Why SEO Articles are the Best Free Marketing Tools on the Web Today

Search engine optimization (SEO) is here to stay. And, it behooves all of us to learn what it is and how to use it effectively. If you're a regular reader of this blog, you know that I've been an SEO copywriter since last year.

Today, I guest posted over at SEO-Scoop.com (a fantastic blog about all things SEO by the way) about how to write effective SEO content. While the post is written with potential SEO clients in mind, it contains information that all website and blog owners can apply to their online presences.

If you've ever wondered what SEO article writing is, how to write SEO articles and/or how SEO articles increase traffic and sales, this post, SEO Articles: Why They Are the Best Free Marketing on the Web Today, lays it all out in great detail.

Enjoy (and implement!).

Get the ebook on how to become an SEO copywriter. It's a very lucrative niche!

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The Ongoing Saga of a Problem Client

On Saturday, I blogged about what happened with a large amount of articles I had to turn in to a client, but just couldn’t seem to get going on. This goes back to last Thursday’s post. So, if you want to catch up to what this post is all about, start with this one first.

The cliffhanger was when I logged on Saturday to turn in the remainder of the article to the client and received a note from the company asking me to “halt production,” so to speak.

Here’s the latest:
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Want to learn how to make at least $250/day writing simple 500-word articles? Read how here.
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The note from my client said that he had a family emergency and wanted me to stop working on his article. I was a bit flummoxed by his message, because it just said he would contact me when his family crisis passed.

I don’t believe it’s the content because we had numerous conversations about exactly what he wanted beforehand.

And, I don’t think it was the missed deadline because: (i) it was only a few hours (from Friday night to Saturday morning); and (ii) as he only wanted me to write his content (and not one of the outsourcers I use), I had warned him that my schedule was extremely tight (even though I did promise him it would be done on Friday).

“So, what could be the problem?” you ask.

My gut is telling me this – the parameters of the project have changed. I get this feeling because of a few things:

Common Problems with an Uncommon Client

(i) Client doesn’t know what they want: In my conversations with this client, I could tell that he didn’t exactly know what he wanted. The reason we’ve had numerous conversations (which is a rarity with the bulk of my clients) is because of clarification issues.

Usually, I rely on clients to tell me what they want. Eg, I have a website about weddings. I want five articles on these keyword phrases. The density is to be between 3-5%. The topics are as follows, blah, blah, blah.

The first clue that I had that this client was not knowledgeable about SEO is that he asked me what keyword density was. Now, I don’t mind working with clients who don’t understand SEO, but don’t leave me to believe that you do when you don’t.

As we got more comfortable with each other, he flat out stated that I was the expert and to use my opinion on which phrases to optimize for. Okay, one issue down.

(ii) Unclear directions: The next issue I had with this client is the way he gave direction. He wasn’t rude or anything; I’m referring to his unclear manner of explaining things. You know how you have something worked out in your head and when you go to explain it to somebody else they just don’t seem to get it?

And, once they start asking you questions you realized that you’ve skipped over some rudimentary steps because, after all, you know what you’re trying to say. THAT’S what I mean.

Once I got the hang of what he was saying, I parroted back to him what he wanted for clarification. This took some doing, mind you. I don’t charge consultation fees, but some clients make you seriously consider it.

Taking into account the number of hours I spent on the phone with him, I was easily out about three hours.

(iii) Non-business hours communication: About 95 percent of my client interaction is via email – and that’s the way I like it. This client, however, prefers phone communication.

While I’m mostly fine with that, I don’t like to take phone calls on the weekends, which is when this client has a penchant for calling. I finally overcame this issue by telling him in a polite way that I’m not accessible via phone on the weekends, but that he could feel free to contact me via email and I would get back to him during weekday business hours. He got the message.

I received the check in the mail today for the project (he’d asked me to pre-submit an invoice and sent it off before I even started on the last batch of articles), and my contractual obligations have been fulfilled.

Why Some Clients Cost You Money & What You Can Do About It

Now, I’m just waiting to see what this latest wrinkle in the project is to determine if I want to continue working with him. As outlined in Tip #2 in this article, some clients cost you money, and you have to really weigh if its worth keeping them on as clients.

While he’s a very nice client with a lot of work, he takes up a lot of my time, which is one of my pet peeves when it comes to business. I like to work with clients who give me a project, put a deadline on it and leave me alone to get it done.

If anybody’s interested, I’ll post an update once I speak to him. And, that’s the latest folks.

Hope y’all (yes, I’m southern!) had a good weekend, and don’t forget to vote tomorrow of your state is holding a primary election.

Sincerely,
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
http://inkwelleditorial.com/
http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/
http://seo-article-writer.com/
http://seo-articles-for-sale.com/
http://money-making-videos.blogspot.com/
How to Start a Successful Freelance Writing Career Newsletter

P.S: The next newsletter will be published on February 6th. Have you subscribed yet?
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Read Freelance Success Stories! There are freelancers who make very good livings at what they love. Inkwell Editorial's newsletter features these successful professionals who put to rest the phrase, "starving freelancer." Subscribe to read this , and all previous, issues.

Previous Issue: How Much Do Freelance Web Writers Really Make? This issue features a roundup of freelance writer income from around the web. Features salaries from a few hundred a month, to a website that earns over $30,000/month -- and the site owner doesn't even sell anything! Subscribe to read this , and all previous, issues.

Current Issue. Spotlight on SEO Content Writing: How to make money at it, effective marketing tips and more. Long-time freelancer Sharon Hurley Hall shares her success tips on this and so much more. Sharon can be found online at http://getpaidtowriteonline.com/ and http://sharonhurleyhall.com/. Subscribe to read this , and all previous, issues.
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Copyright © 2008 InkwellEditorial.com: Freelance success stories, e-courses, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Get the e-report, How to Make at Least $100/Day as a Freelance Writer -- free! Log on to http://www.freelancewritingwebsite.com/ for details. Except where noted, no part of this site may be reproduced in any manner without the express, written consent of the publisher. Violators will be prosecuted.

How to Get SEO Writing Work from "Middleman" Providers (Advice About)

This post is in answer to reader Misti Sandefur, who responded to yesterday’s post entitled "How to Set SEO Writing Rates to Make $250-$500+/Day."

Misti commented:

QUESTION: Thanks for the tips. However, I would like to know how you found out who the "middle man" worked for? So far, on all the bid sites where I've read the details, they never mention who they work for, and that's why I asked this question.”

My response:

ANSWER: Misti, I never found out who the contractors worked for -- of course, none will tell you this.

In forums especially, many “middle men/contractors” flat out state that they are freelancers looking for help on client projects. Where they weren't middlemen, they'd just say they were a webmaster building a site on "X" and need "x" number of SEO articles written and were willing to pay "$x".

When I first started to research this niche, I ran across the copywriting forum at Digital Point. This forum encouraged and discouraged me at the same time. Why?

Why There Will Always Be a Need for SEO Content Writers

Well, I got encouraged because I saw that there was a lot of work for SEO writers. And, as content drives search engines, I knew that this was going to be an evergreen profession. Like the telephone, it will be around forever.

While the form and function of it may change, the internet will always need new content. An evergreen need for a service I can provide – well, you can’t get better than that for a business model.

BUT, I was extremely discouraged because of the pay offered. Writing this post, I clicked over just to give you a sample.

Following are some of the rates offered by clients to writers:

Six 400-word articles on acne, wrinkles, aging skin: $3.50/per article.

100 articles ($3 for 500 words) of 500 words each on a specific topic.

Just for comparison sake, Inkwell Editorial (my company) pays $15 per 500-word article (see #2 of this post).

Some rates offered by writers to clients:

High quality article writer, $4 per 500 words article

Original Articles-$2 for 200 words/$3 for 500 words/$5 for 700 words/$7 fr 1000 words

I will write 400 word articles for $8 in batches of 10

I charge $1 per 100 words for articles and $60 per Press Release of 500 words.

Now, for me, these were low. I simply can’t afford to work for these rates. But, I’m not knocking writers who do.

This is free enterprise at work; there were lots of takers for these projects. They may be freelancers with no expenses, or very low ones; be college students looking to pick up some extra cash; someone in debt working to pay off a Visa bill; etc. For whatever reason, these rates work for them.

This is why I say in yesterday’s post, “To be successful in business, you have to consider all components, not just rate.”

Sincerely,
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
http://inkwelleditorial.com/
http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/
http://seo-article-writer.com/
http://seo-articles-for-sale.com/
http://money-making-videos.blogspot.com/
How to Start a Successful Freelance Career Newsletter
P.S.: Read about my $250/day as a freelance writer -- with less than two weeks of marketing!
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Read Freelance Success Stories! There are freelancers who make very good livings at what they love. Inkwell Editorial's newsletter features these successful professionals who put to rest the phrase, "starving freelancer." Subscribe to read all previous issues.

Current Issue: How Much do Freelance Web Writers Really Make? This issue features a roundup of freelance writer income from around the web. Features salaries from a few hundred a month, to a website that earns over $30,000/month -- and the site owner doesn't even sell anything! Subscribe to read this inspiring issue.

Previous Issue. Ghostwriting: Want to know what type of work is out there in this genre? How much it pays? Where to find it? How to go about getting it? Ghostwriter Amanda Evans gives us the skinny on this freelance writing niche.
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Copyright © 2008 InkwellEditorial.com: Freelance success stories, e-courses, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Get the e-report, How to Make $100/Day as a Freelance Writer -- free! Log on to http://www.freelancewritingwebsite.com/ for details. Except where noted, no part of this site may be reproduced in any manner without the express, written consent of the publisher. Violators will be prosecuted.

How to Write SEO Articles: Post #2 of Freelance Writer's Technology Month

Did you know that this month is Freelance Writer’s Technology Month? What’s this all about. For a full understanding of what follows, I advise that you read this post first.

Now, on to today’s post . .

How to Write SEO Articles

In yesterday’s post, The 4 Fundamentals of Making Money Online, we laid out the big picture of how to make money online.

The first of these fundamentals was content. Content is what drives traffic to websites. Sites without content don’t get found – even photo sites. The photos have descriptions, which is how you find the picture you’re looking for online.

So, words, words, words … they are extremely important to your online business.

But, there is a way to write the content so that you get found online. Here I will attempt to walk you through the basics of writing effective content (SEO articles) so that you drive more traffic to your website – which is what SEO is all about.

Click here to read the full post, SEO Content Development: How to Drive More Traffic to Your Website by Writing SEO Articles.

P.S.: Special 4-Day Offer! Get Inkwell Editorial’s freelance writing e-course AND all of its ebooks for only $19.95. Simply log onto http://www.freelancewritingwebsite.com/ and select the first payment option.

If your order is received by midnight on 11/11, you will automatically be sent all of our ebooks, and the e-course. Why? I’ll be starting the affiliate program early next week, which means the price is going to be increased ($39.95 or $47 – haven’t decided which yet). So, this is your last chance to get copies at rock bottom prices (offer expires at Midnight on 11/11/07 EST).

Remember to send in your feedback on this series. I'm at info at inkwelleditorial.com.

Sincerely,
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
http://www.inkwelleditorial.com/
http://www.inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/
How to Start a Successful Freelance Career Newsletter

UPDATE 11/30/07: Following is a link to every post in the Freelance Writer's Technology Month series.

Intro Post: New Series - Freelance Writer's Technology Month

Post #1: The 4 Fundamentals of Making Money Online

Post #2: SEO Content Development: How to Drive More Traffic to Your Website

Post #3: Niche Marketing: How to Choose a Profitable Niche

Post #4: Software Tools for Niche Websites

Post #5: Turn $1/Day into an Online Empire: How to Make Money with Minisites

Post #6: 4 Controversial Ways to Get More Traffic for Your Website

Post #7: 5 Ways to Get a Job Writing SEO Articles

Post #8: How to Determine What to Charge as an SEO Article Writer

Post #9: How to Optimize Your Website to Get More Traffic

Post #10: Social Bookmarking Software & 9 Money-Making Conclusions from Freelance Writer’s Technology Month
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What’s in Inkwell Editorial’s Newsletter? There are freelancers who make very good livings at what they love. Inkwell Editorial's newsletter features these successful professionals who put to rest the phrase, "starving freelancer." Read the first issue here and subscribe to read current and previous issues.

Current Issue: Ghostwriting. Want to know what type of work is out there in this genre? How much it pays? Where to find it? How to go about getting it? Ghostwriter Amanda Evans gives us the skinny on this freelance writing niche. Subscribe.

Previous Issue: Sue Fagalde Lick, author of Freelancing for Newspapers. Whether you are an experienced or inexperienced freelance writer, this is one market that eagerly accepts freelancers, as Sue outlines in her book. Subscribe.Gain clients, web traffic and brand awareness. How? Let us interview you for our popular newsletter? Full details.
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. Freelance success stories, e-courses, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Get the e-report, How to Make $100/Day as a Freelance Writer -- FREE! Log on to http://www.freelancewritingwebsite.com/ for details.
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