SEO techniques graphic with a target symbol

 Paul McCrea | Influence Pro Communications Inc.
Influence by Design - Certified by Experience. 

July 2025

Smart Strategies for Standing Out

In a saturated market, it can feel nearly impossible to rise above the noise — especially when larger competitors dominate the top of search results. Whether you’re offering marketing courses, wellness products, or IT services, competing in a crowded space requires smarter SEO, not just more of it.

Here are proven SEO techniques that can help your business earn attention and authority — even when the competition is fierce.

1. Go Long-Tail or Go Home

Big players are usually targeting broad, high-volume keywords like “project management software” or “marketing course.” That’s where you don’t want to be (yet).

Instead, focus on long-tail keywords — specific, lower-competition phrases that reflect buyer intent. For example:

  • Instead of: digital marketing course
     
  • Try: digital marketing course for small business owners
     
  • Or: online branding course with real case studies
     

Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, AnswerThePublic, or Ubersuggest to find niche, question-based, or location-based queries that your audience is actually typing.

2. Create SEO Landing Pages That Solve Problems

Instead of generic product pages, build SEO-rich landing pages around specific use cases or pain points. For example:

  • “How to Train New Marketing Staff in Under 30 Days”
     
  • “Best Remote Staffing Options for MSPs in 2025”
     

Use clear H1s and H2s, embed videos or checklists, and write for people first, search engines second. Google rewards helpful, human-centered content.

3. Use Clusters Instead of Single Posts

Don’t just write a blog post. Build a content cluster around a topic.

  • Start with a high-value “pillar page” like “The Complete Guide to Remote IT Staffing”
     
  • Link to supporting articles like:
     
    • “Top Interview Questions for Remote Tech Support Roles”
       
    • “How to Integrate Offshore Teams into Slack”
       

This boosts time-on-site, internal link structure, and topical authority — all things Google loves.

4. Answer Questions That Your Competitors Miss

Look at the People Also Ask box in Google. Answer those questions directly in your blog or FAQ sections using natural language.

Then, use schema markup (FAQ or How-To) to help your answers show up in featured snippets.

5. Refresh and Repurpose Older Content

You don’t need 200 blog posts. You need 10 great ones that stay fresh.

  • Add new stats, links, or quotes to older blogs
     
  • Turn long posts into video summaries or carousels
     
  • Combine related articles into an “Ultimate Guide” page
     

This keeps your site active and increases keyword reach without reinventing the wheel.

6. Use Comparison Pages for Intent-Driven Searchers

People searching for terms like:

  • “Support Adventure vs Upwork”
     
  • “Best remote staffing agencies for MSPs”
     

…are near purchase. Build comparison pages that honestly highlight your strengths and help the user choose. Google ranks these because they serve a clear decision-making purpose.

Final Thoughts: In Crowded Markets, Specific Beats Generic

The biggest SEO mistake in a crowded space is trying to be everything to everyone. Instead, get narrow. Get helpful. Speak to the exact problems your best customers are facing — and optimize every page with intent and structure in mind.

SEO isn’t about hacking an algorithm anymore. It’s about being undeniably useful to the people you want to serve.