How To Offer SEO Services As a Marketing Assistant

Lessons from an SEO Strategist who actually does the work

If you’re a marketing assistant, you’re already doing half the things a digital marketing strategist does. You write content. You publish blogs. You manage the backend of websites. So it’s time we talk about the invisible power move that can take everything you’re already doing and 10x its impact: SEO.

I know SEO can feel like a mysterious tech world reserved for “real marketers.” But it’s actually a skill that ties everything you’re already doing together and positions you as a unicorn who gets strategy, not just tasks.

That’s why I’m excited to share this guest blog from Laura Jawad, a small business SEO strategist who helps service-based entrepreneurs (and the marketing assistants who support them) create search-friendly websites that bring in the right clients. Known for making SEO feel clear and doable, Laura offers SEO audits, strategy sessions, and done-for-you services that empower you to deliver client-ready results without second-guessing your skills.

In this post, she’ll show you why SEO is a no-brainer skill to add to your toolkit, how to start with your own website, and how to build your confidence one step at a time. If you’ve ever thought, “I should learn SEO… someday,” this is your starting line.

-Emily

*This blog may contain affiliate links for programs, tools, and courses that I recommend. If you purchase these programs, I could receive a small commission. Thank you! I only recommend vetted programs and tools I use myself! Please check out my tool & resources guide here.

Learn more about working with Laura Jawad at laurajawadmarketing.com/seo-services
Connect with her on LinkedIn

If you’re a marketing assistant and not offering SEO services yet, you’re overlooking a skill that amplifies the impact of everything else you do.

I like to say that Search Engine Optimization (SEO)  is the bow we tie on all our other marketing efforts: social media, PR, content creation. 

These activities all contribute to desirable search rankings, making SEO a seamless (and no-brainer) addition to your skillset.

SEO isn’t just another service to list on your sales page. It’s a skill that positions you as the unicorn marketing assistant who can connect all the dots in a client’s marketing strategy.

You already have an edge.

You know your clients’ businesses, their goals, and their audience better than anyone else. That insight puts you in a strong position to handle SEO, especially since it’s the kind of work that benefits from long-term planning. Projects like content strategy and backlinking align perfectly with your ongoing role and the trust you’ve already built.

Offering SEO services not only helps your clients see better results but also gives you a clear path to growing your own business. 

Not sure where to start? Start with your own website and build your skills from there. Here’s how:

Start with Your Own Website

Your own site is your best low-stakes SEO sandbox. It’s where you can experiment, learn, and show off what you’re capable of, without waiting on client approval or budget.

Begin by reviewing your current content. Are you targeting any keywords? Are your headings clear and helpful? Are you answering the kinds of questions your ideal client might type into Google? If not, this is the time to start.

Not sure what needs fixing? Start with a DIY SEO audit (e.g. Ubersuggest or Semrush) or get a professional SEO audit done. Yes, it’s an investment, but it’s one of the fastest ways to identify gaps and opportunities you might otherwise miss. 

In addition to improving your website, you’ll also be building fluency. The more you play around with SEO in your own sandbox, the more confident you’ll be when you start offering it as a service.

And here’s a bonus: when your website starts ranking, you’ve got built-in proof of your skills. Your own visibility becomes a portfolio piece.

Learn SEO Basics (Then Keep Learning)

SEO isn’t rocket science, but it’s also not something you want to fake your way through. 

Understanding the fundamentals—how search engines work, what makes a page rank, and how content, links, and technical factors all interact—gives you the foundation to do this work well and confidently.

You’ll pick up a lot by optimizing your own website, but that alone won’t give you the full picture. 

Taking a course or working through a structured training helps you fill in the gaps and, more importantly, gives you the context to understand how SEO fits within the broader marketing strategy.

Look for trainings that go beyond keyword lists and click metrics. You want to understand how SEO overlaps with branding, copywriting, and even PR. The more perspective you have, the better you’ll be at spotting opportunities and avoiding the “checklist” approach that doesn’t actually move the needle.

And once you know what to look for, start paying attention to other people’s websites. What are they doing well? What’s missing? You’ll develop a critical eye that will serve you when it’s time to pitch your services or optimize a client’s content.

Define Your Scope

SEO is a broad field, and unless you plan to become a full-time specialist, you’re going to need boundaries. The good news is you don’t have to offer everything to be effective. In fact, trying to do it all will burn you out faster than you can say “meta description.”

So what’s actually on the table? Your SEO support might include things like SEO keyword research, content planning, on-page optimization (think headlines, URLs, internal links), or reporting on organic traffic trends. You might decide to write blog content or manage backlink outreach, or not.

Be clear about what’s in your zone and what isn’t. For the things that fall outside your scope, start thinking about how you’ll handle them. Will you refer out to another freelancer? Bring in a contractor? Let your client know they’ll need to hire a developer for that technical fix?

Clients don’t expect you to do it all. They expect you to be clear. When you define your scope up front, you avoid misunderstandings, scope creep, and the stress of trying to troubleshoot someone’s DNS settings at 9 p.m.

Build a Network You Can Lean On

Even if you define your scope clearly, you’ll still run into moments when a client asks for something outside your comfort zone. That’s where your network comes in.

Start building relationships with other SEO professionals, content writers, developers, and digital PR folks. You don’t need a huge rolodex, just a few trusted people you can turn to with questions or referrals. 

Knowing who to call when a client asks about schema markup or an unexpected traffic drop saves you hours of stress and Googling.

Your network also makes you look good. When you can say, “That’s not something I handle, but I know someone great who does,” you position yourself as resourceful and connected, not underqualified.

Don’t overthink this. Join a few online communities like Emily Reagan’s Digital Marketer’s Workgroup, take part in conversations, and offer help when you can. Collaboration beats isolation every time. And in SEO, things change fast. Having a group of smart people to learn alongside keeps you sharp.

Get Good at Setting Expectations

If there’s one thing SEO is not, it’s instant. And that can be a tough sell if your client is used to quick wins from ads or viral content. That’s why clear communication is just as important as strategy.

Start by helping your client define their SEO goals. Are they trying to get more traffic to their blog? Rank for a specific service? Show up in local searches? Vague goals like “rank higher on Google” won’t cut it, you need specifics so you can track progress and show value.

Next, talk about timelines. SEO results often take a few months to kick in, especially if your client’s site is new or they’ve never invested in organic search before. Be upfront about that. The more realistic you are on the front end, the more trust you build over time.

Finally, get clear on what you’ll track. You don’t need to report on every single metric, but you do need to know what success looks like. Maybe it’s more traffic to a key page, more sign-ups from organic search, or better visibility for branded terms. Set those KPIs early and refer back to them often.

The key is that everyone knows what’s being worked on, how long it might take, and what results to look for.

🎧 SEO for Service Providers How Freelancers Get Found with Laura Jawad #259

When you use SEO for your service provider website to get found on Google, you build a client pipeline that works for you 24/7. You don’t have to dance on TikTok, post and pray on Instagram, or wait for referrals. Laura shows you a smarter, long-term way to book clients.

Just Start

You don’t need a certificate, a new title, or a perfect plan. You just need to start.

Offer to help a client with one blog post. Run a basic audit and share what you find. Try writing meta descriptions for a few key pages or updating image alt text. These small tasks might not feel glamorous, but they’re foundational and they get you moving.

Whether you’re building your first SEO offer or tightening up your current workflow, this free kit will give you the focus and the confidence to take your next step.

The truth is, SEO is one of those skills you learn best by doing. The sooner you start, the faster you’ll build experience, confidence, and results you can point to. And once you’ve got those, you’re not just someone who knows SEO. You’re someone who does it.

So take what you’ve learned, apply it to your own website, and look for ways to bring that value to your clients. The work will evolve, and so will you. But it starts with showing up, learning as you go, and not waiting for someone else to give you permission.

Turn SEO Into a Signature Service

Learning SEO isn’t just about padding your list of skills. It’s about deepening your value, widening your perspective, and positioning yourself as a go-to, long-term partner for your clients.

When you understand how SEO connects with everything else—content, PR, social media, offers—you become the person who can spot opportunities, fill gaps, and guide strategy.

If you’re serious about offering SEO services, you need a clear starting point that helps you take action:

The SEO Kickstart Kit walks you through the five core areas I recommend focusing on first, so you can organize your process, avoid busywork, and actually help your clients get found.

Related Podcasts:

🎧 Client Testimonials and SEO with Brittany Herzberg #118

Brittany Herzberg fell into her SEO niche almost by accident when she did a deep dive into how and why her website drew so many people to her. She uncovered 3 eye-opening areas that made her stand out above others, and she’s sharing them with us. Subscribe on Apple or Spotify

🎧 SEO Secrets with Content Marketer Rachel Lindteigen #79

Learn about SEO keyword secrets for VAs from Rachel Lindteigen, founder of Etched Marketing Academy. She chats about her messy beginning when first starting out, how she walked away from a high-paying offer, and how she transitioned into a niche that she loves. Subscribe on Apple or Spotify

Further Reading:

>> How to Find Jobs and Clients as a Digital Marketing Virtual Assistant

>> Upleveling Digital Marketing Skills to Provide Premium Services to Premium Clients

>> Create a Services Guide with Virtual Assistant Packages to Book Better Clients

>> How to Get Experience as a New Virtual Assistant

The Takeaway

You don’t have to be a full-time SEO expert to offer serious value in this space. You already have the insight, the client connection, and the marketing foundation to start weaving SEO into the work you’re doing. And when you do? You become that unicorn—the one clients keep coming back to because you’re not just checking boxes… you’re moving the needle.

If Laura’s blog lit a fire under you (or even just sparked curiosity), don’t let it fizzle. Keep going:

✨ Join us inside the Digital Marketer’s Workgroup — This is where marketing assistants like you level up with practical training, real-world client opportunities, and a community that gets it. You’ll find SEO guidance, job leads, and the support you need to grow your confidence and your rates.

🦄 Need help with SEO right now? Whether you’re a business owner or agency looking to outsource, head over to Hire a Unicorn and submit your job opp for free. We’ll post it in my Workgroup full of trained marketing pros who can bring strategy and SEO skills to your team.

You don’t need to have it all figured out; just take the next step.