How to Conduct Keyword Research for Effective SEO Copywriting

Struggling to get traffic to your blog or online business? You could be writing brilliant content, but if you’re not targeting the right keywords, your audience might never find it.
keyword research is the backbone of SEO copywriting—it helps you understand what your audience is searching for and how to craft content that ranks. And the best part? Mastering this skill can turn into a profitable side hustle (think freelance SEO consulting or selling keyword research reports).
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to conduct keyword research like a pro, so you can attract more organic traffic, boost conversions, and even monetize your expertise.
Let’s dive in!

Why Keyword Research Matters for SEO Copywriting

Before we jump into the how, let’s talk about the why.
keyword research helps you:
✅ Understand search intent – Are people looking for information, products, or solutions?
✅ Find low-competition opportunities – Not all keywords are created equal. Some are easier to rank for.
✅ Drive targeted traffic – Attract readers who are actually interested in what you offer.
✅ Improve conversions – When your content matches what people are searching for, they’re more likely to engage.
And if you’re looking to monetize this skill, here’s how:
– Offer freelance keyword research services (Upwork, Fiverr).
– Create and sell keyword research templates or reports.
– Use it to boost affiliate marketing by targeting high-converting keywords.
Now, let’s get into the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Understand Search Intent (The Secret to Ranking)

Google’s #1 goal is to match users with the best possible answer. That means if your content doesn’t align with search intent, it won’t rank—no matter how well-optimized it is.

The 4 Types of Search Intent:

1. Informational – “How to do X” (e.g., “how to start a blog”)
2. Navigational – “Brand or website name” (e.g., “TheBizWizAcademy login”)
3. Commercial – “Best X for Y” (e.g., “best SEO tools for beginners”)
4. Transactional – “Buy X” (e.g., “Shopify dropshipping course”)
   Action Step:
5. Before targeting a keyword, Google it and see what type of content ranks.
6. If the top results are product pages, but you’re writing a blog post, you’re targeting the wrong intent.

Step 2: Find Keyword Ideas (Free & Paid Tools)

You don’t need expensive tools to start—here’s how to find profitable keywords with free and paid options.

Free Methods:

• Google Autocomplete – Start typing in Google and see what suggestions pop up.
• People Also Ask – Scroll down on Google results to find related queries.
• AnswerThePublic – Generates a visual map of common questions around a topic.

Paid Tools (Worth the Investment):

• Ahrefs (Best for competition analysis)
• SEMrush (Great for content gaps)
• Ubersuggest (Budget-friendly alternative)
  Pro Tip: If you’re on a budget, start with Ubersuggest’s free version or Ahrefs’ $7 trial.

Step 3: Analyze Keyword Difficulty & Opportunity

Not all keywords are worth targeting. Some are too competitive, while others have no search volume.

Key Metrics to Check:

✔ Search Volume (SV) – How many people search for this monthly? (Aim for 100+ for beginners.)
✔ Keyword Difficulty (KD) – How hard is it to rank? (Under 30 = easier to rank.)
✔ Click-Through Rate (CTR) – Are people clicking on organic results?
Action Step:
– Use Ahrefs or Ubersuggest to filter keywords by low difficulty + decent volume.
– Example: Instead of “SEO tips” (high competition), try “SEO tips for beginners 2024” (long-tail, lower competition).

Step 4: Target Long-Tail Keywords (Low Competition, High Conversion)

Long-tail keywords (3+ words) are goldmines because:
– They have lower competition.
– They attract more qualified traffic.
– They often have higher conversion rates.
Examples:
❌ “email marketing” (Broad, competitive)
✅ “Best email marketing tools for small businesses” (Specific, buyer intent)
Action Step:
– Use question-based keywords (e.g., “how to do keyword research for SEO”).
– Look for “near me” or “for beginners” variations.

Step 5: Organize & Prioritize Your Keywords

Now that you have a list, categorize them based on:
– Buyer’s journey (Awareness, Consideration, Decision)
– Content type (Blog post, product page, video)
Example:
| Keyword | Intent | Difficulty | Content Type |
|——————————-|—————-|————|————–|
| “Best SEO tools” | Commercial | Medium | Comparison Post |
| “How to use Ahrefs” | Informational | Low | Tutorial |
Pro Tip: Create a Google Sheet or Notion template to track keywords and their performance.

Step 6: Optimize Your Content for SEO

Now that you’ve done the research, apply it to your content!

On-Page SEO Checklist:

✔ Title Tag – Include the main keyword (e.g., “How to Do Keyword Research in 2024”).
✔ Header Tags (H2, H3) – Break up content with keyword-rich subheadings.
✔ URL – Keep it short and keyword-focused (e.g., /keyword-research-guide).
✔ Internal Links – Link to related posts on your site.
✔ Meta Description – Write a compelling summary (under 160 chars).
Bonus: Use surferSEO or Clearscope to optimize content for top-ranking pages.

How to Monetize Your Keyword Research Skills

If you’ve made it this far, you now have a valuable skill that businesses and bloggers will pay for.

3 Ways to Turn This Into a Side Hustle:

1️⃣ Freelance SEO Services – Offer keyword research audits ($50–$200 per report).
2️⃣ Sell Keyword Packs – Create niche-specific keyword lists (e.g., “500+ Dropshipping Keywords”).
3️⃣ Affiliate Marketing – Use keyword research to promote high-converting products.
Example: If you find that “best budget SEO tools” has high search volume, write a review post and link to tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs (earning affiliate commissions).

Final Thoughts: Start Small, Scale Fast

Keyword research isn’t just about ranking higher—it’s about writing content that solves real problems. And when you do that, traffic, engagement, and revenue follow.
Your Action Plan:
1. Pick a tool (Start with free options like AnswerThePublic).
2. Find 5–10 low-competition keywords in your niche.
3. Create one piece of optimized content this week.
Remember: SEO is a long-term game, but the payoff is worth it.
🚀 Ready to take your SEO copywriting to the next level? Join TheBizWizAcademy’s SEO Copywriting Mastery course (included in your $49/month membership) and get step-by-step training + access to our entrepreneur community for feedback and growth!
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What’s your biggest struggle with keyword research? Drop a comment below—we’d love to help! 🚀

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