I've seen it all. From struggling to get food and rent to driving 7-figure revenues for brands. I'm now an SEO and content specialist at Contact, an SEO agency that makes $20M/yr for clients. 

We've helped companies like Shopify, Kajabi, and beehiiv to turn search traffic into dependable, predictable revenue.

I went from being a broke and confused freelance writer in 2011 to being a top-rated copywriter who's written for valuable brands like beehiiv and Kajabi. 

I'm grateful for so many things...

Grateful to have been featured on TV, the papers, multiple blogs, ProWritingAid, HuffPost, HostAdvice, etc.

Grateful to have been one of the co-founders of a US-based digital marketing agency.

Grateful to have helped multiple clients.

Grateful to have built a site from zero to 3M+ in traffic and a mailing list from zero to 20,000+ engaged email subscribers.

I've been working at Contact, the most innovative SEO agency, since March 2023. One of my most satisfying things has been seeing valuable companies multiplying their revenue through SEO.

If you want to increase your revenue from SEO and content marketing, email me at walter@contactstudios.com.

Walter Akolo

SEO is dying. Again.

I've heard this claim at least 50 times in my career.

Every new technology is supposedly the final nail in the coffin.

Web 3.0 was going to kill it.
Google Ads was going to kill it.
Social media was going to kill it.
Voice search was going to kill it.
AI Overviews are going to kill it.
ChatGPT is going to kill it.

See, people love predicting the death of SEO.

It makes for great headlines and hot takes.

Here's what I've learned working in an agency that drives $20M/year in revenue for clients:

SEO doesn't die. It evolves.

- People still search 14 billion times daily on Google.
- Businesses still need to be found online.
- The fundamentals still work.

Instead of worrying about the next "SEO killer."

Focus on adapting to what actually matters.

- Understanding search intent.
- Creating content that serves users.
- Building authority in your clients' industries.

The noise will always be there.

The doomsday predictions will keep coming.

But I'm staying in the game while others panic and quit.

If you're in SEO or content marketing, take my advice:

- Block out the noise.
- Keep learning the fundamentals.

The industry is alive.

Your approach needs to evolve with it.

PS: What's the wildest "SEO is dead" claim you've heard?

SEO leader turning content into $20M+/year revenue engines | SEO Expert and Content Specialist @ Contact | Managing SEO across 10M+ monthly impression sites | Taken 100+ BOFU pages to page 1 of Google

I started as a LinkedIn ghostwriter for a CEO.

Three months later, I was running their entire digital marketing operation.

Here's what happened:

The CEO hired me to write LinkedIn posts. Simple job.

I delivered PURE GOLD. They performed well. Engagement went up. Everyone was happy.

But I noticed something.

Their blog hadn't been updated for a while. Their email list was sitting there collecting dust. Their website copy was barely converting.

I could have kept quiet. Just collected my cut and stayed in my lane.

Instead, I sent a message:

"Hey, I noticed a few things that might be holding back your growth. Can we jump on a quick call?"

That video call changed everything.

I walked them through what I saw. The gaps. The missed opportunities. The revenue they were leaving on the table.

They asked: "Can you fix this?"

Within a month, I went from LinkedIn ghostwriter to leading their content strategy, email campaigns, blog optimization, and conversion rate improvements.

The retainer multiplied several times over.

Here's the strategy I've used over and over since then:

Your first project is a lead magnet, not the end goal.

Some people think: Get hired. Do the work. Wait for the next project.

I think: Get hired. Do the work. Find the next problem. Solve it.

Always be looking for what else is broken.

When you're inside a client's business, you see things they don't. Blind spots. Inefficiencies. Untapped potential.

Point them out. Some clients have no idea these problems exist.

Video calls close deals.

I can't count how many times I've gotten on a call to "discuss ideas" and walked away with expanded scope and more ka-ching.

Why? Because when you show genuine interest in their success and can articulate solutions clearly, they want to work with you more.

Don't just stay in your lane.

If you're good at one thing, you can probably learn adjacent skills fast. For this client, I started with LinkedIn. Added blog writing. Then email marketing. Then SEO. Then full digital strategy.

Each skill opened the door to the next upsell.

Deliver value first, then expand.

I never pitch upsells before proving I can deliver on what they hired me for. Once they trust you with the small thing, they'll trust you with the big thing.

Today, most of my highest-paying clients started with a single small project.

The ones who only wanted that one thing? They stayed small clients.

The ones who let me keep solving problems? They became my biggest revenue sources.

Your initial project is JUST your entry point. Go for bigger things. Never forget that.

You quit your 9-to-5 for "freedom"?

Then why are you working 16-hour days for peanuts in the name of a "business"?

I lost EVERYTHING in 2015. 

- Moved from a nice 3-bedroomed house to a low-cost house
- One of my thriving businesses went down
- Had surgery
- Even missed meeting a Facebook VP (was planning a funeral...and yes, that year was that dark)

But here's what saved me...

The people I helped on the way up refused to let me drown.

Before the crash, I'd scaled my income to unimaginable heights. Working just 4-6 hours daily.

With my FREE TIME, I mentored thousands, served on a mental health board, won a "Parent of the Year" award. I even had some leadership roles in church.

When disaster struck? Those same people took great care of me.

As you grow your business, don't forget to be there for people. Always strive to see OTHER PEOPLE succeed.

I give God all the glory.

In case you're struggling after a disaster, here's what can help you start growing back up:

1. Replace cheap clients fast: If you're charging too low, it's time to look for higher paying clients. Let each new client pay DOUBLE the last till you plateau. And whenever you plateau, learn something new and increase your rates further.

2. Write down shower ideas (or random ideas that come at unexpected times): One may be your million-dollar ticket.

3. Build assets, not just income: Passive income = real freedom. Start where you are.

4. Help others while you can: They'll save you when you can't.

5. Always deliver pure gold: Let people know you as the one who always delivers.

You can rebuild from rock bottom. I've done so. Lara Acosta has done so. And many others that you can learn from out there.

But NOT by grinding harder. By scaling SMARTER and being there for people.

Leave everyone feeling "wow" and happy they met you!

My prayer is that one of you reading this will soon 10x your income and live a happy, successful life.

Will it be YOU?

Or will you still be trading hours for dollars, delivering below-average work, and wondering where your "freedom" went?

the responses to ai are funny... we now have people who primarily write in lowercase so that their content looks natural. 

many who loooved the em dash have stopped using it so their content doesn't look ai. 

others are intentionally adding spelling mstiakes to their posts. 

what weird things have you done lately for your content to look natural?

I searched my name on Google and Perplexity today.

My LinkedIn profile showed up #3 on Google, right after my website and FB. And #2 on Perplexity.

That's when it hit me.

AI search engines are treating LinkedIn profiles like authoritative sources. Perplexity ranks them above company sites. Google's AI overviews pull from them constantly. ChatGPT and Claude cite them as primary references.

The reason? LinkedIn's structured data format makes it easy for AI to parse and trust.

If you're not optimizing your profile for AI search, you're invisible to the next generation of discovery.

Here's what you can change on your profile today:

1. Add alt text to every image with clear descriptions and natural keywords
2. Rewrite your headline using service, audience, and expertise keywords
3. Use target keywords naturally throughout your posts
4. Remove hashtags (LinkedIn ranks on semantics now, not tags)
5. Max out your skills section with 40+ relevant skills
6. Publish LinkedIn articles that Google indexes
7. Customize your profile URL to include your name
8. Rewrite your About section with industry keywords (no stuffing)
9. Comment daily using niche language to build topical authority

Soon, people will be focusing on AI-first to discover you. And your LinkedIn profile is becoming your primary search identity on both traditional and AI search.

Make the most of it today so that you can reap the benefits in the future.

FAIR Consulting Group

As FAIR Consulting Group’s dedicated Website Specialist, I manage the company website end-to-end across development, performance, SEO and user experience. I work closely with designers, consultants and internal departments to ensure the website delivers on both technical quality and business value.

Key Responsibilities and Achievements:

✅ Designed and developed landing pages and reusable templates using Elementor in line with brand and user goals
✅ Managed WordPress performance and maintenance with regular backups, plugin updates and strong security practices
✅ Led SEO initiatives across on-page, off-page and technical areas resulting in significant growth in organic traffic and search visibility
✅ Improved site health and resolved key technical issues including crawlability, internal linking and HTTPS errors
✅ Reduced website load times to under 2 seconds through speed optimisation and image compression
✅ Collaborated with consultants to translate their insights into SEO-friendly blog content
✅ Created internal training materials and videos covering WordPress security, content workflows and API integrations
✅ Integrated Clearout API for spam protection and supported the Zoho Careers website launch with the recruitment team
✅ Implemented and managed Dealfront (formerly Leadfeeder) to identify high-value anonymous website visitors and improve sales targeting and campaign attribution
✅ Contributed to lead generation workflows and UX improvements that increased form submissions and supported successful lead conversion

Internal and Client-Side Projects:

✅ Developed and tested HTML email templates for internal marketing and client campaigns (Essity, Libra, Tom and IPF)
✅ Conducted frontend QA testing

Recognition and Impact:

🏆 Trusted as the key website lead for internal optimisation projects
🏆 Recognised for reliability, initiative and cross-functional collaboration
🏆 Took full ownership of strategic web improvements that contributed to marketing growth.

Senior Website Specialist

MCB Funds

As a dedicated WordPress Developer at MCB Funds, I worked closely with a highly motivated marketing team to manage, enhance and maintain the company’s digital presence. My role covered a broad range of responsibilities aimed at improving the performance, design and functionality of the company's website.

Key Responsibilities:

✅ Maintained and managed both front-end and back-end aspects of the live MCBAH website
✅ Designed and developed new website features aligned with business and marketing goals
✅ Built responsive high-conversion landing pages tailored to specific campaign needs
✅ Created visually engaging newsletters to support marketing initiatives
✅ Revamped the MCBAH website with modern high-performance features and improved UX
✅ Implemented speed optimisation strategies to boost overall website performance
✅ Enhanced on-page SEO to improve search engine visibility
✅ Customised plugins and widgets to meet unique functional requirements
✅ Developed responsive layouts and interfaces for a seamless user experience across devices
✅ Conducted thorough testing for cross-browser, cross-platform and cross-device compatibility

Key Achievement:
🏆 Led the complete redesign and development of the company website, previously hosted at mcbah.com and now available at www.mcbfunds.com, delivering a modern high-performing platform aligned with the company’s brand and strategic goals.

Wordpress Developer

BMC SOLUTION

As a WordPress Developer at BMC Solution, I was responsible for developing and maintaining a wide range of custom web and mobile-based solutions. My work involved full-cycle development, from concept and design to implementation and ongoing support, with a strong focus on user experience, performance and security.

Key Responsibilities:

✅ Developed functional and user-friendly web and mobile applications with a focus on usability
✅ Built custom WordPress themes from scratch and integrated third-party themes as required
✅ Provided ongoing maintenance and support for client websites, including regular updates and custom changes
✅ Created and configured custom post types with tailored templates for dynamic content
✅ Designed and developed front-end elements using HTML, CSS, jQuery and JavaScript
✅ Authored user manuals and documentation for internal and client use
✅ Conducted cross-browser, cross-platform and cross-device testing to ensure consistency
✅ Deployed websites to local servers, sub-domains and live hosting environments
✅ Stayed up to date with emerging technologies and industry best practices, applying them to enhance development processes
✅ Identified and resolved responsive layout issues across various screen sizes
✅ Performed alpha testing to ensure quality and functionality before deployment
✅ Utilised project management software to track tasks, timelines and collaboration
✅ Designed basic social media graphics and promotional content
✅ Implemented basic SEO strategies to improve search visibility
✅ Installed and configured SSL certificates to ensure secure connections for WordPress websites

Soft Innovatives

At Soft Innovatives, I contributed to the full development lifecycle of responsive web applications and WordPress-based websites. My work involved both design and development, with a strong emphasis on usability, SEO and performance.

Key Responsibilities:

✅ Designed PSD templates for website layouts and user interfaces
✅ Converted PSD designs to responsive HTML and further integrated them into WordPress
✅ Developed custom WordPress themes from scratch and integrated third-party themes
✅ Designed and implemented new features, enhancements and content updates for existing websites
✅ Built functional, user-centred web and mobile applications focused on intuitive design
✅ Utilised WordPress plugins to extend site functionality and meet specific client needs
✅ Conducted alpha testing to identify and resolve issues prior to launch
✅ Authored clear and concise user manuals for clients and internal use
✅ Supported basic SEO efforts through backlinking strategies and article writing
✅ Ensured all deliverables were optimised for performance, usability and responsiveness across devices

Web Developer

Ignytes Solutions

As an intern at Ignytes Solutions, I focused on learning the foundational skills of web development. This hands-on training helped me build a strong base in front-end and back-end technologies, which I later applied to my Bachelor's final year project.

Key Learnings:

✅ Studied and practised PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery and MySQL
✅ Observed and assisted with basic development workflows under the supervision of senior developers
✅ Gained exposure to how websites are structured, styled and made dynamic through scripting
✅ Applied the skills gained during the internship to develop a Business Management System as part of my university capstone project

Web Intern

Digital Developer & Strategist | Speed | SEO | Content | Full-Stack Thinking

I’m a technically strong and detail-oriented digital professional with a proven track record in website development, performance optimisation and SEO. While I specialise in WordPress, my skill set extends across the digital spectrum — from front-end development and analytics to content strategy and marketing operations.

My focus is on building high-performing digital experiences that are fast, secure and search-optimised, with a strong emphasis on user experience and long-term scalability. I take full ownership of projects — from planning and execution to optimisation and reporting — and thrive under pressure to deliver results that align with business goals.

I work confidently across:

🧱 End-to-end Website development with UX and performance focus
⚡ Website speed optimisation and Core Web Vitals
🔐 Web security strategy and implementation
📊 Full-scope SEO: technical, on-page, off-page and backlinking
📝 Content collaboration with subject matter experts and internal teams
📩 HubSpot form creation and lead tracking
🛒 WooCommerce for e-commerce websites
📈 SEMrush, Google Search Console and Analytics reporting
🧠 Dealfront (formerly Leadfeeder) for identifying anonymous B2B website visitors and enabling smarter outreach
🔄 Website migrations and multi-environment deployments
🛠️ Troubleshooting complex digital issues

I’m passionate about building digital systems that don’t just function — they perform. I’m actively evolving into a full-stack digital marketer, combining strong technical foundations with strategic thinking to drive engagement, growth and measurable results.

Specialities:
WordPress development, Core Web Vitals, SEO (technical/on-page/off-page), WooCommerce, SEMrush, HubSpot, Google Analytics, Leadfeeder (Dealfront), website migration, web security, marketing operations, digital performance, cross-functional collaboration, Project ownership

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Walter Akolo

Farman Ullah Khan

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taplio

The Battle

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Farman Ullah Khan

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Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Walter Akolo's LinkedIn Performance

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