Publisher Note: Within the next couple of weeks (maybe even as early as next week), to read the posts on SeoWritingJobs.com, you will need to be a subscriber. Don’t worry, there won’t be a subscription fee. The content will still be free. What’ll happen is, I’ll post excerpts, but you’ll need to be a subscriber to click through and read the content in its entirety.

How to Subscribe: Go to SeoWritingJobs’s sister site, InkwellEditorial.com. There’s a subscription box in the right-hand column of every page on the site. Now, on to today’s post …

Question #1

Hi, in your blog [she was referencing this blog post], you stated “For example, if a client says they want 10 articles in 24 hours, you might say, “That’s a little tight, I can have them to you in 48 hours though… 48-72 hours is perfectly acceptable”.

This short turnaround time is the main reason I haven’t contacted any seo companies. I’m disabled, and there’s no way I can even write 10 articles in a week. The most I can submit weekly is 2, but if that’s not acceptable, what are the chances they would want to work with someone like me (with physical limitations).

My Answer:

L-:
 
Most clients like work within a week. And, some do order only 1 or 2 articles at a time.
 
However, if you’re that limited in your output, while you may land clients, in my opinion it would be hard for you to hold on to them once they learn how limited your turnaround time is.
 
FYI, I wouldn’t tell clients about your disability; after all, if you can do the work in the time they want, then fine. But, my fear is that you’d get in over your head.
 
An alternative is to charge enough so that you can outsource some work. That way, if you get an order for say 10 articles in a week, you could still get the work done. For more on outsourcing, see this article on InkwellEditorial.com: http://inkwelleditorial.com/how-to-grow-your-seo-writing-business.htm.
 
I hope this insight helps, and good luck!

Question #2

Note: This person sent in three questions. This is the answer to the third one.

3) Re: Client wants 10 articles in 48 to seventy-two hours.

For me this is not possible because of time constraints and a very slow pc. Would I seem unprofessional to potential clients if I let them know upfront that I can do only 4 (or however many) in a week, or should I leave it open then negotiate later?

My Answer:

As I responded to the inquirer above, if you’re this limited in your output, in my opinion, it will be hard for you to maintain clients. While you may initially land them, again, once they find out how limited you are in your output, they won’t stick with you.

I’ve said before on this blog and on my posts on SEO writing on InkwellEditorial.com, one of the reasons I think I was so successful so quickly as an SEO writer is that I took on almost everything (if my price was met) and I offered quick turnaround.

As a side note, my background is in publishing, so meeting client deadlines has been ingrained in me.

SEO writing tends to be a fast-paced business. It’s one of the reasons I love it. The reason it tends to be this way is that once clients are satisfied with your work, it’s not uncommon for you to become their “go to” SEO copywriter.

And, if you tell them that you can only do two or four articles a week, it may cause them to pause, for it says a couple of things about you and the way you run your SEO copywriting services “business,” ie:

i) This is a side gig for you: While many SEO writers are part timers, clients don’t have to know it for it says nothing about a writer’s professionalism.

BUT in the client’s mind, it plants the idea that they may be unprofessional.

Look at it this way, a client may be spending hundreds and/or thousands of dollars a year on their content development. It’s a vital part of their business; it’s their face to the world online. If you were a business owner, would you trust someone who can only do two or four articles a week with your content needs?

Again, this has nothing to do with the professionalism of the writer or the quality of their work. It could be superb. But the client may never get to know that because they want to entrust their content needs to a professional – and a professional can certain produce more than this, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to make a living.

So goes the potential client’s line of thinking.

See what I mean?

ii) Reliability: When clients place writing orders, they like to be assured that the content will be delivered on time. Again, if your output is so low they may first think, “Man if he/she can only do two or four articles per week, can I trust them to deliver it on time? He/She must be really pressed for time. I don’t think I can afford to take that chance.”

Again, nothing to do with the reality of what you as an SEO writer can deliver. BUT, it’s the perception in the client’s mind of what you may not be able to deliver that will stop you from getting the work.

Ever heard the idiomatic expression, “Perception is reality?”

It certainly applies here.

The Bottom Line on Starting an SEO Writing Business When You Have Limitations – Whatever They May Be

I’d advise finding something else to do. You’ll probably constantly be stressed or overworked about what you can’t provide. Freelancing should be a joy for the most part, not another source of stress in your life.

BUT . . .

If you absolutely want to get into SEO writing, then tell clients straight up what you can provide – and assure them with every fiber of your being that you will always meet deadlines.

OR . . .

You can say nothing to clients, but line up other SEO writers to outsource work to. This can be a pain in and of itself though. And, if you’ve never operated a business and/or had to hire/fire subcontractors, I wouldn’t go this route.

Again, it would just be too stressful. While there is some major SEO writing talent out there, like anything, you have to wade through a lot of garbage to find the good ones. And, remember, you have to charge enough to clients so you can pay SEO writers you contract with a decent cut per article.

Don’t forget to check out the outsourcing article on InkwellEditorial.com. It contains 7 Tips on How to Grow Your SEO Writing Business through Outsourcing

Hope this helps.
###

Freelance Writing “Mentorship” Program

Not a week goes by – literally – where I’m not asked to be someone’s freelance writing mentor. And lately since I’ve been answering questions sent in by existing and/or wannabe freelance writers here and on InkwellEditorial.com, these types of requests have increased. Got one just this morning.

Unfortunately, I just don’t have time to do this. A couple of years ago, I wrote a three-part series on what to look for in a freelance writing mentor. Reading this will give you some insight into what to look for.
###

SEO Writing Ecourse News

FYI, the next SEO writing ecourse commences on April 26^th. As of today, there are 15 slots remaining. You’ll learn four ways to make money online using your newly acquired skills that will give you financial security. Get full details on the SEO copywriting training this ecourse offers.

Best,
Yuwanda
http://InkwellEditorial.com
http://SEOWritingJobs.com

If you found this info helpful, follow us on Twitter.

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P.P.S.: Want an easy, fast way to get started in affiliate marketing, making as much as $50, $100 or $150/day? Get How to Make Money Placing Ads on Free Classified Ad Sites (ie, Backpage.com). If you want to make some easy money promoting affiliate products on free classified ad sites, this ebook is for you. I’ve personally sold tens of thousands of dollars of e-products (my own and affiliate products) since January 2009.

Copyright © 2010: All material on this site is copyright protected and cannot be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without my written consent (linking to is fine).

A new SEO writer who bought my ebook landed 2 clients in just five hours. He sent in some questions that I think may help others who are just starting out. Below are his questions and my answers to them.

As this proves, if you’re willing to take action, SEO writing is a very viable career choice. As I wrote in my post on InkwellEditorial.com yesterday, “In light of the article, Millions of Unemployed Face Years Without Jobs, in the New York Times, . . . There is no job security anymore other than what you give yourself.”

Even if you have a job that you think is secure, always have a side gig (become a freelance writer, sell clothes on ebay, design websites, etc.).

My parents taught me this at an early age. It’s a lesson I’ve never forgotten. And it’s particularly relevant with the state of the economy now, and the way the global economy has changed “job security,” which was discussed on the above-referenced post on InkwellEditorial.com yesterday.

Okay, on to this SEO copywriter’s questions. He wrote:

Hi. This question is about your ebook on earning $250.00 per day as an SEO writer. Does it matter if I’m searching for “[search term in ebook]” in quotes or not? Also, if I don’t have a specialized niche yet, and I’m not sure which I’d like to focus on, is that okay?

Are you saying to contact each of these companies (including the ones I haven’t heard from about work yet) once a month with the same letter to request work?

Thanks, and I’m beginning to impliment these strategies tonight. I am hoping that this will transform my writing business into something much more lucrative and secure for my family.

Thanks again,
JL

Note: In the ebook on SEO writing, I outline a marketing strategy that got me work quick. It tells you what to search for, how and how often.

My Anwers:

1. My Answer on Using Quotes When You Conduct a Search

It does not matter if you use quotes or not when you search. You will find your target either way.

2. My Answer on Whether or Not to Establish a Niche

I started out as a niche writer, but you don’t have to. Right now your niche could be “SEO writing.” As most clients will want you to write on a wide variety of topics, not pitching yourself as a niche writer is perfectly fine. I started with a niche b/c I felt more comfortable pitching myself this way and getting the rates I wanted.

3. My Answer on How Often to Pitch and Why

You can use the same pitch email, or mix it up with different offers. That’s up to you. And yes, ALWAYS pitch companies you haven’t gotten work from. Many you will never get assignments from and some may not hire you for months. BUT, it’s consistency in marketing that lands clients. Your email may land in their inbox at just the right moment (eg, their old SEO writer can’t take on more projects, they just got a new client and need more writers, etc.).

A few hours later, I received another email from this writer. He wrote:

Thanks Ruwanda! [sic; my name is spelled Yuwanda]

I modeled your pricing structure exactly. I am getting companies saying that my $XXX rate (for super bulk orders) is good, but I’m not sure how to respond. Do I say, “OK then, submit $1500.00 to paypal”? Do I ask for half? Do I say that I’m ready to start work and I’ll send them a bill? What should I do next? I feel a little awkward at this point because I’m not sure how to respond.

I appreciate the follow-up very much. I’ve gotten 2 clients in less than 5 hours since sending query letters. (emphasis added) I’ll be happy to write a short testimonial for you, if you’d like.

Thanks again,
JL

4. My Response to How to Ask for Upfront Payment

JL:
 
I always ask for half up front from new clients, so ask them to submit half of the proposed job to your payment processor (I use PayPal, as discussed in the ebook). Tell them the remainder is due upon completion of the project, which you will submit an invoice to them for via PayPal (if that is the payment processor you use).
 
BTW, be careful of doing really large orders for clients, even if they are paying half up front. UNLESS you feel like you will not have lost anything if they don’t pay the remaining balance.
 
And yes, a testimonial would be nice.
 
Good luck . . . and congrats on your success thus far!

SEO Writing Ecourse News

FYI, the next SEO writing ecourse is scheduled for April 26^th. As of today, there are 16 slots remaining. Get full details on the SEO copywriting training this ecourse offers.

And another “hump day” bites the dust!

Yuwanda
http://InkwellEditorial.com
http://SEOWritingJobs.com

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Copyright © 2010: Yuwanda Black for SEO Writing Jobs. This content may not be reproduced or redistributed without the express, written consent of the author.

Before I became an SEO writer, I never used Google’s Keyword AdWord Tool. Now, it’s one of the first web pages I open up when I sit down to work.

If you know anything about search engine optimization, you know that keywords are the foundation of writing SEO content, which is what leads to more web traffic (and sales of your product/service).

I use this tool for a few reasons, but one of the main reasons I use it is to ferret out secondary keyword phrases to use in my copy. Why? Because this helps to round out text and . . . bring in traffic because you introduce new keyword phrases into your copy.

For example, this morning I wrote an article on (what else) freelance writing for an article marketing campaign. When I typed freelance writing jobs (my primary keyword phrase) into Google’s Keyword AdWord Tool, following is a partial list of what popped up.

In all, 157 keyword phrases popped up. I chose a few to add to my copy to make it flow better and drive more traffic.

So if you’re not using this tool on a regular basis, you could be leaving a lot of traffic on the table. Open it up, play with it. It really is a fun SEO tool every online writer should use. And that’s my short SEO writing tip for the day.

Happy Hump Day everybody.

FYI, how to use this tool to do in-depth keyword research to make money online is covered in the SEO copywriting training ecourse (17 slots available for the April 26^th session).

Yuwanda
http://InkwellEditorial.com
http://SEOWritingJobs.com

If you found this info helpful, follow us on Twitter.

P.S.: Get the low-down on the most popular Twitter tools and products.

Copyright © 2010: Yuwanda Black for SEO Writing Jobs. This content may not be reproduced or redistributed without the express, written consent of the author.

As an SEO copywriter, sometimes you’ll receive requests from clients that immediately clue you in that they don’t know a lot about search engine optimization (SEO). This presents an excellent opportunity to land long-term clients by the way, which is explained at the end of this post.

Yesterday, I received an email like this. It read:

Subject Line: Quotation Needed for SEO‏

From:  POTENTIAL CLIENT (XXX@gmail.com)

Sent: Mon 2/08/10 9:36 AM

To: info[at]NewMediaWords.biz

Hi,

I would like to rank in top 10 in Google for the keywords ‘ABC hosting’ and ‘ABC hosting US’, kindly provide the best quote for the job.
###

Note: Keywords have been disguised to protect prospect identity.

At this point you may be wondering how I knew that this prospect didn’t know a lot about SEO. Well, there were three things that stood out prominently.

1. No Website Listed: This prospect didn’t send me any information about their website. Hence, it was impossible for me to even begin to grasp where they needed to start. While SEO content is big part of ranking high in search engines, it’s only part of the equation.

2. Services Wanted: This prospect also didn’t spell out exactly what they wanted so it was impossible for me to provide a quote. What would I be quoting on – blog posts, SEO articles, SEO press releases, etc.

3. Marketing Strategy: The final thing that this prospect failed to reveal is their overall marketing strategy. To explain by way of example . . . yesterday I received a call from an old client about moving ahead with some weekly blogging.

Last year, they contracted with us to do some article marketing. That worked well and now they’ve added a blog to their main website and they want to update that weekly. In essence, this firm has a web marketing strategy. SEO content is part of that and we’ve discussed how to best go about it (eg, what type of content to provide, how often, where it gets distributed, etc.).

As an SEO content provider, knowing this information would have helped me to begin to see the bigger picture for this firm – and hence put together an SEO content package to help them achieve their goals.

FYI, following is the response I sent:

Dear Prospective Client:
 
Thank you for contacting New Media Words for your SEO content needs.
 
In answer to your question, it’s difficult to give a quote simply because there is not enough information. Ranking high in search engines depends on a lot of factors, eg, your SEO content needs and distribution, meta  url & site structure, internal linking, keyword density, site maps, keyword selection, etc.
 
As this illustrates, without a well thought out search engine marketing plan, it’s impossible to “rank high.”
 
It sounds like you need to consult with a search engine marketing firm. We are an SEO writing and distribution firm. Search engine marketing firms provide in-depth website analysis — on everything from SEO content needs to possible changes in web design and navigation. They then contract with firms like New Media Words to develop the SEO content needed for a website to increase its SERP ranking.
 
One search marketing firm I can highly recommend is XXX. If you decide to go this route, they can provide everything you need to get you the best ROI (return on investment).
 
And if you need SEO content, don’t hesitate to contact us. Simply provide us with the keywords you want us to write on, and we can turn most projects around in a few days.
 
Good luck!
###

I haven’t heard back from them. Of course, I hope we do, but what I really hope is that they took the advice I gave and look into exactly what it takes to rank well in search engines.

Why You’re Much More than an SEO Copywriting Services Provider

As I wrote in the popular post on Copyblogger.com, SEO Copywriters: How to Make an Extra $61,880 This Year:

[When I first began writing SEO content] . . . I knew nothing about the foundation of SEO – internet marketing itself. And to my great surprise, neither did a lot of my clients. (emphasis added) . .  The reality of internet marketing that’s pertinent here is twofold: (i) it is a rapidly developing medium that very few online marketers really understand; and (ii) you will have to educate your clients to sell more.

I concluded the post by explaining how “teaching sells,” writing:

. . . teaching gets you – and the client – invested in the process. It’s a give and take that there’s no substitute for. . . Once clients understand the process, they’re much more likely to invest in it. And, if you’re the one doing the teaching, the SEO copywriter they’re most likely to invest in is you.

Hope you’re having a great week!

SEO CopywriterTraining: FYI, the next SEO writing ecourse is scheduled for April 26^th. There are 17 spots left. Get full details on what this SEO copywriting training ecourse offers.

Best,
Yuwanda
http://InkwellEditorial.com
http://SEOWritingJobs.com

If you found this info helpful, follow us on Twitter.

P.S.: Get the low-down on the most popular Twitter tools and products.

Yesterday in my post on InkwellEditorial.com, I responded to a reader who wanted to know how to start an SEO writing career while working fulltime. At the end of that post, I touched on when to turn down SEO content writing jobs. As that post ran on for more than 1,800 words, I wanted to pick up that topic here today.

Don’t worry, it’ll be much briefer, as I’m starving and have been writing nonstop for the last six and a half hours.

4 Reasons I Turn Down SEO Writing Jobs

Every person is different, so I’m laying out my reasons for turning down SEO copywriting jobs. Glean from it what you will and then chart your own path.

1. When the Rate’s Not Right: SEO writing rates are all over the place. But, I think my firm’s are low for the quality we turn out. Hence, I tend to be pretty inflexible when it comes to changing them. I’ve passed on tons of jobs because my rates have been deemed “too high.”

For me though, I have to feel good about any job I take on. And, I know from past experience that if I feel like I’m being taken advantage of, I just get this queasy feeling in the bottom of my stomach as I’m working. This means I don’t turn out my best work, which is unfair to the client.

Hence, I charge what I think is a fair rate; and if a prospect can’t pay it, I pass. Again, I’ve been a freelance writer for many years (since 1993) so I know how these things usually shake out. 100% of the time, I’ve regretted going lower when I know my rate is fair to begin with.

2. When the Content Is Not Agreeable: Although New Media Words will write almost all types of SEO content, there’s certain things I won’t write on. The obvious ones are hate material and pornographic material (although we have written for sex toy sites). In my mind, that’s not pornography; it’s a legitimate product.

Other topics I don’t enjoy writing about are technology for example. That’s me personally, so sometimes I would turn down this type of work if it came my way (this was early on when it was just me). Now, I outsource this type of stuff to a tech writer on my team.

About the only type of stuff we won’t take on now are the biggies, porn, hate material, etc.

3. When the Deadline Is Too Tight: Even with a team of four, we sometimes get swamped. And while I could expand my SEO writing team, right now, I don’t want to. I have nice little systems in place that keep the workflow manageable – and allows me to pay my bills and do other stuff I want.

People often forget that when you expand, while you do make more money, it also creates more headaches. So if we absolutely can’t meet a client’s deadline, I’ll turn down the project. That’s fair to them . . . and to me and my staff.

4. Gut Feelings: I’ve been writing SEO content long enough – and been in business for myself long enough – to just get a gut feeling that some projects should be turned down. It could be in the way the initial consult with the client went, or the type of copy they want, or the way they responded to my follow-up questions.

When I get this feeling, I no longer ignore it. I can’t explain it, but I do heed it.

And that folks, are the reasons I turn down SEO writing work. Hope this helps you make decisions about your freelance writing career.

Happy Prospecting!
Yuwanda
http://InkwellEditorial.com
http://SEOWritingJobs.com

If you found this info helpful, follow us on Twitter.

P.S.: Get the low-down on the most popular Twitter tools and products.

P.P.S.: Want to have a recession-proof career? The next SEO writing ecourse is scheduled for April 26^th. I’ve upped the limit on the number of participants from 15 to 20. Get full details on the SEO copywriting training this ecourse offers.

Copyright © 2010: Yuwanda Black for SEO Writing Jobs. This content may not be reproduced or redistributed without the express, written consent of the author.

If you use Twitter, it can help you drive get more traffic to your website/blog. Not just because of the tweets that you send out, but because search engines rank tweets, much like they rank any other kind of content on a site. So, just what do they look for? How can you get your tweets to rank high?

Well luckily, this information is given to us by the “Big G” themselves. Following are three SEO tips for Twitter, as they relate to Google. By not running afoul of these guidelines, you can get more traffic from every tweet.

SEO Tips for Twitter: Google Reveals 3 Factors They Use to Rank Tweets

The following are Google guidelines for ranking tweets, as laid out in the article, Google Reveals Factors for Ranking Tweets:

I. Number of Followers Count: To a certain degree that is. Like anything else on the web it seems, when you have a mass of followers, search engines are going to pay more attention to you. This means more traffic. BUT, having a lot of followers is not the only thing that counts, which brings us to the next SEO tip for Twitter on the list, ie . . .

II. Quality of Followers Counts: What Google looks for are “relevant followers.” So if the bulk of your followers are a host of spam bots, then they’re not going to get your tweets ranked very high. The aforementioned articles states:

Google also ranks tweets by followers to an extent, but it’s not just about how many followers you get. It’s about how reputable those followers are. . . . in social media, as established users follow another user, the quality of the followed user goes up as well.

III. Why Hashtags Can Hurt Your Tweet Rankings: Apparently the use of hash tags in tweets is a big red flag for Google. This guideline sparked the most comments in the article. Users responded:

Hashtags used to be a way to incorporate your tweets into relevant areas. It is disheartening to think that they would be penalized but whatever the almighty Google desires.

I’m actually not shocked AT all since hashtags are to Twitter as meta keywords are to Google.

Like everyone else, I’m pretty surprised that hashtags would be seen as a redflag, great to know that now!

Google says monitoring hashtags is part of their efforts to control spam. Hence, if you use a lot of hash tags in your tweets, you want to cut down on this practice in order to get your tweets to rank higher.

Get More SEO Tips for Twitter

For more SEO Tips for Twitter, read SEO Copywriting Tips for Twitter: Get More Traffic from Every Tweet.

Happy Tweeting!
Yuwanda
P.S.: Get the low-down on the most popular Twitter tools and products.

P.P.S.: Want to have a recession-proof career? Get SEO Copywriting Training. The course is filling up; there are 5 slots left in the Jan 25th Class.

http://InkwellEditorial.com
http://SEOWritingJobs.com

If you found this info helpful, follow us on Twitter.

Copyright © 2010: Yuwanda Black for SEO Writing Jobs. This content may not be reproduced or redistributed without the express, written consent of the author.

So, sit back, relax for a few minutes (it’s a quick, easy read) and gain some new SEO knowledge. Read Website SEO: 3 Easy Ways to Avoid the Duplicate Content Penalty.

Personal Freelance Writing Goals for 2010: On Track, or Not?

The Year of Work! Last week, I told you that I’d dubbed 2010 the year of work. To explain a bit, this  year I plan to work like I haven’t since I was in college – holding down three jobs, taking 12-18 credits and helping to take care of my then three-year-old sister (my mom had breast cancer and was in and out of the hospital).

In the last few years, I’ve tried to not to work as much. I put in 7-9 hrs most days. But just for this one year, I’m gonna go back to 10, 12 and 14 hour days – 5-7 days a week. In other words, I’ll work without boundaries. I won’t even try to reign myself in. Why?

Because I have a plan that will — God willing — allow me to reach a goal I’ve wanted to reach for the last 2-3 years. So far — I know we’re just a couple of weeks into the new year – I’ve been making great progress. So, just what is my grand plan?

I’M RETIRING!

Not right now, but  . . . I want to personally retire at the end of this year from writing for clients and step into a completely managerial role next year for my SEO writing company. You see, I’ve been a freelance writer/editor/proofreader/content provider/word processor (sometimes all at once) since 1993. I’m ready to just do my own writing projects full time, for this is where my future financial security lies. So I’m psyched! 

FYI, one big part of the SEO Copywriting ecourse coming up on the 25th of this month is teaching you how to make money as an SEO copywriter — beyond writing for clients – so you can achieve your dreams, whatever they are, that much sooner. 

Why now? Well, I’ve known I wanted to do this for the last few years. But to be honest, I thought it would take me another three to five years. But since I’ve fallen in love with Jamaica (recently rented an apartment there) and am closer to realizing my dream of travelling more and living abroad for part of the year, I don’t want to wait that long.

So I said to myself, “Why not go all out for one year? See what you can accomplish.” Yeah, I may fall short, but at least I will have tried and who knows where it will lead. So I’m cutting back in some areas (types of projects I take on) and doing a bit of personal sacrificing on some other things (eg, free time, marathon training) — all to get to my “finish line” sooner.

How are your 2010 freelance writing goals coming along? Did you make any? If not, do so and get going on them. Time is awasting!

Yuwanda
P.S.: Get the low-down on the most popular Twitter tools and products.

P.P.S.: Want to have a recession-proof career? Get SEO Copywriting Training. The course is filling up; there are 5 slots left in the Jan 25th Class.

http://InkwellEditorial.com
http://SEOWritingJobs.com

If you found this info helpful, follow us on Twitter.

Copyright © 2010: Yuwanda Black for SEO Writing Jobs. This content may not be reproduced or redistributed without the express, written consent of the author.

I’ve been a freelance writer/editor since 1993, but it wasn’t until 2007 that I added SEO copywriting services to my portfolio (it’s truly amazing how time flies as it seems like only yesterday that I started in this lucrative niche). Following are three SEO writing servcies that have proven tot be the most profitable for my SEO writing firm. 

The 3 Most Profitable SEO Copywriting Services

Before I list them, let me say, this is from my own personal experience. Other SEO copywriters may have had different experiences.

I. SEO Articles: This is without a doubt the number one most requested service by clients. Most articles fall in the 350-500 word count range. And, most clients want them within a week. SEO article writing is profitable for three reasons:

Read the rest of this in-depth post.

P.P.S.: Want to have a recession-proof career? Get SEO Copywriting Training. The course is filling up; there are 4 spots left in the Jan 25th Class.

Copyright © 2010: Yuwanda Black for SEO Writing Jobs. This content may not be reproduced or redistributed without the express, written consent of the author.

Yuwanda
http://InkwellEditorial.com
http://SEOWritingJobs.com

If you found this info helpful, follow us on Twitter.

I like SEO copy writing better than other types of freelance writing, for several reasons: (i) the pay is relatively good; (ii) it’s less competitive because not many know how to do it; and (iii) the jobs are pretty easy to market for.

Over and beyond this though, I like SEO copy writing because it allows me to make money beyond just writing for clients. Following are two ways that I use my skills as an SEO copywriter to make money online.

Before I get into this though, let me back up and briefly explain what an SEO writer does. That way, you’ll be able to better understand how it allows me to make money online.

Skills Required in SEO Copy Writing

SEO copywriters write web copy that drive traffic to an online presence (eg, website or blog). And, exactly how do they do this?

Well, they have to possess certain skills. Namely, they have to know what keywords are, how to conduct keyword research, what keyword density is, where to put keywords in content, how to write traffic-producing headlines, what pay per click is, what cost per click is, what ROI (return on investment is), etc.

In short, SEO writers have to know the “tricks of the online, money-making trade.” These are tricks that  drive web traffic, generate leads and increase sales. And, these are the very same skills that come in handy when you’re trying to make money online. In fact, it’s hard to make money online without knowing SEO.

Now, back to the how I use the skills I possess as an SEO copywriter to help me make money online beyond writing for clients.

Affiliate Marketing: I promote several affiliate products regularly, and am always testing new ones to promote. I average $100-$150/day doing this — when I consistently promote. The method I use most often is placing ads on free classified ad sites. FYI, this is one of the sucky things about promoting affiliate products — you have to constantly market those suckers, or your sales will dry up quicker than super glue on your finger. But, I digress . . .

When you promote affiliate products online, what is the number one thing you need to generate sales? Eyeballs on your site, right? IE, traffic. And, just how does one generate this traffic.

In case you don’t know, there are basically two ways to generate traffic online: pay for it (ie, pay per click), or get it for free (ie, organic traffic that’s generated via popular methods like article marketing).

No matter which method you use, you have to know SEO.

In pay per click, you have to know how to do keyword research so you can get the most bang for your buck. If you decide to go the free route by writing and distributing content (article marketing), then you have to know how to write SEO articles. If you write without employing SEO tactics, you will get much less traffic than someone who does know these tactics.

See how knowing SEO copy writing rules and guidelines give you a huge advantage over affiliate marketers who know nothing about search engine optimization?

This is one of the reasons many who try to make money promoting affiliate products don’t make a dime. They don’t know the rules of what works and what doesn’t when it comes to generating traffic online.

As an SEO writer, you do; hence, you have a much better chance of generating income as an affiliate marketer.

BECAUSE . . .

You know how to write content, you know how to do keyword research so you can bid on profitable keywords, you know where to put keywords in your copy to get the most traffic, etc .  

Write, Publish & Promote Your Own Products: This is the other way to use your SEO copy writing skills to make money online. If you read my stuff regularly, then you know I’m constantly pumping out ebooks – mostly on freelance writing.

Because you know the guidelines for what works in online marketing (ie, SEO), you have a much better chance of successfully selling your own products online. A lot of people want to make money by writing and selling their own products . . . and they may produce good, informative ebooks on interesting subjects.

But, they are clueless when it comes to promoting them online. Trust me, I know this from first-hand experience. Once I learned SEO and started applying the tactics when marketing my ebooks online, my sales shot up dramatically — and I did half the work!

This is the cool thing about being an SEO copywriter . . . over and beyond writing for clients.

SEO Copy Writing: The Powerful Advantage It Provides Freelance Writers

While learning how to write search engine-optimized copy is a great skill to have when trying to get work as a freelance writer, it is one that can be used to make money over and beyond writing for clients.

And, this is why I like it so much. It’s a powerful tool for making money online; one I use all the time.

Get SEO Copywriting Training and get on the road to making money online – the easier way.

That’s my wish for you this coming year. Make it a great one!
Yuwanda
http://InkwellEditorial.com
http://SEOWritingJobs.com

If you found this info helpful, follow us on Twitter.

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P.P.S.: Want to have a recession-proof career? Get SEO Copywriting Training. The course is filling up; there are 4 spots left in the Jan 25th Class.

Copyright © 2009: Yuwanda Black for SEO Writing Jobs. This content may not be reproduced or redistributed without the express, written consent of the author.

Many web surfers don’t know this, but the Google results you see may not be the same Google results I see or your friends see. Why is this? Because Google returns search results based on where you live. This is extremely important from an SEO standpoint because a lot of business flows from local search — a lot!

For example, I’m currently in New York City. If I type in the search phrase “Tattoo Parlor”, look to the right where the paid listings are. There will be listings of tattoo shops in . . . New York City – even though I didn’t use the search phrase “Tattoo Parlor NYC”.

SEO Copywriters: Why Local Search is Important for You

As more and more businesses come online, they realize what SEO is. What drives SEO? Content — and lots of it on a continual basis. It’s no longer enough to throw up a website and wait for traffic, sales and leads to follow. Businesses that come online are just now starting to realize this. Why now?

 Because SEO starts with the web design process. Hence, when a business commissions a web designer, these designers are letting them know from jump that, “Hey, we can create you the coolest site around, but you need to ‘SEO it’ in order to get found.” Many web designers work in concert with SEO copywriters to provide the much needed search-engine optimized content for clients.

So yeah, local search is a big deal for you. And, the more you know about the better you can sell your services to businesses. They need you and once they realize it, the work flows.

Google Local Search: Is Big Brother Really Watching?

Yes, George Orwell’s prediction has come true – Big Brother is watching. In a sense, search engines do know where you live. They use geo-targeted information to return info. This allows where web surfers to find info about a business within a distance as close as 500 feet.

Note: For those who don’t get the George Orwell reference, Google the phrase “George Orwell Big Brother”.

Google Local Search & Local Search Advertising: Why Should I Care About It

Quite simply because local search is where the money is. Consider the following:

Fact: 70% of U.S. households use the internet to make decisions when shopping locally for products and services (Kelsey Group, 2005).

Fact: 73% of activity online is in one way or another “related to local content” (Google May, 2007)

Fact: 25% of ALL commercial Internet searches are conducted by users looking for local merchants (Kelsey-Bizrate 2004)

Fact: 60% of activity online is one way or another “related to local content” (Google May, 2003)

Fact: Businesses reported that about 75% of all their customers originate from within a 50-mile radius of their location; and that approximately 80% of small-to-medium-sized businesses reported they buy their needed products/inventory within a 50-mile radius of their business. [Kelsey Group, 2003]

Google Local Search: Are You Listed? Here’s How to Check

Your freelance writing business may already be listed in Google and other search engines. This is because search engines use information from other sources (eg, The Yellow Pages) to populate their databases. They do this so that they can return as much local information as possible when web surfers conduct local searches.

As an example, if an ad agency was looking for pharmaceutical writers in Denver, they could type in the phrase “pharmaceutical writer, Denver” and be assured of getting local writers, not those from Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The information in many of these sources that search engines use to populate their databases is outdated. As a matter of course, only the most basic information is included, ie, name of business, address and a telephone number. You can do so much more to enhance your listing.

Hence, you could be losing out on a lot of business by not taking the bull by the horns and making sure your listing is correct and complete.

For example, if you’re a writer, you can add type of services you offer, links to writing samples, awards and affiliations, etc. And, oh yeah, it’s free!

Go to GetListed.org to see if your business is included and how it appears if it is listed.

Google Local Search: Not Listed? Create Your Free Local Search Listing

Create a free Google local search listing for your business. Also, read this info on local search at SearchEngineGuide.com to learn how to benefit more from local search.

Gogole Local Search: Not the Only Game in Town

There are hundreds, if not a few thousand local search engines, in addition to the biggies like Google, Yahoo! and MSN (Bing). Here are a few noted ones: CitySearch, Super Pages, Yellow Pages and Localeze.

Here’s to your local search marketing efforts!

Yuwanda
http://InkwellEditorial.com
http://SEOWritingJobs.com

If you found this info helpful, follow us on Twitter.

P.S.: Get the low-down on the most popular Twitter tools and products.

P.P.S.: Want to have a recession-proof career? Get SEO Copywriting Training. The course is filling up; there are 6 Spots left in the Jan 25th Class.

Copyright © 2009: Yuwanda Black for SEO Writing Jobs. This content may not be reproduced or redistributed without the express, written consent of the author.