SEO Copywriting Services: Is This Niche Becoming Too Crowded?
October 14, 2009
Recently, I received an email from an SEO writer about the business. She brought up some interesting points that I receive queries about a lot – especially from newbies.
I responded to her personally, but as a lot of this site’s posts come from questions readers send in, I wanted everyone to benefit from the correspondence, so following are my [modified] responses to her.
SEO Copywriting Services: Is This Niche Becoming Too Crowded?
The freelancer who wrote in asked me if the SEO writing niche is as wide open as it was two years ago.
I answered:
In my opinion, the field is as wide open, but it is maturing. This means more professionals are entering the field, which makes competition for jobs stiffer.
HOWEVER, we are so early into SEO (I still have to explain it to more than half of the new clients I get) that this field will be wide open for at least the next 5-10 years. The reason is, many who are online still use the web just to send email, perhaps interact on Facebook and make travel/dinner reservations.
When it comes to higher-end use like setting up a blog, publishing ebooks, listening to podcasts and even Twittering, most people’s eyes glaze over – they have no idea what you’re talking about.
Why SEO Copywriting Writing Is an Advanced Skill That You Can Capitalize On
Never forget how much more ADVANCED you are as a web writer than most. If you don’t believe me, ask your friends and family who use a computer about some of the things listed above. Ask specifically about SEO. I’ll be that the vast majority will go blank, especially when you query them about SEO.
Why You Shouldn’t Worry about the SEO Copywriting Niche Becoming “Oversaturated”
Therefore, as an “early adapter,” you have the upper hand; a chance to make your mark and differentiate yourself before the field becomes oversaturated. FYI, this is something I don’t think you need to ever worry about as an SEO copywriter.
SEO writing is a skill. And much like many other professionals in crowded fields (eg, real estate agents and recruiters), it’s how YOU run your business that determines your success; not how “crowded” a field is. Otherwise, I’d never make a sale as an ebook writer.
Marketing Your SEO Copywriting Services: How Many Responses Should I Expect When I Query
The freelancer who wrote in said she was worried about her query to response rate. She wanted to know what she was “doing wrong.”
I answered:
This is the busy season for editorial (eg, freelance [SEO] writers, web developers, bloggers, etc.). HOWEVER, we are still in a recession (despite what economic experts have said recently). This means businesses are evaluating every dollar they spend, so you have to send out more queries to land the same number of clients as you did w/ fewer queries before.
The fact that you’re landing new clients (she was averaging about one every 10 days or so — which is phenomenal by the way) demonstrates that there is a lot of business out there. As I say in the post, Freelance (SEO) Writing: Do You Have What It Takes to Succeed? When NOT to Take the Plunge, “. . . this is where you really become a bona fide entrepreneur. You face a situation, figure out a solution and move forward . . .”
SEO Copywriting Services: Two Ways to Land More Clients
Note: This freelancer had purchased my ebook on SEO copywriting more than a year ago.
1. Change the marketing letter up: While it definitely works (as you’ve experienced), personalize it; make it yours. Again, make your business . . . your business. My ebook definitely started you down the right path, now it’s time to start growing as a small business owner. And that means taking chances on trying new things.
Some will work out; some won’t. But you’ll learn from each success and failure. And, this is what entrepreneurship is all about. Again, read the post Freelance (SEO) Writing: Do You Have What It Takes to Succeed? When NOT to Take the Plunge.
I reference this post again because I received some heartfelt responses to it touching on how it has helped some to “push through their fears” and look for solutions to their small business (which is what freelance writing is) problems.
2. Target a niche: For example, when I first started, I used my experience in the mortgage/real estate industry to target different clients. If you don’t have a niche, simply create one by writing 4 or 5 sample articles to add to your portfolio, then target businesses within that niche. You can even set up a separate website (eg, SEOMortgageWriter.com (just a sample; not an actual site)).
I’m a big believer in the concept of “nicheing it to success.” This gives you a leg up on the competition (at least in that particular niche) and once client use you to write one kind of copy, they usually contract with you to write other stuff as well. I’m sure you’ve experienced this.
SEO Copywriting: Why This Profession Is High-Paying & Growing
This profession is growing by leaps and bounds. Proof? According to the January 2009 article on BusinessWeek.com, Web Work: Searching for Hitmakers:
The number of SEO jobs listed on Indeed.com, a help-wanted site, grew 20% in 2008 . . . Salaries range from $30,000 to well into six figures [I can attest personally to this] . . .
The same article goes on to state that the type of talent sought were [SEO/Online] Strategists, Link Builders . . . and of course, SEO Copywriters.
Why SEO Copywriters & Other Web Professionals Are Sought-After Talent
SEO and other web professionals are sought after for three reasons in my opinion:
(i) there is a paucity of real talent in this niche (again, it’s still very new);
(ii) web marketing is cheaper than traditional marketing (eg, newspapers, radio), so more companies are using it; and
(iii) it’s easy for advertisers to track their results and change their campaigns if they’re not getting the ROI they expect (this again makes it a very attractive marketing medium).
Providing SEO Copywriting Services: Some Final Thoughts
SEO copywriting is no different from any other business, ie:
It is sensitive to the economy – which means you have to market more to bring in the business;
It matures as a profession – which means you have to be creative in how you market to bring in the business; and
It is a BUSINESS – which means you have to treat it like one and not back down from the challenges that providing SEO copywriting services presents.
P.S.: Next Week’s Post. Remember SEO Mary? Read her entire story to date via the links below. I have an exciting update on her story coming next Tuesday. You won’t believe what she went and did! Stay tuned.
The Story of SEO Mary: Part I; Part II; Part III; Part IV; Part V; Part VI; Part VII
P.P.S.: Updating InkwellEditorial.com. FYI, for right now, I’ll be updating this site once a week. I intend to post more probably at the beginning of the new year. I still have a lot of loose ends with the site redesign to tie up (you’ll see what I mean when you click on the links above to read about SEO Mary). AND, I’m super swamped with other revenue streams (eg, the SEO Copywriting Training course) and client projects.
Enjoy the week everybody, and I’ll see you back here next Tuesday.
P.S.: Want to train for a recession-proof freelance writing career? Get the FREE Report, Learn SEO: 6 Reasons SEO Copywriting Is the Ideal High-Paying, Work-from-Home, Recession-Proof Career (pdf file).
Related Posts
SEO Copywriting: How to Give Good Customer Service When You Never Interact with ClientsSEO Copywriting: 3 Reasons to Train for this High-Paying, Work-from-Anywhere Career
SEO Copywriting: How One Freelance Writer is Finding Success as an SEO Writer
SEO Copywriting Success: From 0 Clients to $250/Day in Less than Two Weeks
SEO Copywriting: 5 Ways to Get a Job Writing SEO Articles
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I am sure you have been said this earlier, but damn you have a very nice blog! I am jealous and hope I can produce something as nice as you. I am sure you have been told that earlier, but seriously lol. Nice job and I will surely be back again. I’m sure you would like some more traffic to your website because everyone does.