Beginner’s Guide to Writing SEO Blogs: Tools, Tips, and Workflow

Publication Date

June 7, 2024

Summary

Here’s exactly how I write an SEO blog post from start to finish, including tools, formatting tips, and my go-to writing workflow.

Step 1: Start With a Keyword or Brief

First things first: know what you're writing about.

If you’re working with a client, they’ll often provide a keyword or brief to guide the piece. If not, you can choose your own keyword using tools like:

Answer the Public
Reddit or Quora (search what your audience is asking)
Google the keyword and review competitor content

⚡️ Pro Tip: If you have a budget, tools like Keysearch ($25/mo) can be great for SEO planning.

Step 2: Make an Outline

If the brief doesn’t include an outline, make your own. You can:

Use SEO tools (like Keysearch or Clearscope) for topic ideas
Use ChatGPT to generate a first draft (but always edit it to fit your style and goals)
Analyze competitor blog posts and see what they cover

Step 3: Format the Outline for SEO

Set up your document structure with these formatting basics:

H1 = your blog title (use your main keyword!)
H2s = your main sections (also keyword-rich where possible)
H3s = subheadings used to break up longer sections

⚡️ Tip: Try to include at least 5 H2 sections in each blog post. Use H3s only when a section needs further breakdown.

Step 4: Write the Body First

I recommend writing section-by-section rather than in order. It helps reduce overwhelm and lets you get into flow more easily.

My approach:

Skip the intro and write the body content first
Research as I write (unless I need to do deep research beforehand)
Add a conclusion and CTA last
Write the title and meta description at the end

✍️ Formatting tips:

Write 2–4 sentences per H2 section
Use 3-sentence paragraphs max
No more than 4 paragraphs under a single H2

Step 5: Edit & Finalize

Now that you’ve drafted the post, it’s time to polish:

Check keyword usage

Did you include your primary keyword in the title, at least one H2, and the body?
Optional: run your draft through Keysearch or Clearscope to check for keyword coverage

Add internal & external links

Internal = link to other posts or pages on the client’s site
External = link to credible sources or stats

Add images

Use Unsplash or the client’s preferred stock image source
Always include alt text with your keyword if it fits naturally
Note image sources in doc comments if submitting via Google Docs

Edit for clarity, grammar, and readability

Use Grammarly to catch grammar mistakes
Use Hemingway Editor to tighten up your writing

This editing phase usually takes me 30–60 minutes, and it’s worth it.

What if I need to include subject matter experts (SMEs)?

I reach out to them as early as possible, typically right after I create the outline. Then, I try to go through the interview and find the most relevant quotes before I start writing and add them to my outline. After I write, I integrate my quotes where they’ll be most impactful.

There’s a whole blog about how I find SMEs and add them to my workflow right here: Freelancer’s Guide to Interviewing and Quoting Subject Matter Experts →

FAQ: Writing SEO Blogs as a Freelancer

How long should an SEO blog be?

Aim for 800–1,500 words, depending on the keyword and competition. Long-form isn’t always better—clarity and structure matter more.

What if I don’t know much about the topic?

You don’t need to be an expert. Research while writing or gather quotes from subject matter experts. Tools like ChatGPT can also help generate ideas or summaries.

What tools do I need to get started?

At minimum: Google Docs, Grammarly, and a keyword research tool like Answer the Public. If you have a budget, add Clearscope or Keysearch to your workflow.

Do I have to use all the keywords?

No—but try to use your primary keyword in key places (title, headings, early in the body) and sprinkle in a few relevant secondary terms.

Should I write the intro or body first?

Write the body first. Once your ideas are down, it’s much easier to craft a compelling intro and conclusion that tie everything together.

Looking for something else?

Cancellation Policies