10 SEO copywriter Interview Questions and Answers for copywriters

1. What inspired you to specialize in SEO copywriting?

I was initially drawn to the world of marketing and advertising. However, as I delved deeper into the field, I realized that the digital aspect of marketing was where my true passion laid. I was fascinated by the idea of creating content that could reach millions of people worldwide with just a few clicks.

1. During my tenure as a copywriter, I was assigned to write content for a client who wanted to improve their website's search engine ranking.
2. After spending months researching and refining my content, I finally managed to get their website to the first page of Google search results, resulting in a 300% increase in organic traffic and a 200% increase in conversion rates.
3. This success inspired me to immerse myself further in the world of SEO copywriting.

Since then, I have studied various SEO techniques and algorithms to ensure that all the content I produce is optimized for search engine rankings while still being engaging and informative for the reader.

2. What SEO tools and techniques do you use to determine the best keywords for a particular piece of content?

As an SEO copywriter, I believe that keyword research is the foundation of creating successful content. I use several tools and techniques to determine the best keywords for a particular piece of content, including:

1. Google Trends: This tool helps me to identify current trending topics and keywords. For example, when creating a piece of content for a fashion retailer, I used Google Trends to discover that "sustainable fashion" was a rising topic, so I incorporated it into my article's headline and content.
2. SEMrush: I use SEMrush to analyze competitor websites and identify relevant keywords for a particular topic. For instance, when writing a blog post about "marketing for small businesses," I used SEMrush to discover the most searched-for variations of the keyword phrase.
3. Google Adwords Keyword Planner: This tool is valuable for identifying long-tail keywords related to a main keyword. I used this tool when creating product descriptions for an e-commerce store to find specific descriptors for each product.
4. A/B testing: Finally, I rely on A/B testing to determine the best-performing keywords for a particular piece of content. In one instance, I wrote two versions of a landing page for an online course and tested which version received the most clicks using Google Analytics. The version with the more targeted, niche keywords outperformed the other.

Using these tools and techniques, I have consistently produced content that ranks highly on search engines and attracts high traffic. For instance, an article I wrote about "best travel destinations for solo female travelers" reached the first page of Google search results for that term and earned 10,000 unique page views in the first month of publication.

3. Can you walk me through your process for researching and outlining content before actually writing it?

Before writing any piece of content, I follow a thorough process to ensure that the end product is well-researched and well-structured

1. Identify the target audience: I start by understanding the audience for the content. This involves researching the demographics, interests, and pain points of the audience. In my previous role, after identifying the target audience for a product, I crafted a blog post that resulted in a 30% increase in traffic and a 20% increase in conversions.
2. Topic research: Based on the target audience, I research a topic that would resonate with them. I scour the internet for trustworthy sources, and gather relevant facts and stats. For example, in a blog post I wrote about the benefits of using virtual assistants, I included stats from a study showing that businesses who use virtual assistants save on average 78 hours per year.
3. Outline the article: Next, I create an outline that serves as a framework for the article. The outline should have a clear introduction, main points, and conclusion. Outlining ensures that the article is structured and easy to follow. Consequently, in an article about SEO, I incorporated subheadings to make the article more scannable. As a result, the time spent on the website improved by half.
4. Fill in the outline: Using the outline as a guide, I then begin to flesh out each section with well-written copy. I make sure to incorporate the research I gathered earlier while ensuring that the writing flows logically. For instance, when tasked with crafting an eBook about customer experience best practices, I heavily researched popular customer service systems, which resulted in the landing page where visitors would download the resource seeing an 18% conversion rate
5. Edit: After completely writing the article, I proofread and edit several times to ensure that the content is error-free and well-written. I also use tools such as Grammarly to catch any typos and spelling errors, and run the piece through a plagiarism checker. In total, articles edited by me had 100% uniqueness according to copyscape.
6. Submit for review: Finally, I submit the content for review- either through Google Sheets or whatever means the organization is using. By submitting, I ensure the content meets the goals of the organization and the expectations of the target audience. As a rule, I don't publish any article without approval from the hiring company

In conclusion, my process ensures high-quality work delivered in a timely fashion. In one particular case, the Turn Around Time reduced by half, and I was able to publish six high-quality blog posts in three days.

4. How do you balance the need for SEO optimization with the need for compelling and engaging copy?

As an SEO copywriter, my main objective is to create content that is not only optimized for search engines but also engaging for readers. I use several strategies to ensure that I balance the needs of both. For instance:

1. Research – Before writing any copy, I conduct thorough research to identify the keywords and phrases that people use when searching for information related to the topic I will be writing about. This helps me incorporate those keywords seamlessly into the copy.
2. Focus on the reader – Even when incorporating keywords into my copy, I always prioritize the reader’s experience. I write copy that is easy to read, engaging, and provides value to the reader. This helps to keep them on the page for longer, which in turn signals to Google that the content is relevant and valuable.
3. A/B testing – I use A/B testing to gauge the effectiveness of different variations of the copy. This helps me to identify what works well in terms of both SEO and reader engagement. For instance, in a recent test, I changed the title of a blog post to include a high-volume keyword phrase. This resulted in a 20% increase in organic traffic to the page over a two-month period.
4. Taking a collaborative approach – I often work closely with the design and development teams to ensure that the content is not only appealing to the reader but also optimized for search engines. For instance, I collaborate with the design team to ensure that the content is structured in a way that is easy to scan and read, which is an important factor for both readers and search engines.

All of these strategies help me to strike a balance between SEO optimization and creating compelling, engaging copy that resonates with readers. Ultimately, my goal is to produce content that ranks well in search engines while also providing value to the reader. Using these strategies, I’ve been able to consistently achieve high rankings and engagement rates for the content I produce.

5. Can you share examples of successful content pieces you've written and how they performed in search engine rankings?

As an SEO copywriter, I always aim to write content that performs well in search engine rankings. One example of a successful content piece I wrote was a blog post for a travel company on "The Top 10 Destinations for Solo Travelers".

1. The blog post ranked on the first page of Google search results for the target keyword "solo travel destinations" within two weeks of being published.
2. The post received over 10,000 views and generated more than 500 social media shares.
3. The bounce rate was low, indicating that the content engaged readers and kept them on the site for an extended period.
4. The post also led to a 50% increase in website traffic, which can be attributed to the high search engine rankings and social media shares.

Another instance of a successful content piece was a product description for a new line of organic skin care products. The description contained the target keyword "natural skincare products".

• The product description ranked on the first page of Google search engine results for the target keyword within a month of being published.
• The product quickly became one of the company's best-sellers, with a 35% increase in sales compared to the previous month.
• The post was also shared widely on social media, generating more than 2000 social media shares.
• The bounce rate of the product page was low, indicating that the content engaged readers and kept them on the site for an extended period.

These examples demonstrate my ability to create high-quality content that performs well in search engine rankings, engages the audience, and generates social media shares and website traffic.

6. How do you keep up with the latest SEO trends and changes in search algorithms?

As a professional SEO copywriter, I understand how important it is to stay updated with the latest SEO trends and changes in search algorithms. To keep myself informed, I follow some of the top SEO blogs, such as Moz, Search Engine Land, and SEMrush, amongst several others.

1. One of the things I do is consistently monitor search rank fluctuations using tools such as Ahrefs and Google Analytics. By keeping track of my client's search engine rankings and seeing how they change over time, I can adjust my SEO strategies and ensure that their content stays relevant.
2. I also keep a close eye on keyword research and analysis techniques. Since keywords form the foundation of any successful SEO campaign, it's crucial to keep up with the latest keyword research tools and trends. I use tools like Google Trends, Ubersuggest, and SEMrush to identify and target the right keywords.
3. Another way I stay up-to-date with SEO changes is by attending industry conferences and webinars. Participating in conferences and connecting with other professionals in the industry can provide me with unique insights and different perspectives on current trends and challenges.
4. Finally, I am continuously testing and experimenting with different SEO strategies and techniques to understand what works best. Through testing, I have seen measurable results that demonstrate the effectiveness of my work. For example, I once tested the impact of using long-tail keywords in a blog post for one of my clients. The results showed that the post received 40% more organic traffic than posts that didn’t use long-tail keywords.

Overall, my commitment to staying informed about the latest SEO trends and changes in search algorithms means I can offer clients effective and relevant SEO solutions that help them achieve their business goals.

7. How do you incorporate user intent into your writing?

How do you incorporate user intent into your writing?

As an SEO copywriter, understanding and incorporating user intent into my writing is crucial for the success of any content strategy. In order to do this, I employ the following techniques:

1. Keyword research: I use various tools such as Google Keyword Planner and SEMrush to search for relevant keywords related to the topic at hand. This helps me understand what people are searching for and what their intent is.
2. Creating buyer personas: I put myself in the shoes of my potential audience and create buyer personas. This helps me understand their needs, motivations, and pain points.
3. Structuring content: Based on the information gathered from keyword research and buyer personas, I structure my content in a way that matches their intent. For example, if the user is searching for a problem, solution or review, I write accordingly.
4. Using conversational language: I make my content conversational, engaging and informative for the reader. This creates a connection with the reader, builds trust and increases the chances of conversion.
5. Tracking results: I use analytics tools such as Google Analytics or Moz to track the performance of my content. This helps me understand how users engage with my content, the success of my conversions, and how I can improve my content for better results.

Through the use of these techniques, I have seen a significant improvement in both traffic and conversions. For example, on a recent project for a health and wellness client, I implemented user intent into my content strategy, which resulted in a 25% increase in organic traffic, a 30% decrease in bounce rate, and a 15% increase in conversions.

8. How do you measure the success of your SEO copywriting efforts?

When it comes to measuring the success of my SEO copywriting efforts, there are a few key metrics that I always look at:

1. Organic Traffic: One of the most important metrics for measuring the success of my SEO copywriting efforts is organic traffic. By tracking the number of visitors coming to the site from search engines like Google, I can get a good sense of how well my content is performing. For example, after optimizing a landing page for a specific keyword, I was able to increase organic traffic by over 50% within three months.
2. Keyword Rankings: Another important metric is keyword rankings. By tracking where specific keywords rank in search engine results pages (SERPs), I can see how well my content is performing for those particular terms. For example, after optimizing a blog post for a long-tail keyword, it moved from the second page of Google to the first page, resulting in a 400% increase in traffic to that page.
3. Engagement: In addition to traffic and rankings, I also look at metrics related to engagement, such as time on page and bounce rate. By analyzing these metrics, I can get a better sense of how engaged users are with my content. For example, after implementing some changes to the copy on a landing page, I was able to decrease the bounce rate by 20%, indicating that the changes had positively impacted engagement.

Overall, I believe that a combination of these metrics is the best way to measure the success of SEO copywriting efforts, as they provide a comprehensive picture of how well the content is performing across a variety of dimensions.

9. What's your experience working with other SEO specialists, content creators, or external agencies?

Throughout my SEO copywriting career, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with other SEO specialists, content creators, and external agencies on various projects. For example:

1. I worked with an SEO specialist on a project where we optimized a client's website for a specific keyword. I provided keyword-rich copy and the specialist ensured that the technical aspects of the site were up to par. As a result of our collaboration, the client's website saw a 50% increase in organic traffic.
2. On another project, I collaborated with a content creation agency to produce an SEO-friendly blog post. I provided the keyword research and outlined the post's structure, and the agency developed the content. The post ranked on the first page of Google for its target keyword, driving 1,000 new visitors to the client's website.
3. I also worked with an external agency on a product description project. I provided the optimized copy and worked with the agency to ensure that the descriptions were meeting the client's branding requirements. The client reported a 30% increase in online sales after implementing the new descriptions.

I strongly believe that collaboration is key to achieving success in SEO. I am always open to working with other professionals to achieve the best results for my clients, whether it's an SEO specialist or an external agency.

10. Can you talk about a particularly challenging SEO copywriting project you've worked on and how you tackled the obstacles?

During my time at XYZ Agency, I worked on a project for a client in the fitness industry. They had a large e-commerce site with thousands of products, but their organic traffic and sales were suffering due to poor website structure and duplicate content issues.

1. First, I conducted a thorough site audit to identify all instances of duplicate content and keyword cannibalization.
2. Then, I worked with the development team to implement a new website structure that organized similar products under one category page, reducing the number of duplicate content pages while also improving the user experience.
3. Next, I rewrote all product descriptions and category pages, incorporating long-tail keywords and optimizing meta data to better align with user search intent.
4. Finally, I conducted a link building campaign to acquire high-quality backlinks and improve domain authority.

The results of the project were impressive. Within 6 months, organic traffic increased by 50% and sales increased by 35%. The client was thrilled with the improvements and our team received significant praise for our work on this challenging project.

Conclusion

Congratulations on making it through our 10 SEO copywriter interview questions and answers in 2023 blog post! Now that you have aced your interview, it's time to focus on the next steps to land your dream job. First, be sure to write an exceptional cover letter that showcases your skills and personality. Our guide on writing a cover letter can help you craft one that stands out to potential employers. Don't miss this chance to make a great first impression. You can find our guide here:

Don't forget to write an impressive cover letter that will make you stand out to potential employers.

Second, taking the time to craft a tailored and professional CV is essential in the highly competitive world of SEO copywriting. Our guide on writing a resume for copywriters can help you create a winning document that sets you apart from other candidates. You can find our guide here:

Get inspired by our guide on how to write the perfect CV for your next SEO copywriting job.

Finally, if you're looking for a new job, our Remote Rocketship job board can help. We specialize in remote positions, and our copywriting job section is always full of new and exciting opportunities. Be sure to check our job board often to find your perfect match. You can find our job board here:

Begin your search today by visiting our page of remote job listings for copywriters.

Good luck on your job search!