A couple of weeks ago, I received the following email from a, shall I say, frustrated SEO writer. She wrote:
QUESTION FROM A FRUSTRATED SEO COPYWRITER
Hi Yuwanda,
I hope Jamaica is really doing you well. I haven't had a chance to read your blogs about Jamaica, however, I do read your posts and newsletter about freelance writing. I am writing this letter because, I am stuck. First, I don't know what the hell I do.
I am a SEO Content Writer, but I know HTML, how to upload videos, create a website and all that techy internet stuff. The more I think about it, I think I am more of a Virtual Assistant than a writer. However, I want to be known for SEO Content Marketing.
But, my dilemma is - choosing a niche and wondering if I should market my self as a VA or market myself as A Writer with strong technical skills? You see, I have no problem researching a niche and seeing what they want. My problem is- I get bored.
I don't know if you remember, but I have a Type A personality, (that's not an excuse) but I get so bored targeting one market. I am what they call the Jack of all trades and master of none.
I like targeting different industries, simply put, I like being a generalist because I don't get bored. I know I have to customize my marketing to each industry. But can I just niche in being a SEO Content Marketer for all industries? Your help is greatly appreciated!
MY ANSWER
This is actually a common conundrum for a lot of freelance writers; not just SEO writers.
I've always believed in the concept of "nicheing it to success." Instead of regurgitating why here, refer to this hub on why freelance web writers should cultivate a niche (http://bit.ly/9bXLV1). It explains in great detail the advantages of creating a niche.
Freelance Writers: Why You Must Be a Jack of All Trades to Thrive
As for being a "Jack of all trades and a master of none," this can be said for every small business owner. The reason is, when you're a solopreneur/small business owner, you have to be a Jack of all trades.
You do everything from taking out the garbage, to updating your site to invoicing clients. So, there's no mystery to why this is so.
Freelance Writers: Why Being a Jack of All Trades Can Ruin You Financially
BUT . . . the trick is not to get sidetracked because you "can" do so much. In business, you must stay laser focused. And this is why so many small business owners are so scattered - and eventually fail, or don't make the money they should be making. It's because they're too scattered.
I can't tell you how many new businesses I think of each day/week that I want to try. Sometimes, my head literally feels like it's going to pop off because so many ideas swirl around it. As one of my friends said about my sister (who thinks like I do when it comes to business):
"She could pull a business out of her purse."
SEO Writers: Why You Should Pick a Niche and Stick with It
In my opinion, you need to pick a vocation and a niche - and stick with it. So if you want to be a Virtual Assistant, then do that, but don't try to marry it with being an SEO writer. They're two completely different fields.
If you want to be known as an SEO content writer, then do that. While I think it's better to specialize, as an SEO writer - because of the nature of the field - you're going to write on various different subjects anyway.
As I've recounted time and again, when I started out as an SEO copywriter, the client hired me initially because I pitched him as a mortgage/real estate writer.
But, I went on to write on everything from cake toppers to welding equipment for this client - because they trusted my "writing ability."
Freelance Writers: When It's Okay to Offer Multiple Services
As a side point, it's okay to do various different things as an SEO writing firm, but make sure they're complementary services - not two completely different fields altogether.
For example, my SEO writing company (http://NewMediaWords.biz) offers SEO blog posts, SEO articles, SEO press release, case studies, article marketing and submission, etc. It's all writing and writing related though.
Hope I've given you some insight. Following are links to a couple of more articles I've written on this subject that can shed even more light.
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FYI, InkwellEditorial.com and SeoWritingJobs.com Now Accept Guests Post -- Want to Submit?
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Living/Working as a Freelance Writer In Jamaica Series
Been following my life as a freelance writer living and working in Jamaica for a year?
How did I prepare financially to move to Jamaica? This is the topic of the latest post in this series, which can be found at http://bit.ly/aHtw7u.
START LIVING YOUR DREAM: GET SEO WRITING TRAINING
If you want to make some easy money promoting affiliate products on free classified ad sites, this ebook is for you. I've personally sold tens of thousands of dollars of e-products (my own and affiliate products) doing this since January 2009.
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