If you’ve ever heard the term SEO (search engine optimisation) and felt your brain start to fizz over like a shaken Irn Bru can, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: SEO doesn’t have to be scary, complicated, or reserved for technical types who speak fluent algorithm (newsflash, no one does!).

With the right set of strategic keywords, you can get your business in front of your dream clients without needing a degree in Google wizardry. Let me show you how!

Step 1: Get Clear on Your Dream Clients

First things first: who are you talking to? If you’re trying to sell to everyone, you’re basically shouting into the void - it’s too vague and will appeal to no one. Think instead about the clients that you dream about working with. What do they need help with? What questions are they frantically Googling at 10 p.m. when they’re stressed tf out and searching for solutions? That’s where your strategic keywords come in.

For example, if you’re a copywriter for coaches, your ideal clients might be Googling things like “how to write an about page for coaches” or “website sales copy for life coaches.” The more you can narrow down exactly who you’re trying to attract, the better your keywords will work in the long term.

Pro Tip: If you haven’t already done this, grab a notebook and jot down the top 3-5 pain points or goals your dream clients have. These are gold mines for keywords.

Step 2: Think Like a Searcher

Now that you’ve got your dream client in mind, it’s time to get inside their head. What would they type into Google to find a business like yours? Be honest: no one is searching for “bespoke solutions” or “high-quality services.” (What does that even mean?!)

Instead focus on real, conversational phrases. If you’re a virtual assistant, your keywords might be “how to hire a virtual assistant” or “admin support for small businesses.” Keep it simple, straightforward, and human. It can be tempting to try and ‘think bot’ when writing keyword-rich content for your website, but human-first copy is 100% the way to go.

Quick Exercise: Write down 5 questions or phrases you think your dream clients might type into Google. Bonus points if they include “how to” or “best way to.”

Step 3: Steal and spy (but ethically & Strategically)

This is where it gets fun. You’re going to spy on your competition…in the most ethical way possible, of course! Head over to Google and search for the kind of services you offer. Look at the top-ranking pages and see what keywords they’re using. (Hint: Check their headlines, subheadings, and even their SEO page titles.) The goal here isn’t to copy these keywords - after all, they’re spoken for and you’ll have a hard time with that competition - but to get an idea of keyword-rich copy that actually works. What language are they using? What topics do they write blog posts on?

You can also use free tools like Ubersuggest or Google’s Keyword Planner to dig even deeper into these suggested keyword ideas. Type in a potential keyword, and these tools will spit out a bunch of related phrases people are searching for. It’s like having Google’s cheat sheet!

Remember: You’re not here to copy. you’re here to gather inspiration, learn the do’s and don’t of keywords in your industry and to figure out what’s already working.

Step 4: get to know the value of Long-Tail Keywords

Here’s a well-kept SEO secret for ya: long-tail keywords. These are longer, more specific phrases that your dream clients are searching for on search engines. They’re easier to rank for (because fewer people are using them and so the competition is less fierce), and they’re incredibly well-targeted to your audience.

For example:

Instead of “branding,” try “colourful branding for creative entrepreneurs.”
Instead of “website design,” try “Squarespace website design for tutors.”

See how much more specific those are? And how much easier they’d be to use in titles for case studies, blogs and website pages? Long-tail keywords are where the real SEO magic happens.

Step 5: Sprinkle your keywords, Don’t Stuff

Once you’ve nailed some fantastic keyword options, it’s time to put them to use - but don’t overdo it! Google’s not a fan of the outdated practice of keyword stuffing (aka cramming your page full of the same phrase over and over). Instead, sprinkle your keywords naturally and organically throughout your website. Wondering where all of these delicious keywords should go? Think:

Page titles and meta descriptions (also called SEO titles & descriptions)
Headlines and subheadings
Body copy (where it makes sense!)

And don’t forget: Your copy should still sound human. If your sentences start sounding like a robot wrote them, it’s time to dial it back.

What to Do if SEO Still Feels Like a Mystery

Look, SEO can be tricky, and you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. If you’re staring at your website and wondering how the heck to make it work harder for your business, let’s chat. My branding and website design services are all about creating websites that not only look amazing but also attract the right clients.

Ready to take the guesswork out of your website?

Let’s get your brand working harder for you. Book a discovery call today!

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SEO doesn’t have to be a scary, jargon-filled nightmare.

With the right keywords and a bit of strategy, you’ll be showing up on Google, attracting your dream clients, and growing your business like never before. Go get ‘em, cowgirl! Yeehaw!

SEO Made Simple: How to Find Keywords That Bring dream Clients to your website