Looking for an SEO copywriting job? Follow the checklist!

Many of us are aspiring authors who have spent many hours expressing our thoughts, feelings and ideas in writing. A quick stroll down memory lane reminds us that we started off on paper and then moved to the typewriter. When computers were introduced and the Internet made its debut, the communication world was turned upside down and underwent tremendous changes. Not only did we pack up our pens, but also changed our writing styles. Impressing worldwide search engines was not as easy as convincing the local editors that our articles were going to bring glory and fame.

The Internet not only opened up the entire planet to us, but also presented us with a new vocabulary. Web-savvy, keywords, link building, landing pages, blogs, web traffic, tweets and the list goes on. It seems that almost every day a new word or expression hits the news.

One of the idioms that has been around for a while and seems to be vital to hopeful Internet copywriters is SEO, or Search Engine Optimization. SEO refers to a technique used to optimize a web site by improving internal and external aspects in order to boost the website traffic it receives through search engines. To apply Search Engine Optimization, some technical knowledge is required. If you are interested in this kind of information, or you want to improve your skills, stick to the following check list.

1. Know-how

Familiarize yourself with the main directories and search engines, such as Google, Yahoo, Alta Vista, or Lycros and study the Internet language. Visit social media sites, such as Youtube, Twitter, or Digg and read as much about it as you can, as almost daily, updated technology, inventive websites, and new acronyms or expressions find their way onto the web. The more you know, the more impressive your articles, copies or posts will be.

1. Publishing

If you want to get noticed, you need to publish your work. Start with practicing your basic html skills and upload blogs and articles onto free information sharing sites. You can also start your own website or blog section. In that case, update frequently with fresh content to keep your visitors hooked.

1. Keyword rich content

‘Powerful keywords or key phrases are the backbone of great SEO publications.’ What this statement implies is simple! Keywords are like magnets. They attract the attention of the search engines and put your work ahead of similar articles. That is what employers are looking for; they want creative writers who know how to balance keyword density and make their products or services stand out.

One word of caution: Neither search engines, employers or clients are impressed if you repeat the same buzzwords too often in one and the same article. Be inventive and diversify.

1. Attract viewers

A writer needs readers which, in this case, can be found on the World Wide Web. They go by various names, such as users, visitors, viewers, traffic, or customers, and basically all do the same thing; they browse for products, services and information.

As a skilled SEO copywriter you will have to compose creative and keyword-rich pieces which will attract all those readers and make them want to come back.

1. SEO extensions

Knowing all the SEO tricks is not enough when promoting a business. You will also have to familiarize yourself with SEM (Search Engine Marketing) and PPC (Pay Per Click). ‘Search Engine Marketing’ is a way of Internet marketing designed to promote websites by increasing their visibility to search engines and ‘Pay Per Click’ is a form of  Internet advertising in which advertisers pay their host only when their ad is clicked on.

1. Building links

Links are connections to other websites or pages. Click on a link and you will automatically be transferred to your next destination.

Building links is one of the key factors in reaching top placements on major search engines and is a vital part of any SEO strategy. Learn linkbuilding and try to understand the difference between quality links and trashy lines resembling spam footers.

1. Hey you...

Finding a fan club for your work is easier than you think. All you have to do is practice social networking. Start by hanging out in a few forums, social media or blog sites and soon you will realize which ones are perfect to promote your work. Treat these communities respectfully as, like with real-life friends and customers, they too can be offended and leave!

1. Get noticed

Did you know that only 20% of your work is publishing posts? This means that you will have to introduce your brainchild to the world once it has been released. If you do not submit SEO friendly Press Releases (PR), your hard work will remain unnoticed. Some places will allow a free press release or guest post.

1. Be original

Using your SEO skills, create original and interesting content. Search Engines will reject duplications and readers turn away if they are bored. They want something new and fresh that speaks to their intellect or imagination. In other words, compose short paragraphs and write in a clear, concise, engaging and understandable manner and success will soon be yours.