What Is SEO Content Writing? How Can You Become an SEO Writer?

When it comes to the SEO departments, content is king.

However, this doesn’t mean that just any type of content can do good for SEO.

SEO writing is a very specific niche that requires a significant level of understanding in terms of keywords and SEO optimization. It honestly requires a mastery of keyword research, copywriting, and content marketing.

In this post, you will learn what SEO content writing is and the steps you need to take to become a successful SEO writer.

So without further ado, let’s get started.

What is SEO Content Writing?

SEO writing refers to creating content that is optimized for search engines. This means that the content you create should be easy to understand, easy to find, and relevant to a search query.

SEO writing aims to help web pages and other forms of content rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for specific keywords or phrases. It typically involves incorporating keywords and phrases that people use when they search for information related to a particular topic. These keywords and phrases are strategically placed throughout the content in a way that reads naturally and provides value to the reader.

In addition to incorporating keywords, SEO writing also involves creating high-quality content that is engaging, informative, and relevant to the topic at hand. This can include providing answers to frequently asked questions, offering in-depth analysis, or presenting unique insights and perspectives.

In terms of sales funnel, SEO content can be divided into TOFU, MOFU, and BOFU. But to keep it simple for you, here we’ll discuss the top five SEO content types marketers use in 2023.

5 Popular SEO Content Types

SEO content writers are required to create the following five types of content in order to help their team’s SEO strategy rock.

1. Blog Posts

Blogging is a popular type of SEO content that involves writing articles on a specific topic or niche. Blog posts are typically longer than other types of SEO content and may include in-depth analysis, reviews, or how-to guides.

For example, a blog post about “Top 5 AI Writing Tools” could help content writers improve their content quality and productivity without having to test dozens of AI writing tools manually.

While writing an SEO-focused blog post, the writers should:

• Create a compelling headline: The writer should create a compelling headline that grabs the reader’s attention and includes the targeted keywords. The headline should accurately represent the content of the post and make the reader want to click through and read more.
• Use subheadings and formatting: The SEO writer should use subheadings and formatting, such as bold or italic text, to break up the content and make it easier to read. This helps keep the reader engaged and also signals to search engines what the main sections of the post are.
• Write high-quality content: The writer should also make sure their content provides value to the reader and answers their questions. The content should be well-researched, informative, and engaging. The writer may also include images, videos, or infographics to help illustrate their points.
• Include internal and external links: The writer should include internal links to other relevant content on the website, as well as external links to reputable sources that provide additional information or context.

I use these techniques to create awesome blog posts that rank on Google’s first page. Here is my recently written article ranking on Google:

2. Landing Pages

Landing pages are designed to promote specific products or services and are optimized to rank well in SERPs. These pages often include detailed product/service descriptions, images, and pricing information, as well as customer reviews and ratings.

For example, an eCommerce website selling sneakers may have product pages for different types of sneakers, with images and descriptions of the product, pricing information, and a “buy now” button.

Or a B2B SaaS company offering an IoT solution can have different pages for its product use cases.

Here, the SEO writers are required to optimize on-page elements such as the page title, meta description, and heading tags with the targeted keywords. This helps search engines understand the purpose of the page and makes it more likely to appear in relevant search results.

The SEO writers are also responsible for creating a clear call-to-action that encourages visitors to take the desired action, such as making a purchase, signing up for a trial, or submitting a lead form. The call-to-action should be prominent and visible and should use action-oriented language that encourages visitors to take action.

Using these SEO writing techniques, I had created several landing pages. Here you see one of them ranking in the answer box:

3. Case Studies

Case studies are SEO content that showcases real-life examples of how a product or service has helped a customer or client achieve their goals. Case studies are typically written in a detailed and engaging format, providing readers with a deep understanding of the customer’s journey and the results that were achieved.

Case studies can be highly effective for SEO, as they often feature long-tail keywords and phrases specific to the promoted product or service. They also provide a tangible and relatable example of how the product or service can benefit potential customers, helping to build trust and credibility.

When creating a case study, the SEO writer will typically start by interviewing the customer or client, gathering information about their goals, challenges, and experience with the product or service. They may also conduct research and gather data to support the case study.

The case study will typically include several key elements, such as:

• The customer’s background and challenges: This section provides background information about the customer or client, including their industry, size, and specific challenges or pain points they were facing.
• The solution: This section outlines the product or service that was used to address the customer’s challenges and how it was implemented.
• The results: This section provides data and metrics to showcase the results that were achieved. This can include quantitative data, such as increased sales or traffic, as well as qualitative data, such as customer feedback or testimonials.
• The client’s feedback: This section includes quotes or testimonials from the client, highlighting their satisfaction with the product or service and the impact it had on their business.

4. Infographics

Infographics are a visual form of SEO content that can be highly effective for driving traffic and engagement. They are designed to present complex information in an easy-to-understand format using a combination of images, charts, and text.

For example, an infographic about “The Benefits of Content Writing” could include data on how content can help businesses increase brand awareness and generate more leads, along with images and icons that illustrate the information.

5. Videos

Videos are another type of SEO content that can be highly effective for driving traffic and engagement. They are used for a variety of purposes, such as product demos, how-to guides, or customer testimonials. These videos are typically uploaded to YouTube or other video-sharing platforms and are optimized with keywords and tags to rank well in search engine results pages.

For example, a company that sells fitness equipment may create a video that demonstrates how to use the equipment, with a call-to-action to visit the company’s website to purchase the product.

Also Read: 5 Silly Mistakes New Content Writers Often Make

How to Become an SEO Writer

SEO writing is a career for some people, and a part-time gig for others. Becoming an SEO writer is a bit of a mystery for many people, so here are a few tips for how to get started.

• Develop your writing skills: To become an SEO writer, you need to have strong writing skills. This includes the ability to write clear, concise, and engaging content that provides value to the reader. You can develop your writing skills by reading widely, practicing writing, and seeking feedback from others. You should also focus on writing content that has better readability. Here are some cool tips to improve your readability score.
• Learn the basics of SEO: It’s important to understand search engine optimization (not necessarily the technical part) to become an SEO writer. This includes understanding how search engines work, the importance of keywords, and how to optimize content for search engines. You can learn the basics of SEO by reading online guides, taking online courses, or attending workshops.
• Know keyword research: As an SEO writer, you need to understand how to conduct keyword research to identify the keywords and phrases that your target audience is searching for. You can use online tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ubersuggest, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to conduct keyword research.
• Optimize on-page elements: To create SEO-friendly content, you need to know how to optimize on-page elements like the title, meta description, and header tags. This helps search engines understand what your content is about and can improve your search engine rankings.
• Understand content structure: A well-structured piece of content can be more engaging and easier to read for your audience. SEO writers need to understand the basics of content structure, such as the use of headings, subheadings, and bullet points. This helps break up the content and make it more reader-friendly.
• Stay up to date with best practices: SEO best practices are constantly changing, so it’s important to stay up to date with the latest trends and strategies. You can follow SEO blogs, attend conferences, and participate in online communities. You can also follow me on LinkedIn. I keep posting interesting things related to SEO and content writing – LinkedIn Profile
• Build a portfolio: As you develop your skills as an SEO writer, you should build a portfolio of your work. This helps demonstrate your skills to potential clients or employers and can lead to more opportunities.

Pro SEO Writing Tips to Get Started

Once you know the basics of SEO writing, you need to put in the work. Here are a few things you can do to improve your SEO writing and maximize your reach.

• Include keywords in your title and meta description
• Don’t overstuff the primary keyword; Keep it around 1% density
• Make sure one of your H2 header have your primary keyword
• Make sure the primary keyword is in the URL
• The primary keyword should appear at least once in the first 10% of the content
• Don’t use “nofollow” attribution to external links
• Use AI writing tools like ChatGPT for content research
• Become an avid content writing prompt engineer

Also Read: Can AI Article Writers Replace Human Writers? A Comparison