How to Create an SEO Writing Niche: Question from a Reader

This week, I’ve received a few interesting inquiries from readers of this blog, so thought I’d answer them here the rest of the week, sharing feedback with all.

One freelancer has a question that would be of particular interest to beginners, while the other is wrestling with the dragon of success. Yet another has a blogging question, which I’ll cover tomorrow in my BloggingTips.com post.

Today’s Question from a Reader

QUESTION: Hi, Yuwanda: I recently purchased your E-book on SEO writing and I want to get started as an SEO writer. I have no professional writing experience or writing samples so I decided to go the the GAF (GetaFreelancer.com) website. I figured I might be able to gain some experience and write some material that I could use for samples.

One of the ads for a re-write included an actual article that they wanted re-written and submitted as a sample. The gentlemen contacted me, and said that my re-write was very good. I used that as a sample in a couple of other ads, one of whom also contacted me. So I’ve now written a few articles for $2 apiece and not making any money, but I’m learning a lot of things that I can use later when I’m ready to start marketing myself. I’m kind of stuck on creating a niche for myself.

My career has been primarily in accounting and purchasing, and I also have some non-professional experience with investing. I figured maybe if I marketed myself as a finance and investment expert. I’m not sure if purchasing for a government facility would have any marketability or not….do you have any ideas?? Also, where is the best place to find companies for a contact list? Do you just do searches on the internet for SEO companies?
Thanks, BL
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ANSWER: Basically, this reader’s question has to do with defining a niche for herself.

I say go with what you know and/or feel comfortable with. So, BL, as you have experience in accounting and purchasing, and you feel comfortable covering investment topics, I see two strong markets here: accounting and investing. I would focus my marketing efforts on these, which happen to be in higher-paying niches.

Marketing Plan I Propose for BL

First, even though these two categories could be married, I would separate them. You’ll get more work that way. Now, as for your marketing plan, if I were you, I’d do the following:

1) Put up a simple website with three to five article samples under each category. My professional profile page can be found here. SEO Mary followed it and she’s now doing great (I’ll update you on her Friday). Notice how the samples are listed under categories.

Even if you don’t have previously published samples, as I tell you in the ebook, simply create them. Write 3-5, 400-600 word articles and use them as samples.

2) Create Service Offerings: Which services do you want to provide? SEO articles, press releases, blog posts, forum posting, etc. Again, feel free to copy my page if you want – I don’t mind.

3) Create a Pricing Structure: Decide what you want to charge. And, remember, in the beginning, you’re probably going to be spending an hour to an hour and a half on your articles.

Once you get the hang of it, you should be able to cut that time in half, at least. So, if you work full time, create a structure you can live with. Because let me tell you, if you luck up and get a 20, 30 or 40 article order (as I did last week), it’s no fun sitting there doing them for $$5-$10 a piece. I wouldn’t even think about going below $15. I charge $25 for basic articles. I charge up to $50 or more for more technical research-intensive topics.

If you decide to go with accounting and investing, you should get $25 pretty easily. Whatever your pricing structure, set one you can live with for a year or so. That way, you can get some experience under your belt and then raise rates accordingly. Clients don’t like it when you raise rates too quickly, or too often.

4) Create a Basic Email Query: Use an email similar to the one I outline in the ebook. I wouldn’t spend any money in offline advertising, as you allude to in your question. SEO is Search Engine Optimization, an online marketing technique. So do Google searches. Use the technique I outline in the ebook. That should net you all the prospects – and clients – you will ever need.

I haven’t spent a cent on offline marketing to get my SEO clients. It’s all been done online. I outline a complete marketing plan in the ebook, the exact one I followed. That’s truly all I did, no more, no less. Do the same.

5) Stay Away from Sites Like GAF: Don’t do one more article for peanuts. I’m glad you got your feet wet, but please stay away from sites like that. You don’t have to have SEO writing experience to get started in this business. I didn’t even know what it was when I started, and was able to make almost 2K my first month alone once I figured out things like keyword density.
SEO MARY Update Coming on Friday!

I hope this answers your question. Give me an update, a la SEO Mary. Don’t forget, I’m going to update you on her on Friday. She’s doing terrific, I’m excited to report. And, not a minute too soon – as you’ll learn on Friday.

I had a monster project to get off my desk today, so no time to snoop for freelance writing jobs leads. I’ll have some leads for you tomorrow. I’m off to the track (marathon training season is in full swing!)

Tomorrow's Post: A newbie writes in about how to build his freelance credentials via blogging -- should he, how, guest posts -- I'll cover it all.

Yuwanda Black, Publisher
http://inkwelleditorial.com/
http://inkwelleditorial.blogspot.com/
http://seo-article-writer.com/
http://seo-articles-for-sale.com/
How to Start a Successful Freelance Writing Career Newsletter
P.S: Want to learn how to make at least $250/day writing simple 500-word SEO articles? Read how here.
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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.

Spotlight on How to Make Money Online: An interview with internet marketer Pat B. Doyle. Pat shares tips on how to make passive income online via affiliate marketing; some common mistakes online entrepreneurs make; and some free and low-cost methods to make money online. There's more also. Subscribe to read this, and all previous, issues.

Current Issue. Spotlight on Multiple Streams of Income for Freelance Writers: An interview with multi-talented freelancer Shel Horowitz. Shel shares tips on how to market your freelance writing services on a shoe-string budget (he's written five books on grassroots marketing); how he created multiple streams of income (writing, speaking, consulting) and more. 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! 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 Find a Job Writing SEO Articles: Post #7 of Freelance Writer's Technology Month

In yesterday's post, Post #6 of Freelance Writer’s Technology Month, we discussed 4 controversial ways to drive more traffic to your website/blog.

Almost any type of traffic generation for websites and blogs begins with content. It truly is the "golden egg" if you want to make money online. And, there's a lot of money to be made as a content developer/SEO article writer (I know, it's what I've been transitioning into lately).

So, you may be wondering, "How do I find a job writing SEO articles?"

You're in luck, as that's today's topic. Read the entire article, How to Find a Job Writing SEO Articles.

FYI, the next post will be this Friday, the 23rd. I'm cleaning, grocery shopping and putting up holiday decorations tomorrow (the celebration is at my house). On Thursday, I plan to take the whole day to stuff myself :-)

To my American counterparts, Happy Turkey Day!

Stuffedly yours,
Yuwanda
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Last year I made $3,489.07 from a simple 1-page website. Click here for details.
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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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Freelance Success Stories: There are freelancers who make very good livings at what they love. Inkwell Editorial's newsletter, How to Start a Successful Freelance Career, 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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POST #31: 40 Days to a Successful Freelance Writing Career

PUBLISHER NOTE: If you are a regular reader of this blog, then you know about the upcoming freelance writing seminar this month. Details.

Many have inquired about what will be discussed at the seminar. So, in order to answer your questions and to get you prepared for what to expect, I started a series of posts entitled "40 Days to a Successful Freelance Writing Career (which will continue, despite the notice below)."

Freelance Writing Seminar Cancelled: Unfortunately, due to my stepfather's illness, which I wrote about in the last newsletter, the seminar has been cancelled. But, you can still take a class on how to start a freelance writing career. Click here for details.

To start at the beginning of the "40 Days" series, click here. And, welcome to the blog. Now, on to today’s post . . .

Why You Should Take on Those “Crummy” SEO Writing Jobs

I read a very inspired post the other day on this subject. Usually, freelancers frown on these type of projects – and for the most part, they very well should.

When it comes to freelance writing, SEO article writing (aka keyword articles) are considered the bottom of the barrel. BUT, as CatalystBlogger Jennifer points out in her very sound piece, it can be an ongoing, lucrative gig.

Why There Is So Much Work for SEO Article Writers

These type of articles feed the search engine monster. So, when spiders for search engines like Google, Looksmart and Yahoo crawl your site, you need to give them something to chew on -- so to speak -- so they recognize you in the search results.

Every new website that comes online, and every old website who's performance is not optimal, needs content to drive traffic their way. Keyword articles do this. And, this is why the work for this type of writing is so plentiful -- and is likely to be for years to come.

I’d just like to add a few points to her article – not about the SEO writing, but about the mindset going in.

POST CONTINUED BELOW
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FREE E-Report: How to Make $100/Day as a Freelance Writer! Simply send in your email address and the report will be emailed to you absolutely free.

Coming Soon! Freelance Writing Tees: Laugh-out-loud tees highlighting the ups, downs, joys and sorrows of being a freelance writer. You won’t want to be caught without one!
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As I said in my comment to Jennifer’s post, I find freelance writers usually fall into two or three camps, outlined below.

Remember, if your goal is to make a full-time living as a freelancer, you are going to have to take on some projects that are not, shall we say, optimal. It doesn’t mean you revert to being bullet point “b” above, but it does mean you might want to become a “c”.

The 3 Types of Freelance Writers (Which one are you?)

a) Those who look down upon anything that pays less than what "they" consider a decent rate:

b) Those who will work for peanuts; and

c) Those who will consider each project on its merits -- long-term income generation, ease of work and what it provides to them personally.

Of these, obviously, “c” is the type of freelancer who has the best chance of succeeding. “A” will likely have long droughts, because they are holding out for “their” price. Sometimes, your price is not what the market will bear. And, you’ll either have to come down, or find another way to make a living.”

"B” will work him/herself to death because they are likely to look at any paying gig as an opportunity to get their foot in the door. What door, I don’t know. No freelancer should spend too much time at the bottom of the barrel.

The freelancer I profiled in the first issue of Inkwell Editorial’s newsletter, Michelle Devon, spoke of how she took on projects that she didn’t want to take on.

Writing SEO articles can be just the type of gig to get you through dry spells. So, don’t be so quick to dismiss them the next time you run across an ad. They might be just what your bank account ordered.

Good luck!
Yuwanda (who is this person?)
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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." Subscribe to read all previous issues.

Current Issue: For all you artists our there (illustrators, cartoonists, photographers, this one is for you). I interviewed successful cartoonist Dan Rosendach. He’s been a freelancer since 1976 and lays out some very interesting marketing tactics for keeping the business rolling in.

Next Issue: 10/17. Sue Fagalde Lick, author of Freelancing for Newspapers, has graciously agreed to be interviewed. Whether you are an experienced or inexperienced freelance writer, this is one market that eagerly accepts freelancers, as Sue outlines in her book.

Gain clients, web traffic and brand awareness. How? Let us interview you for our popular newsletter? Full details. Read the first issue here.
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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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