SEO writing is almost non-existent in the Nigerian writing world, creating a significant skills gap that warrants concern. A quick search on Google Trends would buttress this point. This is why the SEO writing guide for Nigerian writers is crucial to help you checklist and implement this knowledge in your writing skills.
Many writers in Nigeria still settle for the bare minimum in terms of job opportunities and pay. However, more businesses in Nigeria are starting to value SEO-driven content.
This also means that Nigerian writers must upskill to secure more gigs and finally earn what they truly deserve. Think of this blog post as a toolkit.
Inside, I’ll hand you strategies to help transform your career, attract higher-paying jobs, and position yourself as a writer who understands the business of visibility.
Before we transition, let’s start with a proper definition of SEO writing.
SEO writing guide for Nigerian Writers defined
SEO writing is the process of crafting optimized content aimed at achieving specific results. Optimized content is carefully structured to answer real user queries and rank well on search engines.
Unlike general content writing, which may simply aim to entertain, inform, or educate, SEO writing always has an end goal: improving discoverability for specific search intents.
Good SEO writing balances search intent, keyword research, and on-page signals to earn the approval of search engines by first satisfying humans. Let’s discuss why this skill should matter to you in your quest for higher income.
Why SEO writing is important for Nigerian writers
The demand for optimization experts is no longer limited to foreigners. Businesses worldwide now prioritize SEO writing. In Nigeria, where over 122 million people use the internet, brands are moving their businesses online and relying on content to drive growth and generate sales.
For this reason, they require the services of optimization experts to boost discoverability. Having this skill gives you an edge over regular writers in the market.
Now, SEO content writing in Nigeria is not business as usual. You must be familiar with the audience to identify their pain points and specific colloquialisms, enabling you to draft articles they can relate to.
Simply put, the first step in appealing to local SEO content is recognizing the search patterns of local users. In Nigeria, search patterns can even differ by region.
For example, a market trader in Onitsha will have a unique search behavior compared to a university professor in Lagos. Once you figure out local SEO, you’ll be indispensable to brands around you.
And with this particular market in high demand, you can gain access to better-paying writing jobs. More importantly, you have a higher earning potential as a freelance SEO writer in Nigeria.
Not only can you work for multiple clients at home, but you can also tap into the global market and get paid in stronger currencies. Imagine landing a role that pays top dollar in this economy.
Nigerian writers who have mastered this skill live comfortably without feeling the heat of inflation. Still not convinced? Know that SEO writing has long-term value: a well-optimized article can attract recurring benefits, unlike one-off writing gigs.
That said, it’s reasonable to request performance bonuses in addition to per-article fees. If you’re already thinking about how to start. This SEO writing guide for Nigerian writers will provide easy steps you can follow.
Steps to start SEO writing in Nigeria
If you’re going to learn how to start SEO writing in Nigeria, first understand how to write great content. Writing for the web means you’ll tackle a diverse range of topics.
If you’re used to one way of writing, you may want to explore other areas. Observe expert writers, mimic their unique styles, and rewrite until you can confidently take on different forms of writing.
Once you have mastered this step, proceed to search engine optimization. Thankfully, you don’t need to break the bank to develop this skill. You only have to dedicate time to online training, sign up for relevant courses, or study blogs that offer practical guides to SEO freelancing. Whatever you decide, here’s a roadmap to get you started in weeks.
The SEO writing guide for Nigerian Writers: fundamentals
Since SEO is a broad field, it’s best to start with focused learning on the crucial aspects needed for effective writing. You can never go wrong by studying Google’s SEO Starter Guide. It helps you understand how search works and all the essential elements, including;
Search intent: This refers to the purpose of a search query. If you don’t understand what a reader wants, no amount of keywords will save your article. Search intent can be categorized into four main types: navigational, informational, transactional, and commercial.
Specific indicators can help you tell them apart. For example, this article, an SEO writing guide for Nigerian writers, has a clearly informational intent, while titles with “sign up,” “register,” or “buy” signal transactional intent.
Someone in Lagos searching for “cheap data MTN plan” wants a quick solution, while someone in Abuja searching for “best digital courses in Nigeria” wants guidance.
You can also tell intent from phrases in the “People Also Ask” section on Google’s first page. With this information, you can tailor your article to match what a reader is looking for.
Keyword research and positioning: Keywords are the foundation of any SEO writing. Identifying these words and developing posts around them can help you rank higher.
For this, you will need specialized tools like Ubersuggest for keyword research or Ahrefs for in-depth analysis.
Aside from primary keywords, include Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) or related keywords and phrases in your writing. Note that the location of your keyword is important.
As a general rule, you must naturally use your target keyword in the first 100 words, the H1, and at least one H2.
Content strategy: This enables you to map out content ideas that align with your client’s specific needs. You can sign up for SEMrush Academy, Ahrefs, and Moz courses, or study practical blogs that can help you master content strategy
On-page SEO and Structure
Even the richest words won’t rank if the content is hard to navigate. To avoid flopping on SERP, you should make your article readable by applying the following.
Headlines: This determines if readers will click your articles or bounce. Craft a compelling title to hook readers.
A headline formula that works best is: Numbers + Adjective + Target + Keyword + Rationale + Promise.
For example: “7 proven tips every beginner needs”, “the ultimate SEO writing guide for Nigerian writers to build a profitable career.”
Keep it below 60 characters. You can test your title using headline analysis tools.
Meta title and description: This should summarize your content and benefits. Optimize by including target keywords in both the title and meta description. Word count should be below 160.
Content structure: Structure your article for readability, clarity, and engagement. Use H1, H2, and H3 to organize your headings. Readers are more likely to read a skimmable blog post than a tiring block of text.
Vary your sentence pattern, maintain short paragraphs, and left-align texts for natural reading flow. You can try a conversational tone to keep your readers engaged.
Use hooks, loops, and transition words naturally.
Urls: Use the target keyword and maintain only lowercase letters. Don’t use stop words, and separate words with a hyphen.
Visuals: An SEO post is incomplete without visuals. Use high-quality images. Before publishing, optimize all images by adding alt text, resizing, and compressing if necessary.
Linking: Use at least four links directing readers to related posts. They should be a combination of internal links from your website and external links from authority blogs.
Practice deliberately
When it comes to SEO, learning the theory without application is useless. If you want to become an authority in this field, you must test yourself and practice continuously.
After all, practice makes perfect. Gather random blog ideas and conduct keyword research.
Use all the information you have to write comprehensive pieces from scratch. Pass your articles through free tools to check if they’re lacking in any area and make corrections where necessary.
Thankfully, there are loads of free tools available for you to practice with until you can afford paid ones. A more straightforward option is to rewrite your old blog posts to make them SEO-friendly.
As you practice, you’ll develop the confidence to apply for more rewarding jobs.
Package your skills into clear services
SEO writing is a whole package. Every activity that leads to your result is a standalone skill, from keyword research to content strategy.
Reframe these services as skills so that clients are clear about your value and can charge accordingly. When I first started, saying I was ‘just a writer’ made clients undervalue my work.
Now I define my services to include keyword research and optimization, content refresh, and SEO blog writing.
Build a portfolio
When you start applying for jobs, your portfolio will show clients your level of competence. If you are looking for how to start SEO writing in Nigeria, you can start by publishing your best work.
Let your samples be proof that you can handle any content optimization role. Note that platforms like Blogspot, Medium, or LinkedIn can host your samples for free if you don’t have a blog.
Find paying clients
Nigerian startups are always on the lookout for SEO experts. If you can, register a profile on Upwork and Fiverr, you’ll be able to access a wide range of SEO freelance writing opportunities globally.
Additionally, you can reach out to Nigerian startups or blogs and demonstrate how your skills can add value to their business. This method is known as cold pitching.
In all of this, remember to build an online presence. Maintain an active profile on LinkedIn, Facebook, or X. If you can’t manage all of them, stay consistent on one platform. If all else fails, clients are likely to find you through social media.
Common SEO mistakes Nigerian writers make
Here are common mistakes that can water down your efforts and hinder visibility on search engines.
Writing for search engines: One of the mistakes Nigerian writers make is writing for search engines, not people. Google made it clear that content must serve real people first.
If you focus on manipulating search engines, you’ll incur higher bounce rates because both readers and Google don’t favor robotic writing.
Keyword stuffing: Keywords are like salt; using too much ruins your meal. In the same vein, keyword stuffing leads to awkward phrasing, which repels readers and attracts penalties from Google.
Weak content: When writing with SEO in mind, ensure your work is original, highly informative, and well-researched. There’s no room for scanty or shallow content on search engines, and Google certainly will not forgive plagiarism.
Top-quality content yields long-term benefits. So you must ensure your writing answers search queries and provides value to readers if you want to meet Google’s standards.
Skipping technical basics: Neglecting the technical aspects of SEO can negatively impact your ranking. Always remember there’s more to SEO than your actual content.
If you’re considering how to begin SEO writing in Nigeria, I recommend focusing on establishing a solid foundation.
Of course, this SEO writing guide for Nigerians wouldn’t be complete without showing you how to actually make money with this skill.
How to earn more as a Nigerian SEO writer
Now, here’s how a Nigerian content writer can earn from SEO. For starters, you can locate reasonable clients who can pay for results regardless of your location on freelancing sites.
Ensure your profile carries proof of your skills, achievements, and related results. Clients are very particular about results, and they’re willing to pay writers who know their onions.
Since you reside in Nigeria, you can work with local or even foreign agencies on a retainer basis. Pitch your services and make sure to share your success stories.
If you deliver excellently on the first job, they may extend your contract. Moreover, don’t relax with just your writing skills.
Try upskilling. Develop advanced skills to complement your writing. For example, offering SEO audits and content strategy will increase your value.
Productize your services to provide clients with clear value and pricing information. For example, you can offer 50,000 naira for 4 optimized blog posts or 20,000 naira for keyword research and an outline report. This will ease negotiation when the time comes.
Whatever you do, never forget to choose a niche. Find an area or field you are familiar with and build your career around it.
Writers who specialize in a niche command higher rates because they’re seen as authorities in their field. However, if you’re still confused about a profitable niche to choose, Upwork reports that writers in finance, health, and SaaS earn 40–60% more per project annually.
Now that you have the most sought-after SEO writing guide for Nigerian writers in your possession, it’s time to put your knowledge to good use. Even if you’re a new writer, this skill can help you build a profitable career that allows you to earn from home and abroad.
P.S.: Still in the spirit of celebration, I wish Nigerians a Happy Independence Day.
