SEO. A Learning Process.

bydbenoit1

57 followers

Updated 3 years ago

Growing Pains are an AssetEmbracing a Bit of Struggle

I've had to grow comfortable with the fact that I was not going to know what the hell I was doing. To a large extent, I still don't, and that's okay. A little adversity is a great thing, because it's a challenge to overcome. I've taught myself the same mindset in terms of my physical recovery and my conditioning. Why not apply it to content and SEO skills as well?

The Truth

Learning something new is usually tedious, which is why we procastinate. I'm as guilty as anyone else. The reality about learning SEO, or anything else, for that matter, is that we have to test ourselves in order to grow. Yes, some things are more interesting, which makes the learning process less tedious. For me, the learning process with SEO is anything but easy. I'm not tech savvy... at all. However, the more I experiment with it, the less tedious it becomes. Dare I say, it's rather fascinating now.

Turning the Process into Play

The more that I started playing with titles, headlines, meta descriptions, and other aspects of SEO, the faster the gains came. Now, I look at SEO scores as a game. Highest score wins. It keeps things entertaining, and it keeps me honest. I don't just "wing it" anymore. I've gone back to the earlier articles I've written and seen SEO scores jump by well into double digit numbers. It's an odd form of semi-instant gratification.

Putting in the Time

Moving forward, my goal is at LEAST a mid 90s SEO rating, which is easily doable as long as you're willing to put in the time. You'd NEVER slap together a content piece just to post something by a deadline. If you do that consistently, the quality will suffer so much that you'll eventually lose the following you've gained.

I try to start my content posting several days in advance (I post most on Wednesdays, you know, Hump Day) with research. Once I've chosen the (at least) two topics, I start a rough outline and framing the argument I'm trying to make. The research is based upon season, keywords, competitors, etc. This is difficult because aside from the usual hunting or fishing topics I cover, I'm covering health-specific aspects of hunting and fishing... so in a way, I'm literally blazing new territory for which there is no map. Research is even more critical, and it covers BOTH the hunting/fishing side AND the health side. Picture a topical Venn Diagram and you can see how my though process for such works.

Gradual Improvement

Of course, SEO rating is not the only measuring stick. You have to combine that with compelling titles, meaningful, relevant material people will actually read, and be somewhat emotionally invested in what you're writing about. Is that last part critical? Not really, but it helps with quality. The more invested in the topic I am, the more naturally the article seems to flow, and the more my personality seems to come out.

My writing was not great at the start. It just wasn't, and I've been a good (at least decent) writer for most of my life. It's gotten better. That's all I can strive for. Well, I can strive to have fun with the time I put in as well. That's important to me. If it's not fun, then my quality will suffer, I'll stop trying as hard as I currently, am, and quality will plunge. Keeping things fun helps me to continue to grow as a content writer.

Follow Other Bloggers/Writers

Oh, yeah... there's no shame in reading other blogs or pages in your niche. You get a better picture of various styles for popular sites. However, I don't suggest attempting to copy another's style. It'll be unnatural and hinder your creative process. It's helpful to know what others are covering in your general area, but originality is always a refreshing thing for readers. That's probably the most valuable thing I can bring to visitors to my site. Covering health in the outdoors is something noone else really does. There's something to be said for blazing new territory, I guess. I just need to be sure I'm not trying to answer a question noone is actually asking.