Share with us a bit about your background. How did you come to be a freelance copywriter?

How I began my career as a web copywriter is a bit of a winding road.

After working as a human resource professional in the corporate sector for 14 years, I started getting restless and decided to start writing again – a love I had as a young person. The very first works I created were articles about the job market, which was a hot topic on the minds of many people during the first wave of the nation’s recession in 2006.

The manufacturing industry I happened to be in at the time was hit hard by rising gas prices. Just before Thanksgiving, the owners of the company handed me a list of names of people they had randomly chosen to let go – people I had grown to know well and whom had few marketable skills.

At that point, my heart sank and I decided to resign immediately after the holidays so these good folks could at least stay on for a few more months using my remaining salary.

I had begun my journey as a freelance writer, founding Taylor Resources Writing early in 2007.

Describe your freelance copywriting career, prior to earning your Certification in SEO Copywriting.

My very first real copywriting gig was working for FlexJobs.com, a well-known career website focused on telecommuting initiatives. This gave me the opportunity to not only help others find great work-at-home jobs, but to also share insight into various HR concepts and give advice to those hopefully searching for meaningful work.

This assignment lasted 18 months, during which time I learned a lot about writing in different formats and earned a good many private clients – including web content development projects. Over the next few years, I had the privilege of working with some of the best online marketers and web developers around the globe, all from the comfort of my tiny home office.

I was eventually published on multiple career and business websites, including US News Careers and The Chamber of Commerce.

What I did not realize until later on that was a pivotal factor in my success, was that I focused on my niche and established myself as a content expert in HR early on. This later led to my current assignment as a content writer for a prominent HR and benefits software developer, a role that has further launched me as a copywriting professional.

What sparked your interest in SEO Copywriting?

What attracted me to SEO copywriting in the first place was the chance to share knowledge on a much grander scale directly to the people who need it the most. So much about human resources is a mystery and often looked at with disdain, so I wanted to dispel myths and give people the power to understand what HR is really about. SEO copywriting is a great medium for this.

The second reason I was drawn to SEO copywriting as a career is because it allows for a lot of creative freedom, whilst working with other web and technology professionals.

The one thing I discovered along the way is that many web developers want and need the input of a competent content professional so that the work produced is higher quality. It is important to find others who understand this and never compromise on putting out the best quality websites, as the end result bears a reflection on you as well.

What SEO projects are you working on now?

Currently, I am working on several copy writing projects simultaneously, but all that include some element of writing in the HR vein.

I manage multiple blogs and write weekly on various human resource, finance and business topics. This keeps me up-to-date and on top of trends in this industry, something that is critical to being successful as a copywriter.

One of my bigger projects includes updating a massive library of HR topics for a corporate benefits portal that will become a resource for thousands of HR administrators and employees alike when the roll-out happens later this spring. It has been a challenging, yet very rewarding project so far – I cannot wait to see how it turns out!

What are your impressions of the SEO Copywriting Certification training program?

When I learned about the SEO Copywriting Certificate program, I was so excited to see that there was a way to finally earn a recognizable and respected credential in this market. So much about the SEO Copywriting course looked great, because I knew Heather Lloyd-Martin had put a lot of work into making it the best SEO copywriting course out there and because other leading copywriters have taken the course.

Combining my own experience in copywriting with the information found in the SEO Copywriting course seemed like the next best step in my career as a web copywriter.

While the SEO Copywriting course validated much of the informal training I had received from working with several web developers over the years, I was very impressed with the full range of knowledge that this course included. From the in-depth SWOT analysis and keyword research tools, to the Meta data and SEO editing sections, I learned so much more than I ever expected to. The convenience of being able to take the course around my already hectic schedule was an added bonus.

Any words for those who are interested in the SEO Copywriting Certification program?

If anyone reading this is wondering if the SEO Copywriting Certificate course is worth the investment, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” I definitely feel like I got my money’s worth and so much more from taking Heather’s course.

The support and feeling of community from the online forum and monthly teleconferences, along with detailed lessons and information, can help anyone to become a better web copywriter. I personally recommend SEO Copywriting to anyone struggling in any area of web copywriting or to anyone who wants to take their career to the next level.

Tess C. Taylor, owner of Taylor Resources Writing, is an SEO web copywriter and HR expert living in Charleston, South Carolina. She has been published on multiple career and business websites including The Chamber of Commerce, Dale Carnegie, and US News Careers. When she’s not writing, Tess takes time to experience the world with her husband Eugean through photography, painting and music. You are welcome to follow Tess on her blog or over at Facebook.

Would you like to learn more about SEO copywriting and boost your income, too? Claim the best of both worlds by signing up  for the SuccessWorks SEO Copywriting Certification training program, and take that next quantum step in your copywriting career!

What got you interested in SEO Copywriting?

As a web 2.0 copywriter and marketer, optimizing for the web is critical. I recognized that providing my clients with good copy that drives sales, conversions or another call to action is only half of the battle. To do my job effectively, I need to be able to write content that drives traffic to sites.

What do you consider to be your biggest “take-away” from the certification program, in real-life terms?

Knowing where to start! Starting a project without having a clear understanding of how SEO works is like hiking up a mountain without a map. I have used Heather’s lessons and class modules as my map, making the entire process much less overwhelming.  Without this class, I would have jumped right in and started to tackle the key-phrase process. Now I take the time to do the necessary research and get to know my customer first. From there I feel much more confident in my ability to identify the key phrases that are most relevant to my website’s audience.

Lastly, I hadn’t really thought about it when I signed up for the course, but SEO is not just for websites. I am convinced using keyword phrases in social media will give my clients an edge in their marketplace. When my clients get the extra edge, I do too.

What SEO copywriting projects are you working on now?

I am currently working on a project for a construction company that has very little web presence. Being able to clearly explain how SEO works and the importance of it really underscored my credentials as online copywriter and marketer.  I am looking forward to a much higher SEO ranking and repeat business!

What do you do in your free time?

I love to cook and created a blog called PassionFood that chronicles my experiments in the kitchen as a serious home cook. The twist is my husband critiques me and let me tell you, he is a tough critic! I’m anxious to implement my SEO learning into the blog – I am curious to see if we start to draw a new audience!

I also love to read. I recently finished The World According to Garp and I am currently reading Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi. It’s a great read on the importance of building your network and gives practical advice on how to do it.

Any words for those considering enrolling in the program?

Sign up today! Not only does the course teach you how to create content that maximizes SEO, it covers copywriting essentials. Understanding the importance of competitive research, SWOT analysis, features versus benefits are the foundation for copywriting success

Jacqueline is a web author from Glasgow. Her first business failed and that’s how she got into SEO Copywriting.  But let’s back up a little and start at the beginning, on Christmas Day 2005 to be precise.

At 5.30pm on said day Jacqueline became a first time mum to a baby girl and not content with being a new mum, she decided to start a new business as well.  Full of enthusiasm, she set out and promptly made every mistake in the book, listened to all the wrong people and spent her money on all the wrong stuff.

Jacqueline had decided to a start an internet business, she had a domain name, she had a website and all she had to do was sit back and wait for the traffic and sales to come.  What Jacqueline didn’t realise (and I’m guessing she’s not the only one) is that ‘have website’ does not necessarily mean ‘have traffic’.

By the time she had spent a lot of money on the wrong things there was little left to spend on a website and even less to market it.  In fact marketing the website was a whole new concept to Jacqueline, who was still labouring under the illusion of ‘have website, make money’.  At this point Jacqueline attended a presentation on SEO at a local business club and was so overwhelmed by the amount of work to be done that she went home, ate a whole packet of posh chocolate biscuits and didn’t go back.

But after a few more months of no traffic and no sales, she did go back, again and again and again.  She bought books on search engine optimisation and enlisted the help of Brian Mathers, one of the UK’s top internet marketers with a passion for helping the small business community. With Brian’s help, Jacqueline persevered until the ‘SEO stuff’ made sense.

By day she was a full time mum (baby number two had also arrived) trying to run a business, and by night was going to college to learn how to really work this website that was supposed to bring financial freedom.

Skip forward a year or two: the original business was still haemorrhaging money. The cost of manufacturing was simply too high and the product not profitable.  With the help of Mr. Mathers, Jacqueline had learned the skills associated with search engine optimisation while trying to run a small business and decided to offer those same skills back to the small business community. Based on her own experiences, Jacqueline can truly empathise with other small business owners struggling with the same internet marketing issues.  The decision was taken to let the original business go and the idea of Miss Morrison was born.

What attracted you to SEO Copywriting?

It was the copywriting side of things.  I have a SEO background but I hadn’t ever touched on the copywriting side of things and I felt that this was an area where I could expand my skills and offer more of a niche service.

What SEO copywriting projects are you working on now?

Quite an interesting mix!  I’m working with a local hotel on their Scottish castles wedding package and I support some local financial services firms.  Most recently I finished a site for a private investigator, which was a tough assignment indeed.  The client was very much like the work that he does – secretive!  Not one iota of information did he want to give away and it was hard to deliver copy that he was comfortable with but also contained enough information to move his potential customers to action.

I’m also working on another project called The Engine Driver that is close to my heart. The aim of the site is to teach small business owners about internet marketing but in a way that they understand.  My SEO journey began because I was struggling with my own small business and I couldn’t afford for anyone else to help me and those experiences are still fresh (and painful) enough to allow me to connect with other business owners and deliver info in a way that is ‘hands on’ useful to them without baffling them with science.

What do you find most challenging/interesting about SEO copywriting?

Sitting down to do the actual writing.  Even when all my keyphrase research and other preparations are complete, I can easily work my  way through umpteen cups of tea and every secret biscuit and sweetie stash in the house before being able to sit at my desk and just write.

What have you found to be the biggest “take-aways” from the SEO copywriting certification program?

Heather’s approach to page titles and meta descriptions has brought about the biggest change in my writing style. Although the meta descriptions have no influence on SEO I now have a much greater appreciation of their click through or conversion value.  Heather also suggested that if you wouldn’t submit your web copy to a magazine then maybe it shouldn’t be on your website either, and I think that is a fantastic way of encouraging the writer to step back and ask, who is the focus here – the reader or a search engine?

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Well, I go from one extreme to another.  If I’m not out running or at body combat, step, or yoga class I am quite partial to a cup of tea on the couch with a wee cake and a book.   However with two small children in the house the chances of actually getting to eat my cake or read a book in peace are quite slim.

Any words for those considering enrolling in the SEO Copywriting Certification program?

Go for it, it is money well spent.  If you are new to SEO I believe Heather’s instruction teaches you what you need to know in a non- techno babble way, and if (like me) you have a thorough grounding in SEO, the copywriting techniques will improve your writing by focusing your attention on the reader rather than the search engines.

After college, she worked as a liaison between design engineers and factory personnel in the aerospace and automotive industries for some 25 years.

Cherryl converted engineering drawings created by design engineers into step-by-step instructions for factory personnel to use.

She loved the challenges and interacting with the people.

But when the manufacturing industry started cutting back, like so many others… Cherryl found herself looking for work.

While working as an independent contractor, Cherryl started a part-time marketing and graphic design business – a long time passion. She created promotional materials like… brochures, business cards, promotional fliers, and such… for small businesses in her area.

Then in 2007, she discovered the world of copywriting.  Taking a LOT of courses from AWAI, Cherryl quickly learned how different copywriting was from the step-by-step instructional type of  writing she had been doing.

But she also discovered how beneficial both types of writing could be for the right targeted market.

Her company, Target Marketing Strategies, markets services to small and mid-sized companies within her areas of expertise in the following categories:

• Business-to-business
• Hi-Tech Business
• Manufacturing (aerospace, automotive-related, and so on…)

Not only does Cherryl have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, but she continuously adds to her education by taking courses in marketing and graphic design.

She recently completed Heather’s SEO Copywriting Certification course to increase credibility to her potential clients.

What attracted you to SEO Copywriting?

I’d built my own website using one of those web templates. You know the kind I mean – the ones that tell you: you can have your site up and on the ‘net in a few easy steps. Well after spending several days setting it up and publishing it… my site wasn’t getting found by anyone and it wasn’t getting any traffic either.

The first time I’d heard about SEO copywriting was when Heather introduced her SEO Copywriting Success Course through AWAI. I jumped on it!

The tips I learned from her really opened my eyes. I applied them to my site and within a short time, started gaining visibility and better search engine rankings.

After that… I was HOOKED!

What SEO Copywriting projects are you working on now?

I’m working with a client who wants to ramp-up the lead generation on her site. She bought into a leads generating program and wants me to set it up for her with landing pages, sales pages and such.

Plus… I’m building a passive income – money-making website for myself.  And I’m always tweaking my business site to increase visibility and attract more clients.

What do you find most challenging/interesting about SEO copywriting?

The most interesting part of SEO copywriting for me is refining the content so it makes sense to the reader and yet still provides the search engines with enough tasty ‘treats’.

What have you found to be the biggest “take-aways” from the SEO Copywriting Certification program?

That’s easy!  Validation.  Being certified as an SEO copywriter adds credibility in the eyes of my clients.

I learned from my college days that, that piece of paper called the diploma gives you a leg up. Not because of the diploma, but because it shows the employers or clients that you see things through and don’t quit. It’s not easy and they know it.

So anytime you can add credibility, that’s a plus.  At least that’s been my experience.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Ah – free time. What’s that? HA… just kidding. My family and I recently moved to Northern California. So we’re having a blast exploring the area.

We live up in the Sierra Nevada’s where the 1849 gold rush happened. There’s LOTS of history here – sights to see… like touring the Empire Mine. One of the most profitable hard-rock gold mines in the area… removing 5.8 million ounces of gold out of the ground from 1850 to when it closed in 1956… due to water flooding the mine shafts.  In fact… that’s what my passive income site is about… Northern California Fun.

Any words for those considering enrolling in the SEO Copywriting Certification program?

Like I said before… if you want to be taken seriously by your clients, then give yourself an edge.  This SEO Copywriting Certification Program does just that. It adds validation and increases credibility. It’s been my experience!

SEO Copywriting Certification Grad, Kellie Craft

Kellie has always had a passion for helping others. For years, she has volunteered at her daughter’s school, writing monthly newsletters and articles for the newspaper, hoping the information she provided would be useful and helpful to others.

After spending over 25 years in the corporate world, the dreaded day had come. The company was sold out to a foreign organization that came in and shut down 90% of the U.S. operation. They moved it overseas. Right then she knew that she had to do something different.

About that same time, AWAI found her. Over time, she took some of the courses…ok, a lot of the courses, and determined her path. What better way to help others? Providing businesses with the correct information they need to become successful online!

So, in 2010, Kellie founded Frog Communications, an SEO-web copy consulting firm, and more recently, Frog Online, Internet marketing strategy and social media management.

With business taking off, Kellie has the opportunity to successfully help others while spending time with her husband, beautiful daughter, and German Shepherd.

What got you interested in SEO copywriting?

I am a very technical person. I spent over 15 years working as a Network Administrator. Making the right adjustments to obtain the best results is what I do naturally, at least when it comes to the Internet!

One day, I was invited to a webinar hosted by AWAI, and presented by Heather-Lloyd Martin. I attended and was fascinated by the information I heard. I especially remember her talking about a certification course she was putting together, but wasn’t ready yet. I knew instantly this was for me. I ended up purchasing a course she has with AWAI, and eventually purchased the web-writing and site audit courses that Pam Foster has with AWAI as well.

What do you consider to be your biggest “take-away” from the certification program, in real-life terms?

I know so many people who “require” a piece of paper or a seal of approval before they will do business with a person. To them, this shows that person has dedicated themselves to taking the time to properly learn what it is they do.

For me, it’s my “seal of approval.” Having this certification brings me self-assurance that I know what I’m doing (which I already knew), and that I’m doing it ethically and correctly.

A big plus – I enjoy having the seal on my websites so my visitors will see that I am a professional and the service they are receiving is genuine.

What SEO copywriting projects are you working on now?

I am currently working with a client who has decided to completely rebuild their website on a different platform so they can manage the content and uploads personally. So, I set them up with a WordPress expert. This is phase 1. Phase 2 is completely re-writing the website; I could not find them anywhere up to page 10 on Google (I stopped looking after that). I am providing a complete SEO and web copy package.

In addition, I have two prospective clients, my chiropractor and my daughter’s dentist. Their websites need SEO revisions and their social media strategies are, well, lacking.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Simple, spending time with my family. I don’t care what it involves – watching a movie, jumping on the trampoline, walking outside with the dog, or going to dinner together. We always enjoy our annual trip to Colorado in August to visit my brother and his family, and go way up in the mountains to enjoy the cooler weather! We love the Telluride area. Our crazy schedules don’t allow for a lot of free time together, so we value it when it happens.

Any words for those considering enrolling in the program?

To quote a famous company (Nike), “Just do it!” This program gives you all the information you need to be very successful with SEO. This is true white-hat SEO copywriting. You will learn how to develop a smart keyphrase strategy and how to apply it to any website, with excellent results!

Heather is the SEO expert – your go-to resource for anything SEO. If you are truly interested in SEO, then this is the course for you. Success loves speed…what are you waiting for?

What got you interested in SEO copywriting?

I was a non-traditional age college student who always loved working with language. When I graduated college in 2009 my only goal (seriously) was to get a job with the word “writer” in the title.

Unfortunately, that was during the recession and the major newspaper in town was laying off a lot of copywriters, so there was a lot of fierce competition for writing jobs and just graduating, everyone had more work experience than me. I applied for a job at an internet marketing agency, and just kept showing up at the door until they hired me. That was in 2009.

I was the only copywriter so I had to learn SEO techniques on the fly. My first day on the job the owner handed me Heather’s first book, “Successful Search Engine Copywriting,” and I read it cover to cover. I still have the book by my desk, highlighted, dog eared, and working hard everyday.

What do you consider to be your biggest “take-away” from the certification program, in real-life terms?

As an agency copywriter, the most valuable portion of the lessons was being introduced to direct response copywriting strategies such as reaching your target audience, and how to effectively “ask for the sale.”

More “solid gold” stuff I learned from Heather:

• How to tactfully educate clients on SEO basics and how to handle tough client questions.

• Scheduling and delegating time for writing tasks (this helped me immensely)!

• Addressing the five questions to answer before you start web copy (SOLID GOLD):  I do this before I start any web copy!  It saves me bunches of time and always pops out those benefit statements.

I have been able to use the skills I acquired from the SEO Copywriting Certification course to improve my in-house writing across the board, from press releases to web copy to meta-data and emails blurbs.

What SEO copywriting projects are you working on now?

Current projects include:

• Rewriting company website
• Building our original content to build credibility within the industry
• Client projects- hospitality industry: mainly 3 to 4 star hotels and luxury resorts

What do you do in your free time?

My husband is an amazing chef, so in order to balance that I spend several mornings a week at the gym. After college I crated a fiction writers group that meets regularly to support and work on fiction projects. I’m also involved with my church group and do a lot of learning and getting advice from some amazing people, I also play guitar and sing with a gospel group.

Any words for those considering enrolling in the program?

Heather clearly has a passion for SEO and her excitement is contagious. This intense program includes study manual, podcasts, phone meetings, support forums, and Heather’s amazing accessibility for “how to” questions.

If you are serious about breaking into SEO copywriting, Heather is the authority. What are you waiting for? Learn from the best!

To be a good copywriter, you’ve got to combine genuine interest in the product with technical and marketing savvy.  An organic farmer and former health educator, Sarah brings this rich combo to her work as a natural health copywriter and marketer. Some of her expertise in this area – along with that of several of the top copywriters in the industry – is encapsulated in the ebook she co-wrote with master copywriter, Bob Bly, How To Write Irresistible Copy For Nutritional Supplements.

Sarah writes both B2C and B2B, online and direct mail.  Her gigs as a contributing editor to trade magazines like Nutrition Business Journal inform her B2B work.

In addition to copywriting/marketing services, Sarah’s created a special resource for her fellow home business folks – Your Healthy Home Biz.  Here she offers strategies, tips and inspiration for home business owners on how to stay healthy while working at home.

What attracted you to SEO Copywriting?

Marketing natural health products requires lots of content.  Not only are the products information-heavy, we market to a skeptical and knowledgeable audience.

Good information-rich copy is already a mainstay for my clients’ marketing.  It only makes sense that I help them make the best of this with SEO.

Furthermore, my health educator self is always lurking in my copywriting work. I love to help people understand their health better.  SEO copy is a great place to do so.

What do you find most challenging/interesting about SEO copywriting?

There are some particular difficulties in writing SEO copy for the nutritional supplement market.  Because of FDA regulations, it’s illegal to discuss how a product prevents, alleviates or cures a disease. Even when reams of research back these claims.

For compliance, we have to be exceedingly strategic about how we use keywords and structure the site.  For this reason, I end up getting a lot of business because I can combine SEO with regulatory knowledge.

What do you consider to be your biggest “take-away” from the certification program?

I had been doing SEO copywriting for a few years before I found out about Heather’s program.  Previously, when I tried to keep up with the “latest” on SEO, I always got bogged down in information on link-building and technical SEO.

It was very hard to find articles covering the on-page copywriting aspect.

When I found Heather’s program I let out a big sigh of relief.  Finally, a definitive source on SEO copywriting that I could turn to.  Heather’s program and ongoing training gave me confidence that I was doing the best for my clients’.

Specifically, I love the way that Heather provides a comprehensive strategy for keyword research and content marketing.  And I’ve gotten tremendous mileage out of her suggestions for using social media for research.

What SEO Copywriting projects are you working on now?

I’m currently working on a SEO info-rich website that parallels my client’s ecommerce site. As I mentioned before, FDA regulations make it hard to discuss the great research linked to supplements.  This website is designed as a place where we can discuss the research more extensively.

I also just finished the work for a B2B client who had originally outsourced overseas for SEO website copy.  The copy was terrible – nonsensical! After redoing his site, it’s great to see the bounce-rate go down while he continues to hold first-page position for a number of keywords.

My other current projects are closer to home.  I’ve created a site, Fit Family Together,that focuses on family fitness. Along with my site for healthy home business tips, this site gives me opportunities to test SEO strategies that I can bring to my clients’ sites as well.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

As I mentioned in the beginning, we raise most of our food from our small organic farm.  So I take lots of breaks from copywriting to feed the pigs, chase chickens out of the garden, weed, harvest, pick, etc.  Right now we’re in the midst of maple sugaring so I spend a lot of time going into the woods, collecting sap and hauling the buckets back out to where we boil. It’s a great balance to all the sitting desk work I do.

My family loves to mountain bike, hike, ski/snowboard around our New England home.  And over the past couple years, my husband has been teaching us jiu jitsu and kickboxing. A great break from particularly stressful projects!

But along with all this activity, I love the moments when I stand outside my kitchen door, looking out to the pond and the maple grove beyond as twilight comes.  Moments like these make me feel wealthier beyond belief and glad that I can run my business from home on my own terms.

Any words for those considering enrolling in the SEO Copywriting Certification program?

I’ve suggested this program to many people who have sought out my advice on how to get into health copywriting.  Most people who come to me are very knowledgeable about health but don’t know how to turn it into marketing services.

The health copywriting niche is pretty competitive with some very experienced heavy-hitters writing in it. It can be hard to break in.

SEO copywriting is a great place to start health copywriting for two reasons: 1.) The demand for SEO copy is huge right now. And 2.) Less competition. Many good health copywriters haven’t developed SEO skills.

SEO health copywriting is an easier area to establish yourself and quickly get a full-time business going.

Heather is full of SEO copywriting knowledge and she’s a great teacher.  You will come out of her course with confidence that you’ve got “the right stuff”.  Plus, her LinkedIn discussion group and ongoing webinars keep you up to speed after you graduate.

Carole is a UK-based, freelance copywriter who writes all kinds of marketing materials, from websites and brochures to mailshots and e-newsletters. She has a marketing and public relations background and was Head of PR at the Financial Times newspaper before embarking on her freelance career.

Over the years, she has written for clients across a range of market sectors, from financial and professional services to public sector, telecoms and hi tech. She also writes a blog, Freelance Factfile, which is an invaluable knowledge bank containing all the information you need to succeed as a freelancer.

What got you interested in SEO Copywriting?

I knew that being able to say I was an SEO writer would add a valuable extra string to my bow. But what was the best way to go about it? I attended a couple of introductory webinars on writing for search engines – that was a step in the right direction. I then bought a 300-page book on search engine optimization but was disappointed to discover there were only a few pages devoted to the copywriting side of it. Then, I came across Heather on Twitter and found out that she had an in-depth SEO course especially for writers. It was exactly what I’d been looking for.

What do you consider to be your biggest “take-away” from the certification program, in real-life terms?

In February, I issued a press release announcing the fact I’d become a certified SEO copywriter. The next day, I typed ‘SEO writer’ into Google and my press release appeared on the first page of the search results! Living proof that, if you employ what Heather teaches, you/your clients will accelerate up the through the rankings.

What SEO copywriting projects are you working on now?

A long-standing client is having his website completely redesigned and I’m rewriting the text so that it will be search engine friendly. And an upcoming project for another client is to write 10 LinkedIn profiles with keyword phrases so they can be easily found when people do a search on LinkedIn.

What do you do in your free time?

Being a writer means I sit too much at my desk. To counteract that, I’m at the gym a lot. I live in London, so I like to spend time making the most of this great city – whether it’s going to new exhibitions, walking in the parks, seeing friends, visiting markets, or just enjoying the buzz of the place. Although I’m a city person, my ideal holiday is staying by an Alpine lake and going for hikes, surrounded by mountain peaks.

Any words for those considering enrolling in the program?

You’ll learn skills that are in high demand and, with your certified SEO copywriter status, you’ll be regarded as a real expert in your field. Just do it!

For over 20 years, he held different positions in technology and creative realms until he couldn’t resist the call of entrepreneurship and at-home Fatherhood. Now as the owner and operator of a successful online copywriting and online services business, Passwater Media, and a Stay-At-Home Dad, George utilizes his trusty tools of laptop and vacuum cleaner to provide both his at-home clients and business clients with what they need, when they need it.

What attracted you to SEO Copywriting?

Well, I am a hybrid of sorts. I was working “online” before the web came along and my first writing piece was a story I created before age 6. I have a natural knack for technical and creative work. In my 20 something years of doing whatever it is I did, I held many job responsibilities including webmaster, programming, systems admin, project management, copywriting, storytelling and some marketing too.

With both sides of my brain in constant battle, SEO copywriting just came naturally to me. I mean, think about it – SEO fulfills my techno, statistical, data weenie side and copywriting quenches my creative thirst to weave the thoughts (or is it voices) in my head into ideas, stories, and strategies into the written word.

A perfect combination of Yin and Yang.

What SEO Copywriting projects are you working on now?

With such a need for qualified SEO copywriters, I have current and prospective projects that include ghost SEO writing, blog writing, landing pages, email campaigns, social media content (after all, social and search are kind of going steady now), developing full- blown content strategies and whatever else I have on my project management dashboard. This doesn’t include new inquiries for work – which I am always happy to entertain!

What do you find most challenging/interesting about SEO copywriting?

Simple – explaining to prospects and even current customers the amount of work involved, why they need it, and the costs (value) of SEO Copywriting. Most understand the search engine ranking thing, but they don’t get why you can’t simply take the copy they have and add a few keywords to it.

They always ask me why do I need to know so much about their business, how it ties into Social Media or why it takes so long to write a web site. I actually had one prospect say that a homepage shouldn’t take more than an hour to write! That one blew my mind.

What have you found to be the biggest “take-aways” from the SEO Copywriting Certification program?

That I’m the real deal.

I have proof that I took the time to dedicate myself to increasing my knowledge and skills from the best in the industry. Heather is all that and a bag of chips – everyone in the industry knows this and when she certifies someone, you can be sure her graduate knows what they’re doing…thanks to the SEO Copywriting Maven.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

All my free time goes to my family. Not only do I own my own business, I am a proud Stay-At-Home Dad. I have two younger children (my inspiration) that rock my world, along with my wonderful wife (my voice of reason and my rock). I also have my other child, he’s a Pug full of awesomeness.

I am also a big supporter of Special Needs parenting and disabilities rights, as my youngest child currently lives with disabilities. Everyday, she inspires me to be a better Father while helping her move any objects that block her path to success. Just as with everything else, I believe you can do anything you want and I know one day my children will become what they want – disabilities or not!

Any words for those considering enrolling in the SEO Copywriting Certification program?

If you’re looking to learn about true SEO copywriting, look no further than Heather’s program. She gives it to you in simple, easy-to-understand lessons along with the personal attention of a well-seasoned professor.

Since Heather is the resource for SEO copywriting, I wouldn’t waste anymore time searching for programs that just spit out false promises. Heather’s program delivers what you need to be successful in this field. (Not to mention, she’s one of the nicest people you will ever have the pleasure of meeting). As I said before, she’s all that and a bag of chips!

Before making a career change to copywriting, Derek spent several years working in Emergency Medical Services in both southeast Michigan and northern Michigan.  His career in EMS was preceded by a 10+ year span working in upper management across several companies including a national internet service provider and two major restaurant chains.

What attracted you to SEO Copywriting?

All my life I’ve loved to write.   I started writing online content back in 2007 for what people now consider “content mills”.  The money was nice but I really loved EMS and had no reason to try to change.  I was working upwards of 80 hours a week and quite happy.

Then someone stuck a pin in the economy and my hours got cut.  Who would have thought people would stop calling 911 to save a buck?  Stuck at home with a family to support, I decided to see what I could do with my writing.  Blogging for bucks led to content marketing for other businesses  That of course evolved into SEO & website copywriting.  I’ve refined my craft on my own for the last year and now I’m here.

I chose this course because – while I felt I had already learned a great deal about SEO and copywriting – I wanted to make sure that I was headed in the right direction.  I knew this course would reinforce my education.

What do you consider to be your biggest “take-away” from the certification program?

There are a lot of people “out there” in the business world but you can break them down into people who are writers and people who need writers.  In both categories you’ll find a large amount of people who know Heather and respect her for her education, experience and what she has to offer.  The badge on my site and my certificate is a way to tell the world that I really know my stuff – that I’m not “just another writer” because I learned from one of the best.

What SEO Copywriting projects are you working on now?

I’ve got a full plate of extremely fun projects, and I’m really digging all the range, the research and preparation to write.  I’ve got slightly more than a dozen clients waiting in line on my production schedule including:

• Complete site content revamp for a retailer of designer handbags
• Content marketing for one of the leading travel agents handling Australian trips
• Complete site content and content marketing for a major branding community that’s getting ready to launch in February (almost done with this one!)
• 3 other small business site launches that are upstarts
• Some free consults & optimization with a local wedding photography that’s about to land her on page 1 of Google (she did the most beautiful pictures for a close friend who just got shipped to Afghanistan – was the least I could do)
• Complete site content for a business networking community based in the Virginia/D.C/Maryland area
• A major luxury home builder based in Texas that is struggling to rank in their local market

And there’s always more to come.  I get a few new client requests each week through my site.  The line never ends and I love it. 

What do you feel are some of your biggest accomplishments since you started copywriting?

There have been a few.  Launching a successful business and keeping it going is a big one, but completely supporting my family so that my wife could quit her job in pharmaceuticals was also a huge step for us.  Now we’re all home and I can spend time with my family any time I like.

I also have to admit that when I got my own website onto page 1 for a number of targeted keywords I practically did backflips.  You can tell clients all day long that you can increase their rank in the SERPs but nothing sells it better than showing off your own site there.

What do you do in your free time?

I love to read, and I have a bookcase full of Dean Koontz books.  I’ve also started soaking up anything related to content marketing.  When I’m not reading I love playing with my two beautiful girls:  My 3 year old Emma and my littlest one Lily who is now 4 months old.  Once a week I treat myself and my wife to a kid-free date night to get us out of the house.  We both love music, comedy clubs, stage performances, fishing and other outdoor stuff.

When I get those precious few moments for myself I enjoy paintball.  I also like to relax with a little mindless video game playing like Call of Duty.

Oh… And I love to cook – I can make a homemade pizza that puts the big name chains to shame.

Any words for those considering enrolling in the SEO Copywriting Certification program?

There’s a lot of junk on the internet that will lead you in the wrong direction when it comes to writing good copy, marketing content properly and doing right by your clients.  To provide the most benefit to the people you work for – whether you have clients or you’re an in-house marketer/writer – you need to take this course.   You will research better, write better and deliver better results for your clients.

We talk until we’re blue in the face about clients investing in their content to get a bigger return on their investment.  Don’t you think it’s a good idea to lead by example and invest in your own business?