Many SEO pros dream of going solo, especially early in their careers. It’s tempting, right? More money, freedom, flexibility, and growth opportunities.
But here’s the deal: Just deciding to go independent doesn’t magically make all that happen.
I learned quickly that success as an independent SEO consultant requires more than just SEO skills. You also need business smarts, self-discipline, and the ability to overcome serious challenges.
During my journey, I’ve hit quite a few roadblocks. I’ve also seen other talented SEO professionals struggle with the same issues. Some even gave up and went back to full-time jobs. Ouch!
That’s why I’m writing this. I want to help you avoid these setbacks. I will share seven big mistakes I’ve seen new SEO consultants make. These are the kinds of errors that can stop your independent career before it even gets going.
But don’t worry! I’m not just here to point out problems. I’ll show you how to dodge these pitfalls and set yourself up for success from day one.
My goal? To help you fast-track your learning curve and build an incredible career as an independent SEO consultant. Let’s dive in!
Learn The Top Seven Mistakes To Avoid As A New Independent SEO Consultant
1. Not Building Your Brand First (Your Unique Selling Point)
When you start your solo SEO journey, building your personal brand is crucial. It’s not just about being visible – it’s about showing what makes you unique in the SEO world. From day one, you need to highlight your specific approach or focus.
Why? Your unique spin sets you apart in a crowded market. It helps potential clients understand why they should pick you over others.
You may be a tech SEO wizard or focus on local SEO for small businesses. Or you’ve developed a unique process for content optimization. Whatever it is, make it known!
A strong, distinctive brand makes attracting the right clients easier. It helps you build recognition and establish yourself as a go-to expert in your niche. You can build your brand through:
X and LinkedIn discussions.
Writing in-depth articles and tutorials about your specific area of expertise in SEO.
Being present on SEO podcasts or interviews on YouTube.
Offering advice in the Google Search Help Community or on SEO-specific Subreddits like r/SEO (also an excellent way to land new clients).
Sharing detailed breakdowns of your methods.
Image from Google Search Help Community, August 2024
The key? Always inject your unique perspective into these contributions and genuinely help other people. This will gradually build your reputation and attract clients who love your style.
Remember, effective brand-building takes time. Be patient, stay consistent, and clearly envision what you want to be known for in the SEO world.
My Experience: I focused on sharing my detailed approach to SEO auditing. I decided to be transparent about my process. I created in-depth guides that outlined my auditing methodology. By openly sharing this process, I showed my expertise and gave potential clients a clear picture of my value. While some consultants kept their methods secret, I chose to be open and educational.
It took a few months, but people started to recognize me as an SEO auditing expert. This approach became my unique selling point and the cornerstone of my personal brand.
2. Not Having A Website (Your Digital Business Card)
As an independent SEO consultant, setting up your own website should be your first priority. It’s a crucial mistake to overlook this step.
Your website is your digital business card. It’s where you showcase your SEO knowledge, unique approach, and specialty. Think of it as your own space on the internet, where you’re in control.
On your website, you set the rules. You control:
Your service offerings.
Your pricing structure.
Display of your expertise.
Presentation of your credentials.
It’s the ideal platform to demonstrate your SEO skills in action. Potential clients can see firsthand what you are up to in SEO.
Creating a website is easier than ever now. You can use WordPress or other content management systems to get started quickly. You don’t need advanced technical skills to set up a professional-looking site.
Remember, your website is often your first impression on potential clients. It reflects your brand and your capabilities. Don’t underestimate its importance in establishing your credibility as an SEO consultant.
A well-optimized, informative website can significantly accelerate your progress in attracting clients and building your reputation. It’s an investment in your business that pays dividends in the long run.
So, prioritize getting your website up and running. It’s a critical step in your journey as an independent SEO consultant.
3. Not Diversifying Your Income Sources (Financial Security 101)
Let me tell you something important: having just one job and one source of income is the least secure financial situation. If that job ends, you’re left with nothing. Zero income.
That’s why being an independent consultant can actually be more financially secure than a traditional job. I know many people fear going independent but trust me, it can offer greater stability if you do it right.
Want to secure yourself financially as an independent SEO consultant? Here’s how:
Work with multiple clients. There’s little chance all your clients will leave at the same time.
Start a newsletter or YouTube channel. Build an audience and accept sponsorships.
Be open to sponsorships from SEO companies or tool providers. If you’re good, they will reach out to you.
Create and sell a course. Share your expertise and create an additional income stream.
Keep exploring new possibilities. The sky’s the limit when it comes to creating income streams!
The key rule? Have multiple income sources that don’t depend on each other. This gives you a safety net and opens up more growth opportunities.
By diversifying your income streams, you’re not just increasing your earning potential. You’re building a more resilient business that can handle market ups and downs, and client turnover.
Remember, building multiple income streams takes time and effort. Start with your core consulting service, then gradually add other streams as you establish yourself in the industry.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify your income and build a more secure future for yourself!
4. Avoiding Sharing Your Knowledge Publicly (Your Expertise Showcase)
I’ve seen many SEO consultants hesitate to share their knowledge publicly.
They worry that if they reveal their “secrets,” clients will use this info and not need their services. But guess what? That’s totally wrong!
In reality, the more you share and the more detailed you are, the more clients will reach out to you. Here’s why:
Sharing shows off your expertise and builds trust with potential clients.
Detailed content proves how much you really know. This often sets you apart from others.
Public sharing makes you a thought leader in the SEO world.
Sure, some people, SEO professionals, or companies with in-house SEO experts might use your published knowledge. And that’s okay! Isn’t helping others part of why we do this?
The clients you want will be impressed by what you share but won’t be able to replicate your expertise. They’ll want you to implement these strategies for them. These are the clients who will come to you – you won’t need to chase them.
Clients who find you through your shared content are different. They understand the value of SEO and appreciate expertise. Working with these clients is usually super productive and enjoyable.
Remember, by sharing your knowledge, you’re not giving away your value – you’re showing it off. Your unique insights, experience, and ability to apply this knowledge are what clients are paying for.
So don’t be afraid to share what you know. It’s not just good for others – it’s great for your business too!
5. Underestimating Your SEO Projects (The Perfectionist’s Trap)
Let me tell you something: It doesn’t matter how experienced you are in SEO. If you’re new to being an independent consultant, you’re probably going to underestimate your projects.
This is especially true if you’re a perfectionist like me. You’ll want to go above and beyond for your clients, especially your first ones. And that’s great – it’s actually cool to be so dedicated.
But here’s the catch: You need to be careful. It’s super easy to underestimate a project and end up working for free. Trust me, I’ve done this more times than I’d like to admit.
Here’s what usually happens:
You want to impress your new clients, so you over-deliver.
You spend way more time than you planned on the project.
You end up working tons of unpaid hours.
Your clients will definitely love your effort. But this approach? It’s not sustainable for your business.
So, how do you avoid this trap? Simple: Clearly set the scope of work from the start and be super detailed about what’s included in your service.
For anything extra or outside the agreed scope, just charge on an hourly basis. This way, you can:
Meet your clients’ additional needs without working for free.
Keep your services flexible.
Make sure you’re fairly paid for all your work.
Remember, it’s awesome to be passionate about your work and want to deliver the best for your clients. But as an independent consultant, you must also protect your time and keep your business profitable.
My Experience: When I first started consulting, I often found myself working late into the night to deliver more than I’d promised. My clients were thrilled, but I was exhausted and underpaid. Learning to clearly define project scopes and charge properly for extra work was crucial for my mental health.
Don’t make the same mistakes I did. Value your time and expertise – your business depends on it!
6. Not Setting Boundaries With Your SEO Clients (Balancing Act)
Let’s talk about setting boundaries with clients. It’s tricky, right? You want to build friendly, professional relationships with your clients as an independent SEO consultant.
One of my unique selling points is treating clients as partners and friends. They don’t want just another SEO agency – they want a partner. Here’s what I offer:
Direct contact with me.
Easy accessibility.
Flexibility.
Fast response times.
These are things clients often don’t get from big SEO agencies, and they’re what set independent consultants like us apart.
But here’s the catch: this approach can cost you if you don’t set clear boundaries. Without them, you risk burning out and getting resentful.
At the very least, you should:
Not answer immediately on your off days.
Only respond to real emergencies during vacations.
You need to find that sweet spot that works for both you and your clients. It’s all about creating a sustainable working relationship.
Remember, setting boundaries doesn’t mean giving poor service. It means creating a framework that lets you consistently deliver top-notch work without sacrificing your well-being.
Be clear about these boundaries from the start. Most clients will respect them, especially when they understand that these boundaries help you provide better service in the long run.
My Experience: When I first started, I was available to clients 24/7. They loved it, but I burned out fast, and my work suffered. By setting clear boundaries – like specific office hours and response times for non-emergencies – I was able to provide better service and keep a healthier work-life balance. My clients respected these boundaries, and our relationships actually improved!
Don’t make the same mistake I did. Set clear boundaries from the start. Your clients will respect you for it, and you’ll be able to serve them better in the long run.
7. Not Starting Your Newsletter Immediately (Your Audience Awaits)
Listen up! Starting your own SEO newsletter should be a day one priority. When you set up your website, make sure to add a newsletter sign-up option right away.
This simple step can make a huge difference in your success as an independent SEO consultant.
Why is a newsletter so crucial? Here is why:
It makes you less dependent on Google for visibility. We all know how unpredictable search rankings can be, right?
Once you have a few thousand subscribers, it’s a great way to diversify your income. Consider creating premium content, promoting your services, or even accepting sponsorships.
Most importantly, it helps you build a base of fans you can always reach out to. These are people who know you and like your content. Their value is huge compared to people just discovering you for the first time.
You can use this list to:
Get opinions by running polls.
Find new clients.
Promote your products and services.
My Personal Experience
I recently launched my first SEO course, and wow, did it drive home the importance of having a loyal following. I promoted the course through:
Google Ads and Facebook Ads.
Other SEOs’ newsletters.
My own newsletter, social media channels, and YouTube.
The results? Eye-opening. Despite the broad reach of paid advertising, the only people who actually bought my course were those who had been following me for a while.
My newsletter, social media channels, and YouTube were the only ones that converted. All other channels? Zero customers.
I didn’t see this coming, but it clearly shows the power of having a base of fans and followers who trust you. These are your people, your tribe. That’s why it’s crucial to start building your tribe from day one.
Remember, your newsletter subscribers are more than just potential customers. They’re your community. Nurture this relationship by consistently providing value, and they’ll become your most loyal supporters and clients.
Starting a newsletter might seem like extra work when you’re just beginning, but trust me, it’s an investment in your future success as an independent SEO consultant. Don’t make the mistake of overlooking this powerful tool.
So, from day one, focus on growing your list. Encourage sign-ups on your website, promote your newsletter on social media, and always deliver value to your subscribers.
In time, this list will become one of your most valuable assets as an independent SEO consultant.
Final Words Of SEO Wisdom
Becoming a successful independent SEO consultant isn’t just about your SEO skills. It’s about avoiding common pitfalls that can hinder your progress.
Build your brand from day one. Create a professional website. Diversify your income sources. Share your knowledge publicly. Accurately estimate your projects. Set clear boundaries with clients. Start and grow your newsletter immediately.
These steps aren’t just good practices – they’re essential for long-term success. They’ll help you build a sustainable business, attract the right clients, and establish yourself as a respected SEO consultant.
The path of an independent consultant isn’t always easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’re setting yourself up for a thriving, fulfilling career in SEO.
Start implementing these strategies today. Your future self will thank you.
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Featured Image: PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock
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