Chapter 1: My SEO Journey

In July 2021, I embarked on an exciting adventure of building my personal website. Initially designed as a creative outlet and a hands-on experiment, my goal was to gain real-world experience with effective SEO strategies before recommending them to my clients. I understood that demonstrating the impact of my work would be much more convincing than merely talking about it.

Additionally, I envisioned transforming my website into various income sources. If only I had anticipated the challenges of growing and monetizing a site!

Creating a website demands continuous content generation. While it’s rewarding when that content pays off, initial results can often be disappointing. You’re also tasked with designing visuals, improving layout elements, and resolving technical issues—quite a hefty workload!

I know this firsthand as I’ve expanded my site from zero to around 6,000 organic visitors and 60 pages in just two years, all while holding a full-time job. My site's growth has been consistent and resilient against Google updates, with impressions soaring from 2,548 to 19,688 since May 2022—a remarkable 672.68% increase!

However, I quickly realized that this content production method wouldn’t lead to any income. Thus, I needed a new strategy for creating content.

Instead of targeting popular keywords, I established specific criteria for keyword selection:

• Low to medium competition keywords
• 100+ monthly searches in a target region
• Keywords with commercial, transactional, and informational intent
• Overall business value

This shift allowed me to concentrate on topics that could help me meet the following objectives:

• Attract new SEO clients
• Market my SEO ebook "How to Write Blog Posts that Hit the Google Front Page"
• Promote my SEO checklist for new websites
• Receive paid guest post requests
• Earn affiliate commissions

Since adopting this new keyword strategy, my website's performance has improved significantly. To be transparent, most of my revenue is derived from selling my SEO services.

For instance, I offer a 12-month content writing plan on my site, which I price at $997 when negotiated. Additionally, I generate approximately $500+ in affiliate income each month. One of my top-rated software reviews alone has brought in over $3,665.26 in affiliate commissions, showcasing the power of researching keywords with business potential.

The first video demonstrates how to create a six-figure content strategy from scratch, offering practical guidance through a live walkthrough.

My income has been greatly influenced by optimizing for the right keywords, which accelerates growth and monetization of a website. This is why I diligently research effective keywords and prioritize them based on their potential value. This way, I can focus my efforts effectively and anticipate the outcomes of each piece of content.

Here’s a glimpse of my content plan. Although I’m slightly behind schedule, some of my recent posts have already started generating income. For example, the review of Koala Writer AI, published in January 2024, earned me $130.20 in affiliate commissions, while my SEO newsletters blog post from February 2024 brought in $200.

Now it’s your opportunity to take action!

I’m sharing this article to address a common concern among small website owners who reach out to me, often feeling lost about how to grow and monetize their platforms. Many believe that SEO is no longer effective, but that’s simply not true!

I work on numerous client projects each month and consistently see that effective SEO content writing yields positive results when executed properly. Each article I produce aims to reveal what works for me and how you can apply my strategies to improve your outcomes.

Choosing the right keywords is paramount for your website's success! Opting for the wrong keywords means no one will discover your site. Ultimately, website traffic is meaningless if it doesn’t convert into customers and sales.

If your content hasn’t been performing well and yielding results, it’s time for a new approach. Consider these steps:

1. Conduct keyword research prior to creating your website content. Utilize Semrush's free plan to perform 10 keyword searches daily.
2. Compile keywords that align with your business goals.
3. Evaluate whether your website can realistically rank for these keywords.
4. Retain only those keywords that can aid in your website's growth and profitability.
5. Create a 12-month content writing plan.
6. Develop a content brief with clear instructions for your writers.
7. Create an outline for your content.
8. Ensure your piece matches user search intent.
9. Edit the content thoroughly.
10. Optimize the content for ranking; refer to my SEO ebook for strategies.
11. Publish your content.
12. Verify that Google has indexed your latest URL.

I understand this is a considerable amount of work, but SEO has never been a simple task. For additional support, please refer to my detailed guide on niche keyword research.

In conclusion, words hold immense power when you approach content creation strategically. However, it’s crucial to know what kind of content can elevate your website’s ranking, which keywords will attract your target customers, and how to optimize content for improved visibility.

The path may not be smooth or quick. I’ve yet to meet a website owner who achieved significant results without considerable effort. However, if your aim is to grow and monetize your website from the ground up, this article provides a proven strategy for getting started.

Remember, even the most saturated niches harbor accessible keywords with business potential. It’s your responsibility to uncover them!

The second video provides insights on how to create a comprehensive content plan for social media, essential for enhancing your online presence.

📈 Ready to grow and monetize your website?

Don’t miss my free case study titled "How I Turned My Website into a Profitable Side Hustle in 3 Years."

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