Share Your SEO Tips for Freelance Writers | Marketing | Forum

Jennifer Mattern said:

When new writers ask me what they can do to get more (or better) gigs, I often tell them to focus on their professional website. Many of the best gigs are never advertised, and prospects do a direct search for the kind of writer they're looking for. To be found that way, your website needs to show up fairly high in search rankings (I've been #2 for a long time for my primary keyword phrase for example, but anywhere on the first page can be great — no further back than page 3 though). 

To rank highly, you need to optimize for search. So I'd like the community to share some SEO tips for other freelance writers who are trying to improve their own rankings. 

Here are mine:

1. Don't mistake search engine optimization for writing for search engines. Your readers (your prospects) should be your primary focus at all times.

2. Do basic keyword research to find out what your prospects are most likely searching for when they need a writer like you. The Google Adwords Keyword Tool can be a great tool for this. 

3. Don't skimp on content. If you want to rank well, make sure your site (and each page on it) actually offers content worth reading. A few short pages won't hurt. And I'm not saying you need obscenely long sales letter style pages. But for any page you want to rank well, produce substantial content.

4. Do focus on keyword rich titles. That doesn't just mean the main visible title of each page. It also means subtitles, and even more importantly your meta title in the header of your code — that can determine what title shows up in search engines. For example, if you're a professional finance blogger, then make sure that phrase appears in the title of the page you want to rank well.

What are your best SEO tips for freelance writers?

Jenn 

Yes, yes and more yes. The only thing I would add–and I don't think you already mentioned it–is to be careful about designing your site to appeal to your prospects once they find you through keywords. I changed mine at the beginning of last year to something I thought was much better, but my would-be clients did NOT. Since I don't really market because clients generally find me, this could have been a very bad situation. When I switched back to my original design (which I hate, BTW) it turned around immediately. And no, it wasn't a code/ seo thing because my hits didn't change, just my inquiries.

Jennifer Mattern said:

I remember you telling me a bit about that situation privately. Out of curiosity, do you think it was something specific visually that made a difference? Or did the design changes also include copy changes (either the text itself or its placement)?

I went from orange and swirly sort of whimsical to buttoned up and businessy. I didn't change copy or samples at all. In retrospect, if I look at the individual financial advisors and agents I ghostwrite for, it makes sense. To be honest, I think part of my appeal is that I come off as knowledgeable and enthusiastic without being intimidating–and after having worked with financial professionals over the past 12 years, that's exactly how I need to be.

I'd say- go for a bunch of quality guest posts!

I don't see them as time taken away from prospects and actual work, as many use to think– they may get you no bucks, but they're still a big investment. In fact, a few guest posts on prominent, related blogs will not just boost search engine rankings, but they will give more visibility to a writer as well. See it as another way to prospect! ;) Perhaps the blog you were approved a guest post on is frequented by potential clients– who may contact you after reading your post. Wouldn't be that bad! 

Indeed, Jennifer.

And I may add that certain no-pay publication may help in the process too, especially when they are established. For instance, I'm thinking of sending an commentary-type essay to Education Week next month. It's a no-pay pub, but it can help build a relevant clip in the education/pedagogy area.

I'd say– let's make good use of all the possibilities we're given. Be it for SEO purposes or for a writer's portfolio. :)