Month: December 2023

So, recently, I was invited to an SEO services client’s team party. I was honored to be included after working with this local client for 3 years as their freelance SEO strategist. It was on the top outdoor deck of a local World of Beer—a balmy 50 F. I won’t lie. It was cold, my beer was cold, and my hand holding my beer was cold, but my heart was warm.

The camaraderie between the 79 employees and senior team members was infectious.

The smiles.

The workplace jokes.

The general feeling of belonging.

It made me almost miss the full-time work environment—almost.

Flying Solo as a Freelance SEO Strategist

The truth is that being a solopreneur can be lonely.

It’s not even so much that I work from home, sitting in an office on my own, with nothing but the Amazon package delivery to interrupt me.

(I’m pretty good with no commute.)

It’s the feeling of not belonging—of not having workplace peers I can go to when business or personal highs need to be celebrated.

(Or lows need to be mourned.)

And that leads to reflection, introspection, and uncertainty.

Overcoming Self-Doubt as an SEO Freelancer

I’ve had plenty of moments of self-doubt this year—and all the years of my business as a freelance SEO strategist. I’m constantly asking myself:

• Does what I do matter?
• Am I good enough?
• Can I really compete with larger agencies?
• Am I making a difference?
• Is working alone worth it?

But then, I remember why I chose this path—it’s:

• The freedom to make my own choices and decisions.
• The flexibility to work on projects that interest me.
• The ability to take time off when needed—without having to ask my boss for permission.

And most importantly, it’s the satisfaction of seeing my hard work directly impact my clients’ businesses.

And I’m not doing this entirely alone. Others see what I’m doing.

A Message That Changed My Perspective

One day, in the middle of the grind of my normal workday, I received an unexpected message from an amazing freelancer I collaborate with who has been thinking of freelancing full-time.

“Beth, I want you to know your business success has inspired me to get back to building mine. So, thank you for that!”

Oh, snap.

Self-doubt evaporated.

Self-confidence recharged.

We may not realize it, but we’re probably all inspiring someone. And I’m thankful for those who inspire me as a freelance SEO strategist, entrepreneur, and human.

• My digital marketing mentor/friend who selflessly shares knowledge and support.
• My WordPress wizard husband—who graciously answers my random questions.
• My Junior League friends and their passion for helping our community.
• My kids—who look at the world with curiosity and creativity.
• My parents, who gave me the best life.
• My clients and customers—who give me neverending trust in my skills and insights.

(Heck, I’m also grateful for the newsletter subscribers who keep opening my emails!)

Truth be told, you never know how you make a difference in someone’s life.

Embracing the Solopreneur Journey of a Freelance SEO Strategist

As a freelance SEO strategist, I’ve learned to accept the uncertainty, solitude, and challenges of being a solopreneur.

But most of all, I’ve learned to appreciate the moments of connection, community, and inspiration that fuel my journey. And for that, I am grateful.

So, here’s to all the fellow freelancers out there—you are not alone in your journey.

Today, I’m embracing gratitude for amazing people and unexpected words that remind me I’m on the right path.

The Gift of Giving Back: Sharing SEO Insights

As we tread this path together, one thing I’ve come to understand is that growth thrives on knowledge sharing. And I’ve gained so much from those who have generously shared their insights with me, and I want to pay it forward.

That’s why I love working with clients who are open to learning about SEO and understanding how it works the way it does.

Interested in learning more about SEO and how a content marketing strategy for SEO can benefit your business?

Subscribe to my newsletter and follow my blog for valuable insights, tips, and strategies from an SEO consultant.

Search engine optimization, also called SEO, may sound exhausting, time-consuming, and highly technical—left only to a keyword research pro.  

But it’s actually pretty straightforward. 

It’s all about using the right keywords to make your website more visible and rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs). 

Basically, you need to become a Google whisperer. 

You probably already know the importance of keyword research—but are you using your results effectively? 

Let’s make sure you’re hitting all the marks to get the eyes of search engines and customers on your website. In this article, I’ll share some seo consultant insider tips on optimizing your content like a true keyword research pro.

The Quick Method to Place Keywords Like A Keyword Research Pro

If you scour the internet, you’re bound to find lengthy lists of all the ways you can do SEO and keyword research for your website. 

Every keyword research pro or SEO guru has their own insights and hours of YouTube content on the subject. 

But really, there’s a quick way to dive into keyword research without the fuss.

Enter the FOCUS HERE Method. 

It’s a straightforward blueprint designed to make anyone a keyword research pro in no time. 

FOCUS HERE Method to Keyword Research

Instead of sifting through heaps of data, the FOCUS HERE Method keeps things simple. 

First & Last: Begin your story with the keyword and end with it. This means placing your keyword in the title and the introductory paragraph and wrapping up your content with it. This strategic placement tells search engines about your content’s primary focus.

On-page Categories: Use the categories feature in your CMS to your advantage. It’s a nifty tool every keyword research pro should utilize for primary and secondary keywords.

Copy: Sprinkling keywords throughout your content is essential, but ensure they blend seamlessly. After all, you’re primarily writing for your readers. Keyword integration should be an art, and that’s what makes you a keyword research pro.

URL: This isn’t merely a digital address but an SEO opportunity. Embed your keyword to make the link meaningful.

Site Title: Reflect the essence of your content in the site title. Including the keyword here is a move every keyword research pro swears by.

Headings and Subheadings: Apart from structuring your content, these are prime spots for your keywords. Their prominence ensures better visibility to search engines.

Extra Meta: The meta description is your content’s elevator pitch. A keyword-rich meta can boost click-through rates, something every keyword research pro knows.

Resource Tags: Similar to on-page categories, tags accentuate the relevance of your keywords.

Element Images: Alt-text in images isn’t just for accessibility; it’s an SEO tool. By embedding keywords here, you ensure search engines grasp the image’s context.

What about keyword density?

The idea of ‘keyword density’ refers to the number of times a keyword appears in your content compared to the overall word count. 

While in my case, I feel like one can never have too many fountain pens or Disney vacations…there is such a thing as too many keywords. 

If you stuff your content with too many keywords, it can hurt your SEO efforts. 

Instead of cramming keywords into your content, plan a content marketing strategy for SEO that blends keywords naturally into your writing. 

Work With A Keyword Research Pro 

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why all this fuss about keywords?” it’s because, in the digital age, keywords are the breadcrumbs that bring search engines to your door…and with them, searching customers. 

Take the FOCUS HERE method for a spin and bring traffic, customers, and sales to you.

But, if you’re looking for a speedier way to get started with SEO, work with a keyword research pro and get tailored SEO consulting. As an SEO expert, I’m here to help you navigate the world of keyword optimization and bring in a sea of traffic to your website. 

Let’s turn those Google searchers into your customers together! Contact me to learn about my SEO services at beth@bethchernes.com to get started.