As a beginner freelance writer, one of the most valuable skills you can learn is SEO — short for Search Engine Optimization. SEO may sound technical, but at its core, it’s about making your writing more visible on search engines like Google.
If you want to write content that not only reads well but also ranks well, understanding SEO is essential. In this guide, you’ll learn what SEO is, why it matters, and how to apply basic SEO techniques to your writing — even if you’re just getting started.
What is SEO?
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the practice of optimizing content so that it appears in search engine results when people search for specific topics or keywords.
When you search “how to start freelance writing,” the articles that show up first on Google were likely optimized using SEO techniques. Those top results get the most traffic — and in many cases, the most value.
Why Writers Need to Know SEO
Many companies, bloggers, and websites depend on organic traffic (free traffic from search engines). They hire freelance writers not just to fill pages with words, but to create content that ranks.
If you understand SEO, you can:
- Attract more clients
- Justify higher rates
- Create more impactful content
- Become a more strategic writer
In short: SEO makes your writing more valuable.
What Are Keywords?
Keywords are the terms people search for in Google and other search engines. As a writer, your job is to include relevant keywords naturally in your content so that search engines understand what the page is about.
Example keyword: “freelance writing tips”
How to Find the Right Keywords
Use these free tools to research keywords:
- Google Search suggestions: Start typing and see what auto-completes.
- Google’s “People Also Ask”: Scroll through related questions.
- Ubersuggest (ubersuggest.com)
- AnswerThePublic (answerthepublic.com)
- Keyword Tool (keywordtool.io)
Choose keywords that:
- Are relevant to your topic
- Have a decent search volume
- Have low to medium competition
Where to Place Keywords in Your Article
Once you’ve chosen a main keyword, place it in strategic parts of your article:
- The title (H1)
- The first paragraph
- At least one subheading (H2 or H3)
- A few times naturally in the body
- The URL (if applicable)
- The meta description
Warning: Don’t overuse keywords. This is called “keyword stuffing” and can hurt your ranking.
SEO-Friendly Article Structure
Google and readers both love well-structured content. Here’s a basic layout:
1. H1 Title
Include the keyword and make it clear what the article is about.
Good example: “SEO for Writers: A Beginner’s Guide”
Bad example: “Let’s Talk About Google Stuff”
2. Short Introduction
Hook the reader and briefly state what they’ll learn. Use your keyword early.
3. Subheadings (H2s and H3s)
Break the content into sections with informative subheadings. This helps both SEO and user experience.
4. Short Paragraphs
Keep paragraphs short (2–4 lines). Big walls of text scare readers away.
5. Bulleted and Numbered Lists
These are easy to scan and favored by Google.
6. Call-to-Action
End with a question or suggestion to encourage comments, shares, or next steps.
What is Meta Description?
The meta description is the short summary that appears under the title in Google search results.
Example:
Learn the basics of SEO for writers, including how to choose keywords and optimize content to rank on Google.
Keep it under 160 characters, include the keyword, and make it enticing.
Writing for Humans First
SEO should never come at the expense of readability. Always write for humans first, then tweak for SEO.
Your content should be:
- Valuable
- Clear and easy to read
- Original
- Well-researched
Search engines now use AI to understand content — they reward good writing that actually helps the reader.
Tools That Can Help with SEO
As a beginner, try these free tools:
- Yoast SEO – A plugin for WordPress blogs
- Grammarly – To improve writing quality
- Hemingway Editor – For readability
- Surfer SEO (free version) – For real-time optimization suggestions
- Google Docs Headings – Use headings (H1, H2, H3) properly
Internal and External Linking
Internal links
Point to other relevant content on the same website (helps with navigation and SEO).
External links
Point to credible sources (boosts trust and authority).
Always make sure your links are relevant and not spammy.
Image Optimization
If you’re uploading your own content, don’t forget to optimize images:
- Use compressed file sizes
- Add alt text (describes what’s in the image)
- Include descriptive file names (e.g., seo-tips-for-writers.jpg)
This helps with SEO and improves accessibility.
Practice Writing SEO Articles
Start practicing SEO writing with personal projects:
- Write blog posts on Medium
- Update old content using SEO techniques
- Rewrite sample articles with better structure and keywords
- Offer SEO blog posts as part of your freelance services
Final Thoughts: SEO is a Writer’s Superpower
You don’t need to be an SEO expert. But if you understand the basics of keywords, structure, and readability, you’re already ahead of most beginner writers.
Clients love writers who not only write well but also know how to get content seen. With practice, SEO can become a powerful tool that makes you more competitive, more marketable, and more successful as a freelance writer.