EMAIL FROM MARY ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH HER FIRST SEO WRITING ASSIGNMENT:

... he's [the client] sent back my first piece TWICE for a re-write. The first one he said was too article-like/blog post-like for a category page. The second was too keyword heavy and wasn't talking TO the site's potential clients, but AT them.
 
All well and good and I'm happy to rework them. We even chatted on the phone tonight and I got more feedback and I've just sent off the piece again.
 
I'm hoping he'll like this one, of course, and will want to continue the assignment.
 
However, I'm fully aware this may not work for him and he'll say goodbye. If that's the case, I'm NOT giving up. I'll just query more companies and start the process over again. I'm a very good writer learning a new niche (my first client doesn't know how new this is for me and I'm not tellin'! ;-)
 
Meanwhile, I've learned some valuable information.
 
1) I REALLY enjoy this kind of writing. There's no one to arrange to interview. There's so very little time involved. And it IS creative. I really get lost -- get into the flow -- while I'm doing this. I thought I'd be coming home exhausted from work and then "dreading" having to spend even more time "at work" on the SEO writing. But I find it's just the opposite -- I'm quite energized writing it and I'm eager to get going on it when I get home.
 
2) And, of course, I learn more about SEO writing.
 
A small part of me worries that I just won't "get" this. But I know that's impossible. I may make mistakes and missteps and very possibly lose a client -- or two or three or four or even five -- before I do "get" it. But I'm not giving up. I've set a deadline: If I'm not making at least $250/week by April 5 (three months after my first query), I may decide to hang it up.
 
I may have jumped into this with a "ready, fire, aim" mindset -- and that may be biting me on the behind now (the rewrites and all). But I too often prepare and prepare and prepare and never get started. This time I figured I'd jump right in and if I have to flail a bit, that's OK -- I'll figure it out as I go along.
 
And, of course, I need to study the "how" of SEO content writing a bit more. … So you can tell your readers it's not been smooth sailing for Mary, but she's not giving up.
###

So far, that’s the latest on “SEO Mary.” However, there’s one lesson Mary recounts that  I want to leave you with. In Part IV, at the end I emailed the following to Mary:

EMAIL FROM ME TO MARY

As for others, I haven't heard from anyone else about my ebook, other than the usual comments -- "great advice;" and "I can't wait to start." The problem with most is, they never start! You did, and that's made all the difference. Good for you!

[NOTE: This last paragraph addresses a question Mary had asked me about the experiences of others who bought the ebook].

MARY’S RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE

… as far as actually being one of the few who actually "start," I assure you I have bought tons of e-books, promised myself I'd do this or that and NEVER got started. I figure it's just a matter of keeping at it, little by little, finding the thing that is most "you."

I had another website ready, so I copied some of that …, did free article marketing (barely), and used them for samples as well. As well as some other online articles I had (most of my journalism/free-lance work took place pre-Internet, so it's not online).
 
I definitely am one of several folks who "never got started" with some other ideas I've come across, but am able to be so with your e-book (emphasis added). It's all a matter of finding one's niche. Of course, there ARE those who do NEVER get started.

I couldn't find myself on my deathbed without being able to tell myself I gave the free-lancing try a great go (emphasis added). It's been a long-time dream of mine to free-lance full time -- to really make a go of it and to really make some money, all on my terms (I have a special needs child I'd like to be more available for, elderly parents [who live far away] I'd like to see frequently without using up my vacation time, and I'd like to travel).

"Life" has gotten in my way, but I can't keep letting it do that.
###

And that’s the real lesson here: If you don’t find a way to follow your dreams, “life” will always get in the way. Most of us never achieve what we want because we never take the simple action of “STARTING.”
###

As this officially ends the series (periodic updates to come), I send a final "thank you," to Mary, which seems so inadequate. But, thank you for being so honest, open and forthright with your experiences, fears and triumphs. Keep at it; you have everything you need to be successful.J

Sincerely,
Yuwanda Black, Publisher
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