{"id":644361,"date":"2024-11-15T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-15T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/the-seo-career-crisis-is-coming-are-you-ready\/"},"modified":"2024-11-15T17:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-15T14:00:00","slug":"the-seo-career-crisis-is-coming-are-you-ready","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-seo-career-crisis-is-coming-are-you-ready\/","title":{"rendered":"#The SEO career crisis is coming: Are you ready?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a41289489c58\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a41289489c58\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-seo-career-crisis-is-coming-are-you-ready\/#Learn_how_to_navigate_the_uncertain_future_of_SEO_keep_your_career_stable_and_prepare_for_the_next_growth_phase\" >Learn how to navigate the uncertain future of SEO, keep your career stable and prepare for the next growth phase.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-seo-career-crisis-is-coming-are-you-ready\/#The_COVID_boom_is_over_Welcome_to_the_dark_times_of_SEO\" >The COVID boom is over: Welcome to the dark times of SEO<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-seo-career-crisis-is-coming-are-you-ready\/#Redundancies_fuel_a_race_to_the_bottom\" >Redundancies fuel a race to the bottom<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-seo-career-crisis-is-coming-are-you-ready\/#The_next_boom_is_coming\" >The next boom is coming<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-seo-career-crisis-is-coming-are-you-ready\/#Agencies_of_the_future_are_brand_experiences\" >Agencies of the future are brand experiences\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-seo-career-crisis-is-coming-are-you-ready\/#If_you_want_results_hire_superstars\" >If you want results, hire superstars<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-seo-career-crisis-is-coming-are-you-ready\/#Freelance_is_OK_until%E2%80%A6\" >Freelance is OK, until\u2026<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-seo-career-crisis-is-coming-are-you-ready\/#Why_keeping_your_staff_matters\" >Why keeping your staff matters<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/the-seo-career-crisis-is-coming-are-you-ready\/#Build_better_agencies_or_get_out\" >Build better agencies or get out<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"subhead\" itemprop=\"alternativeHeadline\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Learn_how_to_navigate_the_uncertain_future_of_SEO_keep_your_career_stable_and_prepare_for_the_next_growth_phase\"><\/span>Learn how to navigate the uncertain future of SEO, keep your career stable and prepare for the next growth phase.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"bialty-container\">\n<p>#opentowork \u2013 it\u2019s the hashtag I keep seeing on LinkedIn from SEO professionals.<\/p>\n<p>Attached to this hashtag is a long post about the SEO being shocked and asking for help finding work.<\/p>\n<p>Why? SEOs are being made redundant by agencies.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s been h<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ening all year and is about to fuel the biggest career crisis in SEO.<\/p>\n<p>You need to be ready.<\/p>\n<p>You need to think about how you\u2019ll handle things.<\/p>\n<p>You need to make some decisions about your future.<\/p>\n<p>This article will help.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-covid-boom-is-over-welcome-to-the-dark-times-of-seo\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_COVID_boom_is_over_Welcome_to_the_dark_times_of_SEO\"><\/span>The COVID boom is over: Welcome to the dark times of SEO<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When COVID-19 happened, and we were all locked away in our homes, an SEO boom occurred.<\/p>\n<p>People suddenly remembered the importance of digital marketing, and we saw a huge increase in demand for services.<\/p>\n<p>Agencies emerged from nowhere, and others grew at speed.<\/p>\n<p>I recall trying to find SEOs to hire, and it was a nightmare. Many were in a bidding war for staff as wages increased and demand outs<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/trip-and-travel\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"10\" title=\"Trip &amp; Travel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">trip<\/a>ped the supply of SEO staff.<\/p>\n<p>Big agencies were now happy with fully remote or hybrid work. It was a glorious boom time of high salaries and demand for services.<\/p>\n<p>But things change.<\/p>\n<p>Throw in a few wars, an energy crisis, politics, inflation, higher interest rates, a cost-of-living crisis and sprinkle on a few elections.<\/p>\n<p>As a result, people are spending less, and marketing budgets have tightened.<\/p>\n<p>Money shifted to im<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">media<\/a>te customer acquisition (paid search), so SEO has been hit.<\/p>\n<p>The kneejerk response would be that SEO is dead or dying. It\u2019s not. By all accounts, SEO is a growing industry.<\/p>\n<p>However, we experienced a period of rapid growth that would never have been sustainable during normal times, followed by a downturn.<\/p>\n<p>The simple truth.<\/p>\n<p>We have too many SEOs right now.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-redundancies-fuel-a-race-to-the-bottom\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Redundancies_fuel_a_race_to_the_bottom\"><\/span>Redundancies fuel a race to the bottom<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The freelance market is booming.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We all know it. But this is being fuelled by agencies collapsing or making staff redundant.<\/p>\n<p>When an SEO faces redundancy, they end up having four options.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Start their own agency.<\/li>\n<li>Find another role, either at an agency or on the client side.<\/li>\n<li>Go freelance.<\/li>\n<li>Walk away from SEO.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The latter tends to happen with execs. They can start a new role or career and even freelance on the side.<\/p>\n<p>However, many freelance or start their own agency (in a decreasing SEO role marke)t.<\/p>\n<p>This means that you often add to the competition field for every redundancy you make.<\/p>\n<p>We then end up with a position where the price has to drop because supply outstrips demand for SEO services.<\/p>\n<p>And that\u2019s the current market. It\u2019s been a messy 18 or so months.<\/p>\n<p>But it\u2019s about to change.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Dig deeper: What to do if you lose your SEO job: The emergency handbook<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-next-boom-is-coming\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_next_boom_is_coming\"><\/span>The next boom is coming<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Companies have overspent on paid search and will turn to organic next year. We know that growth, no matter how minor, will likely be heading to economies.<\/p>\n<p>And here\u2019s the issue.<\/p>\n<p>Agencies have let go some of their best staff\u2026 and getting them back is complicated.<\/p>\n<p>First, there are huge benefits to being self-employed.<\/p>\n<p>From tax efficiency to <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/general\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"3\" title=\"General\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">general<\/a> work-life balance.<\/p>\n<p>Second, you\u2019re asking people to give up their relative freedom for 1 to 3 months\u2019 notice and a probation period of less.<\/p>\n<p>And then we have earnings.<\/p>\n<p>Once you place tax into a mix, being a freelancer means you can take a six-figure salary home without earning six figures on paper.<\/p>\n<p>Freelancers only need a few clients to earn more than their old salaries.<\/p>\n<p>This causes a big issue for agencies.<\/p>\n<p>So, what\u2019s the solution?<\/p>\n<p><!-- START INLINE FORM --><\/p>\n<p><!-- END INLINE FORM --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-css-opacity has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color has-background\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-agencies-of-the-future-are-brand-experiences-nbsp\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Agencies_of_the_future_are_brand_experiences\"><\/span>Agencies of the future are brand experiences\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There are two ways this is going to go.<\/p>\n<p>The first is that agencies that have survived will promote inexperienced staff to ensure they have enough people to do the work and fill the bottom with graduates.<\/p>\n<p>A core issue with this is results.<\/p>\n<p>A good executive does not always make a good account manager, and a good account manager does not always equal a good head of SEO, and so on.<\/p>\n<p>People tend to be promoted to their position of \u201cincompetence\u201d and don\u2019t go further.<\/p>\n<p>This can result in many \u201cbad agencies\u201d that churn clients at scale.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s not to say they can\u2019t thrive \u2013 in boom periods, they do. It\u2019s just a tad on the depressing side, and generally, agencies like that reach their saturation point.<\/p>\n<p>This is where they achieve a natural balance of client gain and churn. They don\u2019t grow; they just stay the same size.<\/p>\n<p>But there is another future.<\/p>\n<p>The birth of the SEO agency brand.<\/p>\n<p>Right now, I\u2019d say that agency marketing is pretty awful generally.<\/p>\n<p>We are in bad times right now, but we weren\u2019t always in bad times, and we won\u2019t be in bad times in the future.<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, it\u2019s how we market agency brands that matters.<\/p>\n<p>But I want you to answer a question (in your mind).<\/p>\n<p>If BrewDog had started an SEO agency, I think we could imagine how their agency would look.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1208\" height=\"780\" alt=\"Image via ChatGPT\" class=\"wp-image-448303\" srcset=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/Agency-of-the-future-Image-via-ChatGPT.png.webp 1208w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/Agency-of-the-future-Image-via-ChatGPT-523x338.png.webp 523w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/Agency-of-the-future-Image-via-ChatGPT-800x517.png.webp 800w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/Agency-of-the-future-Image-via-ChatGPT-175x113.png.webp 175w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/Agency-of-the-future-Image-via-ChatGPT-768x496.png.webp 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1208px) 100vw, 1208px\" src=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/Agency-of-the-future-Image-via-ChatGPT.png.webp\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1208\" height=\"780\" src=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/Agency-of-the-future-Image-via-ChatGPT.png.webp\" alt=\"Image via ChatGPT\" class=\"wp-image-448303\" srcset=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/Agency-of-the-future-Image-via-ChatGPT.png.webp 1208w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/Agency-of-the-future-Image-via-ChatGPT-523x338.png.webp 523w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/Agency-of-the-future-Image-via-ChatGPT-800x517.png.webp 800w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/Agency-of-the-future-Image-via-ChatGPT-175x113.png.webp 175w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/Agency-of-the-future-Image-via-ChatGPT-768x496.png.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1208px) 100vw, 1208px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><em>Image via ChatGPT<\/em><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>We could guess the decor, style, approach and what it would feel like in the office.<\/p>\n<p>As a client, I\u2019m sure you\u2019d like to visit the office. You\u2019d have a nice beer poured in the meeting room while you chatted.<\/p>\n<p>But what about if L\u2019Oreal or any major beauty brand started an agency?<\/p>\n<p>I think we\u2019d say most of the staff would have nice hair, but aside from that, we\u2019d know that the office would be glamorous, and their advertising and marketing content would be luxurious.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"602\" alt=\"Image via ChatGPT\" class=\"wp-image-448304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/What-if-a-beauty-brand-started-an-agency-Image-via-ChatGPT.png.webp 1080w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/What-if-a-beauty-brand-started-an-agency-Image-via-ChatGPT-600x334.png.webp 600w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/What-if-a-beauty-brand-started-an-agency-Image-via-ChatGPT-800x446.png.webp 800w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/What-if-a-beauty-brand-started-an-agency-Image-via-ChatGPT-200x111.png.webp 200w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/What-if-a-beauty-brand-started-an-agency-Image-via-ChatGPT-768x428.png.webp 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" src=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/What-if-a-beauty-brand-started-an-agency-Image-via-ChatGPT.png.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"602\" src=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/What-if-a-beauty-brand-started-an-agency-Image-via-ChatGPT.png.webp\" alt=\"Image via ChatGPT\" class=\"wp-image-448304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/What-if-a-beauty-brand-started-an-agency-Image-via-ChatGPT.png.webp 1080w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/What-if-a-beauty-brand-started-an-agency-Image-via-ChatGPT-600x334.png.webp 600w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/What-if-a-beauty-brand-started-an-agency-Image-via-ChatGPT-800x446.png.webp 800w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/What-if-a-beauty-brand-started-an-agency-Image-via-ChatGPT-200x111.png.webp 200w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/What-if-a-beauty-brand-started-an-agency-Image-via-ChatGPT-768x428.png.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The point I\u2019m making is that most agencies lack a brand or make no serious attempt at brand marketing.<\/p>\n<p>I get why many (if not most) are in survival mode.<\/p>\n<p>But this is not that.<\/p>\n<p>Small agencies, even one-person ones, can start to think about how their agency feels and looks.<\/p>\n<p>They can consider their websites, branding, documents and every touchpoint a client or staff member has with their brand.<\/p>\n<p>I used to ship my SEO strategy reports in an ammo tin with a logo on the front, making the digital world tangible.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"982\" height=\"1124\" alt=\"SEO strategy reports in ammo tin\" class=\"wp-image-448306\" srcset=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/SEO-strategy-report-in-ammo-tin.jpg.webp 982w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/SEO-strategy-report-in-ammo-tin-295x338.jpg.webp 295w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/SEO-strategy-report-in-ammo-tin-524x600.jpg.webp 524w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/SEO-strategy-report-in-ammo-tin-99x113.jpg.webp 99w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/SEO-strategy-report-in-ammo-tin-768x879.jpg.webp 768w\" data-lazy-sizes=\"(max-width: 982px) 100vw, 982px\" src=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/SEO-strategy-report-in-ammo-tin.jpg.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"982\" height=\"1124\" src=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/SEO-strategy-report-in-ammo-tin.jpg.webp\" alt=\"SEO strategy reports in ammo tin\" class=\"wp-image-448306\" srcset=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/SEO-strategy-report-in-ammo-tin.jpg.webp 982w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/SEO-strategy-report-in-ammo-tin-295x338.jpg.webp 295w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/SEO-strategy-report-in-ammo-tin-524x600.jpg.webp 524w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/SEO-strategy-report-in-ammo-tin-99x113.jpg.webp 99w,https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/SEO-strategy-report-in-ammo-tin-768x879.jpg.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 982px) 100vw, 982px\"><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>And it\u2019s these things that are going to entice staff back from freelance land.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not about putting your reports in tins \u2013 that\u2019s not what I\u2019m saying.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s about becoming an agency brand that people want on their CVs.<\/p>\n<p>Being an office that people want to work in.<\/p>\n<p>Being an agency that people want to work for.<\/p>\n<p>Being an agency that clients want to work with \u2013 if for the \u201cexperience and results.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This is also not a money thing; we\u2019ll talk about that next.<\/p>\n<p>This is a brand thing.<\/p>\n<p>Having a distinctive brand that draws people in matters.<\/p>\n<p>This is where future growth will be.<\/p>\n<p>This is how you\u2019ll attract the key talent.<\/p>\n<p>However, agencies will need far bigger salaries if they are to compete.<\/p>\n<p>And I\u2019ll cover this next.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Dig deeper: In-house vs. agency SEO work: The pros and cons<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-if-you-want-results-hire-superstars\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"If_you_want_results_hire_superstars\"><\/span>If you want results, hire superstars<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s a simple statement:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you want results, hire superstars.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And it\u2019s true, but you\u2019ll need to get used to a few things.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>First, anyone who doesn\u2019t deliver value to clients must justify their salaries.<\/li>\n<li>Second, you\u2019ll have to be focused on marketing and delivery.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Agencies of the future will need to pay huge salaries to win back talent from their comfortable freelance worlds.<\/p>\n<p>So, you\u2019ll have to minimize everything else \u2013 which is fine.<\/p>\n<p>Run lean in every non-essential area, and you can hire superstars to grow your brand through marketing and results.<\/p>\n<p>But what about those wanting to stay freelance?<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-freelance-is-ok-until\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Freelance_is_OK_until%E2%80%A6\"><\/span>Freelance is OK, until\u2026<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Look, I\u2019ve been freelance. I\u2019ve also built my own agency and now work for a leading one.<\/p>\n<p>Freelance is great until you:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Need a new mortgage.<\/li>\n<li>Get sick.<\/li>\n<li>Have a few awful clients.<\/li>\n<li>Need a holiday from work.<\/li>\n<li>Have clients not pay.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Need I go on?<\/p>\n<p>Freelance work can be brilliant, but it does have downsides.<\/p>\n<p>From pensions to other benefits that come with having stable employment, these are what you give up.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m not saying you overcome them, but freelance work often swings between periods of feast and famine.<\/p>\n<p>This is why I\u2019m so bullish on agency branding. To win employees back, you have to be vastly better than a freelancer life.<\/p>\n<p>But what about retention?<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Dig deeper: How to train entry-level SEO hires so they can contribute right away<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-keeping-your-staff-matters\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_keeping_your_staff_matters\"><\/span>Why keeping your staff matters<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When growth emerges again, your staff will look elsewhere for roles unless you\u2019ve treated them correctly.<\/p>\n<p>And I assure you, hiring can be both expensive and complex work. So, retaining staff matters.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>I speak with many SEOs who are attracted to the freelance world, and there are always other agencies they can go to. And let\u2019s not forget the client side.<\/p>\n<p>This places agencies in a weak spot.<\/p>\n<p>As growth emerges, the \u201ctalent\u201d pool will be smaller, and staff demand will be higher.<\/p>\n<p>Which again fuels wage rises and impacts your profitability.<\/p>\n<p>The solution is to retain your SEO talent by offering a combination of great salary and working conditions and being an agency brand that people want to work for.<\/p>\n<p>But am I dreaming here?<\/p>\n<p>Is this all too much for SEO agencies to do?<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-build-better-agencies-or-get-out\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Build_better_agencies_or_get_out\"><\/span>Build better agencies or get out<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>I\u2019ve long always said that once people go freelance, it\u2019s virtually impossible to get them to be employees again.<\/p>\n<p>There will be a great talent battle between agencies in the coming years.<\/p>\n<p>We have already seen the rise of SEO influencers on platforms like Linkedin.<\/p>\n<p>SEOs that generate their own work and leads.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re going to either attract these people or stop your talent from wanting to leave you and join that <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/game\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"7\" title=\"Game\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">game<\/a>, there is simply no excuse.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ve got to build better agencies, or don\u2019t bother.<\/p>\n<p>And this is the SEO career crisis that\u2019s coming.<\/p>\n<p>When the growth happens, the agencies with the best brands will win big.<\/p>\n<p>The agencies with the best talent will thrive.<\/p>\n<p>And you\u2019ll find that accessing talent is going to become harder.<\/p>\n<p>Unless agencies become places where the talent wants to flow, you just might find that the freelancer market becomes the \u201cgo-to\u201d place for SEO services.<\/p>\n<p>Make no mistake: agencies will be in for a battle for staff in the coming months and years.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s on them to build agencies worth working for.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Dig deeper: The latest jobs in search marketing<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"about-author\">\n<p>About the author<\/p>\n<div class=\"information\">\n<div class=\"author-module\">\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col-12 col-lg-3 text-center\">\n<div class=\"avatar\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid rounded-circle avatar-border\" alt=\"Andrew Holland\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2022\/05\/Andrew-Holland.png.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-fluid rounded-circle avatar-border\" src=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2022\/05\/Andrew-Holland.png.webp\" alt=\"Andrew Holland\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"col-12 col-lg-9\">\n<div class=\"about\">\n<div class=\"name\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<strong>Andrew Holland<\/strong>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"row g-2 pt-2\">\n<div class=\"col-auto twitter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/follow?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fsearchengineland.com%2F&amp;region=follow_link&amp;screen_name=Zooglymedia&amp;tw_p=followbutton&amp;variant=2.0\" rel=\"me\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"opens in a new tab\"><i class=\"fab fa-x-twitter\"><\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"col-auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/andrew-holland-seo\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"opens in a new tab\"><i class=\"fab fa-linkedin\"><\/i><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\tAndrew Holland is the Director of SEO at <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/jbh.co.uk\/\">JBH, an award-winning Digital PR and SEO agency<\/a>. His SEO background stems from a 17-year career in the police, where a number of years were spent within intelligence, utilizing SEO within internal systems to catch criminals. After developing chronic asthma, Andrew left the police and launched a freelance SEO and digital marketing career, and has worked with a wide range of clients, from SMEs to 8-figure businesses. Today, he directs the SEO delivery for one of the UK&#8217;s fastest-growing Digital PR and SEO agencies. Building organic visibility, trust and fame for consumer brands.\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMN63nwsw68G3Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" >Technology<\/a><\/span> category.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/seo-career-crisis-coming-448300\" target=\"_blank\" >Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn how to navigate the uncertain future of SEO, keep your career stable and prepare for the next growth phase. #opentowork \u2013 it\u2019s the hashtag I keep seeing on LinkedIn from SEO professionals. Attached to this hashtag is a long post about the SEO being shocked and asking for help finding work. Why? SEOs are&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":644362,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/searchengineland.com\/wp-content\/seloads\/2024\/11\/The-SEO-career-crisis-is-coming-Are-you-ready-800x450.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[78070],"class_list":["post-644361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology","tag-seo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/644361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=644361"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/644361\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/644362"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=644361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=644361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=644361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}