SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. It is the process of optimizing web pages to make it easier for search engines to find your content. So what is SEO content writing?
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Table of Contents
- When A Writer Becomes A Blogger
- Understanding SEO Content Writing
- How to Get into SEO Content Writing: 3 Key Steps
- Build a Reputable Blog Through Strong SEO Content Writing
- Conclusion – How To Become A Successful Content Writer?
So, why do writers care about SEO?
Why is it essential in today’s writing?
I saw one of Neil Patel’s posts online, differentiating a “writer” from a “blogger.” Both are two different things for both native and non-native speakers.
A writer only cares about the message without minding the format, the reader’s attention span, analytics, etc.
A blogger does.
Now, when we talk about SEO content writing, it’s blogging. Hence, to become an effective content writer, you need to know what it takes to run a blog.
Whether you’re a non-native speaker or not, it doesn’t matter. You may be a native speaker but don’t have high-income blogging skills. You’re still nothing.
The same thing happened to non-native speakers. Though your writing skills may not be top-tiered, you’re at an advantage when you know how to operate a website.
Do you get me?
When A Writer Becomes A Blogger
It wasn’t easy.
When you transition from being a writer to becoming a blogger, it requires a lot of adjustments.
First, your focus shifts from content creation alone. You’re not writing anymore. You become a marketer.
How you package or market the content matters. That includes making sure that many internet users will see it.
It’s a fight.
As soon as you finish writing the first draft, you realize it’s not the end of your job. You’re not just a writer anymore. You’re a content writer.
Second, you become responsible for your site rankings. As a content writer, as I said earlier, your duty doesn’t end in writing it.
Your obligation encompasses an analysis of the numbers involved in the process. We’re talking about the site’s analytics.
You ask yourself, who am I talking to, my audience, where do they come from, their budget, interests, everything.
As a content writer, you create a profile of your target market by the numbers you see, not imagination.
Reaching out to as many people as possible becomes your ultimate task. That said, you start looking at SEO.
That’s right. Content writers are SEO writers.
Understanding SEO Content Writing
The easiest way to explain how the process would look is by blogging. To become a content writer, your blogging know-how matters, particularly SEO content writing.
Gone are when blogs are solely for sharing personal stories and inspiration. Most businesses today realize the power of blogging in their sales.
Nowadays, consumers are getting smarter with their expenses. They most likely researched the product at least 7 times before purchasing it.
Business owners understand this new dynamic to the core. This is why they need content writers to execute their marketing plans.
Consequently, blogging morphed into a business funnel, and people think of blogging as not sharing personal stuff. Not anymore.
In contrast to how it was ten years ago, people think blogging is the best way to build a foundation for any business. Its “personal” touch can make a colossal impact.
Through a few words, it’s either you gain customers or lose them.
Thus, blogging isn’t just a hobby anymore. It becomes a sport for ambitious marketers who want nothing but to win the game.
Robert W. Bly, in his book “The Content Marketing Handbook: How to Double the Results of Your Marketing Campaigns,” emphasized the power of content writing in building an empire.
The company’s growth and the profitability of its products and services rely on how a content writer does her job.
As you can see, becoming a content writer isn’t as easy as it sounds. It’s just two simple words. But the obligations that come with it are massive. It’s not a joke at all.
Can you imagine being in charge of the company’s marketing success? Do you think you can handle that?
How to Get into SEO Content Writing: 3 Key Steps
As I mentioned earlier, understanding how blogging works makes it easier to get into content writing. In addition to that, you also need the basics of digital marketing and how it works. At least, the basics, alright?
As much as you want to avoid it, as most content writers do, SEO will always be part of your life. It becomes your constant companion. Trust me. It is like that.
In summary, to understand the realm of content writing, you have to learn the following:
- The process of content creation for blogging
- The basics of digital marketing through blogging
- The mastery of SEO
How to Create Killer Blog Posts
This is where the process of content creation for blogs comes into the picture. That means designing an article that delivers results such as leads and traffic.
When it comes to the overall content design, you’re looking at:
- Headlines (H1)
- Sub-headings (H2, H3, H4, and H5)
- Optimized images
- Anchor texts
- Permalink
- Outbound and inbound linking
- Comprehensiveness
- Lead magnet
- Call to action (at least 3x within the content)
That’s a lot, right? But that’s how it is.
The “Killer Blog Post” Anatomy
In these areas, the mastery of SEO plays a vital role. A content writer must know the keywords to use and where to place them. In that case, you’re looking at the nine areas we mentioned.
The keywords must be present from the headlines down to the call-to-action. Your URL, the anchor texts, and even the content per se must contain the exact keywords you target.
Increase your content’s visibility by satisfying the search engine’s algorithm. You’re trying to please an AI. You’re competing against millions of bloggers, trying to get the same traffic.
Knowing the keywords your target market uses is crucial to ensure your content takes effect. And that requires a skill.
As a content writer, your job is to urge people to buy your story. Thus, it would help if you had mastery of SEO to complete the task.
Why Content Writers Must Be Bloggers First
Earlier, I said blogging morphed into a business marketing tool. It’s not just a place to share your personal life and experiences. But it is also your best lead generator if you know to do it.
Blogging teaches you the foundation of digital marketing. This also explains why many business owners or CEOs prefer working with a blogger.
To them, they save a lot of time teaching you the process of delivering the content they’re expecting from you.
As a blogger, you already understand how digital marketing works per se. You design your site. You create the landing pages with a clear call to action. You install the right plugins.
These are the behind-the-scenes you do to keep your website running without problems. Like SEO mastery, it’s also a learned skill. And that’s what makes you more attractive than those who don’t own a website.
Build a Reputable Blog Through Strong SEO Content Writing
Building a reputable blog requires at least six months of work. That includes planning, purchasing a web hosting package, and drafting your first five cornerstone content.
You know, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
It’s a complicated process. When done right, it won’t be a daunting process for you then. So, here’s what you have to do to start:
- Before you waste money, plan first. Figure out your niche. Here, you have to make sure you stand out.
- After figuring out your niche, you research. Find out what’s happening in that niche, news, etc. Learn the questions your audience asks.
- Decide on the proper domain names that match your niche. This will save you a lot of money. Trust me.
- Buy your desired web hosting package.
As you can see in the illustration, you see the ideal process most new bloggers miss. When looked closely, you don’t begin with purchasing domain names. A successful blog can take off when there’s a plan.
It doesn’t have to be as detailed as a business proposal. All you need is an idea of your niche. Your true niche. It doesn’t even have to be specific. A general concept will do.
Conclusion – How To Become A Successful Content Writer?
Now, you realize how vital blogging skills are. Your writing skills are nothing without proof. Do you get what I’m saying?
Your blog is your home. It houses your ideas, unique standpoint, experiences, and, above all, your life. Your story.
Blogging gives you the training ground for becoming the best content writer. Not only does it showcase your writing style, but your blog is the best lead generator.
When prospective clients land on your page, they review your published articles. They determine whether you’re a good fit for their team or not. If they do, they will approach you by sending an email and making an offer.
Please take note you didn’t apply for them. Instead, you receive an offer. That’s when you turn the tables to your advantage. And that’s a game-changer. That’s a lot of difference, my friend.
As a non-native speaker, sharpening your writing and blogging skills gives you an edge over an ocean of great content writers. Now, it’s your turn.
Do you think you have what it takes to become a content writer? Let me know in the comment section below.
If you have a friend or relative who might enjoy this post, kindly share it with them. It’d be a big help. Trust me.
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