Who Is an SEO Strategist and How to Become One

An SEO strategist is accountable for devising and implementing plans to enhance a website’s visibility and position on search engine results pages (SERPs). Their responsibilities include performing keyword investigations, evaluating website effectiveness, applying SEO methods on and off the page, and examining data to guide decision-making.

The aim is to boost natural website traffic, raise domain credibility, enhance user engagement, and ultimately attract more appropriate website visitors, in line with the client’s goals and target demographic. Studies have shown that organic search and referral traffic are the largest and most effective sources of marketing ROI for brands, so working with an SEO professional is a necessity.

What Does an SEO Strategist Do?

An SEO strategist plays a crucial role in optimizing a website’s visibility on search engines, primarily focusing on SERPs. The primary objective is to enhance a website’s organic (non-paid) traffic by implementing strategic tactics aligned with search engine algorithms. Here’s a breakdown of key responsibilities:

Keyword Research

SEO strategists initiate and conduct comprehensive keyword research to identify terms relevant to their target audience. Once identified, they strategically implement these keywords across website content, meta tags, and other on-page elements to optimize for search engines.

It removes the guesswork, giving strategists deeper insights into what the target audience wants. Strategists can use these resources to determine the best SEO opportunities for each client, such as keyword variations, questions to answer, and related keywords to include within content. 

SEO strategists will create a comprehensive keyword research strategy to build a strong foundation for content and website optimization efforts.

SEO Audits and Analysis

Conducting SEO audits is a regular duty of SEO strategists. They meticulously analyze websites for technical issues, assess overall SEO health, and use data-driven insights to make informed decisions. Continuous analysis of website performance helps them refine and improve SEO strategies.

Link Building

Link building plays a vital part in the responsibilities of an SEO strategist as it can result in greater authority, improved rankings, and enhanced website traffic. The strategist conducts keyword research and provides content suggestions to assist clients in acquiring natural inbound links.

They may also manage link-building outreach efforts by reaching out to other websites within the identical sector to create backlinks via guest posts, press releases, and social initiatives.

Content Brief Creation 

SEO experts might craft SEO content outlines for writers based on client requirements. This involves selecting optimal terms for each piece through keyword research and offering content guidance via competitor analysis.

This will assist writers in producing top-notch content that naturally draws in organic backlinks and traffic.

Content Strategy

Content strategy plays a vital role in SEO. SEO strategists create thorough content strategies that match business objectives, cater to audience requirements, and follow SEO guidelines. They guarantee that content is optimized for search engines, while also capturing and fulfilling user intent.

Here’s a short piece on how to develop your content strategy

SEO strategists also have a crucial role in overseeing content once it’s live. They develop a schedule for assessing content effectiveness and enhancing pages to uphold or enhance rankings. Strategists frequently develop a procedure to revise blog posts, guaranteeing the accuracy and quality of their client’s content.

However, this is an ongoing process. SEO strategists will consistently refresh content to guarantee their clients’ websites are optimized to the fullest extent.

Local SEO

Local SEO involves enhancing a website’s content, structure, and local listings to achieve high rankings in searches for businesses or services in a particular area. It is especially beneficial for businesses depending on local clientele, such as restaurants and car dealerships.

If an SEO strategist has a client with a local business, they will handle local SEO tasks to help attract area-specific customers.

For example, the strategist might create or claim a Google Business Profile for their client, target local keywords like “African restaurant near me,” and share relevant content that builds local brand awareness and increases traffic.

Social Media

A strategist might use social SEO platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to enhance organic search ranking and visibility, depending on the client.

Although social media doesn’t have a direct impact on search engine rankings, engaging on these platforms fosters customer loyalty and trust, increasing visibility. These elements collectively have the potential to enhance website traffic.

SEO experts can use this data to offer suggestions to content or marketing teams. Based on the client’s preferences, they might also implement content changes independently or guide writers and editors.

Key SEO Strategist Skills

Here are the skills needed for an SEO strategist

Technical Knowledge 

SEO specialists can gain advantages from having a technical grasp of HTML, CSS, Javascript, and other front-end development languages to enhance and comprehend a website’s health. Also, grasping the significance of headers, title tags, meta descriptions, and other on-page elements on performance is crucial for aiding SEO professionals in enhancing rankings. Strategists frequently require technical expertise to efficiently deploy and oversee SEO tools along with SEO plugins.

Analytical Skills

Transforming raw data into usable insights enables strategists to enhance website performance and deliver meaningful reports to clients. SEO strategists utilize analytical skills to recognize data patterns, pinpoint issue origins, and select optimal solutions.

They can also track performance over time to evaluate which activities and experiments work and which don’t. They can use SEO tools like Google Analytics and Google Search Console to interpret data, draw conclusions, drive decision-making, and pivot strategies. 

Creativity 

Creativity enables SEO strategists to generate ideas, examine various perspectives, and create inventive solutions. 

SEO strategists leverage creativity to identify content voids, offer keyword recommendations, and enhance the structure of blog posts. These adjustments have the potential to enhance SEO outcomes, readability, as well as page and domain authority.

Adaptability 

Assessing changing algorithms, adapting strategies, and analyzing success metrics allows SEO strategists to remain competitive in an evolving digital landscape. 

The ranking of websites and the approach SEO strategists take towards optimization are influenced by the Helpful Content system, Core Web Vitals report, and Google E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) criteria. 

Adaptability is crucial as Google’s algorithm and search engine results pages continuously evolve. Strategists need to keep up with trends, grasp variations across industry sectors, pinpoint chances presented by competitors, and be well-versed in optimal approaches.

Communication Skills

SEO strategists need to possess strong communication skills to simplify intricate technical ideas and work closely with content creators, developers, and various stakeholders. Cooperating between different teams and setting clear expectations can help SEO strategists achieve success in their roles and deliver improved outcomes for clients.

Furthermore, effective communication plays a vital role in gaining new customers. As a strategist, you will probably create an SEO proposal for each client, outlining the range of services you intend to offer, including audits and on-page optimization.

You must efficiently convey these services and articulate why you are the ideal candidate for the position. Additionally, you will have to deliver reports and updates to clients either in person or via email, necessitating strong communication and writing abilities.

How to Become an SEO Strategist

Here are some steps to take to become an SEO strategist

Learn SEO Basics

To excel as an SEO strategist, start by acquiring a comprehensive grasp of SEO principles through self-study, online courses, or formal education.

Learn the fundamentals of optimization, search engine marketing (SEM), keyword research, on-page optimization, off-page techniques, link building, and analytics.

Gain Real-Life Experience 

After getting the basics of SEO down, those aiming to be SEO strategists should start using what they know by trying out SEO tactics on their own websites or small projects.

This interactive experience offers a chance to explore different techniques, monitor outcomes, and grasp the practical implications of various strategies in real-life situations.

You can boost website content, work on SEO for both on and off-page, do keyword research, and check data to see how they impact search rankings and organic traffic.

Stay Current

Keep up with the ever-changing SEO scene by checking out industry blogs, tuning into webinars, and engaging in relevant communities. Staying updated on the latest algorithm tweaks and trends can attract new clients and boost your outcomes.

Keeping an eye on behavioural analytics and search algorithm updates can help you tweak your strategies and figure out the changes needed to maintain high rankings.

Build a Portfolio 

Showcase your SEO work by building a portfolio of successful campaigns and projects. A strong portfolio demonstrates your expertise to potential clients or employers and gives them a better understanding of your skills and experience. 

Quantify your portfolio with data like “I increased a client’s traffic by X% per month” for the best results. 

Include a variety of projects to showcase the breadth of your SEO skills. Add social proof like traffic reports, campaign results, or client testimonials to back up your work.

Conclusion

In closing, the role of an SEO strategist is pivotal and fulfilling. They drive online success by mastering optimization techniques, creating compelling content, and navigating intricate pathways. Aspiring SEO strategists require a dynamic mix of education, practical experience, and ongoing learning. Confronting present obstacles and foreseeing future trends is crucial in establishing these experts as digital marketing trailblazers.

For those entering this field in 2024 and beyond, the SEO landscape is both a challenge and an opportunity. Each obstacle is a chance to innovate, and every trend is a path toward success. Success isn’t just a destination; it’s a continuous journey in the dynamic and thriving digital realm.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does a Social Strategist Do SEO?

While social strategists primarily focus on social media, some may incorporate basic SEO practices. However, SEO strategists specialize in optimizing websites for search engines, ensuring higher visibility and ranking.

2. How Much Do You Pay an SEO Strategist?

Salaries for SEO strategists vary based on experience, location, and company size. On average, entry-level positions may start around $50,000 annually, while seasoned professionals can earn well into six figures.

3. How to Become an SEO Strategist?

To become an SEO strategist, consider pursuing relevant education (in marketing or communications), gaining hands-on experience through internships, obtaining certifications, and building a strong portfolio. Continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends are also crucial for success.