Is My SEO Knowledge Still a Viable Asset?
Hello, fellow SEO practitioners!
Today, I feel compelled to share my experiences and thoughts with you, hoping to spark a meaningful discussion.
As I approach my 29th birthday, living in Japan with my wife who is actively working, I find myself reflecting on my professional journey thus far. My background includes five years of dedicated SEO work at a digital agency, where I catered to clients such as Best Western, Nuxe, and Mont Blanc. I take pride in helping smaller businesses attract traffic, boost visibility, and enhance their revenue streams.
Currently, however, I find myself in a challenging situation. I am unemployed, earning a modest income of around 200 to 300€ per month by assisting friends with their seo projects and coaching them on online marketing strategies. Despite my experience, I’ve spent the last six months trying to transition to freelance seo work, but, sadly, I have yet to secure a client. I’ve reached out to prospects and participated in numerous video calls, but nothing has come to fruition.
Lately, I’ve been deeply introspective about my career path. I’ve successfully driven growth and revenue for various companies through seo, so I can’t help but question why I am struggling to sell my services instead of leveraging my skills to build my own online presence—something I have yet to do in the SEO realm. In the past, I ventured into dropshipping with a Shopify store, but the requirement for significant advertising investment pushed me toward SEO as a more budget-friendly option.
Recently, I decided to pivot my approach and work on creating an affiliate website in a niche that piques my interest. It felt like a refreshing and transformative idea—perhaps the direction I should have taken from the start! I eagerly began exporting keywords using tools like Semrush, but as I analyzed the search engine results pages (SERPs), I made a disheartening observation: many affiliate sites have vanished. Instead, only major players with consumer-focused articles and Amazon affiliate links seem to remain. It appears that niche-specific affiliate sites, once thriving, are now falling into obscurity.
Once again, I’m feeling overwhelmed and questioning my abilities, wondering how I can effectively utilize my SEO expertise.
That’s why I’m reaching out to all of you, my fellow professionals. I would love to hear your insights and ideas on how we can continue to harness our SEO skills, adapt, and successfully monetize them in today’s evolving landscape.
I look forward to your thoughts!
2 responses to “Is My SEO Skill Still Profitable?”
First off, thank you for sharing your journey and thoughts so openly. It takes courage to reflect on your experiences and seek advice from peers and experts in the SEO community. Your story hits home for many who find themselves at a crossroads, especially those who have transitioned between agency work, freelance endeavors, and personal projects. Let’s address your concerns and explore practical paths moving forward, particularly in leveraging your SEO skills.
Assessing SEO Viability
Current Trends and Shifts in SEO: The landscape of seo has evolved significantly over recent years, with increasing competition and changes in search engine algorithms. Sites that might have thrived in the past can indeed struggle, especially if they rely on outdated seo techniques or are too similar to one another. However, this does not mean that your skills are no longer profitable. The demand for effective seo strategies remains strong, particularly for businesses looking to increase their online presence amidst the noise of competition.
Expanding Your Portfolio Beyond Affiliate Sites
Identify Untapped Niches: Instead of focusing on broad affiliate marketing ventures, consider diving deeper into niche markets that are not saturated yet. Look for specific industries or local businesses that could benefit from your expertise. For example, many small-to-medium businesses in Japan may not fully utilize SEO, especially if they target English-speaking audiences or are not well-represented online.
Local SEO: Given that you’re living in Japan, a shift towards local SEO services could be a tremendous opportunity. Many local businesses are still catching up with Digital Marketing strategies, and your skills could help them reach their target audiences effectively. Offering tailored packages for local businesses could prove to be lucrative.
Content Marketing: Combine your SEO skills with strong content marketing strategies. You could help businesses develop an effective content plan that not only focuses on SEO-friendly articles but also engages the target audience. This could include planning blogs, videos, infographics, or even social media strategies that enhance visibility and drive traffic.
Building Your Own Brand or Agency
Personal Project: It’s great that you’ve recognized the potential for an affiliate site; however, consider building a personal brand by creating a blog or resource hub in your area of expertise. Share your knowledge about SEO, case studies, or even your journey, which could attract a following and potential clients.
Service Offerings: You could pivot from providing a broad range of SEO services to offering specialized offerings, such as SEO audits, one-on-one coaching, or tailored strategies. Clearly define your unique selling proposition (USP) and communicate this effectively on your website and social media platforms.
Networking: Continue engaging with industry peers through forums, social media, and local events (even virtual ones). Networking can often lead to referrals or partnerships that help to expand your reach. Consider joining SEO groups on platforms like LinkedIn or participating actively in SEO communities and discussions.
Investing in Learning
Skill Enhancement: Given the rapid changes in SEO, consider investing time in further education. Staying up-to-date with the latest trends, tools, and best practices through courses (many of which are available online for free or at nominal costs) can help refresh your skillset and provide you with additional methods to attract clients.
Certifications: Obtaining certifications in related fields or platforms, such as Google Analytics or Google Ads, could also enhance your credibility and make you more attractive to potential clients.
Experimentation: Don’t hesitate to experiment with your SEO projects or personal website. This will not only build your portfolio but also help you learn from your successes and failures, equipping you with real-world experience to share with your clients.
Conclusion
It’s completely normal to feel lost at times, especially with the rapidly changing landscape of SEO. However, with your foundational experience and a willingness to adapt and grow, there are numerous avenues you can explore. Refocusing your strategy, leveraging local opportunities, enhancing your personal brand, and continuing your education can all help revitalize your SEO career. Keep the faith in your abilities, and don’t hesitate to engage with the community for support and inspiration. Best of luck, and I hope to hear about your successes soon!
Thank you for sharing your reflections and challenges—it’s evident that you’re going through a significant transition in your SEO career. Your background is impressive, and it’s clear that your experience has made a positive impact on the businesses you’ve worked with.
One thing to consider as you pivot towards freelancing and building your online presence is the importance of personal branding in today’s digital landscape. Clients often look for SEO professionals who not only have the necessary skills but also demonstrate their expertise through their own projects. Perhaps starting a personal blog or a YouTube channel where you share SEO tips, case studies, and insights into your journey could be beneficial. This not only showcases your capabilities but also helps build trust and authority in your niche.
Additionally, consider leveraging your coaching experience more actively. There may be an opportunity to offer online workshops or webinars tailored to specific industries that could use your expertise. This model could provide a dual benefit of income while expanding your network.
Lastly, actively engaging in seo communities and forums can also yield potential clients. Sharing your knowledge and insights can lead to referrals, as people are more likely to remember someone who has genuinely contributed to their learning.
Transitioning in any field is tough, but your determination and willingness to adapt are your greatest assets. Keep experimenting with different avenues; you never know which one might open the door to exciting opportunities! Best of luck with your affiliate website and your journey ahead!