How to Make 1700$ from Writing SEO Content

As a Wall Street entrepreneur who has built successful businesses, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the digital marketing industry has grown exponentially. Content writing, particularly SEO-focused content, has become a key pillar for businesses aiming to succeed online. With the right strategies, you can leverage your writing skills to generate $1,700 or more a month. Below, I’ll share valuable insights to help you thrive in the lucrative SEO content writing space, backed by data and industry trends.

12 Tips to Charge $200 Per Article

If you’re aiming to earn $200 per article, you need to position yourself as a premium content provider. Here’s how to justify higher rates:

1. Build a High-Quality Portfolio: Showcase your expertise by creating a portfolio with 5-10 samples of top-tier, SEO-optimized articles. A strong portfolio increases your chances of getting higher-paying gigs.
2. Highlight Industry Expertise: Clients are willing to pay a premium for writers with expertise in specific niches, like finance, health, or technology. According to the Content Marketing Institute, 62% of businesses prioritize niche expertise in their content writers.
3. Leverage Testimonials: Collect positive testimonials from previous clients. Positive reviews increase your credibility and make clients feel confident in your skills, justifying higher rates.
4. Showcase SEO Knowledge: Highlight your knowledge of SEO techniques such as keyword research, meta descriptions, and link building. According to SEMrush, businesses that invest in SEO see over 20% more traffic than those who don’t.
5. Offer Additional Services: Offer extra value like keyword research or SEO audits to justify a higher rate.
6. Specialize in High-Demand Topics: Focus on content that businesses are desperate for, such as long-form guides, e-commerce product descriptions, or high-conversion blog posts.
7. Emphasize Quality Over Quantity: Don’t fall into the trap of competing on price. Focus on delivering high-quality content that drives results, as opposed to simply churning out articles.
8. Use an Hourly Rate: Sometimes charging a flat rate per article can be limiting. Instead, consider charging $50-$100 per hour and ensuring your time is compensated fairly.
9. Offer SEO-Optimized Content: Ensure that every article you write is optimized for search engines, offering additional value that allows clients to rank higher on Google.
10. Target High-Paying Industries: Certain industries, such as finance, technology, and legal services, tend to pay higher rates. Finance content writers can charge $300-$500 per article, for example.
11. Create Value Propositions: Clearly communicate how your content can help clients achieve specific outcomes, such as increasing their website’s traffic or generating more leads.
12. Be Transparent About Your Rates: Don’t undersell yourself. Be upfront about your $200 per article rate to avoid wasting time with clients who can’t afford your services.

10 Strategies for Finding Clients Online

Finding clients online is key to growing your SEO content writing business. Here’s how to consistently land new gigs:

1. Use Job Boards: Websites like ProBlogger, Freelancer, and Upwork are great places to find content writing jobs. Upwork alone has over 18 million freelancers, so it’s a competitive space, but with the right pitch, you can stand out.
2. Leverage LinkedIn: With 774 million users on LinkedIn, it’s an excellent platform to showcase your skills. Regularly post about your SEO expertise, join groups, and connect with potential clients.
3. Cold Pitching: Research companies in your niche and send tailored proposals offering your services. Personalized outreach can be incredibly effective, especially if you know their content needs.
4. Offer Free Samples: Some potential clients might want to test your skills before committing to higher-paying work. Offer them free or discounted samples to prove your value.
5. Use SEO Freelance Platforms: Platforms like Textbroker, Scripted, and WriterAccess are dedicated to helping writers find SEO gigs.
6. Create a Website: A personal website with a blog can be a powerful tool. Include SEO-optimized writing samples and a contact form for prospective clients.
7. Join Facebook Groups: Many Facebook groups for freelancers or small business owners post job opportunities and content needs. Groups like “Freelance Content Writers” or “Digital Marketing Freelancers” can be great sources of clients.
8. Collaborate with Digital Marketing Agencies: Agencies often need freelance SEO content writers. Reach out to local agencies or agencies in your niche to form mutually beneficial partnerships.
9. Offer a Referral Program: Encourage current clients to refer you to others by offering them discounts or other perks for successful referrals.
10. Network at Virtual Events: Attend virtual conferences, webinars, or workshops in your niche to meet potential clients.

8 Ideas for Specializing in a Niche

Specializing in a niche allows you to target high-value clients and charge premium rates. Here’s how to specialize effectively:

1. Focus on Trending Industries: Industries like cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and health tech are booming and demand SEO content writers with niche expertise.
2. Offer Specialized Content Types: Specialize in specific content types such as case studies, press releases, or e-commerce product descriptions.
3. Become a Subject Matter Expert (SME): Dive deep into a niche, like pet care or personal finance, and build a reputation as a trusted expert in that space.
4. Target High-Value Clients: Specializing in high-ticket niches like law, real estate, or medical writing can command higher rates.
5. Write for a Specific Audience: Focus on writing for small business owners, entrepreneurs, or startups who are looking for targeted, strategic SEO content.
6. Tailor Your Services: Offer technical SEO writing or data-driven articles for clients in industries like tech or engineering.
7. Local SEO: Specialize in local SEO content for businesses targeting specific regions or cities, offering in-depth knowledge of the local market.
8. Affiliate Marketing: Specialize in writing content for affiliate marketers, where high-quality SEO content can drive conversions and commissions.

19 Techniques for Increasing Your Writing Speed

Increased writing speed allows you to take on more clients and scale your SEO content writing business. Here’s how to boost productivity:

1. Use Templates: Create article templates for different content types like blog posts, landing pages, or product descriptions.
2. Set Time Limits: Use time-blocking techniques to focus on writing specific sections of articles within set time limits.
3. Turn Off Distractions: Use tools like Forest or Focus@Will to eliminate distractions while writing.
4. Use Dictation Software: Tools like Dragon NaturallySpeaking or Google Docs voice typing can speed up the writing process by allowing you to dictate your thoughts.
5. Write First, Edit Later: Focus on getting the words down on paper and leave editing for the second pass.
6. Write in Chunks: Break the article into sections (introduction, body, conclusion) and complete each one separately.
7. Develop a Consistent Routine: Set aside dedicated writing time each day to build momentum and consistency.
8. Use Writing Tools: Tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor can help you write more efficiently by quickly checking for grammar and style.
9. Avoid Perfectionism: Don’t worry about making your first draft perfect—just get the ideas down.
10. Use SEO Tools for Research: Tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs can help you quickly identify keywords and topics for your articles.
11. Batch Write: Write multiple articles in one sitting rather than writing one article at a time.
12. Create an Outline: A clear outline ensures that your writing process is more focused and less time-consuming.
13. Use a Timer: Set a timer for focused writing sprints to increase urgency and efficiency.
14. Use a Second Screen: Use a dual monitor setup to research and write simultaneously, improving workflow.
15. Avoid Overthinking: Stick to your outline and don’t overcomplicate the article.
16. Practice Regularly: The more you write, the faster you will become. Set a daily writing goal to improve your speed.
17. Minimize Research Time: Before writing, gather all your resources to minimize time spent researching mid-way through the writing process.
18. Use Keyboard Shortcuts: Learn common keyboard shortcuts for writing and editing to save time.
19. Outsource When Needed: If you’re overwhelmed, consider outsourcing research or other tasks to other freelancers, allowing you to focus on writing.

14 Tips for Marketing Your Services

Effective marketing is essential to build a sustainable SEO writing business. Here’s how to market yourself:

1. Create a Portfolio Website: Invest in a personal website with a portfolio of your best work.
2. Leverage LinkedIn: Post regularly on LinkedIn to increase your visibility and connect with potential clients.
3. Use Content Marketing: Regularly publish blog posts about SEO and writing tips to demonstrate your expertise.
4. Offer Free Content: Publish free samples or guides to attract potential clients to your paid services.
5. Create a Referral Program: Encourage existing clients to refer you to others in exchange for discounts or additional services.
6. Use Email Marketing: Send a monthly newsletter to potential clients showcasing your latest work and SEO tips.
7. Network with SEO Professionals: Attend SEO conferences or virtual events to network with other professionals in the industry.
8. Create a YouTube Channel: Share SEO tips and writing advice on YouTube to build your brand and attract new clients.
9. Leverage Testimonials: Include client testimonials on your website and social media to build credibility.
10. Offer Case Studies: Share detailed case studies showing how your content improved client rankings and traffic.
11. Utilize Social Media Ads: Invest in paid ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram to drive traffic to your website.
12. Join Freelance Marketplaces: Sign up for platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, or Fiverr to get access to new opportunities.
13. Collaborate with Agencies: Reach out to digital marketing agencies for partnership opportunities.
14. Offer Free Consultation: Offer potential clients a free consultation to discuss their content needs and how you can help.

11 Ways to Upsell Additional Content Services

Once you’ve landed clients, upselling can significantly increase your income. Here are 11 ways to do it:

1. Offer SEO Audits: Conduct SEO audits and provide actionable insights on how clients can improve their rankings.
2. Content Strategy Development: Help clients develop a comprehensive content strategy that aligns with their business goals.
3. Provide Social Media Content: Offer to create optimized social media posts for clients to promote their blog content.
4. Offer Email Newsletters: Write and manage client email newsletters to increase engagement with their audience.
5. Create Lead Magnets: Develop free downloadable resources like e-books or guides that drive conversions.
6. Video Content: Offer video scripts for content marketing campaigns or YouTube channels.
7. Guest Posting Services: Write guest posts for high-authority websites to build backlinks for clients.
8. Infographics: Design and write engaging infographics that present SEO data and key insights.
9. Landing Page Copy: Help clients write compelling landing page copy to boost conversion rates.
10. Blog Management: Offer a service where you manage clients’ blogs, publishing content regularly and ensuring SEO optimization.
11. SEO Training: Offer training sessions on basic SEO principles and how clients can optimize their own content.

By following these strategies and optimizing your workflow, you can quickly grow your SEO writing business and make $1,700 or more. With the growing demand for SEO-driven content, the potential to scale your income is virtually unlimited.