Content - Containing Intent
We are always saying here at Wealthy Affiliate that to have good content we need to write with intent. Intent to do what?
Intent to write about something you love. Intent to make money writing? How about maybe intent to make money online?
How about we look at it a different way? What is the intent of the person who sat at the computer and searched those words that brought my site up? The goal is to be the solution to any problem that a person may have in your niche.
So, maybe finding out the intent behind them coming to your site will help you direct more and better traffic? Just a thought. I really want to focus on that for a minute.
Intent.
How about a definition?
I have an idea. Let’s start with a definition of what intent is.
The law looks at intent under this definition – the state of a person’s mind that directs his or her actions toward a specific object.
Give me a shout in the comments with how you take this definition. I really want to know.
From what I understand of it myself, intent is the thought of deciding to write a post with information that someone will find a solution to their problem in.
Content with intent.
So, we went over this. There is a process to writing great content. Try thinking about it this way. It is a framework for writing with intent.
Start by stating your problem. In my intro my problem is addressing the word and meaning of the word, intent.
Give a solution. Usually your solution or one provided by one of your links. Mine here is a definition of the word intent.
Give benefit to your reader. What are they directly getting other than you telling them to spend money? I hope your benefit will be to walkaway from this post thinking a little more directly at your next blog post.
And last but not least, a call to action. Take your time and go back through your own posts and see if you are writing with intent. Intent to help your reader and hopefully make a little money in the process.
Comments with intent.
The intent should not stop there though. When you reply to comments, exploit the time you have with one direct reader. Use intent in responding to their comments. See if there is not a way that you can direct them to read more here…..
I was trying to make a point. They left a comment and I bet anything they want to know your answer. So, take the time to give them a personal one and not an automated one.
It will also give you another option that you do not normally think about. Internal links.
What are internal links?
Internal links are links from one page on your site to another.They can save you from getting in major trouble with google and other search engines.
You don’t have to put affiliate links all over your website and be crazy sparing on each page so that you don’t make google mad.
Just take the URL from your relevant review and make attached links to your internal review from your basic page. Then all you have to do is plaster (remembering not to get too crazy) one page with a decent amount of affiliate links instead of your whole web page.
You’re welcome. Now google likes you more.
You can do this with your comments too. If you have a comment on your page that is relevant to your review page or says something that has to do with the item in your review page, then you can link your page to that comment and more people will go look at it after reading the page. All because someone commented on a basic page.
Internal links are a great way to direct your traffic from your information to your sales pages. Whether your sales pages sell or just review a product or service.
Intent.
Intent goes here. No, really use intent when you write. People will want to read it. Do you want to read an article where the reporter was told to go do an analysis, they hated it, and so it is full of statistics and boring stuff no one is really interested in?
Would you rather read a report from the same reporter that is on something they love and are intent on giving the whole and open facts about?That one sounds more interesting.
One last thing I want to impart. Content – containing intent……..
Recent Comments
9
You have put the two words together and married them. Intent is consistent focus from the heart!
That is what I see in the word Tania. And what everyone should see in every post we do. From now on I will be writing my content with intent.
I definitely have to work on my internal links...and I need to do this with intent! I believe in doing everything you do with intention. The intent to do my work to the best of my ability. The intent to write my posts to the best of my ability. This sets your focus and ultimately your outcome.
Great post, Brittaney.
Sue
I agree. It does not matter what it is you are doing. Do it with intent. Intent to get some sort of benefit out of it. And take the time to think that it is that mind set that your readers are in when they are coming to your page to get information.
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You nailed it right on the head! It is all about content. It is the backbone of our online business.
Great tip about putting a link on a comment.
We have to find every way we can to shift our readers to buying something or we don't get paid. And it all starts with content with intent. The intent to get them to the buying page. Even in the comments.