Thread by @JoshuaCHardwick

Before working for @ahrefs, I ran an SEO business.

Here's my advice on how to start one in6⃣steps.

//THREAD//

1⃣Learn SEO... seriously

Don't even think about messing around with clients' sites unless you actually understand SEO.

Their sites are their livelihoods.

Don't muck around if you're clueless.🤷

How to learn:
- Ahrefs Blog <3
- @aleyda's learningseo.io

2⃣Start your own site

Knowing the theory is one thing; knowing how it comes together in practice is another.

So... start a site and PRACTICE.

This is what I did. I started a dumb fitness blog.

It was getting ~50k visits/month after 10 months (see screenshot)

3⃣Go t-shaped

Sure, you can start another "all in one" SEO agency...

But I had more success when I specialised and offered one thing.

How to pick that thing?

Choose the part of SEO you most enjoy. 🧠

For me, it was link building.

So that's where I expanded my knowledge.

4⃣Get clients

Easier said than done, right?

I got my first client (~$25k/year) on People Per Hour.

Other options:

- Cold calling (bad idea if you're introverted)
- Inbound marketing
- Guest blogging

5⃣Nail the logistics

Building an SEO business is HARD.

And it's even harder with constant distractions.

3 simple ways to reduce headaches:

- Get an accountant
- Use invoicing software
- Get a multi-currency account (saves on fees - I recommend @transferwise)

6⃣Scale

Guess what?

I never scaled. I was happy being an SEO freelancer.

(Not everyone wants to go full #garyvee #hustle)

But if you want to scale:

1. Productize your services
2. Hire people

Want more?

Read my latest post on the @Ahrefs Blog:

ahrefs.com/blog/how-to-st…

PS. Thanks for reading my first twitter thread thingy :)

PPS. obviously twitter is a product of the stone age so you can't edit tweets to add screenshots you missed 🤦 ...so you'll just have to trust me on that :)