Learning SEO- 4 Reasons It's Now a Must for Freelance Online Writers

Feb. 11, 2014 - PRLog -- Can you imagine not having a cell phone these days? I'm not saying you have to have an iPhone, but how many people do you know who don't have at least a basic cell phone? Not many, right? Well, the same can be said about the progression of learning how to write SEO content as a freelance online writer.

I learned - and added - writing search engine-optimized content to my skill set in 2007. And boy, am I glad I did, for the following reasons.

I. Stand Out from the Competition

Writing SEO content sets you apart from the competition because it's still new for many online writers, who haven't taken the time to learn what this form of writing is all about.

But have you ever looked at the requirements at a lot of online jobs lately? You'll see things like: Knowledge of SEO best practices an asset; knowledge of content management systems; working knowledge of search engine optimization; know how to write content that drives traffic, social media writing skills a plus; etc.

ALL of these skills you pick up when you learn SEO copywriting - and it sets you apart from freelancers who don't know what this form of technical writing is all about.

II. Qualified for More Jobs

Piggybacking on the last point, you can apply for - and land - a lot more jobs when you have this skill. No longer do you have to skip over those jobs when you see them online, or wonder what the heck they're talking about when they say things like keywords, anchor text, or on-page SEO.

You'll know!

III. High Earning Capability

The 2012 average salary for "Writers and Authors" according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics was $55,940 per year. The entry-level education according to the site was a Bachelor's Degree.

Compare this to SEO writing, where the average salary as of this writing (Winter 2014) is $66,000 according to jobs search site SimplyHired. And, you can learn SEO (http://www.seowritingjobs.com/seo-copywriting-training) and be on your way to a lucrative, home-based writing career in as little as a week - really!

IV. Recession-Proof, Work-from-Home Job

The job outlook for "Writers and Authors" according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics site for the next decade (2012-2022) was slower than the average for all occupations- at 3 percent.

Now compare that to the job outlook for SEO content providers. It's growing faster than unwanted weeds in a well-tended garden. Proof?

A 2012 study conducted by New York-based technology company Conductor showed a 112% year-on-year rise in demand for professionals who list SEO titles and skills on their LinkedIn profile [this includes SEO writers], with pay packages going up to $94,000.

The reason is, search engine optimization is all about how companies get found online. If you can help businesses do that, they'll pay handsomely for it, and as Google and its pesky algorithm changes aren't going anywhere soon, if you stay up on their guidelines, you'll be an in-demand online writer (ie, create a recession-proof business for yourself).
________________________________

About the Author: Yuwanda Black heads New Media Words, an SEO writing company. She's also the publisher of a niche blog on this type of technical writing - SeoWritingJobs. She says, "With the right SEO copywriter training (http://www.seowritingjobs.com/learn-seo-in-negril-jamaica), anyone can start a high-earning, home-based career as this type of online writer. Ms. Black has also authored over 50 ebooks, many of which cover some aspect of writing this type of content. They can be found on major outlets like Amazon and Barnes & Noble, in addition to her own website(s).