Are you wondering what a Content Specialist does every day? We’ve got good news for you! We sat down with our very own content writer who’s responsible for guest posting, and creating content that’s well optimised both for the search engines and our target audience.
Let’s get to know more about her!
Meet Faye – Content Specialist at 2Stallions!
Hi! I’m Faye Garcia, a 20-ish Filipina who found a living through writing. Yep, you’ve read it right—I’m from the Philippines!
I’m the rose among the thorns, ’cause I’m currently the only lady in the SEO team. I write SEO-optimised articles and other content for 2Stallions and its clients. I’ve been doing this stuff for over 2 years…and guess what? I’m still loving it!
Before I became part of the 2Stallions family last March 2019, I’ve also produced content pieces for various websites, blog sites, and more in my past work experiences.
When I’m not working, I’m either spending time with my toddler, doing housework, binge-watching K-dramas or listening to BTS’ songs (Yes, I’m an ARMY!). Out of all those things, I love having quality time with my son the most. I find joy in homeschooling him, playing hide and seek and doing any sort of activity with him.
What goes on in the day-to-day job as a Content Specialist?
My workdays don’t look the same. There are days that I’m so swamped and days that I only work on a few things. However, one thing is certain regardless of how busy my week or day is— I’m obviously writing! (laughs)
Google has become my virtual BFF. I ask questions, and I like it when it’s very generous in giving me answers. I hope Google is like that to you, too. 😉
To give you a glimpse of how my typical working day looks like, here are the things I regularly do:
- Check my work email. Like other employees, I check my email before I start working.
- Open the article requests sheet. The SEO team has this G sheet that contains the article requests and statutes. The SEO guys input the details (i.e., keywords, website URL to link, intent, etc.) into the sheet. Then, I check what needs to be written first.
- Coordinate with SEO specialist/s. I coordinate with the SEO specialist handling the client project to verify things. I usually do this when working on branded content requirements (i.e., landing page copy, articles to be posted on client’s websites, etc.).
- Get content ideas on Ahrefs. I log in on Ahrefs to explore content ideas and search for a topic that I would create content on.
- Research. Before I start writing an article, it has become my habit to collate related articles and relevant statistics or studies. Once I’ve gathered the essential information, I create an article outline—write title suggestions, subheadings, and add corresponding references to each section—to build the content flow.
- Write, write and write. Need I say more? Most of my working time is spent on writing. If you’re going to ask how long before I finish an article, I would say… it depends. It depends on the topic’s complexity and the article’s word count. Can I also include here my son’s mood?
- Upload articles on WordPress. As mentioned, I also write internal articles. Once the articles are approved, I upload them on WordPress and optimise the meta tags using Yoast SEO.
Why do you think SEO content writing is important for businesses these days?
The world today revolves around the Internet. Most people use the Internet in their daily lives—from searching for products and services to finding information, connecting with friends, customers, or businesses, shopping, watching videos, and more.
With thousands of websites, articles, and content to be found online, how could you ensure that your business gets to the first page of Google? Well, just writing the content isn’t the solution. You must also write it for your readers and the search engines and incorporate the right keywords into the content to ensure high search rankings.
You’ve probably heard or read a lot that SEO-optimised web copy and articles have higher chances to show on search results pages (SERPs) than those that aren’t. You know what? That’s a fact!
A keyword-rich, shareable, and informative article will help drive more organic traffic to your website. This organic traffic may translate into qualified leads, and these leads may convert into paying customers. Did you see the domino effect there? That’s how powerful SEO and content marketing are when combined.
Do you have any advice for fresh graduates who are currently looking for jobs and are open to exploring different career paths? Would you recommend them to work as a Content Specialist?
As the popular adage says, no one is born an expert. If you find a job and feel like you’re not doing well, think twice, thrice, and many times before quitting. Don’t pressure yourself too much. Take things slow and enjoy the process.
If you have a flair for writing and are curious about how content pieces increase a brand’s discoverability, boost conversion rates, improve user experience, and build credibility, then you might want to consider SEO writing as a career path.
What challenges do you face as a Content Specialist? How do you overcome them?
I think most writers have experienced writing fatigue. There are times that I find it hard to write a good article introduction. Whenever this happens to me, I take a breather; pause for a quick snack or enjoy a cup of coffee.
Where do you get your motivation for your day-to-day tasks? Do you have any special sources of inspiration or drive?
The piling up bills are what keep me motivated. Just kidding.
Ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by how powerful words are. This fascination has led me to the idea of exploring the world of writing and taking a Communication Arts Degree.
Unfortunately, I didn’t land a writing career in my first two jobs because I lack experience. To make the long story short, I finally got lucky and worked as a Junior Content Producer in a marketing agency two years after my college graduation.
THIS. This story alone is my primary motivator. Whenever I lose motivation, I revisit my past and realise what I’ve gone through before getting on the job I dreamt of.
As years go by, my sources of motivation keep on growing—my son who inspires me to do better, my colleagues who share their feedback and my bosses who recognise my contributions to the company.
In case you’re reading this and losing motivation, know that it’s only momentarily. Take the time you need. Look back on those bumpy roads and appreciate the people around you.
Can you share with us some of your favourite marketing guides or resources?
To be honest, I don’t have my favourite marketing guides. But I often find myself reading HubSpot, Content Marketing Institute, and Neil Patel articles. Apart from those sites, I also browse grammar forum sites like english.stackexchange.com.
Is it true that agency life is ‘work without play’? Tell us a little bit more about the culture at 2Stallions.
I’ve worked for different agencies (office-based), and I never get to taste the ‘work without play’ thingy. I remember we even had game rooms, where we played Jenga, board games, Pictionary, and more.
Despite the WFH setup, I must say that the culture at 2Stallions is no different from my past employers. Here, we have monthly team outings, where we take on virtual games and quizzes. It’s good to have these things once in a while and take a break from the daily word war with myself.
Also, I appreciate the trust that the management gives to their employees. I, myself, is a living testimony because they allowed me to work on a flexible schedule, so I can balance my responsibilities as a Content Specialist and as a mom.
Wrapping Up
Get to know our #2Stallionsfamily with the #2Steamstories tag. Discover the works done by our diverse team of digital marketing professionals who will bring your ideas to life with impactful designs. Browse and download our case studies now!
If you’re looking for a content marketing expert, don’t hesitate to contact us.