Tips for Better Blogging to Improve Your Website's SEO
The Sprocket Report
Digital marketing professionals advise that businesses use blog posts to build up content that is optimized to for search engines. Because it can be intimidating, here are some easy tips for getting started.
Before you begin, you will need a plan. Your plan should include:
Who you want to read your blog
Often a business doesn’t realize that they are actually writing for their colleagues, not their customers. The way you use jargon, the kind of industry news you share and the way you present insider information should appeal to the average consumer.
What your blog is about
Among the most popular blogs are discussions of what you are selling because people about to make a purchase want to visualize how they personally will use your product or service.
How often you will blog
There are tons of statistics on the preferred frequency and best times to post which can advise you, but if all you can handle is once a month, then that’s the best frequency for you, for now. With these tips, however, maybe you’ll be inspired to post twice a month or even every other week.
Pick a consistent day for posting as well as a day for writing. Writing is not nearly as hard as coming up with what to write. You won’t need to set aside a ton of actual writing time because the trick is to have ideas all ready to go.
Which search terms you want to include
There are free online tools available that can help you choose the right words to use that will help with your websites SEO.
You want to use these words in a natural way that will be enjoyable for your human readers, but at the same time you are working to attract the attention of search engines so that you will rank well. Put the most important terms in your headline and in the first paragraph of your post.
Obviously, this blog should be on your business website, not on another platform. The whole point of this exercise is to provide your website with content optimized for better search engine results. Let those other blogging platforms do their own SEO.
While getting your plan in place, start a list of topics and update it often. Knowing what you will write about relieves the pressure of the dreaded blank screen and you will find yourself “pre-writing” in your head while showering or waiting in line.
You probably have a few ideas in mind already, but keep your eyes open for new jumping off points. For instance, if you’re a financial planner on the phone with Uncle Bob and he’s grousing that his son’s fancy-shmancy college taught him diddly about the basics of money management, note that on your list. Later, that could be a blog post called “Budgeting 101 for Your College Student” or “What I Wish My Alma Mater Had Taught Me about Money.” Likewise, if you read an interesting article online or get a bit of news in an email, copy the link for later. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you will build up a list of topics that you can draw from in the coming months.
“Long form” blogs are said to do well these days, but still, people have little time and short attention spans so don’t feel compelled to write a lot. Figure you’ll write five paragraphs, like in high school: An introduction of three points, the three points, a conclusion of the three points. If there are more than three points, great! Now you can write a second blog post!
Adding a graphic element is important these days. Your own photos would be wonderful, but if you don’t have any and are using online options, keep it legal. Some possible royalty-free sources include Pexels.com and MorgueFile.com.
For a second post every month, consider featuring a colleague from a complementary business. Now you now have a month’s worth of blogging done, with new optimized content for your website and new ways to reach your customers. And don’t forget to share those posts in your social media marketing!
Not everyone wants to blog or has the time, but everyone could use better content for search engine optimization. Because we understand that, our Sprocket Websites team can work with you. Just give us a call to talk about how we can help you get started.
This is an update to “Lies We Tell Ourselves about Blogging” dated 7/8/2013.
Kate Gingold
I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.
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I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.
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