How to Make 6 Figures As A Seo Specialist? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a seo specialist? Good for you! Being a seo specialist is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.
In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a seo specialist - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could be a lucrative avenue to earn six figures as an SEO specialist. By leveraging your expertise in SEO, you could offer high-quality, keyword-optimized content to clients, filling a critical need for SEO-friendly web pages and blog posts. This not only supplements your income but also enhances your portfolio, showcasing your dual skills in both writing and SEO.
Freelancing provides the flexibility to set your own work schedule, allowing you to work from home and manage multiple clients across various niches. With strong writing skills, the ability to meet deadlines, and staying current with writing trends and tools, you could carve out a profitable niche. Your entrepreneurial mindset, combined with effective communication skills, would give you a competitive edge in the freelance market, making it feasible to achieve a six-figure income.
How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
2. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)
Creating an online course could significantly boost your income as an SEO specialist by monetizing your expertise in a scalable way. By identifying educational gaps and developing engaging video lessons along with supplementary materials, you could cater to the growing demand for SEO knowledge among lifelong learners.
Launching your online course platform presents a lucrative opportunity to share your skills, providing you with passive income potential. Given the low startup costs and flexibility around self-paced or cohort-based structures, you could build a substantial student base, making it feasible to reach six figures while enjoying the process of information-sharing.
How much you can make: $350 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
3. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could provide you with the opportunity to supplement your income as an SEO specialist by sharing your expertise and building a dedicated audience. By choosing a niche within SEO that you're passionate about and that resonates with listeners, you could position yourself as an authority in the field. This can attract sponsorships and advertising revenue as your podcast grows.
Additionally, a podcast offers potential for monetizing through premium content, courses, or consulting services related to SEO. With basic recording equipment and a cost-effective hosting platform, you could manage the production on a budget while leveraging social media and online communities to promote your show. This side business not only generates extra income but also enhances your credibility and visibility in the SEO industry, paving the way towards six-figure earnings.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
4. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as an SEO specialist, advancing you towards a six-figure salary. By leveraging your expertise, you could create content that educates viewers on SEO best practices, tips, and industry updates, thus positioning yourself as an authority in the field. This could attract a strong following and high engagement, enabling you to join YouTube's Partner Program upon reaching 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours over the past 12 months.
Additionally, you could generate revenue through multiple streams such as ad revenue, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing. A successful channel could also open doors for consulting opportunities, increasing your visibility and client base. By integrating your SEO skills with content creation, you could build a sustainable side business or even transition into full-time entrepreneurship.
How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.
5. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an ecommerce store could be a lucrative way to supplement your income as an SEO specialist and potentially earn six figures. By leveraging your SEO skills, you could drive targeted traffic to your online store, optimizing product pages to rank higher on search engines and attract more customers. Additionally, with the booming ecommerce industry and advantages such as lower overhead costs and increased reach, your expertise could help you capitalize on this trend.
Furthermore, owning an ecommerce business allows you to take control of your financial future and diversify your income streams. You could choose to sell products or services that align with your interests or gaps you identify in the market, using your SEO knowledge to gain a competitive edge. The flexibility and efficiency of running an online store could make it a rewarding and profitable entrepreneurial venture.
How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.
6. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could be an excellent way to supplement your income as an SEO specialist and help you achieve six figures. By leveraging your existing skills in digital marketing, you could develop effective social media strategies for clients, allowing you to offer comprehensive packages that cover both SEO and social media marketing.
Additionally, the automation tools available in the social media space mean you may not need to commit extensive hours, freeing you up to focus on growing your agency. You could also build a strong portfolio to attract clients, making it easier to generate a steady stream of additional revenue while meeting personal financial goals like clearing utility bills or saving for a vacation.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
7. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
As an SEO specialist, tapping into the world of social media influencing could significantly supplement your income and even pave the way to a six-figure salary. With brands increasingly investing in platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, there are ample opportunities for you to leverage your SEO skills to attract and engage a vast audience. Establishing yourself as a social media influencer in a specific niche not only provides an additional revenue stream but also enhances your credibility as a marketing expert.
By choosing a popular niche based on your interests and crafting relevant content, you could build a loyal following and capitalize on partnerships with brands seeking to reach your audience. Your deep understanding of SEO can give you an edge in optimizing your social media presence, increasing visibility, and driving more engagement. This dual expertise in SEO and social influencing dramatically expands your monetization avenues, ranging from sponsored posts and affiliate marketing to consultancy services, thereby opening doors to achieve a lucrative six-figure income.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)
How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)
How one mother built a profitable frugal motherhood, life, and travel blog from scratch, using Instagram, Pinterest, and paid sponsorships to grow from 0 to 18.5K followers and generate $1,500-$3,000 per month in less than two years.
8. Digital products ($261K/month)
As an SEO specialist, you could supplement your income and move closer to earning six figures by creating and selling digital products. Digital products like eBooks, online courses, and membership sites can leverage your SEO expertise to teach others invaluable skills, helping you generate a steady revenue stream. Additionally, you could develop SEO-related software tools or plugins that address common pain points in the industry.
Digital products are effortless to create and distribute, allowing you to maintain low overhead costs. You could sell these products directly from your website, eliminating the need for physical inventory. This scalability can enable you to expand your side business while continuing your primary career, eventually growing it into a full-fledged entrepreneurial venture.
How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
FilterGrade is an eCommerce platform offering digital assets such as photo filters and video templates; attracting over 450,000 monthly users and generating approximately 30k a month, the founders worked hard to build a valuable marketplace for creators while focusing on digital marketing, partnerships, and content creation.
9. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could be a highly effective way to supplement your income as an SEO specialist. Given that blogs rank as the 5th most trustworthy source of online information and 77% of internet users read blogs, you have a prime opportunity to reach a broad audience and monetize this engagement through various channels, such as affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, or offering specialized SEO courses.
By leveraging your SEO expertise, you could drive significant traffic to your blog, increasing its visibility and potential revenue streams. With approximately 409 million people viewing more than 20 billion pages each month, there's a vast market for quality content, allowing you to build a strong, loyal reader base.
Additionally, blogging allows for a flexible, location-independent lifestyle, giving you the freedom to work on your terms. Whether you seek to maintain it as a side hustle or ultimately shift it to a full-time profession, starting a blog offers creative and financial possibilities that could help you achieve a six-figure income.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
10. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
As an SEO specialist, leveraging an affiliate marketer business could significantly boost your income and help you reach six figures. By utilizing your existing expertise in driving organic traffic and optimizing web content, you could effectively promote other companies' products and earn commissions from each sale generated through your referral. Since this venture requires minimal upfront investment, the barrier to entry is low, allowing you to start almost immediately.
Signing up for affiliate programs in your chosen niche will provide you with unique tracking links to promote. Your SEO skills will be your biggest asset in driving high-quality traffic and improving conversion rates. Successful implementation of these strategies could turn your side hustle into a lucrative business, complementing your primary income source and accelerating your financial growth.
How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
11. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could significantly boost your income and help you reach six figures as an SEO specialist by capitalizing on your industry expertise. By providing personalized guidance and support, you could help clients with resume building, interview preparation, and workplace advancement strategies tailored to their specific goals. This not only positions you as a valuable resource but also opens additional revenue streams through custom sessions that cater to professionals looking to elevate their careers.
As a career coach, you might offer in-person or virtual meetings, giving you the flexibility to build a client base that values your insights and accountability. Leveraging your speaking talents and human resources expertise, this venture could allow you to monetize your motivational abilities while setting your own schedule. This entrepreneurial approach not only diversifies your income but also enhances your professional brand, helping you reach that six-figure milestone faster.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Wall Street Oasis, the largest online community focused on careers in finance, has over 100 million visitors during its 14-year history and is currently receiving over 2 million visits per month, offering interview courses and mentorship services, in addition to building and investing in a thriving online community.
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Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
