This is one of the most common questions I get: “Should I write for SEO… or should I focus on storytelling?”
And honestly?
If you’re building a brand online, you need both.
reelancer, places to work from, work from cafe, work from home, working style, content, digital storyteller, agencyBut not in the way most people think.
Here’s the truth: SEO gets you found. Storytelling gets you chosen.
SEO is how people land on your blog post.
Storytelling is why they stay, scroll, and actually care.
SEO helps with visibility.
Storytelling helps with trust.
And trust is what makes someone click “Contact.”
The problem with choosing only one
If you only do SEO:
Your content might rank… but it will feel robotic.
It’ll sound like:
“Top 10 benefits of content marketing in 2026.”
It gets traffic, yes.
But it doesn’t build connection.
If you only do storytelling:
Your writing might be beautiful. Personal. Deep.
But if nobody finds it, it becomes a digital diary.
That’s the harsh part of the internet: even great writing needs discoverability.
So how do you balance both?
Think of it like this:
SEO is the structure.
Storytelling is the soul.
Here’s a simple approach that works almost every time:
Step 1: Pick one clear search intent
Ask: what is the reader trying to solve right now?
Example:
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“How to write a homepage”
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“What is brand messaging”
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“How to build a content strategy”
This becomes your keyword + title direction.
Step 2: Build SEO clarity into the skeleton
Use:
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a strong H1
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short subheadings
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bullet points
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clear explanations
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examples (always examples!)
Google loves clarity. So do humans.
Step 3: Add storytelling inside the sections
This is where your personality comes in:
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a line that feels like a real thought
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a tiny observation
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a moment of honesty
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a relatable “this is what everyone gets wrong”
That’s what makes your content readable, not just rankable.
A quick example
SEO-first line:
“Homepage copywriting is important because it impacts conversions.”
Story-led rewrite:
“Your homepage isn’t a brochure. It’s a conversation. And if your message is unclear, people leave.”
Same meaning.
More punch.
You don’t need to choose. You need to blend.
If you’re a service provider, freelancer, founder, or consultant — your blog isn’t just for traffic.
It’s also your silent sales team. So yes, write with SEO best practices.
But don’t sacrifice voice, warmth, and conviction.
Because ranking is great…
but ranking and being remembered is better.
Content can feel overwhelming when you’re doing everything yourself — I get it.
If you need help with your content, marketing strategy, or both, reach out.
Visit https://stratigency.com/ or email me at [email protected]
