Why Some SEO Firms Don’t Employ Copywriters
Last week, I heard from a very frustrated prospect.
This nice man had been working with a SEO firm for a few months. The firm had been doing all the back-end stuff that needed to be done: Cleaning the code, creating new Titles, building links and generally sprucing up the site. In general, the company did an OK job making the site more visible to search engines.
But here’s the thing: The prospect comes from a marketing background. He knew his existing copy didn’t “pop.” And he knew that better writing would equate into higher conversion rates.
When he expressed his concern to the SEO firm, they handed him a list of “SEO copywriting best practice guidelines” and told him that they “didn’t do SEO copywriting – he’d have to write the copy himself.”
His question to me was: “Shouldn’t all SEO firms employ SEO copywriters? Isn’t it such an important part of SEO that they’d want to have that part covered?”
Well, yes and no. It depends on the SEO.
Many SEO firms are technically focused, meaning that they are masters at untangling the most ugly bits of code, making it easy (or easier) for search engines to access the site. A savvy technical SEO shop can work wonders with a site – and a few technical changes can unlock the positioning floodgates.
However, technical SEO firms aren’t filled with marketers. Their job isn’t to help your copy convert better. Their job is to make your site better for the search engines.
There’s a difference.
Other SEO firms work with copywriters, but the copywriters mostly add keyphrases into copy and create new Titles. Granted, keyphrase editing (or what some firms call “on-page optimization”) is very valuable to the SEO process. But the focus again is to make the existing copy “better for search engines.” They aren’t addressing the conversion aspects of the page. That’s not their job.
This is a challenge for clients who really need writing help. After all, if your copy wasn’t converting before it included keyphrases, adding keyphrases without changing the copy won’t magically help. It won’t make your writing “pop” to the user and entice them to read more (or buy more.) It’s just that the page is better for search engine positioning.
This is where asking the right questions before you sign with a SEO firm comes in…
If you know that your conversion rates are low (or maybe you’re not sure – but you know that your copy is dirt-dull boring,) ask the SEO firm about their approach to SEO copywriting. They may say that they don’t handle the copywriting. Or that they “edit” copy – but they don’t rewrite it. In that’s the case, you have some options:
1. Handle the writing in-house, and give the new copy to the SEO firm. If you have smart in-house copywriters, they can learn how to create top-converting and keyphrase-rich copy. There are also resources such as (shameless plug) the SEO Copywriting Certificate Program that will teach you the ropes.
2. Find a technical SEO firm that does employ SEO copywriters. They are out there – you just have to be very specific about what you need (content marketing services.) If you do go this route, it’s important to gain writing samples from the writer who will be handling your account. That way, you can request another writer if the original writer’s work doesn’t “speak to you” (and don’t worry – the original writer won’t take it personally. Different writers “click” with different clients, so it’s OK to be picky.)
3. Work with your “technical SEO” and hire a SEO copywriting and content marketing agency for your content creation. This may seem clunky at first, but it’s actually very workable. The technical SEO worries about your site architecture and links – and the SEO copywriter focuses on your customer persona and your conversions. Since good SEO copywriters are also SEOs in their own right, they can easily work with other SEO providers. Plus, both firms get to focus on what they do best.
Whatever option you choose, you can easily have the best of both worlds – a technically-savvy site and top-ranking copy that converts like crazy. Once your copy and site are top-notch, you’ll truly enjoy the power of “good SEO” – and you can start building on that success.
Our conpany wouldnt have copywriters because of the a lot of services which offer corywriting. Its more cheapper ;)
You’re not alone – a number of SEO companies will outsource their copywriting. However I have heard about more firms hiring copywriters in-house now – they find that it ends up being less expensive in the long run to have a top-notch in-house copywriter than deal with freelancing hassles. Depends on the company and the need, I guess.
Thanks for your post!
Great article :)
These days SEO is largely about the copy.
Yes, content is a HUGE part of SEO. The three main factors are site architecture, content and links. In order to get those good incoming links sites crave, having strong content is a main factor.
Thanks for your post, Dave!
Thanks for your post. Copywriters are so important to our business I wish I could hire one full time is as I know it would pay off in the end. I am studying copy writing but I don’t know if I will ever be good at it.
Aww, don’t think that way! I know so many self-taught SEO copywriters – and they do really well! Granted, there is a learning curve. I guarantee you that you’ll look back at writing you did two years ago and cringe (we all do!) :) But the more you write and the more you study the art, the better your writing.
Sometimes, it’s helpful to have someone check over your writing (like a writing buddy) and have them provide suggestions. If you don’t know anyone like that now, consider joining the LinkedIn SEO Copywriting group. There are a lot of talented writers there who may need an “extra set of eyes” just like you!
Thanks for your comment! :)
I think writing is the brick and mortar of a website. It is ultimately what makes it usable and valuable for a visitor. It seems odd that this gets ignored within SEO firms, and I think perhaps the skill level for content marketing writing is not understood. I also think that is going to change as the technical aspects of creating a website–including SEO–become more automated and content development is really the only thing left.
Real SEO firms are the most awesome of marketers :).
True. Real SEO firms – ones that understand the marketing *and* technical aspects of search engine optimization – are very, very awesome.
(Marty’s company falls into that “awesome” category – thanks, Marty, for your comment!) :)