SEO Content Writer: Job Description
SEO content writers conduct research focused on website keywords and their rankings on search engines to determine the most popular search terms. They use analytic tools to monitor and measure the ranking performance and website traffic.
An SEO writer job description might require certain digital skills and industry knowledge, if the writing focuses on a particular topic. The educational requirements vary for content writers. However, many writers hold a bachelor's degree in English, marketing, communications or another related field. If you want to learn how to become an SEO content writer, you'll need to learn about SEO.
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What Is SEO?
SEO stands for search engine optimization and encompasses research analysis and content writing with the aim to drive a website's ranking to the top of the SERPs, or search engine results pages. SEO focuses primarily on the use of keywords on a website or webpage so that users can find it when they make their search query using these same words and phrases.
SEO also makes use of featured snippets and meta descriptions. Featured snippets usually show up at the top of the SERP giving the user a more detailed summary or information about their search, instead of just a link and title. This can be in the form of a table, a paragraph or a list of steps. A meta description is a quick summary of a webpage that appears right under the links listed in the search results to give a short description. These should include relevant information and should be about 140-160 characters long. Other things to consider in optimizations include backlinks, website layout, and images. SEO content writers must have an understanding for these terms so that they can apply their knowledge and achieve a company's desired results.
Career in Content Writing: Requirements
| Degree Level | None; bachelor's degree common |
| Degree Fields | Journalism, English, communications, or similar field |
| Experience | Varies by employer |
| Key Skills | Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills; proficient with web programming languages such as HTML or XML; basic knowledge of SEO |
| Salary | $48,565 (2020 median salary for all online marketing content writers) |
Sources: CareerBuilder, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Payscale.com
If you're figuring out how to become an online content writer, you'll need to consider education, training and skills needed. As mentioned, SEO writers should be familiar with keywords, featured snippets, and meta descriptions, as well as their functions and how they help to drive traffic. Knowledge of web design is also helpful.
Employers of SEO content writers may not specify a degree requirement, though bachelor's degrees in journalism, English, communications or similar fields are common. Related experience may be required, and SEO content writers should have strong writing, editing and proofreading skills.
Additionally, they should be proficient with web programming languages, such as HTML or XML, and basic knowledge of SEO is required. According to 2020 earnings data gathered by Payscale.com, content writers earned a median salary of $48,565. A digital content writer salary can vary if working as a freelancer. Now that digital communication is common, more freelance writers may vie for work-at-home content writing positions, which are paid per project.
How to Become an SEO Content Writer
If you want to know how to be a professional content writer, there are a few things to consider and a few skills to gain. The following steps have been designed to show you how to become a content writer online.
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Step 1: Complete a Relevant Bachelor's Degree Program
Writers can develop their skills through a bachelor's degree program that offers coursework in creative and technical writing, grammar, proofreading, editing and revising. Good research skills are essential, since knowing the appropriate way to use and cite authoritative sources is how content writers gain credibility. Some jobs also ask that SEO writers have a background in marketing or another field.
Additionally, internship opportunities specifically in SEO are available and should be pursued. Students learn about related areas such as social networking and Internet marketing.
Step 2: Build an SEO Content Writing Portfolio
To appeal to potential employers, SEO content writers should be able to show their writing skills through a history of publication. Online writing communities are good for sharing writing samples and networking with other writers. In addition to school assignments or internships, writers can accumulate portfolio samples by getting published in newspapers, magazines, professional journals and blogs.
It is important for SEO content writers to perform research. They must master the art of incorporating precise keywords into their writing in order to optimize their company's ranking on search engines. Some clients provide a list of keywords to be used in articles, while other SEO content writers are left to the task of researching and developing lists of their own.
Step 3: Apply for SEO Article Writing Jobs
Some SEO writing positions with corporations and other organizations are full-time, while others are freelance jobs with flexible hours. An organization like the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE) helps SEO writers find employment. SEO writing jobs can be long- or short-term, and compensation rates depend on the type of project.
Step 4: Utilize Social Media Sites
SEO content writing jobs may have social media and blogging components. As a result, aspiring SEO writers should be familiar with using the most popular social media and be willing to adopt new technologies and applications as they emerge. Shares on social media also assist in SEO by driving website traffic.
Step 5: Become Familiar with Programming Languages
Aspiring SEO content writers should also study programming languages. Some of the programming language skills employers prefer include HTML, CSS, XML, and JavaScript. In general, these programming languages set rules for how a website is displayed in a browser. Learning some of the basics of web development or web design can prepare writers with these skills as these areas focus on programming languages.
Simply gaining some knowledge of HTML may prove to have an impact as HTML, or hypertext markup language, is the basis for a web page layout and includes elements such as tags, meta description and images. Prospective SEO writers can gain these skills through elective coursework in college, certificate programs or even online training courses.
SEO content writers should have a bachelor's degree in a related field and writing experience, as well as knowledge of online media, programming languages and keywords for optimizing web content.
