Hello guys… I have been working with SEO for more than six months now, and I realize just how huge SEO is… It got me thinking about how I can become a real SEO freelancer. What exactly do I need to have to be considered a genuine freelancer and not one of those scammers (there’s a lot of them out there who don’t know anything but act like they know it all)?
Here’s the thing… in my country, we speak French and Arabic, and at work, we mostly use French (about 90%)… So, can you tell me:
How do I know when I’m really ready to be a freelancer and not just an employee?
How do I improve my skills?
I also have an entrepreneurial project where I plan to use SEO for E-merchandising…
Start freelancing when you can get real results, even small ones. You could test your skills on your e-merch project or try helping a local business to gain experience. Make sure you know the basics (like keyword research, on-page SEO, and link building) and get familiar with analytics. Being able to speak both French and Arabic? That’s a big plus. You can focus on local clients who need SEO in those languages. Avoid the ‘scammer’ impression. Be honest about your abilities, show proof of what you can do, and always follow through with your promises.
Instead of focusing on client satisfaction, sell results. This is the model big agencies use. If you deliver real results, word of mouth will do the rest. Work on your own websites to practice your skills and show you can rank well. If you target a specific industry and get your site ranking for top keywords, people will notice you fast.
SEO isn’t complicated, but it’s hard. When I started back in 2004, we had to put in a lot of time and effort. Today, we have three main assets: skills, time, and money. The good news is you can create two of those. If you work hard for six months, you’ll gain real expertise. With AI and free knowledge out there, failure isn’t really an option. Back in 2004, we had to figure everything out ourselves. Now, your biggest challenge is finding good information in the sea of rubbish online. Plus, learning how to use AI to your advantage will help you go far.
@Bradley
Thank you so much, man. I really liked the part about ‘Eat rocks and work like a slave for 6 months and you’ll gain superpowers’… I’ll do that .
zachdin said: @Bradley
Thank you so much, man. I really liked the part about ‘Eat rocks and work like a slave for 6 months and you’ll gain superpowers’… I’ll do that!
Actually, you’ll only need around three months max. Just plan for six to be on the safe side. You’ll remember me when everything clicks, and you’ll understand how to work with algorithms. The learning curve is slow until you hit that breakthrough moment, then you’re all set for life. You’ll be able to adapt as the tech and behaviors change.
@Bradley
It’s good to hear that, but I’m a student, so I don’t have much time for everything. Just building a website takes a lot of effort, and then I also need to master things like UX. There’s a quote in my house: ‘You need to learn how to start from zero.’ So, that’s why I’m here, asking, searching, and trying to get better .
If you can explain SEO concepts, run audits, and see positive results from your work, then you’re on the right track. Real experience with e-merchandising SEO will definitely help with your project! Pro tip: Keep up with SEO blogs (like Moz, Ahrefs) and keep practicing by analyzing different websites. Your ability to speak French and Arabic is a big advantage too—it’s a skill that makes you stand out in your region. Share case studies from your project, get client testimonials, and show real results. This will help you avoid being mistaken for one of those ‘scammers.’ Good luck with your freelancing journey.
Start by creating your own website and practice SEO on it. Try using different tactics and techniques. It’s the best way to improve your skills and learn more than any YouTube SEO course can teach you. 2. Once you feel more confident, sign up for an account on Upwork. 3. And just like that, you’re an SEO freelancer.
@Luchivya
Thank you, man! You make it sound easy! Haha… I already have a website, and I showed it to some experts. They said it needs a lot of work (design, pictures, UX, and so on). But thanks again, sir .
SEO can get more complicated as you go deeper. As a beginner, you may not know how to fix issues like pages not being indexed or dealing with technical problems. You’ll need someone to guide you or at least be there to exchange ideas. Let me know if you want to learn together.