Writing for SEO: A Beginner’s Guide to Ranking Like a Pro

Think about The Matrix. Even if you haven’t seen it (which, by the way, you absolutely should—Keanu Reeves is a legend), you can probably picture that iconic black screen filled with cascading green symbols.

Now, imagine that those symbols aren’t just random code, but instead represent every word, phrase, and piece of content published on the internet. Every blog post, product description, and article—including this one—becomes part of a massive digital landscape, constantly scanned and analyzed by search engines like Google and Bing.

This is where the ever-important search engine optimization (SEO) comes into play. Writing for SEO is like learning to communicate with The Matrix—understanding what search engines are looking for and strategically crafting your content so it gets noticed, indexed, and ranked.

Of course, you’re writing for real people first and foremost. Your goal is to create high-value, engaging content that readers enjoy. But if you want that content to actually reach your audience, you need to keep search engines in mind, too.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the essentials of writing for SEO—breaking down the key strategies that will help your content climb the rankings and attract more readers. Let’s dive in!

Demystifying SEO for Freelance Writers

If you’re thinking, “I’m not sure I even know what SEO is,” don’t worry, boo, I got you.

What is SEO?

Let’s break it down to its simplest definition: SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the practice of writing and structuring content in a way that helps it rank higher on those search engine results pages (SERP) like Google and Bing.

The goal?

To get your writing to show up as one of the first results when someone searches for a relevant topic—without having to pay for ads. That means free, organic traffic coming straight to your website or article. More traffic means more visibility, more opportunities, and, ultimately, more money in your pocket.

If this all sounds a bit overwhelming, trust me, I get it. SEO can seem mysterious, but once you break it down into manageable steps, it starts to feel much more intuitive. And the best part? You don’t need to be a tech genius to master it. Let’s dive into the basics and get you on the path to SEO success.

The Top 3 Things You Need to Know to Rank Like a Pro

1: Master Keyword Strategy

Keywords are a critical part of any SEO writing strategy. Search engines are constantly scanning websites, looking for specific keywords to understand what your content is about.

You might be thinking, “Perfect! I’ll just use my keywords over and over again in my article or blog to boost my ranking.”

But remember the saying, “Too much of a good thing?”

Search engines are smart. If you stuff your content with the same keyword repeatedly, they’ll recognize what you're doing—and they won’t reward you for it. In fact, they might even penalize your page by ranking it lower.

So, how do you incorporate keywords the right way? You need to be strategic.

The Two Types of Keywords

To master keyword placement, you need to understand the two main types:

Short-Tail Keywords

Short-tail keywords are, as the name implies, one to two words with a high search volume. They are broad and competitive.

Examples include:

• cake recipes

• volleyball shoes

• trucks

Because these keywords are so general, they attract a lot of search traffic but are also much harder to rank for.

Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are longer phrases—usually three or more words—with a lower search volume. They’re more specific and targeted.

Examples include:

• vegan chocolate cake recipes

• women’s non-skid volleyball shoes

• best 2024 Dodge Ram trucks for towing

While these keywords may not get as much traffic, they tend to attract the right audience—people who know exactly what they’re looking for. That often leads to higher engagement and better conversion rates.

How to Use Keywords Naturally

The key to effective keyword use is balance. Instead of forcing keywords into your blog to improve content ranking, weave them in naturally where they make sense. Aim to include both short-tail and long-tail keywords throughout your post in a way that feels organic.

Some best practices:

• Place primary keywords in your headline, subheadings, and first 100 words.

• Use variations and synonyms to avoid repetition.

• Add keywords to URLs and meta descriptions.

• Focus on readability first—write for humans, not just search engines.

By mastering keyword strategy, you’ll create content that ranks well and keeps your readers engaged.

2: Optimize Content for Readability and Engagement

With all this “Matrix” talk about rankings, keywords, and search engines, it’s easy to forget who we’re actually writing for…

PEOPLE!

Believe it or not, the more people-focused your content is, the higher you’ll rank with SEO.

Write for Your Audience

When you’re creating content, make sure it’s easy to read and actually connects with your readers. Your writing style should also adapt to your audience.

For example, I’m writing this blog to connect with fellow freelance and creative writers—so my tone is casual and conversational. If I were writing for a scientific journal, I’d adjust my voice to be more formal and research-driven.

Break Up Your Content

Ever tried reading a long article with no breaks?

Boring!

Don’t be boring.

Use shorter paragraphs and subheadings to keep things scannable. Most people skim before they commit to reading—make it easy for them!

Add Visuals

Want to keep your readers engaged? Add images or graphics to break up your text. This not only makes your content more interesting but also helps boost your SEO ranking.

At the end of the day, writing for SEO isn’t just about keywords—it’s about creating content people actually want to read.

3. Leverage Internal & External Links

In business, there’s a concept called the “Circle of Influence.” It’s all about surrounding yourself with the right people to help you achieve your goals. The same idea applies to your writing—except instead of people, we’re talking about links.

By strategically using a healthy mix of both internal and external links, you can really improve your domain authority (makes your site URL more important) and show search engines that your content is high-quality.

But here’s the catch: Be picky about the sites you link to.

If you link to low-quality or spammy websites, search engines will mark your content as untrustworthy. And in my best Seinfeld voice: “No ranking for you!”

On the flip side, linking to reputable sources tells search engines that you’re a reliable and knowledgeable source.

The Key Takeaways:

• Internal links keep readers engaged and improve your site’s structure.

• External links to reliable sources build trust and credibility.

• Quality over quantity - bad links can hurt your SEO instead of helping.

So, choose your links wisely. Build a strong “Circle of Influence” in your content, and search engines like Google or Bing will reward you for it!

Wrapping It Up: Your SEO Glow-Up Starts Now

Alright, friend—you made it to the end, which means you’re well on your way to mastering your SEO game.

The biggest takeaway? Mastering SEO writing doesn’t have to feel like cracking The Matrix’s code.

It should be about writing content that’s valuable, engaging, and easy to find. Nail your keyword strategy, keep your content reader-friendly, and build a strong network of links, and you’ll be ranking like a pro in no time.

At the end of the day, search engines may be scanning your words, but real people are the ones reading them. So, write for your audience first, keep things natural, and have fun with it.

If you need extra guidance, check out Dez from The Pajama Writer. She’s a mom and freelance writer who discovered her "Secret Sauce" and now helps others do the same. Find all the guides and tools you need to enjoy your own financial freedom as a freelance writer.

Now go out there and make the internet a better place—one epic post at a time!