Search engine optimization (SEO) is a must-have skill for freelance writers and contributes to your increased earnings and success. 

Most clients will specify they want SEO-optimized content, others will be impressed when you return an optimized article without prompting, and you’ll bring clients back again and again. 

Bringing working SEO knowledge to the table sets you apart and increases your value.

It’s funny—digging into SEO can seem awkward at first, like you’re gaming some secret system. But it isn’t magic. You start noticing which phrases click with readers (and Google), and it gets a tad addictive watching those search rankings budge, even just a little. Over time, it’s almost like you develop a sixth sense for what’s needed, even without obsessing over every keyword density chart (nobody misses those days).

Some folks worry that SEO means sacrificing your voice, but you don’t have to write like a robot to get results. In fact, weaving keywords in naturally—so the piece still sounds like a person talking—tends to work better than stuffing them in like you’re programming a microwave manual. Readers (and by extension, search engines) spot the difference pretty quickly, so always aim for something lively and readable over anything that’s just crammed with buzzwords.

Understanding SEO and optimizing it in your writing isn’t necessarily difficult if you follow several essential do-it-yourself SEO tips.