This post breaks down a creative marketing analytical approach to SEO strategy that anyone—whether you’re a marketing beginner or an online marketing SEO expert—can use to create content that performs. It’s not a checklist. It’s a mindset. And in a world where paid online advertising costs continue to rise, having a powerful organic strategy can be a game-changer. It pays dividends for time to come. If a refresher is needed on SEO read this: “What Is SEO and How Does It Work?”
The Strategy: Listening to What Google Is Already Telling You
Most SEO strategies start by asking: “What should we write about?” But the smarter approach is: “What is already working—and how do we build on it?” So, how do you check on what is working?
Using tools like Google Search Console (GSC), you can find keywords your site already ranks for—especially those on page 2 (positions 4–15). These are called “low-hanging fruit”: Google sees your content as relevant, but it’s not quite click-worthy yet. Don’t worry, there may be other reasons (signals) keeping your blog posts from reaching page 1. This may include Google Search Ads, Google My Business (GMB), Google Shopping, and now AI Overview powered by Gemini.
Look at the bright side. This is where the real SEO opportunity lies. By expanding or creating new blog posts based on these terms, you push that relevance up a notch—and often land a page 1 spot.
Creative Tip: Think of these keywords as clues. Digital Feedback. They’re not just phrases to plug into a tool. They reveal real user intent, behavior, and where your brand already has a foot in the door.
Think Like a Strategist, Not Just a Writer
Let’s say your portfolio site ranks well for “digital marketing portfolio examples” and “creative marketing strategy.” You could:
- Write a case study on how your site gained those rankings (educational + self-promotional = win)
- Create a comparison post: “Organic SEO vs Paid Online Advertising – What I’ve Learned”
- Dive deeper into long-tail queries: “Creative digital marketing strategies for freelancers”
You’re not guessing anymore. You’re responding to real-world signals. And that’s what makes SEO powerful. Many working digital marketers will say “Lean into what’s working. Expand from there.”
SEO: An Alternative (Supplement) to Paid Advertising
Why go through the effort of writing and optimizing content instead of just running ads?
Because paid online advertising is expensive—and temporary. It requires a budget. Once your budget runs out, so does your visibility. But with SEO, every well-crafted piece of content becomes an asset that earns impressions and clicks long after it’s published. It gets found by searching tools, aka Search Engines.
Not to mention:
- SEO builds authority and trust
- SEO content fuels email lists, remarketing audiences, and sales funnels
- SEO helps you stand out in a world where consumers are becoming ad-blind
If you’re a creative marketer or solo consultant looking to show clients what you can do, nothing demonstrates value like results from your own site. In that sense, your SEO becomes your résumé.
Pro Tip: Its not a requirement but every digital marketer should have a blog of some kind. Algorithms constantly evolve and change. Its a great way to sharpen your skills, test ideas without damaging impact to active client sites and while staying on top of trends. A great digital marketer should always be testing. It’s an iterative process.
Strategy Is a Skill. Creativity Makes It Art. Practice Makes It Perfect.
What makes this approach work isn’t just the first party data you gain—it’s what you do with it. Anyone can find keywords, but not everyone can turn those into compelling, interconnected content. Here are ways you can strengthen your strategy:
- Study your top-performing pages in GSC. What’s resonating? Why?
- Use those insights to build clusters: multiple blog posts that link together, covering a topic deeply.
- Leverage comparison-style content (e.g., “SEO vs Paid Ads” or “Creative vs Traditional Marketing”). These are popular, decision-driven queries.
- Use tools like People Also Ask, Ahrefs, or even ChatGPT to spark new angles and ideas.
- Write as if you’re teaching your past self—this creates clarity, empathy, and relevance. From a different perspective, it’s therapeutic. “YURRRRRRP”
Success Story: Your Site Is a Case Study
The beauty of this approach is that it makes your site a living case study or success story. Every article you create is both a teaching tool and a proof point. If you can show that your own SEO strategy is working, clients will want that same success.
Remember: the best online marketing SEO experts aren’t just great writers—they’re strategic thinkers, curious researchers, and creative problem-solvers.
Hi there! This blog post couldn’t be written any
better! Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!
He constantly kept preaching about this. I will send this article to him.
Pretty sure he’ll have a great read. Thank you for
sharing!