list of commonly used SEO terms.

And that’s it folks. I didn’t take a class, read a book or have a mentor. I truly taught myself everything I know about SEO (for better or worse) by reading, reading and then reading some more.

New SEO Copywriters: What to Do When You Don’t Know the Answer to an SEO Question

This is the one thing I think most new SEO copywriters are terrified of – that they’re not going to know the answer to an SEO question that a client may ask them.

Trust me, if you do what I’ve outlined here, this will probably never happen. I knew more than most of my clients after only a couple of months, which surprised me. I talked about it in SEO Copywriters:  How to Make an Extra $61,880 This Year, a post I wrote for CopyBlogger.com.

BUT, if it does happen, as I wrote in the post linked to above, “It’s okay not to know; clients will forgive you this. BUT, you must know how to find out. So bone up on those research skills if it’s a weak spot.”

And that, people, is how I became/am a self-taught SEO copywriter.

Good luck if you decide to educate yourself in this manner.

SEO COPYWRITNG CLASS COMING IN OCTOBER (2009)

Over the last year, I’ve gotten tons of emails asking me if I would teach a class on SEO Copywriting. I’ve always resisted because teaching is time-consuming, especially on a technical subject like this. But, I’ve caved. I’m putting together an in-depth SEO Copywriting e-course that will start on October 5^th.

WHAT THE SEO COPYWRITING COURSE WILL INCLUDE

Lessons will be dispensed in 5 modules. Class size will be limited to 15 participants. In this class, I will cover:

How to write SEO copy (I’ll cover everything from keyword density to long-tail keywords to anchor text to meta tag writing and more). REVIEW of your SEO writing sample included;

SEO tools every copywriter should use/be aware of;

How to conduct research;

How to get versed in the language of SEO so you can comfortably and knowledgeably talk with clients;

Which services to offer as an SEO writer (and when to expand those offerings). REVIEW of your services/marketing plan included;

How to price your SEO writing services;

Which SEO services are most lucrative;

How to invoice clients (and reveal the most effective invoicing system);

How to get paid quickly;

What to put on your website;

Which social media services to incorporate in your SEO writing business;

How to upsell clients on specific services (eg, SEO press releases, information ebooklets, article distribution);    

SEO tactics to stay away from;

The most commonly asked questions from clients (and how to answer them);

Actual client case studies: I walk you through real scenarios with various clients and how I handled them (from marketing issues, to billing, to pricing, to getting paid).

And So Much More!

In short, I’m opening up my business (and my brain) to you.

I’ve been doing SEO writing for two years now, and was successful right out of the box. Once you complete this course, you’ll be able to hit the ground running. You’ll easily be able to bring on more clients than you can handle.

I’m giving you an SEO writing “Business in a Box”; one that can easily make you $50,000 to $75,000 a year – just starting out.

When I started writing SEO copy in 2007, within a couple of months, I had to outsource work to other freelance writers because I got so busy. Now, I routinely turn down and/or outsource work because I have my own projects (ebook writing/affiliate marketing). I choose to keep my business lucrative enough to give me a comfortable living, but leave time enough to pursue personal goals.

Cost: $695. Again, the class will start on October 5^th (click here for the most recent info on scheduled classes). The class will be interactive; I will personally review your SEO writing sample and your marketing plan.

With enrollment, you get the ebook, How to Make $250 or More Per Day Writing Simple, 500-Word Articles free*.

Payment: I’m announcing this early to give those who want to enroll plenty of time to pay. You can pay in installments (via PayPal) in any increment you like. An initial payment of only $50 reserves your spot. Balance due on/before 9/28 (one week before class begins).

Send payments to payment@inkwelleditorial.com (you must have a PayPal account to send funds; it’s free and easy to open one). As the course has limited registration, no refunds are offered.

MORE DETAILS ON THE SEO COPYWRITING COURSE

After this post went live, I received a flurry of emails asking more questions. I tried to answer them all in this post. I’ll update this page if/when more questions come in.

WHY SEO COPYWRITING IS A RECESSION-PROOF CAREER

Experts estimate that as many as 100,000 new websites go live every day. Proof? According to Netcraft.com:

The November 2008 survey [of Web Server stats] shows worldwide monthly growth of nearly three million websites, with responses now being received from a total of 185,167,897 sites. [Source: http://news.netcraft.com/archives/2008/11/index.html].

And what do they all need? Content; specifically SEO content so that they get found online.

 

Questions about the course? Drop me an email (info [at] InkwellEditorial.com). I’ll get back to you promptly.

FREE REPORTS: LEARN ABOUT SEO & OPPORTUNITIES IN FREELANCE WRITING 

The 2008-2009 Freelance Writing Jobs Report: In-depth report (.pdf file) that highlights “hot” freelance writing niches and sub niches for the next couple of years. It also offers four tips for recession-proofing your freelance writing career. Finally, there are some ideas for creating your own products using your skill as a writer.

Internet Marketing Tutorial: SEO & Internet Marketing 101: An SEO / Online Marketing Tutorial for Those New to Internet Marketing. This online marketing tutorial will give you insight into what SEO is all about, how search engines work, which internet marketing methods work for all businesses — and more. It takes the guesswork out of internet marketing.

*Free ebook is delivered after course is paid for in full.