Welcome to a new
Introducing
We asked her everything from how she first got into SEO to what empowers her to be the brilliant SEO she is 💪🏽
How did you get into SEO?
My primary career has always been translation, so I got into SEO recently. I was in South Korea, where I lived for six years, working for a Digital Marketing company. In that job, I got to work on many different tasks, one of which was multilingual SEO. That piqued my curiosity, so when I returned home, I decided to study for a Digital Marketing Master's degree and specialize in SEO. What I love the most is that I can still use both careers by offering international/multilingual SEO services.
What is your favourite SEO task?
I like performing multilingual keyword research and keyword mapping. It's exciting for me to find the right keyword for each landing page and search intent, and to see how people search differently depending on the language. I also love SEO content creation and optimization. I've written blogs since I was young, but I didn't know anything about SEO, so of course, my blog posts wouldn't rank or be visible at all. Now, I love optimizing them and seeing them appear in the first positions makes me proud of my work.
What is your go-to tool or resource that you can't live without?
It might sound cliché, but my go-to tool is Google Search Console. I feel like a lot of people don't realize its potential. Besides GSC, I always have Screaming Frog, Sitebulb, SEMrush, and GA4 in my stack of tools. I also love using SEMrush Writing Tool Assistant when working on a blog article since it's very visual and practical.
What did you learn in SEO that gave you an 'AHA' moment?
I have two 'AHA' moments. One is the importance of zero-volume keywords. People ignore those keywords because they think nobody searches for them, but that's not true. They are an excellent opportunity to grow, and it always works when I use them with pretty new websites that need a kickstart. The other one is seeing how one strategy doesn't fit all. For some companies, it can work, and for others, it might not. This doesn't mean you are doing something wrong; it simply means that each business is different and needs a tailored approach.
What is your proudest industry achievement?
I haven't been in the industry long, but I'm grateful for all the opportunities coming my way in this short period. Two of my big goals for 2024 were to speak at an event and write an article for a reputable brand. And I achieved both! I like to try new things, so I'm already working on a collaboration for a podcast.
What advice would you give those starting out in SEO?
Network from the beginning. I can't stress enough how networking with the right people has opened doors for me. Also, get a mentor at the beginning of your career. You can learn a lot of SEO in courses, but there are new insights that you will only learn from a mentor. And never say no to opportunities coming your way, even if you don't feel prepared or lack confidence. Once you have achieved it, you will feel so powerful. Lastly, always think you are enough. Coming into a field with many established referents can be challenging, but you must be true to yourself and share your unique perspective. People will eventually realize your value.
Give a shout-out to someone in the industry who inspires you, and tell us why
I enjoy reading Tory Gray's advice on the WTS Slack. She has a lot of experience and broad knowledge, and she's a woman I admire. I also like using all the resources her company shares. Another woman who inspires me is Marium, my SEO mentor. She has overcome many challenges and is very successful. She helps me become the best version of myself.
I would also like to thank Sara Fernández, my WTS mentor. I've known her for quite a while, and she has always introduced me to good opportunities and given me support, so I could excel in my career. Now, as my mentor, she keeps teaching me valuable things and inspiring me to become a professional like her.
Finally, what empowers you to be the brilliant person you are?
I would say my willingness to keep learning. That's one of the things that separates a professional from another. As a freelancer, I need to constantly be updated about the latest trends to offer my clients the best services. I'm also naturally curious and open-minded, which helps me adapt to new situations and different perspectives in life.
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Thanks, Raquel, for a truly insightful interview! You can connect with Raquel on LinkedIn, Twitter and learn more about their services on their website.
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