Working as an SEO freelancer has numerous advantages for those interested in content writing and digital marketing. SEO expertise is regarded as one of the most significant and sought-after marketing abilities, making freelancers essential to establishing and developing businesses.
While freelancing has a lower barrier to entry than other job options, SEO experts must still establish an effective strategy for their future.
If you have a talent for search engine optimization (SEO), becoming an SEO freelancer could be a good fit for you.
In this piece, I’ll show you how to become an SEO freelancer capable of recruiting and retaining valued clients.
What Does an SEO Freelancer Do?
An SEO freelancer’s tasks may vary based on the sort of business they choose to run.
Some SEO freelancers specialize on concepts such as technical SEO or keyword research, whereas others provide a wide range of solutions.
Finally, an SEO freelancer seeks to manage, develop, or update content to help businesses maintain or establish a strong presence on search engine results pages.
Freelancers typically provide the following core services:
1. On-page SEO:
On-page SEO strategies involve optimizing a page’s content like meta title, meta description, internal and external linking and more to increase its visibility in search results for specific keywords and phrases.
2. Off-page SEO:
Off-page SEO freelancers work to boost a website’s search engine rankings through link building, guest posting, digital PR (Social media marketing) and other off-site SEO strategies.
3. Technical SEO:
Technical SEO involves optimizing a website for crawling and indexing. Correct any technical SEO issues and improve the speed of a website, making in mobile responsive website.
4. Keyword research:
Keyword research assists clients in determining what keywords their target customers are searching for in search engines. An SEO freelancer will look into the monthly keyword search volume and difficulty, prioritize tasks, and propose new ideas for keywords.
5. Tracking and analysis:
This involves maintaining track of key metrics and identifying possibilities for improvement. An SEO freelancer must frequently monitor website performance, check keyword ranks, study user behavior, and assess the efficiency of SEO operations.
6. Client communication and reporting:
This includes providing project status updates, discussing strategy, and responding to client concerns.
7. Business administration:
This includes anything an SEO freelancer does to run their own business, such as marketing, project management, acquiring clients, and invoicing. According to Peter Rota’s LinkedIn post, being an SEO freelancer entails much more than just doing SEO for clients.
Skills You Need to Become an SEO Freelancer
Specific skills and responsibilities differ according to the client/project and freelancer’s niche. However, here are some common talents an SEO freelancer may require:
1. SEO knowledge:
You must have a comprehensive understanding of fundamental SEO concepts such as search engine algorithms, keyword research, on-page and off-page optimization techniques, technical SEO best practices, and content marketing strategies. It is critical to stay current with industry trends and algorithm updates in order to provide effective SEO solutions.
2. Analytical skill:
Strong analytical abilities are required to understand data, spot trends, and make data-driven decisions. Proficiency in tools such as Google Analytics, Google Search Console, and Semrush is essential for collecting and evaluating website data.
3. Communication skills:
Effective communication is essential while working with clients. You have to understand their objectives and be able to break down difficult SEO ideas.
4. Project management:
Excellent project management abilities are required to manage several projects at the same time. This includes creating and meeting deadlines, prioritizing projects, and managing resources.
5. Adaptability and constant learning:
Because SEO is a dynamic subject with frequent algorithm adjustments and evolving best practices, you must continue your SEO education and stay current with industry changes.
6. Technical proficiency:
Understanding the fundamentals of web development, such as HTML, CSS, and content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, can be beneficial. In fact, SEOs who know how to code earn more than those who do not.
7. Sales and marketing:
Acquiring clients is essential for running a successful freelance business. Your website and other marketing materials (such as a LinkedIn profile) should help clients locate you and understand why they should collaborate with you.
Advantages of becoming an SEO freelancer
1. Competitive pay
SEO freelancing offers competitive pay and potential for high earnings.
As an SEO freelancer, your earning potential is frequently determined by your level of experience, the types of projects you work on, your reputation, and the demand for your services.
SEO freelancers might earn much more than their paid counterparts.
Almost half of freelancers earn between $75,000 and $149,000 a year.
In comparison, the average salary for an SEO job is $60,548 per year.
2. No more 9 to 5.
When I went freelance full-time, I battled with the thought of not working 9 to 5. Despite finishing my work, I felt like I was doing something wrong by not sitting at my desk. This is a habit I’ve developed after working for someone else for over a decade.
If you do your work and are available to your clients during business hours, it makes little difference whether you’re sitting at your desk or playing golf at any time of day.
3. Unlimited career advancement
I will never forget the discussions I had with several leaders about promotions and raises. It constantly appeared like you needed to accomplish more, make more money, and train more younger staff. Only then (if they approved) will you be rewarded with a promotion and/or raise. Do not rely on others to develop your career or salary. Going freelance full-time gives you complete control over your growth and revenue.
4. Complete control.
How many times have you worked on a project that you disagreed with? Have you ever compromised your ethics because your boss or company told you to? You may recover this cost by working full-time as a freelancer. Don’t get me wrong: full-time freelance work isn’t always easy, but you have power.
You select who you will work with, for how much money, and how much work you will commit to completing. This was a key requirement for me after spending so many years working for others.
How to become SEO freelancer
SEO freelancing is a straightforward process. You learn SEO, acquire clients, and charge a fee for your services. However, like with everything in life, execution is key—and this isn’t always transparent. Below, I’ll offer eight key points to help you get your freelancing career off to a good start.
- Find Your Niche.
It is generally beneficial to specialize in a specific area of SEO. That way, you may establish yourself as the go-to expert in that particular field.
It may be tempting to provide a wide choice of services to anyone who want to purchase them. However, choosing a niche draws clients who appreciate your specialist understanding. You can also command higher charges for your services.
It is also easier to excel in a single task rather than many.
To be successful as an SEO freelancer, you must master complex SEO strategies and obtain a thorough understanding of how search engine algorithms work. This involves understanding link development, keyword research, and content generation. There are several ways to improve your abilities and keep up with market developments. Participating in these events will not only improve your knowledge, but will also boost your credibility and attract new clients.
- Take SEO Courses: Enroll in various SEO courses, seminars, and workshops that cover both fundamental and advanced topics.
- Earn SEO certifications: Obtain renowned certificates to increase your credibility and appeal to a larger client base.
- Learn from Industry Experts: Stay up-to-date on industry trends and approaches by following thought leaders, reading their blog posts, articles, and watching TED speeches.
- Build your network.
When starting work as a full-time SEO freelancer, make a spreadsheet with all of your industry contacts. Then you choose people from this list to whom you could request a favor or directly promote your services. You send emails outlining your new business. Some of these people might work for you, while others do not.
While I do not encourage attending every networking event available, I do strongly advise you to begin getting to know individuals in your business and developing ties. Not only might it lead to future business, but you never know when you’ll be able to contact them for assistance.
- Implement the right pricing strategy.
Understanding how to bundle and price your services is critical to your success as a freelancer.
Your pricing structure is likely to depend on:
- Your expertise and capabilities
- Your niche (field of specialization).
- Consider project types, company budgets, and charging appropriately depending on these factors.
Shumon Ali, an SEO freelancer, cautions against decreasing your fees to attract employment. Instead, freelancers should focus on organizations that pay them fairly.
4. Effective communication is essential.
Clear, polite communication may make or break client relationships. It is critical to communicate your knowledge and concerns without insulting or losing clients. Being transparent is crucial, but how you express your message is also important. Strive to comprehend the client’s point of view and communicate it gracefully. Effective communication fosters trust, guarantees mutual understanding, and aids in managing expectations. This talent can eliminate misunderstandings and missed opportunities, resulting in long-term, effective relationships.
5. Build Your Brand
Building your personal brand is important for your success as an SEO freelancer. It sets you apart from other service providers, gets the trust of prospective clients, and increases your earning potential through brand equity. Begin by building a blog or website to demonstrate your abilities, personality, and work ethic. Expand the visibility of your business by building accounts on prominent social media platforms where clients might seek SEO support. In the B2B world, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook are terrific for catching attention and establishing trustworthiness. Use these channels to join digital marketing groups, communicate with thought leaders, and form relationships. Maintain a consistent brand identity across all platforms by employing the same tone, language, and logos.
6. Start an SEO blog
Starting an SEO blog is especially effective. It enables you to practice SEO strategies while attracting potential clients by focusing on topics such as “How to perform an SEO audit” or “How to hire an SEO expert freelancers.” Demonstrating your ability to rank your blog high in search engine results for relevant keywords can increase confidence in your abilities. Use your material to promote yourself as an industry thought leader, demonstrating your knowledge and practical implementation of SEO tactics.
7. Build your SEO toolkit
As your freelance SEO business and client base expand, you’ll need to learn how to use beneficial tools to streamline and improve your workflow.
There are a variety of strong tools available to help you with your projects, ranging from keyword research software to website analytics.
While the specific resources you’ll rely on may differ based on the type of SEO services you provide, some typical possibilities include:
- SEMRush or Ahrefs :
A Comprehensive digital marketing platforms that includes tools for keyword and competitor research, pay-per-click marketing, and social media advertising. These tool allows you to easily optimize your campaigns and develop data-driven SEO strategies.
- Google Search Console:
Google Search Console is one of the most valuable SEO tools available today. Google Search Console is an easy-to-use interface that allows you to monitor and report on how a website ranks on Google.
- Google analytics:
Google Analytics, the ideal analytical tool for SEO freelancers, allows you to track your SEO ROI while also providing insights into website traffic and other key performance indicators. It’s an easy-to-use platform for tracking the effectiveness of all digital marketing initiatives.
- Google Looker Studio:
This tool allows you to translate raw data into graphs and charts, making it ideal for creating helpful reports that highlight the value of your services. Combining data from Google Search Console and Google Analytics allows you to quickly produce branded, meaningful reports for any client.
- Google Docs & Sheets:
Google Docs and Google Sheets are convenient, straightforward tools for client communication. They let you to transfer information between yourself and your client over the cloud.
8. Continue to Learn and Grow.
Finally, if you intend to pursue a successful career as an SEO freelancer, keep in mind that you will need to commit to long-term development and education.
The SEO industry is always evolving, with new methods and methodologies developing.
You’ll need to keep up with industry and algorithm changes by reading the newest SEO news, taking classes, and watching videos.
It’s also good to monitor the success of your own SEO methods over time to gain a better knowledge of which methodologies work best for you.
Your SEO blog is a wonderful area to experiment with new methods and theories, thus it’s important to focus on building this resource and using it with time.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve learned how to become an SEO freelancer, it’s time to take action.
Equipping yourself with the appropriate tools is an excellent next step.
I encourage that everyone consider freelancing. I am convinced that if you provide an excellent service, communicate efficiently, and make your deadlines, you will be very successful.