When you need a lot of content for your site and you need it done right, these three options usually come to mind:
You can do it yourself.
You can hire a writer.
You can hire a freelance SEO writing service.
Freelance SEO Writing: Finding the Best Option for You
The problem with the first option, though, is that even if you are the best writer in the world, if you are running a business, you just don’t have time to consistently write that much and still make it quality.
However, you notice that I didn’t list ‘don’t worry about creating content’ as an option. If there is anything that we can all agree on in the world of marketing, it is that you need an online presence, and you need great content on that site. Brafton created an awesome infographic illustrating this.
This means your best option is often going to be paying someone else to do the writing for you.
Hiring a Writer
When you hire a writer, you can take on a fulltime employee, use an individual freelancer, or contract through a freelance SEO writing service.
With the first two options, you take a risk of hiring someone without as many credentials as you can find through full services. Not only that, but they may not have as full of a range as a freelance service.
With a service, you have a wide range of experience, knowledgeable writers who can specialize in whatever type of writing you want done.
When you are looking for a service, though, you do not want to just go with the first one you run across.
Five Things You Should Look for in Your Best-Fit Freelance SEO Writing Service
When you are looking for a freelance service, make sure they meet at least these five important qualities.
1. They can adapt your necessary voice to fit your audience.
Great writers come up with an interesting, unique voice that really resonates with their readers. However, great freelance SEO writing services – or writer – actually adapts yours. Your voice becomes theirs.
When hiring a freelance writer, you need to find one that, instead of having their own voice, has an easily adaptable voice.
They should be writing for your audience in the tone that you would use to talk to your clients. In order to ensure they have this capability, ask for a diverse portfolio.
If a portfolio contains amazing pieces, but they are all of one style, then you cannot be assured that they are adaptably or not.
A freelance SEO writing service is usually good at ensuring this because they can choose one of their varied writers who best fit your need. While a single author can have many voices, think about how many voices you can choose from when you have many authors who each have many voices.
2. They keep up to date with all of the latest writing trends.
The current content marketing structure is likely to look a lot different than the content marketing world of even next year. That is why good writing is not enough.
When you look for a writer or service, make sure they keep up with the growing trends. There are many ways they can show you they do this.
They can become certified.
They can take trainings.
They can demonstrate their knowledge and prowess through their own research. However, if this is the way they learn, you might need to periodically check to make sure they are staying up to date.
Services are usually good at doing this because they often require their writers to update their training as new issues arise. Therefore, when you use a service, you can be more assured that they are familiar with all new and emerging trends – it is after all their business – as well as know that it is likely easier to get proof of this knowledge.
3. They are talented writers.
This one should go without saying, but I am mentioning it anyway. You have to make sure you hire a freelance SEO writing provider that actually knows how to write.
While this alone does not make a good freelance writer, it is the most important. No matter how well rounded they are, a freelancer without writing talent is not a freelancer you want to use.
Here, it might not matter as much if you use a freelance SEO writing service or an individual. However, at least with a service, if you do not like the writer who is assigned to your project, you have the freedom to request someone else.
4. They are talented writers in the area that you need them to be talented in.
Just as important as hiring a talented writer is hiring a writer that is skilled in the areas that you need them to be. Creative writing versus professional or technical writing versus copywriting versus niche writing and on and on all are vastly different.
If you need a professional writer, it is probably not a great idea to use a fully creative writer – even if that creative writer is an incredible creative writer.
You can determine if a writer is good and if they are good at what you need them to be able to do in a lot of ways.
Ask for referrals.
Check their portfolio or website.
Read reviews and testimonials.
Ask for a test article in order to see their merits.
While you can find an individual that meets your needs, just remember that here to a service might be a good idea. They have all good writers, but they have writers of varied natures. This way, you are more likely to get the writer you need.
5. They are all-encompassing.
Writing services are good at offering you a wide variety of services. When you use one, they do all the work for you.
Look for a service that works with you start to finish.
They consult with you and brainstorm what you need.
They create an editorial calendar.
They can even do keyword research for good SEO content from the ground up.
They write and post the content.
They do the social media for the content.
Final Thoughts on Freelance SEO Writing Services
Using a freelance service can save you time and make you money, which makes it well worth the price you pay the service. However, if you don’t get the right service, you will be paying for service without reaping any of the potential benefits.
If you are in the market for a freelance SEO writing service, check out our online Content Shop.
The cornerstone of great online content is great SEO.
And yet, without content there is no SEO. It’s an interesting complex.
Without great SEO content, no website can rank well, can’t be found by users, and can’t go viral on the web.
With this in mind, it’s clear that writers who want to develop their online brand and improve the functionality of their online content are essential, as well as their skill sets.
To help you achieve great SEO content, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite SEO writing tips to help you succeed. Read on to learn more.
10 Smart SEO Writing Tips for Better Content
Great content is the sum of its parts, and one of its most important parts is SEO. Unfortunately, many writers simply don’t understand how to take the (few) tenants of SEO and apply them to online copywriting.
Fortunately, those who want to learn can simply take the following SEO writing tips and plug them into their online content for better results, starting today:
1. Keep all of your content high-quality
Today’s publishers are under an intense amount of pressure. People want more content than ever before, and they want it faster than it’s often possible to produce it.
Because of this, many publishers and marketers weaken and start publishing low-quality content just to have published something. Unfortunately, this is the wrong way to go. While it may seem like low-quality content can be optimized just the same, it’s important to remember that great SEO goes much deeper than technical mumbo-jumbo.
While you may be able to use the same keyword phrase in low-quality content as you do high-quality content, its effect on your readers won’t be the same, and you’ll likely sacrifice some relevance and value as a result.
Keep in mind that, in the world of SEO, all good things begin with quality content. Without a quality piece of content to optimize, your SEO efforts won’t pack the punch they should, and your content risks falling flat on its face.
By insisting on publishing only high-quality content, you can help ensure that your readers will find value in your material and that all of the SEO work you do down the road serves to enhance an already powerful piece.
2. Keep your topic relevant to your audience
No matter what you’re writing, don’t lose sight of your audience.
Some writers have a tendency to drift off to unrelated topics in hopes of being engaging and unique to a wide assortment of readers, but this misses the mark entirely.
Instead of leaping from one point to the next, ensure that your content features a cohesive structure and that it’s all designed with your target audience in mind. Focus on what you’re writing and keep who you’re writing to in mind.
Unless your content has a well-defined target audience, it never really stands a chance of ranking well, and the likelihood that it will go viral in a particular segment or group is small. Make it simple.
With this in mind, do your homework. Research your target audience and find unique ways to speak to them in your online copy. Make it fun. People will know good quality writing when they see it, and they’ll know you’re talking to them when you take proactive steps to do so.
3. Experiment with formulas for your headlines
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but in the world of SEO it might sound more like this: “Imitation is the fastest path to success.”
You know that sites like BuzzFeed and Upworthy are famous for their click-bait headlines, and, if you’re like most readers, you’ve probably clicked a few yourself.
As it stands today, one of the most critical components of any piece of content is its headline. In addition to providing an SEO boost by featuring relevant long-tail keywords, a headline also has a dramatic impact on click-through-rate, which, in turn, has a significant impact on SEO.
With this in mind, it’s clear that you cannot afford to let your headlines slack. Because of this, you may want to try headline formulas and see where they get you.
While nobody is advocating that you steal your competition’s headlines, or borrow excessively from successful companies, taking note of what they do and applying it to your business is an excellent way to boost your headline success and influence your click-through rates in a positive way.
In light of this, get to work testing out negative headlines, lists, headlines that reference your audience, and those that inspire curiosity. When you find one that works well, play with variations of it. In addition to boosting your SEO, this will also make you a better writer.
4. Avoid overstuffing your content with keywords
Keep your eye on how many times you use your target keyword. While keyword density obsessions have slackened in the last several years, keywords still need to feel natural, and if they don’t, you’re liable to get penalized by Google.
A good rule of thumb is to stick to in a keyword for every 50 or 100 words of content. More than that, and it will sound redundant. Less than that, and your content won’t actually be optimized for the keyword.
Wherever you use your target keyword, keep it simple and to the point. Users will pick up on awkward keyword inclusion faster than you can say “hot potato,” and they’re willing to abandon your content because of it.
5. Break your content up into headers and subheaders
In addition to making your content easier for users to read, breaking it into headers and subheaders also helps your content look more appealing, and it can have some distinct SEO benefits, as well.
One of the best guidelines for this practice comes from WordPress’s powerful Yoast SEO plugin. This plugin, which evaluates on-page content for SEO and readability, generally recommends that there be no more than 300 words between headers or subheaders. This keeps content readable and skimmable for users.
6. Update your content on a regular basis
Updating your content can mean a few things. In some cases, it may simply mean publishing new content on a regular basis. In other settings, though, it can mean going back into older posts and updating them for relevance and accuracy today.
This is a critical tactic for anyone who publishes a lot of content and can help ensure that your content ranks well and continues to provide value to readers.
If you think about it, all content needs an update now and then. Either because statistics within it have changed or because a few simple switches can make it more relevant to a modern audience. By updating your content often, you can help ensure that you steer clear of unneeded SEO penalties while continuing to provide value and relevance to readers.
7. Meta descriptions are there for a reason
Meta descriptions are short pieces of content designed to help inform readers and search engines about your article. They are usually 160 characters or less in length and should contain your keywords.
While many writers either don’t create meta descriptions, or just copy and paste their descriptions from one piece of content to the next, creating unique, relevant, and well-written meta descriptions for all of your content can go a long way toward making it more valuable.
8. Make use of writing tools
Writing tools (like the aforementioned Yoast SEO plugin) can go a long way toward improving your online copywriting and helping you achieve better SEO.
In addition to Yoast, there are also spelling and grammar checkers like Grammarly, plagiarism checkers like Copyscape, and dozens (if not hundreds) of keyword research tools and topic analysis tools in between. (We’re building a tool that will have a deeper search than Copyscape for original content checking–Copyfind!)
While these tools may seem unneeded, they can go a long way toward improving your content and boosting your chances of ranking well in Google’s SERPs.
9. Keep your content original, always
This applies to your voice and your material.
While your voice should be unique to your brand, your content should be original, as well. All of it. This means no copying or borrowing from other sites, even your own.
While many writers believe that duplicate content isn’t an issue that could ever affect them, a Search Engine Land study reports that a whopping 29% of sites have a problem with duplicate content. With this in mind, run your content through a plagiarism checker (like Grammarly or Copyscape) before you publish it and be sure that your alt. descriptions and meta information are always unique and original.
10. Spice your content up with visuals
Visuals can help enhance the interest and relevance of your content, which can make it more useful for readers. With this in mind, grab an in-depth screenshot or a quality stock photo to illustrate your content’s key points and provide context.
SEO Writing Tips for the Modern Writer
While SEO best practices change like the weather, these ten SEO writing tips are here to stay and can help you craft quality online content your readers (and search engines) will love!
Do you need skilled SEO copywriters to help your content rank well online? Visit our Content Shop to find the perfect copywriters for your online project!
Important to any content strategy are the catalysts that help build a great foundation. The list of tools we’ll describe below are beneficial to any SEO writer for any part of content writing and content strategizing. They are not going to help increase word count or ensure proper placement of a keyword to get your writing a higher result rank with a search engine. However, writers need to stay aware of the bigger picture, and this blog aims to help with that objective.
5 Tools An SEO Writer Uses To Their Advantage
These tools are a mix of old common sense that some people need a reminder of periodically, a nod to the newest crazes and fads that may or may not be as popular a few short months from now, and a simple question that is a part of the drive for all writers. So dive in, don’t spill your coffee and I hope you gain something from the tools listed below.
1) The Search For New Knowledge
Don’t be content with the current skillset you use as a writer. Search engines are constantly changing their algorithms and improving their results for the consumer. You also need to work toward this goal. An SEO writer needs to be aware of the best use of the keyword to bring in the most search results. If the methods change, the writing must change to suit.
Consider it this way: Previous generations have seen the invention of the car, the television, the telephone, the cellular phone and the Internet all in their lifetime. Writers in that generation have experienced huge upheavals to their knowledge and abilities. If they can handle the changes that came in their lifetime, we can work to tweak our writing as needed for new search techniques on the Internet.
2) Are You Aware Of Tumblr?
Tumblr is being viewed as a mixture of Facebook and WordPress, with a hint of Pinterest thrown in. Does that spark your interest? It did mine.
Once a little further research was done, I determined that there is a significant appeal for Tumblr, to the right network of businesses. That is, over half of the users are female. That is a fantastic way to reach a female audience. Numerous businesses have already seen the advantage and begun work to capitalize on it.
SEO Writers can benefit from networks like this as well. How so? Well, writing is all about content. Having a venue such as Tumblr to both discover and test content is a gold mine for the astute writer to mine repeatedly. Even better, this gold mine has no danger of running dry, at least not until a more popular alternative social media venue is discovered.
3) The Infographic And Its Growing Importance
A picture has been worth a thousand words for a long time. Today, however, people have capitalized on the amazing programs like Photoshop, the apps like Instagram and related technologies to create pictures that encapsulate an idea and incorporate words to clarify all points.
For example, take this infographic from Copyblogger – their first. Not only does it include some great tips on creating content in an area where you lack knowledge and familiarity, but it shows you how easily ideas can be showcased with a copywriting infographic. These are currently a very popular method of information sharing.
4) Keeping Up With The Times
If Tumblr and Infographics are not something you were aware of, this is an area you will find beneficial. The Internet is a marvelous thing, continuously expanding and networking people who work together to create all new facets and share knowledge in new ways. Being aware of these changes to Social Media, to Information Sharing and to General Aesthetics at times can be a strong point for any content writer.
Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, Twitter and countless other social media venues are vying for attention and success. All of these focus on different aspects of communication, different platforms to share that information and different advertising methods. All have the potential to be a huge success or a major flop. Knowing which one is at the height of its run and which is falling into obscurity will help you focus in the best possible areas. Don’t get left behind with MySpace. Stay current and keep making money.
5) The Question: How Will This Help My Writing?
If you have read through the previous four, it is doubtful you need this question answered. However, as a reminder or an eye-opener for those still new to the SEO content writer’s career path, here it is.
ANYTHING is helpful to your writing.
You can take advantage of any experience in your life, any knowledge sought out or stumbled upon (great for knowledge, stress relief or a solution to boredom) and any opportunity to improve your writing and find a niche in the writing world to employ that improved technique.
The most important aspect is the need to keep seeking ways to improve your writing, your knowledge base and your contributions to the projects you take on. This is, in the end, the only thing that matters when it comes to moving forward instead of standing still in the writing world. So, hopefully you will keep asking this question. If you do, and you periodically find a new piece to this puzzle, you’ll be on the right track.
You May Already Know, But…
Is all of this old news to you, or is it something you’ll consider working into an already impressive portfolio? Even if every bit of information in this blog is new to you, as long as you are willing to incorporate it into your knowledge bank and continue to improve your writing and expand your experience, a career as an SEO writer is definitely the “write” direction for you. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist). If you are simply reading this for fun, then the benefits you can gain are varied and limitless. All writers, whether professionals or hobbyists, understand the ability to write and the need to write are never balanced. Each writer finds their own balance in the manner best suited to her style, focus and drive. For all of us though, the written word and a finished project provide satisfaction that can’t be found elsewhere.
Each year, thousands of would-be online business owners set out to make a name for themselves by selling a unique product or service; however, many of them either never get their business off the ground or fail after the first six months. While a number of factors can cause this failure, the most common is failure to understand how vital search engine optimization (SEO) is for a successful Web-based business. Thanks to sites like WordPress and affordable domain names, almost anyone can build a site, but not everyone can create effective, engaging content that also allows their website to rank high on search engines like Google, and that is why hiring professional content writers is a vital step for your online business success.
