Freelancer resources
When it comes to freelancing, I've been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Here I offer guidance and information for other freelancers, based on my years working as a freelance writer, editor and proofreader, to help them build successful businesses.
SEO tips for the freelance proofreader and copy editor
Every successful freelance proofreader or copy editor needs a website: it's the most crucial marketing activity. Your website needs to be informative, clear and engaging. But even the most beautifully worded and designed site isn't going to help much unless someone typing 'proofreader' or ' copy editor' into a search engine will find your site listed.
Here are my top five tips for search engine optimising a freelance proofreader or copy editor site.
1. Use keywords in your metatags.
Keywords are the terms you think someone will type into a search engine and for which you want to appear right up there in the search results. Metatags are an opportunity to use keywords on the site. These are the tags in the code behind your site that tell search engines what a page is called and what it's about. You need to look at these tags: title, description and keywords.
So, for a freelance proofreader your title tag may be something like Proofreader offering proofreading services. Your description may be Freelance proofreader outlines her proofreading services. And your keywords will include proofreader, proofreading and proofreading services, as well as any other keywords you use in the text on that page. Similarly, a page on freelance copyediting services may have Copy editor offering copyediting services as the title; Freelance copy editor outlines her copyediting services as the description; and keywords include copy editor, copyediting and copyediting services.
A good idea is to brainstorm all the keywords you want to rank for, and then find a way to work them into the text on your site, and the keywords metatag. For example, across my site I use the following keywords: book specialist, book writer, book editor, book proofreader, writer, editor, proofreader, Charlie Wilson, professional book writer, book developer, copy-edit books, proofread books, book copy editor, copy editor, book editor, book author, book ghostwriter, ghostwriter, copyeditor, copy-editor, proof reader, proof-reader, book proof reader, book proof-reader, book copy editing, copy editing, book proofreading, proofreading, ghostwriting, book ghostwriting, book developing, copyediting, copy-editing, proof reading, proof-reading, book proof reading, book proof-reading, ghost writer, ghost writing, proofreading service, proof-reading service, proof reading service, copy-editing service, copyediting service, copy editing service, copy-edit, proofread, book editing, copy-edit, proofread, freelance, freelancing, freelancer, freelancers, London, Kent, UK, Perfectly Write.
2. Use keywords in your headings and navigation items.
Wherever on the page you use headings and internal links, try to use keyword-rich text. So the overall heading for your web page may be Proofreading and Copyediting Services, then you may have subheadings like Proofreader, Proofreader's Policy, Copy Editor, Copy Editor's Technique, Proofreading Help and Copyediting Support. Then you may have links on the navigation or elsewhere on the page like Proofreading Resources or Copyediting Clients.
3. Blend keywords into the text on your page.
Try to incorporate your keywords within the text on your page, but without compromising the quality of your writing. For example, this is a sensible approach to working in keywords: Welcome to the Proofreading Place, the home of professional proofreading services. A fully qualified proofreader, I offer an extensive range of services to suit your needs. This, on the other hand, is far too obvious: Welcome to the Copyediting Corner, the home of professional copyediting services. As a copy editor I offer a range of copyediting services including copyediting books, copyediting reports, copyediting theses and copyediting other documents that a copy editor can help to improve.
4. Keep adding new, keyword-rich content to your site.
Once you've written your site and are satisfied with its SEO, don't think you can plonk it online and it will continue to bring in new visitors (and new work). You need to keep working on the site, and add in new content that reinforces your keywords.
5. Build links with other sites.
This can work especially well if you exchange links with other sites that cover a similar subject to yours. For example, if your site is about freelance proofreading, look for other freelance proofreaders who may want to exchange links. And if you're a freelance copy editor, look out for others in the copyediting field.
More info for freelancers
My website contains other articles offering advice for freelancers. You can also check out www.freelancingtips.co.uk – a blog written for freelancers, by freelancers. And if you really want to build your freelancing business, grab a copy of my new book, How to Succeed as a Freelancer in Publishing, out in September. The book covers all the essentials for setting up, running and growing a profitable business – from keeping the tax man happy to finding your way in the world of digital marketing; dealing with difficult clients to settling on specialisms; working effectively from home to collaborating with other freelancers. "A must-have for any freelancer who wants to earn a decent living in publishing." – Katie Kirk, Director, Freelancers in the UK "There is little doubt that the future 'is freelance' in the publishing world. Earning your living as a freelancer is in many ways the most truthful way to live, allowing you to earn exactly what you are worth. This book will help you to make the future work for you." – Andrew Crofts, hugely successful ghostwriter and author |
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