In the many projects we’ve completed as a SEO content writing agency, it has become quite clear to us that the SEO content writer job description is still largely misunderstood. To our initial surprise, we had to debunk a series of repeated misconceptions. But then the writing was on the wall, as they say!
It’s a job that goes largely unnoticed and is all too often associated with the mere act of writing. Now, anyone and everyone can write. So, how can you tell that there’s more to the art of SEO content creation than at first glance? Well, it’s a shifting, subtle and staggering skill!
Discover the 10 most common daily misconceptions about this fascinating job that need addressing. Our peers in SEO content writing no doubt face the same conundrum. It’s our “new normal!” The time has come for us to debunk those myths!
1. SEO content writers need to be good writers. Talk about stating the obvious!
Well, actually, no. Whenever we start a new project, such as creating a website, we always insist on sitting an interview – whether in-person or remotely – with our SEO content client(s). As such, we are able to fully grasp their needs as well as their industry, personality(ies) and of course their values. This is key to writing content that delivers on style, tone, desired message and client expectations.
The interview process also helps us to outline the full details of our job description! In doing so, we go through all the stages of our service in addition to web-related difficulties, key word issues, SEO optimization, etc. We also read through our quote carefully, making sure we haven’t missed a trick. So, what happens next? We hear you ask!
Every now and then, when we’ve conducted our semantic analysis and built the structure of the different draft webpages–basically, when we tell our client we are about to begin the writing process–they turn to us and ask why they’re not the ones creating the content! After all, it is their website!
At first, it came as something of a shock since we had told our client from the outset that we are essentially SEO content writers; it’s what we do and the task was spelled out as clear as day on the quote: “SEO content creation for each webpage.”
Then again, this doesn’t really come as a shock. Who better than you, yourself (the client) to be the content writer? By the way, that was a rhetorical question… in case you’re still wondering! It’s perfectly normal for you to expect to do the SEO content writing for your website. We’re talking about your personality, your identity and your content! But there’s just one snag: SEO content creation is a skill in itself. So, our advice is to send us all the content and info you’ve got and leave the SEO content strategy to us. 😉
2. SEO content creation: there’s more to it than writing!
We said it before and we’ll say it again, there’s more to the SEO content writer job description than meets the eye. Many of our clients tell us they have already created their SEO content, spending many an hour finding the key words. And we totally get that it’s hard for them to comprehend the fact that such content needs reworking, redrafting and optimizing.
That said, you need to follow a strict process to become a successful SEO content writer. After all, SEO content writing isn’t Shakespeare! You must always remember a set of rules that include your key word strategy, target request saturation and link building.
Last but not least, you will level up your services, sales and positioning with the help of an objective and professional third-party perspective. Using your work as a platform, we will then perform SEO content creation that is in tune with your target audience without compromising your communications and identity.
3. Content writers are a walking contradiction!
How serious are we talking? Well, let’s just say it’s a necessary evil. In our role as SEO content writing agency, we must keep in mind both your target audience and search engines. Let’s just say they speak the same language but see through different tongues. To nail our SEO content strategy, our texts need to be understood by human beings and algorithms alike!
4. SEO optimization: OK Google, can we talk about this?
Note to self : Google is a robot (same goes for Ecosia, Lilo, Bing, Yahoo and Cie). Just because we can talk with Google doesn’t mean it’s smart. Google doesn’t interpret the same meaning from a text as we do. You need to speak to Google in its own tongue!
You must identify the terms Google relates to any specific topic or subject. As such, you may then strategically position your words on your page to indicate the key requests to your search engine. This helps Google et al register the meaning and context of your content.
To speak in “Google” (and the same applies to any other search engine), you must speak in its tongue using its behavior and following its processes.
5. Brush off your ego and optimize your SEO!
When involved in our own SEO content strategy for our website, we’re naturally inclined to talk about ourselves and how we stand out from the crowd as well as our services, strengths and expertise. It’s the norm, but in all honesty, it doesn’t guarantee you SEO optimization!
To achieve content optimization, you must first define your target audience. Once identified, you work out your personas and how to successfully meet their needs and expectations.
So, you actually need to brush off your ego and talk more about your prospects to deliver impactful communications. This makes your potential clients feel at ease, which builds trust. In this respect, the job of the SEO content writer is also to understand the needs of your target audience and create meaningful communications content.
6. Not all your web content features on your website
Not all webpage content is always visible. Other page areas need optimizing, like the title the metadescription and alternative image text. Other elements are equally important in the SEO optimization process.
7. Remember: your website key words form a system
Your webpage key words are not selected at random. In the first stage of our SEO content strategy, we conduct a semantic analysis to identify our key words. The second and third stages involve meticulous selection and ordering in an effort to build a coherent website system.
8. 3 unexpected technical constraints for SEO content writers
As a SEO content writer, you are bound by a few technical constraints. For instance, sentence and paragraph length are monitored, specific page areas need optimizing and key words need repeating several times whatever the content.
All novices and beginners must make sure:
- Text boxes do not exceed a number of pixels;
- Key words are used alternately to avoid on-page overoptimization;
- Anchor links are not word-for-word copies of their linked page title.
Our job is to understand such constraints and adhere to them in an endeavor to produce optimized content.
9. Spot the difference between cooccurring and competing SEO key words
Beware of these two different concepts! Think of cooccurrences as additional key words that help you to not over repeat (and overoptimize) your main key words. This, in turn, will provide search engines with more context.
10. What is copywriting? Certainly not a history of law in SEO content strategy!
Yet another misconception is found in the words “copywriting” and “copyright”. Now, after reading this article, we’re quite clearly not going to copyright every single piece of content we write for you. But we are going to create copy that boosts visibility, sells products and engages a target audience : this is what we call copywriting!
Don’t be shy! Ask your content writer questions!
Feel free to ask questions! It’s the best way to clear any doubts you might have about a service, quote or any technical jargon. Not only will this help you gain a better insight into the challenges of the SEO content writer profession, but it will also help you assess the quality of the service provided. So, be curious and Contentact’us today!
Written and optimised by Rhys Tyler.