SEO

If you are shopping for an SEO company, there are two things you
should know about the content aspect of any search engine
optimization strategy:

1. Properly optimized copy is hugely important to the search
engines, right up there with link popularity and spider friendly
coding. Run like the wind if you encounter an SEO company that
doesn't understand the significance of content or offers shoddy,
cookie cutter style copywriting.

2. The proof is in the pudding. Always ask to see samples or visit
websites they have optimized so you can scope out their content for
yourself. Be very picky.

Here's why.

As an SEO copywriter who's been around for while, I sometimes
receive invitations from SEO companies looking for freelancers to
write optimized content. Usually they want writers who will churn
out thousands of words for a few bucks.

Recently, I received one of those email invitations from a UK-based
SEO firm. And when you read the following, I want you to pay
particular attention to the stark difference between the pitch they
use to entice writers to work for them, and the sales pitch they
present on their website to entice SEO clients.

First of all, here's what their website tells the public:
"(Name of company) will provide: A team of experienced content
writers who are trained in writing quality Search Engine Optimised
Content. "

Now take a look at the qualifications they are actually looking for
when they seek out copywriters to work for them. This is a direct
quote from their invitation to freelance writers:

"Writing the content is simply a case of cutting and pasting
different bits of information, whilst adhering to a few easy rules
such as beginning each opening sentence with a key word etc, it is
not necessary to have a journalism background, anybody can do it!"

Aside from being misleading and insulting to web writers, this
approach totally ignores one crucial fact of online content: human
beings read it. Human beings make buying decisions based upon it.
And human beings know the difference between a slap dash cut-and-
paste job, and informative benefit-laden content that instills trust
and creates an appetite for a product or service.

What's even more insidious about these SEO companies is that often
their copywriting services are embedded as part of a total package
deal. Many prospects will simply look at the optimization services
listed, check the price tag, and sign the contract... and then
suffer buyers remorse for the duration of the deal.

How To Avoid SEO Buyers Remorse:

-Before signing that paper, review the SEO company's portfolio of
work carefully.

-Visit their clients' websites and read the copy. Would it persuade
you?

-If possible, make contact with a few of their clients and ask about
their experience and results.

-If you reach the contract stage, read the fine print religiously as
loopholes and exceptions abound among unscrupulous vendors of SEO
services.

And always remember this wise proverb: "Wed in haste, repent at your
leisure." Same thing with search engine optimization.

Heather Reimer is an SEO copywriter and owner of The Write Content
(http://www.thewrite content.com). She offers website content
writing services, search engine copywriting, and article writing.
For a free content analysis and proposal, visit:
http://www.thewrite content.com/ freereport. html