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Am I Overextending Myself? Insights from My First SEO Position
I embarked on my career journey seven months ago, initially coming on board as a Copywriter. However, as time went on, my role expanded to include handling SEO tasks.
I am managing two distinct websites catering to different product lines, and my responsibilities have certainly multiplied. I currently write approximately 16 blog posts every month, while also crafting social media content, advertisements, landing pages, and taking on proofreading and translation duties. Additionally, I’m responsible for technical issue resolution, despite not always knowing what to look for. Most notably, I’m overseeing the optimization of our website as we prepare for a significant redesign and launch.
Even though this is my first professional experience and I genuinely enjoy what I do, I find myself questioning if my workload is typical for such a role. Over the past seven months, I’ve considerably broadened my knowledge in SEO, despite initially only being familiar with keywords and keyword research.
I’ve managed to boost our blog views by 104% and organic search traffic by 27% in just the last four months, mainly by consistently rolling out high-quality content.
Being part of a startup, we’ve never had an seo specialist before, and this is my inaugural experience in such a role. I’m seeking advice on a few points:
- Is my workload typical or is it too much?
- What does a standard 9-to-5 work schedule look like for others in similar positions?
- Are the metrics I’m achieving good or merely average?
- Can anyone suggest reputable seo courses? My biggest hurdle is the self-taught aspect of my role, with little guidance or supervision. Any recommendations for advanced courses that could aid in my development would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
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2 responses to “Am I overextending myself at my first SEO job?”
Navigating your first job, particularly in a startup environment where roles can be fluid and responsibilities often extend beyond initial job descriptions, can be overwhelming. Let’s delve into your queries and provide some insights.
1. Is My Workload Excessive?
From what you describe, your workload does sound substantial, especially considering the breadth of responsibilities. Here’s a breakdown of what you’re doing:
Working in a startup generally means wearing multiple hats, but it’s crucial to communicate with your team and supervisors about what is feasible. If necessary, discuss the possibility of prioritizing tasks, delegating certain responsibilities, or seeking additional resources.
2. What Does a Typical 9-to-5 Schedule Look Like for Others in Similar Roles?
In similar roles, a typical day might include:
Address immediate tasks or issues that arose overnight.
Midday:
Collaboration with other teams (like marketing or development) for alignment.
Afternoon:
Strategy review and planning.
End of Day:
This can vary widely based on company size, team structure, and specific goals. It’s crucial to set boundaries to ensure work-life balance, especially in a remote/flexible work scenario.
3. Are My Metrics Good or Just Average?
Your reported metrics are quite commendable, especially given the challenges of your dual role and self-directed learning:
For context, achieving consistent, moderate growth in organic traffic can already
Thank you for sharing your experiences—it’s inspiring to see how you’ve embraced such a diverse range of responsibilities in your first SEO role!
To address your questions, it’s common in startup environments to wear multiple hats, especially in the early stages, so don’t be too hard on yourself. While your workload may feel overwhelming, expanding roles often lead to accelerated learning and growth, which seems to be happening for you, given your impressive traffic boosts!
1. **Workload:** It sounds like you are managing a workload that exceeds the norm, especially for someone early in their career. A typical SEO role generally focuses primarily on strategy, analysis, and content optimization without the added burden of content creation and technical work. Communication with your management about your current capacity could help set boundaries and expectations.
2. **Standard Schedule:** A standard 9-to-5 in SEO might typically involve a mix of strategic planning, content audits, keyword research, and performance analysis over several campaigns. Many will also allocate time for ongoing learning, especially given how quickly seo evolves.
3. **Metrics:** As for your results, increasing blog views by 104% and organic traffic by 27% is outstanding for any professional, let alone for someone just starting! Benchmarking against industry averages can be useful, but your growth indicates strong performance.
4. **Courses:** For reputable seo courses, consider platforms like Moz Academy, SEMrush Academy, or HubSpot’s certification programs. The Google Analytics Academy is also a fantastic resource for