SEO Copywriting: The Latest Side Hustle [New 2023]

Wondering how to become an SEO copywriter? It’s not as difficult as you might think.

According to Search Engine Journal’s latest 2023 State of SEO Report, more than 65% of freelance and contract survey respondents earn more than $75k a year.

From the same report, almost half of all freelancers (45.6%) had 0-4 years of experience.

Plus, SEO copywriting skills are in huge demand.

Freelancer.com, the world’s largest freelancing marketplace, reported in its latest quarterly insights that blog writing jobs, which are usually associated with businesses hiring freelancers to write SEO-friendly blog content, increased by a whopping 55% in Q3.

But recent studies have yet to point to the lack of talent.

I’ve personally published 73 SEO-optimized articles on my website in less than a year with SEO copywriting.

Plus, more than I can count for freelance clients and industry-leading publications.

But I am only 1 person.

And finding someone with SEO copywriting experience to help?

Let me tell you. It’s rough out there.

If you absorb half of the insider SEO copywriting knowledge in this guide, I promise you’ll be more equipped than 91% of the internet.

Here’s your crash course to becoming an SEO Copywriter in 2023.

SEO Copywriting: A Crash Course in the Latest Side Hustle

First, what is SEO copywriting?

An SEO copywriter refers to a writer who specializes in creating content optimized for search engines.

Similar to the everyday copywriter, an SEO copywriter writes copy for articles, blog posts, websites, and more.

You may have heard about keyword research, content creation, link building, or digital marketing.

These are all related to SEO copywriting and the necessary elements for a successful content strategy.

Instant access to SEO copywriting skills

With SEO copywriting, there’s no degree required, and it’s easily done from home.

That means the high-value skill of SEO copywriting is up for grabs to just about anyone.

In the wake of the pandemic, SEO has become increasingly prevalent in online content, making copywriters who are experts in SEO a highly sought-after commodity.

“What’s unique about the SEO industry is that as long as people need to find things, there will be search engines, and there will be SEO. How that looks from a tactical standpoint may change dramatically, but as the world’s information scope continues to expand, SEO isn’t going anywhere –even in times of economic uncertainty.”

Insights From The Moz Search Scientist Team: Tom Capper, Dr. Pete Meyers, and Miriam Ellis

Never fear, SEO is here

In my experience, SEO can feel a bit intimidating and overwhelming for even the most experienced professionals unfamiliar with digital marketing.

Would you agree it can all sound a bit technical…?

To some extent, this is the result of the lightning speed at which digital marketing and search engine optimization have evolved.

But the basics of SEO copywriting are easy enough to pick up and even easier to apply with the latest tools.

Don’t let the technical jargon scare you.

SEO writing tools have come a long way.

SEO copywriting software like Jasper and Surfer will do a lot of the hard work for you.

Don’t Underestimate the Demand for SEO Copywriters

That’s why SEO copywriters are in high demand; it’s a skill that’s not taught in schools, and it’s part of an online industry most people don’t even know exists.

SEO, and specifically SEO copywriting, is a highly monetizable and impactful skill.

If you can obtain even a few clicks from Google search, you will put your clients ahead of the 91% of websites that receive zero traffic from Google.

Plus, SEO best practice requires a frequent, high-volume publishing cadence so your customers will keep coming back.

In fact, 60% of B2B marketers struggle to create engaging content, and 64% of them ultimately outsource blog copywriting.

The vast majority of businesses are outsourcing their SEO copywriting needs, so there is a huge demand.

Not only that, but the low barrier to entry means you don’t need any special knowledge or experience to get started in SEO copywriting.

SEO Copywriting vs Social Media

You might have thought: what about social media?

Everyone gets warm and fuzzy thinking about social media content.

In fact, I’ve written for large publications that require contributors to share on social networks.

But many don’t know that SEO drives 1,000% more traffic than posting on social media.

Search is King: SEO Copywriting Drives More Traffic

Most likely, you found this blog post through a search online and not on social media.

To date, I have over 13,000 monthly visits to my site, all without a single social media post.

If you’re not convinced that SEO copywriting is more effective at driving traffic than social media, then we can pop in a site like Nike, with 255 million followers on Instagram alone, into SimilarWeb.

There, we discover that all of Nike’s social media channels combined represent a mere 3.5% of total site traffic.

That’s why, as an SEO copywriter, you have leverage.

Now more than ever, businesses are on the hunt for quality SEO copywriters—and you can be one of them.

3 Critical Skills Necessary in Content Marketing

SEO copywriting, or SEO content, is a great way to make money online and from home.

However, in order to be successful, you need to know the 3 critical skills necessary for success.

1) Understand how search works (the S in SEO)

If you want to learn SEO copywriting, the first thing you need to do is develop a strong understanding of search intent and how search engines work.

Although there are many different search engines out there, they all use similar algorithms to crawl and index websites.

This marketing skill will be the ultimate differentiator between you and the everyday copywriter- and your justification to charge a premium.

A solid understanding of how search engine marketing works is what will make you money in SEO copywriting.

2) Know the basics of SEO (O for Optimization)

Once you understand how search works, you’ll need to get familiar with the fundamentals of search engine optimization.

This includes understanding the importance of keyword research, on-page optimization, and off-page optimization.

In fact, 72% of online marketers name content creation, namely blog content, as their most effective SEO tactic.

I’m talking about blogging here

Google itself designed its helpful content system technology (among a number of search ranking factors):

“to better ensure people see original, helpful content written by people, for people, in search results, rather than content made primarily to gain search engine traffic.”

Google Search Central

You’ll need to understand how to write content that is optimized for search engines, such as using keywords strategically throughout your content and formatting it in a way that makes it more accessible for both people and search engine crawlers.

3) Write copy that converts

The third skill an SEO copywriter needs is the ability to write compelling copy that drives conversions.

“You can’t just place a few ‘Buy’ buttons on your website and expect your visitors to buy.”

Neil Patel

In order to successfully complete a project as an SEO copywriter, you must be able to create content that not only ranks well but also engages readers and encourages them to take action.

This means writing clear and concise headlines, using persuasive language, and understanding what motivates people to click through or purchase a product.

Search Intent: don’t miss the mark

To rank well in the search results, your content must be relevant and useful to searchers.

“The consumer isn’t a moron. She is your wife.”

David Ogilvy

In other words, your content needs to answer the question and solve the problem.

76% of published blog content in 2022 was How-To articles, followed by List articles at 55% and guides/eBooks at 43%.

Why?

Because these are the content formats that people are looking for as it is the most valuable to them.

Remember, you’re reading a How-To article right now…

The better your content is, the more likely it is that people will share it, link to it, and otherwise engage with it—all of which are signals that the search engines take into account when determining rankings.

If you want to know how to become an SEO copywriter, start by learning how search engines work and the real intent behind search queries.

Don’t Forget to Promote Yourself

Now that you understand the skills necessary for success, it’s time to start promoting yourself.

Although an SEO copywriter can make a living by responding to freelance job postings online, having your own website or blog is a great way to establish yourself as an expert in the field and attract potential clients.

SEO is all about getting found. Make sure you can be too.

Get up and running with a website

“In today’s job market and entrepreneurial landscape, there is no room for being another face in the crowd. You have to separate yourself from the competition. You have to be more appealing to your target audience and you can achieve it by creating a recognizable personal brand.”

Neil Patel

By publishing blog posts, case studies, and other content about SEO topics on your website, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge and experience in the field.

You should also include links to your work on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook. This will help potential clients find you more easily online.

Best SEO Copywriting Tools

FAQ

How long does it take to write a typical blog post for clients?

In 2022, the average time invested in a single blog post was 4 hours and 10 minutes, up 74% from 2 hours and 24 minutes in 2014.

How long is a typical blog post?

The average blog post length in 2022 was 1,376 words. Most writers create content in the 500-2,000 word range, but just 4% write long-form content with 3,000 words or more (typically those in the B2B space).

Is SEO the same as copywriting?

Copywriting can be very different than SEO content but is important in terms of goals. SEO content is primarily created to educate users and increase ranking and is intended to move readers further and convert traffic to leads and, ultimately, sales.

What is a meta description?

A meta description is a snippet of text that appears in search engine results underneath a link to your page.

A meta description should summarize what readers can expect when they click through and should be no longer than 156 characters.

Meta descriptions are an important part of SEO because they help people decide whether or not to click through to your page.

What does conversion rate mean?

A conversion rate in marketing is the percentage of people who take a desired action, such as making a purchase or submitting an email address after visiting your website.

For example, if 100 visitors come to your website and 3 of them submit their email addresses, the conversion rate would be 3%.

Conversion rates can help you measure how effective your content and SEO efforts are in terms of driving leads and sales.

What makes a great copywriter?

David Ogilvy described the hallmarks of a successful copywriter, including:

• An obsessive curiosity about products, people, and advertising
• A sense of humor
• A habit of hard work
• The ability to think visually

What is the best SEO copywriting course?

Join the waitlist for the new 2023 SEO copywriting course and get a $200 credit for a limited time only.

Final Thoughts

SEO copywriting requires a combination of technical skills, creativity, and ingenuity.

It’s important to understand how content marketing works, the real intent behind search queries, and the importance of creating compelling content to attract potential clients.

Having your own website or blog is a great way to establish yourself as an expert in SEO copywriting. Additionally, you should be familiar with SEO best practices when creating and optimizing content for clients- easy enough with the right tools.

Finally, don’t forget that being an SEO copywriter allows you to tap into a growing industry – so you can use your skills and creativity to help businesses reach their goals.

Ready for the next step? Join the waitlist for advanced SEO copywriting training.