Keywords research for solo entrepreneurs is one of the most important steps to grow a blog or YouTube channel. Without it, even excellent content can remain invisible. I learned this the hard way.
When I first started publishing online, I wrote articles that I thought were useful. However, traffic remained flat. It wasn’t until later that I discovered people weren’t searching for the phrases I used. Once I applied a structured keyword research workflow, everything finally changed. My blog posts began ranking, my YouTube videos gained views, and most importantly, my content reached the right audience.
If you’re building a solo business,
keywords research doesn’t need to be overwhelming.
In this guide, I’ll share the exact workflow I use.
Simple, repeatable, and designed for solo entrepreneurs who want results without wasting time.
For more context on my early journey, check out my first blog post.
I explain the mindset shift that helped me take research seriously in my first blog post.
Why Keywords Research Matters for Solo Entrepreneurs
Many beginners think keywords research is only for big companies. In fact, solo entrepreneurs need it even more. You don’t have the budget for ads, so organic reach is key.
I once published a blog post about “entrepreneurial creativity.” It sounded useful, but nobody searched for that term. Meanwhile, thousands were searching for “how to start a solo business with no money.” The difference? One keyword brought traffic, the other didn’t.
Keywords research doesn’t just bring readers. It also teaches you about your audience. You discover their problems, how they ask questions, and what content they value. That insight is gold for a solo entrepreneur..
Step 1: Start with Broad Ideas
Every keywords research journey begins with seed topics — broad ideas related to your niche. Think of them as buckets to fill with specific keywords later.
When I focused on solo entrepreneurship, my initial seed topics included:
- Solo business
- Content creation
- Productivity
- Side hustles
- Marketing on a budget
I also considered my audience’s struggles: “finding clients,” “building confidence,” “time management.” These became seeds.
Examples for Other Niches
- Fitness solo entrepreneur: “home workout routines,” “fitness apps,” “meal planning tips”
- Freelance writer: “copywriting templates,” “freelance pitching,” “writing tools”
The goal is to brainstorm a variety of angles. More seeds = more opportunities for high-performing keywords.
Write down 10–15 seed topics in a spreadsheet. Don’t overthink. Just capture ideas.
Step 2: Use Free Discovery Tools
With seed topics ready, expand into real search queries. Free tools reveal what people are actually searching for.
Google Trends
Shows rising or declining interest over time. For example, I compared “solo business” vs. “side hustle.” “Side hustle” had higher interest and seasonal spikes in January. That insight helped me time my content.
Visit Google Trends
AnswerThePublic
Generates question-based keywords. For “solo entrepreneur,” I discovered:
- “How to become a solo entrepreneur in 2025”
- “What tools do solo entrepreneurs use”
These questions are ready-made content ideas.
YouTube Autocomplete
For video content, type your keyword in YouTube search. Suggestions appear based on real searches:
- Daily Routine of a Solo Entrepreneur
- Common Mistakes Made by Solo Entrepreneurs
- Inspiring Success Stories from Solo Entrepreneurs
Each suggestion is valuable for video titles, blog posts, or social media content.
Step 3: Validate with Volume and Competition
Discovery is exciting, but not every keyword is worth targeting. Validation helps you focus on keywords with real potential.
Keywords Everywhere
A browser extension that shows search volume, competition, and cost-per-click. I use it daily. Searching “tools for solo business” revealed 800 monthly searches with low competition. Perfect for beginners.
Ubersuggest (or KWFinder)
Paid but affordable tools for deeper validation. They provide:
- Monthly search volume
- SEO difficulty score
- Related keyword ideas
- Top-ranking content
I once used Ubersuggest to find “solo entrepreneur daily routine.” Moderate search volume, low difficulty. I created a blog post and a YouTube video. Both performed better than expected.
Rule of Thumb:
- Blog: target 100–1,000 searches/month with low competition
- YouTube: focus on autocomplete + engagement, not volume
Example Keyword Journey
- Start with seed topic: “solo entrepreneur tools”
- Check Google Trends → spike in “free solo business tools”
- Use AnswerThePublic → find “best free tools for solo business beginners”
- Validate with Keywords Everywhere & Ubersuggest → choose keyword with moderate volume, low competition
This hands-on approach turns broad ideas into actionable keywords.
Step 4: Organize Your Keyword Bank
After validation, keep a growing list of potential keywords in a Keyword Bank spreadsheet. Include:
- Keyword
- Search volume
- Difficulty
- Best use (Blog, YouTube, or both)
- Notes
Example:
Color-code your spreadsheet: green = now, yellow = later, red = avoid.
📥 You can also download my ready-to-use Keyword Bank Template for easy tracking.
Step 5: Map Keywords to Content
Now, turn keywords into content.
For Blogs
Target long-tail, informational keywords. Example: “Best free tools for solo business beginners.” Create guides, tutorials, or list posts with actionable tips and screenshots.
For YouTube
Target action-based keywords. Example: “Solo entrepreneur morning routine.” Short, practical, and engaging videos perform best.
Pro Tip: Use the same keyword for both blog + YouTube. Publish together, cross-link, and boost SEO authority.
Step 6: Refine with Audience Feedback
Keywords research isn’t one-time. Analytics guide refinement.
- Google Search Console → see which queries bring traffic to your blog
- YouTube Analytics → find search terms viewers use
Example: I discovered people searching “affordable solo business courses.” I created a mini-guide targeting this keyword. Result? Traffic jumped 30%.
Another example: analytics revealed “best free project management tools” was trending. I published a blog + video → steady views and engagement increased.
Real-World Example: My First Keyword Win
Early in my journey, I targeted “solo entrepreneur workflow.”
- Monthly searches: ~500
- Difficulty: Low
I created a 1,200-word blog + 7-minute YouTube video. Within two months:
- Blog ranked on page one of Google
- YouTube video gained steady views
This proved the workflow works. Small, carefully chosen keywords lead to consistent traffic.
Putting It All Together
Keywords research may seem technical, but it’s listening to your audience in disguise.
- Start broad → brainstorm seed topics
- Discover → Google Trends, AnswerThePublic, YouTube autocomplete
- Validate → Keywords Everywhere, Ubersuggest
- Organize → Keyword Bank spreadsheet
- Map → assign keywords to blogs + videos
- Refine → use analytics for continuous improvement
For a solo entrepreneur, even 20–30 high-quality keywords can guide the first few months of content. With consistency, your reach grows, and your audience tells you what to create next.
Key Takeaways
- Keywords research is action, not delay. It prevents wasted effort.
- Focus on discovery, validation, organization, mapping, and refinement.
- Use free tools: Google Trends, AnswerThePublic, YouTube autocomplete
- Use beginner-friendly paid tools: Ubersuggest, Keywords Everywhere
- Build a Keyword Bank spreadsheet to track progress
- Cross-link blogs + videos for maximum reach
With this workflow, you’ll spend less time guessing and more time creating content that reaches the right people. Start today, and your audience will find you tomorrow.
