Interview With Pam Foster, SEO Copywriting Certification Graduate

Greetings!

Today, we’re starting a new blog feature where each week we’ll feature a Certified SEO Copywriter. I’m pleased to introduce Pam Foster  – one of the first Certification graduates.

Pam is a Senior web copywriter and SEO consultant who worked in corporate communications roles for about 26 years before leaping into the freelance life in 2006.

In 2008, she founded ContentClear Marketing to focus on providing web/SEO writing and strategy services to clients in a wide range of fields, but mainly education, e-commerce, publishing and the pet industry (B2B and B2C). She also has written two web copywriter training programs for AWAI (American Writers & Artists, Inc.); teaching writers how to work with web clients and how to perform web content Site Audits. She’s currently working on a third AWAI program.

What got you interested in SEO copywriting?

I’ve been a marketing copywriter for quite some time, and a web copywriter for about 14 years.  SEO came along as a natural progression to my career.  Not only was my work involving web content and marketing strategy that work to drive sales results, but suddenly search engine results became just as critical a force a couple of years’ ago.  So I jumped in to learn how SEO copywriting could help each client a) find more prospects via search engines, and then b) thrill prospects and customers with a great website experience.

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

The biggest value of completing Heather’s program is credibility for my professional expertise. It’s an endorsement that I know what I’m doing. By stating that I’m a Certified SEO Copywriter and including the SuccessWorks badge on my site, I’m showing clients and prospects that I’m a dedicated professional who has worked hard to achieve distinction in this field. It conveys a strong message that I stand behind what I promise clients: I write ethical web/SEO content that follows the industry’s best practices so it will WORK. It’s an honor to have that badge on my site and my marketing materials.

What SEO copywriting projects are you working on now?

I’m currently working on a number of fun, challenging, and interesting SEO projects.  Two of my clients are doing major redesigns of their websites — woohoo!  One more is thinking about it.  Plus I’m about to kick off a big project with a scholastic testing/publishing company, and a veterinary B2B company just hired me to help them beat out their ‘500-pound gorilla’ competition.  I’m completing a site for a regional video and film company, and I’m continually looking for ways to boost the results of my own website (Content Clear) SEO efforts.

What do you do in your free time?

In my spare time, I read about business success (the latest book I’ve enjoyed immensely is RE WORK), I’m working with two “mastermind” groups to develop money-making websites as side businesses, I work out at the gym and enjoy summer activities, hang out with family, friends and my pets, and explore the great state of Oregon. Concerts are big, too. Just saw The Eagles and Crosby, Stills & Nash, and I’ll see Ringo Starr in August. Also I’m traveling to Maine for a family vacation in August.

Any words for those considering enrolling in the program?

By taking this program, you will know exactly how SEO works, how to develop a smart keyphrase strategy, and how to apply the rules to any client website — with great results. You will become a powerful expert who knows how ‘the mysterious world of SEO’ works. This means you will rise to the status of an SEO consultant and guide; not just a web copywriter. Ultimately, you’ll be able to charge more for your work, so go for it!