There is no secret behind the fact that SEO content writing is a crucial element for the successful online development of a brand and of course it is a tool that is aimed to generate revenue ultimately.
Our daily tasks involve writing SEO and Blog content for many of our clients, and each article strives to improve the website's traffic. This can only be achieved successfully if the SEO content writing process is fresh and continually updated, that's the key to engage visitors and make existing customers to build more loyalty towards our client's brand.
But the whole process is more than just writing words online and waiting for people to come rushing in and starts buying things in our client's website. You need to do it right and know how to work with search engines the right way.
Next, you´ll know what those seven secrets from professional SEO article writers are......
1) Keyword Research Mode On:
So you´ve decided to write content and put it on the website. Well, why not do it in a fashion that Google notices and considers relevant? To do this, it's a good idea to create a keyword spreadsheet containing all the keywords and phrases that people are searching for (that are industry-related or have any relevance to the topic you´re writing about). Then take advantage of tools that enable you to find out where you rank for the keywords being targeted.
2) Get those keywords working:
But not in a sloppy fashion, you can't just start throwing keywords randomly into a document and expect good results. That approach was “useful” back in the day, but not anymore, rules of the game have changed big time. The critical element here is to be tactical and careful when adding keywords, but they need to run smoothly, if you have to force them into your writing it might backfire. A helpful method is to include keywords in the title and the first 300 words. Next, you must add it on the first two headings or at least in one, but it needs to start one of the subsequent headings. From that point forward, start using different variations of the keyword.
If it's too difficult to make the keyword fit it means that something's not right and you should revise the whole thing. Adding keywords must come naturally and flow with the feeling. Remember that those words are the ones that users search for specifically, so give them what they want, but do it naturally.
3) Write content that has an actual intention:
A good idea here is before you start writing ask yourself the following question: who would fancy this content? And then base your content following that guideline. The trick consists of creating useful content, with a purpose, so it shows that there´s an actual strategy behind it. You need to please not just Google's algorithm but People! Give value to your readers, tell them things that your competitors have not, show them how unique they are to your business.
Also give them knowledge, when visitors learn from you, they build trust and trust equals clicks and clicks lead to higher conversion rates and ranking. In the worst-case scenario just try to discuss relevant news from your business´s industry, build links, interview experts in the field. All of this contributes to reaching much larger networks, thus increasing the range size of your network.
4) Know your technical SEO:
Usually, a writer is not supposed to be familiar with complex SEO terminology, so, complex matters like knowing how to enable HTTPS through a domain or minifying Javascript should not be on your daily list of tasks. However, polishing a little bit the basics of technical SEO will definitely improve your SEO writing skills.
The first thing should be: knowing how Google crawlers work and how can they be implemented as a strategy. Getting familiar with the “linking” concept, which means that SEO is more than just writing a blog, it is actually about linking many articles, building SEO network if you will. Having a clear understanding of the way your blog is structured will take your writing content ability to a much efficient level.
Achieving this will help you to optimise the website with more than just keywords. For instance, keeping pop-ups to a minimum, make sure that the blog posts are indexed, or something as simple as ensuring that images are small are basics of technical SEO that wouldn't hurt to have clear.
5) Make sure it is long enough:
Writing 200 words worth of content is good, or at least it is better than no SEO content at all, but ask yourself this: How much knowledge and value can I pass on with that limited number of words? The truth is that Search Engine´s logic dictates that longer blogs are more relevant than shorter ones. The minimum word count you should aim at is 600 words at least, but if you can do a thousand or more, do not hesitate in pursuing this
It's a fact that Search Engines do have a tendency to lean in favour of rather large SEO content, we´re talking about 2000 words or more. But you can get pretty impressive results with an average of 1,500. The bottom line here is: Larger SEO content writing the more value you're delivering to your visitors.
6) Keep a keen eye on analytics:
SEO writing is not something you can write, post it and then move on to other activities. Good SEO practice dictates that this is a task that should be monitored and it is a good idea to do this through the use of Google Analytics. The reason behind this is because delicate aspects of your website, such as bounce rate, time on site and many more are just as equally important as SEO and keywording.
Look out for signs that tell you that your site is not flowing in the right way. For instance, a high bounce rate indicates without questioning that the content that your visitors see on your website is not relevant to them, or it just doesn't provide what your customers are looking for. Maybe it is time to optimise those keywords of yours with the right ones.
Keep special consideration to those factors that aren't content-related that also affect your bounce rates significantly. Annoying pop-ups, loading times delay, ads, poor website design and many others can drive potential users and visitors away. You can have flawless, infallible SEO content but if you have many of those little things, they become significant deterrents for visitors to stay.
7) Edit your writing:
SEO writers must have the ability to do their editing. Right now we have many tools available that actually help with corrections and amendments, for instance, OpenOffice, Google Docs and the widely known Microsoft Word, they all deliver excellent results. Just make sure that you follow their directions, so whenever you see the red or light squiggly line below a word, correct it. This keen eye we´re talking about also works for the aesthetic side of SEO writing process. Evade long sentences and paragraphs, remember that your readers need time to breathe while reading your valuable content.
If possible, have someone else to read your content writing before you send it out there. A second opinion - even if not coming from an actual editor or SEO writer colleague -is always useful and can provide an additional perspective we may not be able to see on our own.
After following these guidelines, don't kid yourself into believing that the job is complete and done. You´re just halfway there, after this you need to link that piece of content of yours with practically everyone out there. Make comments on blogs that link up to your website. Use Social Media and others like StumbleUpon and similar. SEO must have a special bond with your social media division, and as soon as you hit “publish” you need to start spreading your content like there's no tomorrow but do it wisely.
Mastering SEO like a pro takes time, so don't be impatient and see this as a natural process, be aware that writing is not for everyone and a writer background is helpful; otherwise, headaches are expected. Remember that if you struggle a lot, maybe it’s time to hire the professional services of a competent digital marketing company, so you can focus on making your brand successful.