- Country of Origin: Nigeria
Back in high school, if someone said I’d end up as an SEO content writer, I’d have hesitated. Search engine optimization, or SEO, wasn’t on my radar then — I barely had a simple mobile phone, let alone the devices every high schooler has today. My favorite subject then was mathematics, hence my interest in financial accounting. And, of course, math always got me the best grades. I felt I was set on becoming an accountant.
Fast forward a few years, my interest started taking an altogether different direction. I found myself navigating the world of SEO content writing. I had hardly thought of it in high school.
Life has a funny way of surprising you. Who knew my journey would lead me from crunching numbers to crafting words for SEO? Sometimes, the unexpected can turn out to be the most fulfilling.
Hopping in and out
My failure in getting into university landed me in one of the best teacher-training colleges in Nigeria. The course I ended up studying was Accounting Education. Not getting admitted into a university troubled me – I was confused. At first, I wasn’t too sure about accepting the offer, but eventually, I started liking it and felt happy about my decision.
During my three years in college, I learned both theory and practice in education and accounting. I gained a solid foundation. My dad’s support played a great role. It was the sole reason I was ready to finish my studies in three years. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2013. I missed my dad and his guidance. I was once again confused about what to do next – take a job or continue with my studies.
I continued my education at the university through the direct entry mode, by taking admission in the university in Nigeria directly in the second year. I got the benefit of skipping the first year because I had a certificate in teacher education, a certificate higher than secondary education.
Now, you might be wondering how I transitioned to SEO writing.
Discovering and diving into the world of SEO
In late 2014, I started university after finishing my national certificate in education program. That’s when I stumbled into my newfound love: writing. I even started drafting an accounting book, thinking it could help high school students and maybe even seeing it as a bestseller. Sadly, I somehow lost the file. Despite this setback, I began my newly-minted writing journey.
As an undergrad, I created mini-articles on motivation, inspiration, life, and spirituality, sharing them on social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp. My friends and loved ones liked them. Their positive comments encouraged me to write more and more.
Thus, started my journey in content creation and article writing. It was a journey I could not have anticipated a few years earlier.
During my university days, I quenched my thirst for writing by helping my classmates with their writing and research, and by proofreading their work, all for free. As I neared my final year, I began pondering how to turn my passion for writing into a profession. It took a few years to materialize my thoughts. After finishing my degree, I realized that the internet offered opportunities. To me, the opportunities seemed endless.
I began searching for freelance jobs in order to earn money, but I had to avoid scams. That’s when I stumbled upon SEO. At first, it sounded complicated, like one of those course codes at university. But I knew that if I wanted more writing opportunities, I had to learn about this SEO thing, whatever it turned out to be.
Every writer is a teacher
In the past, I taught in school from primary to secondary levels. But in 2021, after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I shifted to the corporate world. Now, my main gig is teaching and educating through my writing.
In the writing world, the teacher in me was useful. Simply understanding SEO is not enough to spread a message. Effective communication and organizing information, the skills of a teacher, helped me a lot.
The essence is that being a good teacher makes a better writer.
To put it simply, I strongly believe that every writer is a teacher. You might not agree, and that’s okay. But I think this way because, as a content writer, your job is not just to entertain. Every piece of content you create should also educate your audience.
So, it’s like this: back when I was teaching in schools, I learned how to communicate well and present information. Now, as a content writer, I’m using those skills to ensure my writing entertains but also educates. It’s all about passing on relevant information to the folks reading my content.
Accounting has a story
Obviously, accounting is all about numbers and involves analyzing numbers. My experience in accounting has shaped how I create content, especially in the data and analysis part of writing for search engines.
Because of my education in accounting, I know how numbers tell a story. When I write for the web, I carry that analytical mindset rooted in me. It helps me create content that is not just words, but also backed by data and analysis.
Back when I was studying accounting, I didn’t think I would use it in my writing. However, those skills influenced the way I approach SEO writing. I learned to pay attention to every detail, and that helps me create informative content that is well-optimized for search engines. In the world of writing for the web, the ability to understand and utilize data is crucial. My accounting background has been like a secret weapon. It’s like having a special tool that helps make my content more effective and visible online.
My journey from accounting to content creation might seem like a big leap, but the analytical skills that I gained and nurtured in the past make my writing stand out today. It’s not just about putting words together; it’s about using numbers and analysis to make the content more valuable for the readers and the online world.
Delve into techniques
When I decided to learn about SEO, I figured that the best path to learning is by doing. At first, it seemed a little difficult, but I knew that taking action was key.
While still working my regular 9-5 job, I created my own blog without hiring a web developer. You might not want to build your site, but doing so (on a budget) was a must for me.
I also spent hours watching tutorial videos and learning search engine optimization from SEO experts like Brian Dean and Koray Tugberk Gubur. I applied what I learned to my website and noticed some better page rankings on Google. If you want to succeed, learn from the already-experienced.
Networking – key to success
If you’ve heard “Your network is your net worth,” you know that building connections is like investing in your professional success. Whether you’re into SEO, teaching, or accounting, a strong network helps you grow faster in your career.
For a long time, because I didn’t pay attention to LinkedIn, I was missing out on opportunities. To fill that gap, I started connecting with other professionals in and out of SEO.
Last year, I got invited by a brand owner to speak about SEO at a live event on LinkedIn. That talk is just one example of the many opportunities coming from deliberately building a strong network.
Every story is right
For the record, my story is no more exceptional than others. Everyone has a unique story to tell, right?
We all have our paths and can achieve whatever we set our minds to. Whether you’re trying something new or making a career change, it pays to believe in your potential and put the work in. As Henry Ford wisely predicted, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t — you’re right.”
Thank you to Yosef Baskin, Emily Delnick, and Tripti Mund for their inspired edits on the piece.
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Degreat Michael
Degreat Michael, with over five years of experience in content creation, is an SEO Content Writer and Specialist catering to founders and business owners. Operating as a remote freelance blogger and writer, he assists brands in crafting SEO content to deliver results. He is the founder of Greatcrackers.com.
