In this age of the internet, businesses and websites need to rank high on search engines to be noticed by their potential audience. Strategic search engine optimization (SEO) can bring more people to your website. In order to achieve higher ranking and more views, businesses and website owners hire SEO consultants. You can work online helping website owners achieve their goals as an SEO consultant.
The job of SEO consultant is in high demand. Moreover, the opportunity of working from home or while traveling remotely makes this profession even more attractive.
Required Qualifications
SEO consultants help individuals or companies to earn higher rankings for their websites on search engines like Google. They give advice on increasing ranking positions that garner more traffic for business websites, which eventually lead to more profit.
In order to be an SEO consultant, you must have excellent search engine optimization and digital marketing skills. Here is what you will need to become an SEO consultant:
1. Education: Although there are no degrees for SEO, some companies often ask for a bachelor degree. This degree can be in any business or technology-related field like business, marketing, communications, or IT. However, most people and companies have no requirements for degrees.
2. SEO Courses: No four-year degree will teach you the details of SEO. Instead, you will have to take SEO-specific courses online to learn about search engine optimization and digital marketing. The certificate you receive after the course will make you a more desirable candidate.
3. Must-have Skills: You will need a lot of skills to become an SEO specialist. Some of the most important skills are:
- Ability to research keywords
- Analytical skills
- Basic understanding of HTML
- Knowledge of SEO trends and Google algorithm
- Digital marketing skills
- Industry specific knowledge for your client-base
4. Gain Experience: An SEO consultant is supposed to be an expert in SEO. So, you have to gain experience by working for individuals and small companies. Your first clients may pay very little or not at all. But you will gain experience in SEO optimization in return for your time, which will set you up for a successful future.
5. Developed Portfolio of Projects: Keep track of your projects, no matter how insignificant they may seem. All the free projects you do as an “intern” will help you build an attractive portfolio. Also, make your own website and try to rank near or at the top of the search engines. It will increase your chance of getting new projects.
Where to Find Remote SEO Consultant Jobs?
You can work individually or join an SEO or digital marketing service company to become an SEO consultant. These companies take care of SEO optimization for both private and public companies.
How to Apply for a Remote SEO Consultant Job
Now that you know what you need to do in order to become an SEO consultant, you should know how to apply for these jobs. Whether you choose remote or office work, you should find an employer who pays you well for your services and skills.
SEO or Digital Marketing Agencies: Many SEO and digital marketing companies continuously hire SEO specialists. You can visit their websites and directly apply through their websites. They offer both office and remote jobs.
Online Job Board: A lot of people and companies often look for SEO consultants on online job portal sites like LinkedIn and Indeed. You can check these websites to find contractual SEO consulting jobs from home. Upwork is one of the best freelancing sites for SEO jobs. You will find many projects there, but you will have to bid for them.
Social Media: People also post jobs on social media these days. You can contact potential clients through Facebook and email marketing to offer your service as an SEO consultant for their websites. You can also search businesses that interest you and check on their web presence by searching their topics without their name to see how far down on the list they are. If they are on the top of the list for those keywords, then move on to the next one. Find companies who are listed five to ten spots down the list, or more, and contact them on their social media and LinkedIn pages. Offer value and tell them how you can help them move up in the rankings. Read more about using LinkedIn to find clients by reading How to Use LinkedIn for Sales.
It will take time, lots of practice and experience, but you can succeed. Hopefully, if this is the right path for you, this article has been inspiring and insightful, and you are excited to dig in to becoming an SEO consultant!
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