How to Make Money With SEO For Beginners

Hey, thanks for joining for another week of New Venture Weekly.

This week, Ahrefs are sponsoring the newsletter (check them out below) so I thought I’d focus on some SEO (search engine optimisation) business ideas.

Don’t worry - you don’t need to be an SEO expert to start any of these, I’ll break it all down for you.

AI has reshaped the SEO landscape, meaning lots of changes and challenges are emerging, and with them, plenty of problems that need to be solved.

This reminds me, you can still get 25% off the Problems & Pain Points Database with code “2025”.

Let’s jump in!

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🗂 Overview:

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in 2025 continues to be a cornerstone of digital marketing but with AI and changing user behaviour, SEO is no longer what it used to be.

The rise of AI-generated content, voice search, and zero-click searches has shifted the focus of SEO strategies.

Here are the main challenges people are facing with SEO in 2025

• Shift to Zero-Click Searches: Featured snippets, knowledge panels, and direct answers reduce click-through rates (CTR), requiring businesses to focus on brand visibility as much as ranking.

• E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness): Google’s emphasis on E-A-T is stronger than ever, making content quality and credibility essential for ranking.

• AI-Generated Content Saturation: The widespread use of AI tools for content creation has led to oversaturation. Standing out requires unique, human-like content with strong E-A-T signals.

• Increased Competition: With more businesses investing in SEO, ranking on the first page has become increasingly difficult, especially in competitive industries.

📈 Stats & Trends:

• Over 90% of pages get no organic search traffic from Google. (source)

• AI overviews now appear in 7.6% of Google searches. (source)

• The global SEO market is projected to reach $129.6 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of approximately 8.3%. (source)

• 75% of users never go past the first page of search results. (source)

• 46% of all Google searches have local intent. (source)

• The first five organic results on Google account for 67.60% of all clicks. (source)

• There's a shift towards optimizing for multiple search engines beyond just Google. (source)

🧐 Opportunities:

1. Link Building

Google want to put high-authority content at the top of their search results, but how do they know which websites have the highest authority? Backlinks.

Link-building is one of the most important elements to ranking higher on Google. The more high-quality websites that are linking to yours, the more Google is going to favour your website.

I actually wrote a breakdown of some great backlinking business ideas a few months ago. You can read that here.

But here are the 7 business ideas just within the backlinking side of SEO:

• Link Building Agency

• White-Label Link Building Agency

• Content + Link Agency

• Directory Submission Service

• Run Directory Sites (more on that here)

• Link Opportunities Newsletter

• Link Building SaaS

2. Local SEO Services for Small Businesses

Help local businesses like restaurants or gyms get discovered on Google by optimizing their Google My Business profile, creating citations, and building local backlinks. This is beginner-friendly thanks to tools like Ahrefs and doesn’t require deep technical knowledge.

Services You Can Offer:

• Set up and optimize Google My Business (GMB) profiles with accurate NAP (Name, Address, Phone) info, photos, and regular posts.

• Perform keyword research for local terms (e.g., “best gym in [city]”).

• Build local citations on directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and industry-specific sites.

• Acquire reviews and help businesses respond to them for better rankings.

• Implement on-page SEO for location-specific keywords.

• Create localized content (e.g., blogs or landing pages targeting city/region-specific searches).

Target Industries:

• Restaurants and cafes.

• Salons and spas.

• Medical practices (dentists, chiropractors, etc.).

• Real estate agents and property managers.

• Gyms, yoga studios, and fitness trainers.

Beginner-Friendly Tools:

• BrightLocal for managing citations and monitoring local rankings.

• Ahrefs for keyword research and competitor analysis.

• Canva for creating simple branded visuals for GMB posts.

Outsourcing Tips:

• Use platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to hire freelancers for technical tasks like website optimization or schema markup.

• Partner with photographers or videographers to provide high-quality visuals for GMB profiles.

Revenue Streams:

• Offer a one-time setup fee for GMB optimization.

• Charge monthly for ongoing local SEO maintenance.

3. YouTube SEO Services

YouTube is the 2nd largest search engine in the world.

Optimize YouTube videos for search visibility by improving thumbnails, titles, tags, and descriptions. Use free tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ to identify trending keywords and help creators grow their audience.

Services You Can Offer:

• Optimize video titles, descriptions, and tags with target keywords to improve discoverability.

• Create compelling, click-worthy thumbnails.

• Help creators craft engaging video scripts with SEO in mind (targeting popular questions or trending topics).

• Organize playlists to boost watch time and session retention.

• Use YouTube analytics to identify underperforming videos and suggest optimizations.

How to Get Started:

• Use tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ to analyze competitors and find trending keywords.

• Offer free consultations to small creators or businesses and pitch optimization services.

Target Audiences:

• Content creators in niches like tech reviews, fitness, cooking, or gaming.

• Small businesses using YouTube for marketing (e.g., real estate agents, local chefs, or fitness trainers).

Revenue Streams:

• Charge a flat fee per video optimization.

• Offer a monthly retainer for ongoing YouTube channel management.

4. SEO Content Curation

Start a newsletter using Beehiiv that curates SEO strategies, industry updates, and success stories. Monetize with sponsorships, affiliate links, or premium content subscriptions.

How It Works:

• Start a newsletter using platforms like Beehiiv to share curated content about SEO trends, strategies, tools, and case studies.

• Focus on actionable insights, such as step-by-step guides or quick tips.

Content Ideas:

• Break down successful SEO case studies and highlight key takeaways.

• Share updates on algorithm changes and their potential impact.

• Feature interviews with SEO experts or tools you recommend.

Monetization Strategies:

• Sponsorships: Partner with SEO tool companies (like I’ve done with Ahrefs today).

• Affiliate Marketing: Promote tools or courses via affiliate links in your content.

• Premium Subscription: Offer exclusive content, such as in-depth tutorials or curated lists of SEO strategies, to paid subscribers.

Tips to Stand Out:

• Use engaging visuals, charts, and infographics to make complex SEO concepts easier to understand.

• Focus on a niche (e.g., local SEO, content marketing SEO, or e-commerce SEO).

• Follow influential people in the SEO space on Twitter to know when/why things are changing and how people feel about it.

5. Amazon Listing Optimization

Help sellers rank higher in Amazon’s search by optimizing product titles, bullet points, and descriptions with relevant keywords. Focus on underserved niches for easier entry.

Services You Can Offer:

• Optimize product titles with high-ranking keywords.

• Write compelling, keyword-rich bullet points and descriptions.

• Conduct competitor analysis to identify gaps and opportunities.

• Set up A+ Content (Enhanced Brand Content) for improved conversions.

• Provide keyword research using tools like Jungle Scout or Helium 10.

Target Audiences:

• Small or new sellers on Amazon struggling to rank and convert.

• Niche-focused sellers in categories like handmade products, books, or tech accessories.

• Brands launching new products on the platform.

Beginner-Friendly Tools:

• Helium 10 or Jungle Scout for product and keyword research.

• Canva for designing A+ Content and infographics.

• Amazon’s internal analytics (Seller Central) for performance insights.

Revenue Streams:

• Offer a flat fee for one-time listing optimization.

• Provide monthly retainer services for ongoing listing management.

• Create a course or templates for DIY Amazon SEO.

How to Start:

• Reach out to sellers on platforms like Fiverr or via Amazon forums to pitch your services.

• Start with smaller sellers and use their testimonials to build credibility.

6. SEO for Online Marketplaces

Help sellers on platforms like Etsy or Shopify optimize their product pages for better search visibility within the marketplace. Focus on industries like handmade crafts or speciality items.

Services You Can Offer:

• Conduct keyword research to identify high-traffic search terms relevant to the seller’s products.

• Optimize product titles, descriptions, and tags with keywords to increase visibility.

• Improve product images and include alt text for image SEO.

• Write compelling, SEO-friendly meta descriptions that encourage clicks.

• Advise on pricing and promotions to make listings more competitive.

• Provide guidance on obtaining and showcasing customer reviews to boost trust and rankings.

Marketplaces you could target:

• Amazon

• eBay

• Etsy

• Shopify

• Walmart Marketplace

• Zazzle

• Redbubble

• Depop

• Bonanza

• Not On The High Street

• Fiverr

• Upwork

• Udemy

• Skillshare

• Reverb

• ArtStation

• 1stDibs

• ThemeForest

• Creative Market

• Houzz

Target Audiences:

• Small business owners and side hustlers who sell handmade, vintage, or niche products.

• Sellers struggling with low visibility or sales in crowded categories.

• Brands looking to expand into specific platforms (e.g., Etsy or Shopify).

Beginner-Friendly Tools:

• Etsy Rank or eRank: Tools for keyword research and competitor analysis.

• Keywords Everywhere: For finding keyword trends relevant to specific platforms.

• Canva: For creating optimized product images and infographics.

• Shopify SEO Plugins: Apps like Plug in SEO or SEO Booster simplify on-page optimization.

Revenue Streams:

• Offer one-time listing optimization packages for individual products.

• Charge a monthly fee to manage a seller’s entire portfolio of products.

• Create downloadable guides or templates for DIY marketplace SEO.

Tips to Stand Out:

• Specialize in a particular marketplace (e.g., Etsy or Shopify) to build expertise and credibility.

• Provide ongoing analytics reports, showing how your optimizations have improved sales and rankings.

• Focus on underserved niches, such as handmade goods or digital downloads, where competition is lower.

🛠 How to Build:

Choose Your Niche:
Decide which SEO service or marketplace to focus on (local businesses, YouTube creators, marketplace sellers, content curation, etc). Pick one based on your interests and available resources.

Learn the Basics:

• Take free courses on platforms like HubSpot, Coursera, or YouTube to understand SEO fundamentals. Ahrefs also has a great YouTube.

• Experiment with beginner-friendly tools like Ahrefs, TubeBuddy, or eRank to get hands-on experience.

Use Tools to Simplify Work:

• For Local SEO: BrightLocal for managing GMB profiles and local citations.

• For YouTube SEO: TubeBuddy or VidIQ to research keywords and optimize video tags.

• For Marketplaces: Tools like Jungle Scout to create optimized product pages.

• For Content Curation: Beehiiv or Substack for newsletters.

Create a Portfolio:

• Offer free or discounted services to small clients in your target niche to build testimonials and case studies.

• Document before-and-after results, such as increased traffic, sales, or rankings.

Set Pricing:
Start with affordable rates for individual services (e.g., $100 for one-time optimization or $500/month for ongoing management). Adjust pricing as you gain experience.

Find Your First Clients:

• Use platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or LinkedIn to pitch your services.

• Join relevant Facebook or Reddit communities to connect with small businesses or creators.

🚀 How to Grow:

1. Leverage Client Testimonials: Use reviews and case studies to showcase your results on your website or social media.

2. Offer Retainer Packages: Transition from one-off projects to monthly retainers for ongoing SEO management, providing predictable income.

3. Create a Blog and Newsletter:

   • Write SEO tips, case studies, or success stories to establish yourself as an authority.

   • Use this content to attract leads via organic traffic.

4. Expand Your Services: Add complementary services like PPC advertising, social media management, or email marketing to increase client lifetime value.

5. Target Specific Niches: Focus on industries with strong SEO needs, like healthcare, real estate, or e-commerce.

6. Use Referrals: Offer discounts or incentives for existing clients to refer new customers.

7. Run Free Workshops: Host webinars or workshops on topics like “How to Optimize Your GMB” to attract leads.

8. Invest in Paid Ads: Run Google or Facebook ads targeting small business owners or creators looking for SEO services.

9. Collaborate with Other Agencies: Partner with design or web development agencies that can refer clients needing SEO.

10. Productize Your Service: Turn your knowledge into digital products, like SEO templates, keyword research checklists, or Amazon listing guides.

11. Use Social Proof: Share client success stories and testimonials across LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

12. Build Strategic Partnerships: Partner with local business groups, YouTube creator networks, or marketplace seller communities to grow your client base.

13. Offer a Free Audit: Provide a no-obligation SEO audit to show potential clients how you can help them improve.

14. Focus on Upsells: Upsell additional services like content creation, advanced keyword research, or video editing to existing clients.

15. Automate and Delegate:

    • Use tools like Zapier to streamline repetitive tasks.

    • Outsource time-consuming work like backlink outreach or video editing to freelancers or software.

🔥 Cool Stuff

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