Category: Learning Out Loud

Does this short scenario sound familiar?

• You search the web for writing careers that align with your interests.
• You happen upon SEO copywriting.
• It piques your interest, and now you’re at the “what even is this?” point of discovery.

My experience was similar, but instead of through the web, I discovered SEO copywriting through a conversation with ChatGPT — its enemy.

(Joking.)

(Kind Of.)

At first, the “SEO” part felt sketch, even a little off-putting — like it wasn’t something a writer would enjoy.

But, curiosity won out.

And the reality is: SEO and copywriting combine quite well. And if you enjoy writing, the SEO side of this path shouldn’t worry you — it actually increases your value.

So let’s break down what SEO copywriting is, how it works, and whether or not it’s worth your time.

Ready?

SEO & Copywriting: What Are They?

SEO copywriting combines two practices — SEO and persuasive writing — to help content rank and convert.

That wasn’t so apparent to me upon first discovery…

But anywho — SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, which is the practice of refining websites with the goal of them being favored by search engines via:

• keyword usage
• content structure 
• and technical elements.

Making your site pretty for Google and the likes. Here’s how Google defines it.

On the other hand…

Copywriting is simply persuasive writing — AWAI defines copywriting as “written content that motivates the reader to take a specific action.”

That could be:

• buying a product
• subscribing to a service
• or signing up for a newsletter.

It’s all about one thing — conversion.

But what happens when you want your writing to convert and rank on Google?

Copywriting: SEO vs Traditional

SEO copywriting and traditional copywriting diverge at who they’re for.

The former focuses on both readers and search engines, while the latter is solely focused on the human reader.

An SEO copywriter aims to:

• incorporate website and page optimization, 
• structure content for both conversion and search engine ranking,
• and increase organic traffic to their site.

Traditional copywriting, on the other hand, is more concerned with promotion and direct response.

It’s used in ads, emails, sales letters, and landing pages — where the goal is immediate action, not long-term search visibility.

Both forms aim to convert — but SEO copywriting adds another layer of value: it helps your content get seen in the first place.

Traditional Copywriting vs SEO Copywriting — a side-by-side look at their goals, formats, strategies, and audiences.

Think of SEO copywriting as a blend of visibility and persuasion — it doesn’t just speak to your audience, it helps them discover you and your offer.

How It Actually Works

Being an SEO copywriter isn’t just stuffing keywords into an article and hoping Google thinks, “This’ll do.”

It’s a deliberate process that — if done well — produces results.

Once I learned the individual steps, I realized it was a repeatable system — not guesswork — and one that improves with time and practice.

Here’s a breakdown of the typical SEO copywriting process, from top to bottom:

The 6-step process I use when writing SEO copy — simple, repeatable, and beginner-friendly.

I follow this process — in fact, I’m using it now.

Every blog post I write starts with a clear topic, basic keyword strategy, and a structure that works for both the reader and the search engine. 

The goal is to provide value and earn visibility — not just one or the other.

So…

Why do businesses even pay for this kind of writing?

Why SEO Copywriters Are Valued

SEO copywriters are valued because they do two things businesses care about most:

They drive traffic — and turn that traffic into customers.

Their SEO skills help content rank and bring people to the business’s site.

Their copywriting skills turn those visits into action — clicks, sign-ups, and sales.

In other words, they fuel growth from two angles: visibility and conversion.

And to pull that off, SEO copywriters bring a blend of high-value skills:

• marketing
• writing 
• editing
• keyword research
• data analysis
• fundamental technical SEO

A skillset that wide — and that useful — makes them valuable across various industries.

And their presence in so many sectors proves something else:

It isn’t some trendy, buzzword career — it’s a high-leverage craft that more and more businesses depend on.

Like any real craft, the only way to become good — and eventually get paid — is to study it and practice it.

That’s what I’m doing right now.

And if you’re serious about it, I’ll help you figure it out too.

How I’m Learning It (And How You Can Too)

After discovering SEO copywriting and committing to it, I shifted into learning mode.

I didn’t want to waste time with endless YouTube videos or low-quality blog spam — so I focused on credible resources with strong reputations.

The first half of my learning approach was research and study.

That led me to two key resources:

• The SEO Specialization by UC Davis — a 5-course program on Coursera that breaks down SEO fundamentals in depth.
  
• Everybody Writes by Ann Handley — a guide to writing clear, useful content that connects with online audiences. (It’s more of a writing guide than a pure copywriting manual, but it’s been game-changing for my development.)

The second half of my learning approach? Application.

I created the site you’re reading right now — to practice SEO.

And I committed to writing weekly blog posts like this one — to build my copywriting skills through reps.

That combo of learning and doing has rapidly improved my understanding of what it takes to become an SEO copywriter.

The best part?

It didn’t cost me an arm and a leg. 

And when you’re trying something new, that matters.

I explained more about how I got started in this post on learning SEO.

So if you’re serious about learning this too — start like I did:
Find high-quality resources. Apply what you learn.
Write. Optimize. Repeat.

It works.

Conclusion

SEO copywriting asks you to wear multiple hats — but it rewards you with something rare: a path that’s both creative and strategic.

You’re not just writing.
You’re building visibility.
You’re converting interest into action.
You’re learning how to speak to people — and how to be found.

It’s not easy, but it’s learnable.

And if you’re someone who wants a sustainable skill that grows with you, SEO copywriting is worth your time.

It builds:

• strong, concise, and influential writing — showcasing your creativity
• data analysis and marketing — increasing your value
• niche research and authority — sharpening your voice
  

In short, an SEO copywriter is essential to the voice of any business that wants to be seen, trusted, and chosen.

And if you’re just starting?

You’re in the right place.

If you liked this post, check out my blog for more helpful content centered around health, self-development, and search strategy.

Image credit: Jodi Harvey-Brown/Jodi Harvey Art

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) can be daunting to learn from scratch.

Learning it feels like being dropped into a maze without a map.

There’s endless advice, dozens of guides, and no clear starting point.

I would know—I just started learning SEO from zero.

In this post, I’ll break down the simple approach and resources that helped me start learning SEO—without the noise.

Structurally Approach SEO  

I started the mission to learn SEO through a clear structure and hands-on application.

I sought out a course and then mapped out an approach to practice the information collected from it.

I didn’t choose just any course, I sought out a course that had recognition and a reputation—the Search Engine Optimization Specialization by UC Davis was found as a result.

The recognition and reputation of the course were important. You shouldn’t throw your resources at anything without vetting first.

Having the structure that’s inherent to a course helped me keep track of what I was learning, why I was learning it, and where I was in my learning.

Without that tracking, it would be difficult to follow what one should and shouldn’t be spending time on.

Simplify Your Approach

As a beginner, it’s tempting to bookmark a bunch of sites, follow a bunch of professionals on social media, and save a bunch of guides to read later.

I suggest not doing any of that…

At least not yet anyway.

At the beginning, your main focus should be soaking up SEO information intentionally—not broadly.

I made the same mistake when I started—I followed, bookmarked, and saved whatever I came across that suggested a benefit.

But…

I didn’t understand anything because I was consuming beyond my level.

I read what was being suggested, but I didn’t understand what was being suggested—needlessly wasting time.

Simplifying your approach to learning—rather than consuming every SEO thing you come across—saves you so much time at the beginning of your journey. 

Simplifying your approach can consist of things like:

• Learning The Basics
• Following A Structured Learning Path
• Mastering One Aspect At A Time
• Practicing What You’ve Learned

Once you simplify your approach, the next best thing to do is:

Apply Your SEO Info

The best way to ingrain something you’ve learned is to apply it—SEO is no different.

As a beginner, I figured the best way to apply the information I was getting was to:

• Set Up A Website
• Incorporate It In My Content
• and Utilize SEO Tools

‘To learn SEO, you must do SEO’—real simple.

Setting up a website through a system like WordPress allowed me to incorporate SEO in my first blog post and see the results of my discoveries—going beyond theory.

Utilizing tools like Google Search Console and Google Analytics gave me an understanding of common SEO terms that left me confused when initially discovered.

As a beginner though—the most helpful tool I’ve had at my disposal since the start of my journey has been…

A Tool That Rules!

I know this may sound like hype, but in all seriousness, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been the most helpful tool in my SEO learning journey as a beginner.

AI (specifically ChatGPT) aided in my discovery of WordPress, the UC Davis Course, and most importantly, SEO Copywriting—I’ll keep this strictly about learning SEO though, since it’s the topic at hand.

AI and SEO go together beautifully and may very well be the future of SEO from what I’ve read.

But strictly for the case of learning and how to approach it—AI is a game-changer.

Ask it anything—free resources, reputable sources, step-by-step SEO tool explanations, etc.

If there’s one thing from this blog post you take and try in your approach to learning, have it be AI—it’ll guide you towards what should be prioritized in your learning of SEO.

Best Strategy? Be Consistent

Above all else, the best strategy for learning SEO is staying consistent.

Everything mentioned before will truly help you understand SEO. 

Still, you have to stay consistent day in and day out to reinforce the information gained from those approaches.

That’s the biggest thing I’ve been practicing—consistency; one post, one lesson, one real attempt at a time.

If you’re on a similar path, you don’t need a map. You need movement.

Stick around—I’ll keep showing the work.