Just in:Striking Gold

1. SEO Consulting

• How: Work with businesses to improve their rankings, traffic and conversions.

• How to Find Clients: LinkedIn, Upwork, Freelancer.com or direct outreach to businesses.

• Pricing: Per hour ($100-$500/hour) or on a monthly retainer ($2,000-$10,000+).

2. Start an SEO Agency

• How: Scale up by hiring a team and offering full-service SEO packages.

• Services: Technical SEO, link building, content marketing, local SEO, etc.

• Earnings Potential: Six to seven figures.

3. Rank & Rent Websites

• How: Build niche websites, rank them with SEO and rent them out to businesses.

• Example: Rank a local plumber website and rent it out for $500-$2,000/month.

4. Affiliate Marketing (SEO-Optimized Sites)

• How: Build high-ranking niche websites and monetize with affiliate products.

• Best Niches: Finance, health, tech, SaaS, product reviews.

• Earnings Potential: $5,000-$50,000+ per month.

5. Sell SEO Courses & Coaching

• How: Teach SEO through courses on Udemy, Teachable or your own site.

• Earnings Potential: $50-$500 per course; six figures with a big audience.

6. Link Building

• How: Sell high-quality backlinks (guest posts, niche edits, HARO links).

• Earnings Potential: $100-$1,500 per backlink or $5,000+ per month.

7. Flip Websites (SEO-Optimized Sites)

• How: Buy undervalued websites, improve their SEO and sell for profit.

• Where to Sell: Flipper, Empire Flippers, Motion Invest.

• Profit Potential: 20x-40x monthly revenue.

8. Local SEO

• How: Help small businesses rank in Google Maps & local searches.

• Best Clients: Dentists, lawyers, contractors, realtors.

• Earnings Potential: $500-$5,000 per month per client.

9. SEO SaaS Tool

• How: Build a tool that automates SEO tasks (keyword research, audits, tracking).

• Example: Ahref, SEMrush or small niche tools.

• Earnings Potential: High if scaled.

10. Monetize an SEO Blog or YouTube Channel

• How: Share SEO insights and monetize via ads, sponsorships and affiliate links.

• Earnings Potential: $5,000-$50,000/month with good traffic.

                          Bonus Tip: Stack Multiple Income Streams

To maximize earnings, combine multiple methods (e.g. consulting + affiliate marketing + courses).

Which one of these interests you the most?

Help local businesses establish their online presence  

How to Help Local Businesses Build Their Online Presence (and Make Money Doing It)

In today’s digital-first world, having an online presence is no longer optional for local businesses—it’s essential. Whether it’s a family-owned bakery or a neighborhood plumbing service, businesses that lack visibility online are missing out on potential customers and revenue. For entrepreneurs and digital marketers, this presents a lucrative opportunity to help local businesses thrive in the digital space while building a profitable venture.

If you're ready to make money while delivering real value, here's a step-by-step guide to helping local businesses establish and grow their online presence.

1. Build and Optimize Their Google Business Profile (GBP)

Why It Matters

Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is a critical tool for local businesses to appear in Google Search and Google Maps. It’s often the first touchpoint for customers searching for services nearby.

                                                                How to Do It 

- Claim and verify the business on [Google Business Profile](https://www.google.com/business/).  

- Ensure all business information (name, address, phone number, hours) is accurate and up-to-date.  

- Use relevant keywords in the business description to improve search visibility.  

- Add high-quality photos and videos showcasing the business, products, or services.  

- Encourage customers to leave reviews and respond promptly to each one, whether positive or negative.

Potential Earnings 

- Setup Fee: $300–$1,500  

- Ongoing Optimization: $200–$500/month  

2. Create a Professional Website

Why It Matters

A well-designed website is the cornerstone of any online presence, serving as the business’s digital storefront. It builds credibility and provides a platform for lead generation.

                                                         How to Do It

- Use platforms like WordPress, Shopify, Wix, or Webflow to create responsive websites that work seamlessly on both desktop and mobile devices.  

- Include essential pages: Home, About, Services, Contact, and Blog.  

- Optimize the website for search engines (SEO) by using relevant keywords, meta tags, and alt text for images.  

- Integrate lead-generation tools like contact forms, chatbots, or appointment scheduling features.

 Potential Earnings  

- Website Design: $500–$5,000 per project  

3. Implement Local SEO Strategies

Why It Matters

Local SEO ensures that businesses appear in search results when potential customers look for services in their area (e.g., “best coffee shop near me”).

How to Do It

- Target location-specific keywords in website content (e.g., “affordable dentist in Chicago”).  

- Build backlinks from local directories and community websites.  

- Ensure consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) information across all platforms.  

- Create blog content focused on local events, news, or tips related to the business’s industry.

Potential Earnings

Monthly Retainer:$500–$3,000  

4. Run Social Media Marketing Campaigns

Why It Matters

An active social media presence helps businesses engage with their audience, build trust, and attract new customers. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are particularly effective for local marketing.

                                                   How to Do It

- Set up and optimize profiles on relevant platforms.  

- Create engaging content such as reels, carousels, and promotional posts.  

- Use targeted ads on Facebook and Instagram to drive traffic or generate leads.  

- Respond to messages and comments to foster customer relationships.

Potential Earnings

Monthly Management Fee: $500–$2,500  

5. Offer Paid Advertising Services (Google & Facebook Ads)

Why It Matters  

While organic growth takes time, paid advertising delivers immediate results by driving targeted traffic to the business.

                                                   How to Do It

- Set up Google Ads campaigns focused on high-intent keywords (e.g., “emergency plumber in NYC”).  

- Run Facebook and Instagram ads targeting specific demographics or geographic areas.  

- Continuously monitor and optimize campaigns to reduce cost per lead and improve ROI.

Potential Earnings

Management Fee: $500–$5,000/month (plus ad spend)  

6. Manage Online Reviews and Reputation

Why It Matters

Positive reviews not only build trust but also improve a business’s rankings in local search results. On the flip side, poorly managed reviews can harm credibility.

How to Do It

- Set up automated systems to request reviews via email or SMS after a customer interaction.  

- Monitor reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook.  

- Respond professionally to both positive and negative feedback to maintain a strong reputation.

Potential Earnings

Monthly Fee: $300–$1,500  

7. Provide Email and SMS Marketing Services

Why It Matters

Email and SMS marketing are cost-effective ways for businesses to retain customers and increase repeat sales through promotions, announcements, or reminders.

                                                     How to Do It

- Use tools like Mailchimp or Active Campaign to set up email marketing automation.  

- Design lead magnets such as discounts or free guides to grow the business’s email list.  

- Create SMS campaigns for time-sensitive promotions or appointment reminders.

Potential Earnings

Monthly Fee:  $300–$2,000  

How to Find Clients

Now that you know how to help local businesses grow online, the next step is finding clients. Here are some effective strategies:  

1.Cold Outreach: Research local businesses that lack an online presence or have outdated websites. Contact them via email or phone with a tailored proposal.  

2. Networking: Attend local business meetups or join community groups where you can connect with potential clients.  

3. Partnerships: Collaborate with web designers, print shops, or other agencies that already work with local businesses.  

4. Social Proof: Showcase your past work through case studies or testimonials on your website or portfolio.  

5. Freelance Platforms: Use websites like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer.com to land your first few client

                                 How Much Can You Earn?

By offering these services as a package or à la carte, you can build a profitable business with just a handful of clients.

 Example Package for a Small Business:  

✅ Website setup - $1,500  

✅ Google Business Profile optimization - $800  

✅ Local SEO - $1,500/month  

✅ Social media management - $1,000/month  

✅ Google/Facebook Ads - $1,500/month  

💰 Total: $6,300 for the first month and $4,000/month recurring!

With just 5 clients at this rate, you could earn over $20,000 per month.

                                                    Final Thoughts  

Helping local businesses establish their online presence is not only a rewarding way to make money but also an opportunity to make a tangible impact on your community. By offering services like website design, local SEO, social media management, and paid advertising, you can position yourself as an indispensable partner for small businesses looking to compete in today’s digital landscape.

Are you ready to start building your client base? Let us know if you need help crafting service packages or proposals to kickstart your journey! 🚀

I have an extensive case study about this project. But, I want to briefly explain what I did to help my client move his local business online:

1. Competitor and keyword research. I used Ahrefs to examine the local competition and conduct keyword research.

2. We set up measurable goals to track the onsite conversion rate and understand user behavior.  

3. I created a website in Wix and filled it with optimized content. A yearly Wix fee was €150, but I stumbled upon a 50% one-time discount and purchased the yearly plan for €75. Here is what the price covered: 

• A website drag-and-drop builder.
• The basic SEO optimization toolkit (for meta titles, descriptions, and URLs).
• The customer relationship management system (CRM).
• The basic data tracking tools.
• Ten gigabytes of data storage.
• A custom domain name and free hosting for a year. 

4. I set up Google My Business account to improve the website’s visibility in search and help customers find relevant information easily.

5. I set up Google Ads for the client. Guess what? We were among the first ones running ads for our target keywords.

These steps might seem complicated at first glance. In reality, they are not. Setting up someone’s website can be a valuable experience for you and a stepping stone on the way to starting your own SEO business.

2. Start SEO business  — Own website

Do you feel confident creating impactful content that ranks high and drives results?  Well done!

Now, it’s time to create your own digital business that will support you financially and grant you freedom. How to start an SEO business, you ask me? I tell you — launch your own website. 

Don’t rush to say “no” just yet. Think about it this way. 

You already know how to write content that ranks high in search engines. You helped your clients create impactful content to grow their businesses. Now, it’s time to think about yourself, no? 

Launching a website is a short-term hustle, while running a successful online business is a long-term gain and a full-time occupation that brings joy and money. 

I spent roughly $200 to set up selfmademillennials.com. I bought a design template and set up services from a third party.

I could easily use a free template and start my WordPress blog. However, I decided to delegate this task and focus on what I can do best  —  SEO writing. 

There are so many ways to make money with SEO if you run a website:

• Affiliate marketing ( I made $1k+ in affiliate commissions in January 2025) 
• Sponsored backlinks
• Paid mentions
• Google AdSense monetization program for publishers 
• Selling your products/services
• Etc.

Focus on low-competitive keywords and consistently create valuable content — this is a quick recipe to growing a website from zero to hero.

3. Start SEO business — Own agency 

Wondering how much do SEOs make? Get ready! The following numbers might surprise you. 

On average, agency SEOs bill their clients around $119 per hour and make roughly $1179 per client, according to the BrightLocal study.

A typical yearly freelance SEO salary is $54,339 in the USA, according to Indeed. Upwork, however, states you can make $15-$35/ hour by doing SEO.   

There is a huge potential for monetizing your skills and making big money from SEO by scaling your business.

Think about it this way.

How much money can you make working as an SEO specialist at a full-time job? Perhaps a couple of thousands of dollars per month. 

If you are good at SEO and run your own agency, you can double or even triple your earnings!

Nail Patel, a famous SEO guru, started an SEO agency that made him $10,000 to $20,000 a month in the first year! Later, he managed to scale it to an astonishing seven-figure revenue a year!

The sky’s the limit when it comes to making money from SEO. 

When starting your SEO business, you should always remember this: your agency will be as good as its people!

Making money online with SEO —  how to know if it is for you?

Those who want to succeed in SEO are ready to accept the rules and play the game long-term.

Many people are obsessed with the perks they can get if they work long enough on their websites, but only a few are willing to follow the rules and wait. 

SEO can be your passion and profession if you are willing to do the following:

• Research, collect, and analyze data every day!
• Write at least 1000 words daily, publish optimized content, and track its performance. 
• Work 60 hours a week instead of 40 hours.
• Being not afraid to dig into unknown fields, discover issues, and develop new solutions.
• Never stop learning!
• Be ready to talk (a lot!) with other webmasters. 
• Struggle, but never give up because of interim failures. 

2 questions to ask yourself before starting an SEO business

Is SEO dead? 

As a marketer, I often hear, “ Is SEO dead?” “Is SEO still relevant?” “Are websites dead?” “Google is dying. What’s the next big trend?”

I doubt all those people follow the latest news, though. Let me quote the Search Engine Optimization Services Global Market Report 2021:

“The global search engine optimization services market is expected to grow from $46.66 billion in 2020 to $50.45 billion in 2021 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8. 1%. 

The growth is mainly due to the companies rearranging their operations and recovering from the COVID-19 impact, which had earlier led to restrictive containment measures involving social distancing, remote working, and the closure of commercial activities that resulted in operational challenges. 

The market is expected to reach $103.24 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 20%.”

Manifest, a B2B rating platform, surveyed around 500 small business owners to learn that roughly 50% of small businesses invest in SEO. Still, 24% said they plan to start doing so the following year. 

Now, let me ask you one question after you read this: Is SEO worth it?

Once you see the research-based data, it does not seem SEO is dead anymore. I highly encourage you to critically assess the information you read. Otherwise, you risk missing out on some great opportunities! 

How long will it take to make money from SEO?

here are two ways to monetize your SEO skills:

• Quick way: by selling your skills
• Long way: by starting an SEO business. For instance, a website. 

From my experience, you need to wait at least a year to start ranking with your content on the first search engine results page. 

I launched this website in August 2021.

Here’s what I achieved by running my website as a side hustle as of February 2025:

• 10k+ monthly traffic
• 90 indexed pages
• $1k+affiliate commissions monthly

Need help writing optimized content for your website?

As an SEO writer, I can help you with keyword research, on-page optimization, and technical SEO. 

I can write about general and niche topics, such as user experience design, search engine optimization, and web development, to name a few