Interviewing Deborah Oyewole

Welcome to a new WTSInterview edition, where we interview brilliant SEOs in our industry and share their stories with the world! WTS members are welcome to share their story by simply filling out this form; we encourage folks from all walks of life in our industry to do so.

Introducing Deborah Oyewole! Deborah is an SEO Analyst who also crafts highly engaging and informative SaaS and Cybersecurity content.

She enjoys challenging herself with new ideas, spurring her interest in SEO. As an overthinker and curiosity queen, she's detail-oriented.

In her free time, Deborah finds relaxation through creative pursuits, from sewing dresses to designing with Canva, beading flower vases, and Doodling. I'm afraid to list all my creativities.

How did you get into SEO?

I first heard about SEO when I started applying for freelance content writing jobs. After polishing my content writing portfolio, I was surprised to see that SEO was a requirement for most of these writing positions. I was overwhelmed, but had to put myself up to the challenge. I turned to Google for help and stumbled upon Moz articles. I decided to focus on the aspects of SEO that fit well with content writing—specifically, keyword research and basic on-page SEO.

In 2022, I took a major step forward in my SEO journey. I had an in-depth three-month mentorship with Aleyda Solis, sponsored by TheFCDC by Chima. This experience was incredibly eye-opening and transformative. During this mentorship, I learned about all the different aspects of SEO, especially Technical SEO. Since then, I've been continuously learning about SEO, and my journey has only just begun.

What is your favourite SEO task?

I love spending time with technical SEO audits and creating content outlines. I love how technical SEO focuses on getting the back end of a website in shape for search engines and human experience.

When it comes to content outlines, I enjoy the research process. It’s a continuous learning experience, revealing new concepts and uncovering critical elements that may add value for readers.

Because of my passion for both content and technical SEO, I love talking about, "Bridging the gap between technical SEO and content."

Here's a snippet: High-quality content that resonates with readers won't reach Google’s index if the site’s technical elements aren’t optimized. Similarly, a technically sound website can't perform well without engaging content that makes readers feel happy. Combining these two aspects is key to successful SEO.

What is your go-to tool or resource that you can't live without?

I use Google's Search Engine Results Page (SERP) every day to uncover the search intent of topics when writing and outlining to see what Google considers top-ranking content. It's a free and incredibly insightful tool. My other favorites include Google Drive, SEO Meta in 1 Click, UberSuggest, and Google PageSpeed Insights. These tools help me understand, optimize, and improve my content effectively.

What is something you learned in SEO that made you have an 'AHA' moment?

Oh! Before I got into SEO, the word "keywords" sounded so technical and intimidating. Looking back, I can't believe I didn't know what it meant.

I also used to think that Google just spontaneously created content on the spot whenever people searched. But SEO taught me how content gets to Google and shows up in search results. Now, with AI trends like Google’s Generative AI, I feel like a genius seeing my earlier imaginations come to life.

What is your proudest industry achievement?

My proudest achievement is sharing my SEO knowledge with others. I remember a few years ago, I was a complete beginner, trying to understand the basics. It feels incredible now to be able to talk in-depth about the topic and help others learn.

What advice would you give those who are starting out in SEO?

Learning about SEO is a lifelong journey. Stay active in SEO communities to keep learning and avoid guesswork.

Also, having a website to experiment with what you're learning can be helpful. While it's true you don't need a website to learn SEO, it makes the process easier and more practical.

Lastly, don't feel intimidated to ask questions.

Give a shout out to someone in the industry who inspires you, and tell us why

A huge shout out to Chima Mmeje for opening the door to the world of SEO for me, Areej AbuAli for creating a supportive community for women in SEO, and Aleyda Solis for taking the time to share so much knowledge that helped me get to where I am today.

Finally, what empowers you to be the brilliant person you are?

You can do it! Stay focused and keep pushing forward.

When I'm working on a task and it doesn't feel clear or I feel less confident about it, I take a break and let my creative mind work in the background. This approach has helped me tackle many challenging and complex tasks successfully.

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Thanks, Deborah, for a truly insightful interview!

You can learn more about Deborah on her website and connect with her on LinkedIn and X.

Check out our Interviews page for more interviews. If you've enjoyed reading this, we'd love for YOU to share your story with the world! Simply fill this form here, we welcome brilliant SEOs from all walks of life! 🙌🏽