Writing Tips for Ultimate SEO Traction
Writing Like a Pro
I wasn't always very good at writing. It took practice and practice and tweaking and revisions at first. We have to learn to walk before we can run. But, let me pass on something a professor once told me.
"Put something ... ANYthing.... down on paper first. Then, change it.... add to it.... change it again."
Now, of course, we use our computers and smartphones, but the analogy is the same. It's much easier to work with something than it is to work with nothing. Start getting those thoughts from mind to paper. Add and tweak.
Another tip I have is to create a quick outline first. then, simply fill in the gaps.
Remember the big social engagement topics that always pull well:
- Resolve someone's problem
- Create a list of quick helpers: hacks, tweaks, tips
- Three list types: Very Brief, Hybrid, Detailed
- Q&A stuff
- Step-by-Step tutorials are awesome and get bookmarked a lot!
We live in a fast-food society, everyone is looking to be more efficient.
Your Title or Heading is the most critical piece of information when you're promoting your well-written text! If you're publishing a link on Facebook or Twitter, think about the phrases and words that grab your attention! Be sure to see my recent post on Killer Headlines:
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/pjgermain/blog/my-...
The following are some tips on how to structure your articles for maximum on-page SEO traction... Be sure to review my comments on LSI (Latent Semantic Keywords) here:
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/pjgermain/blog/con...
LSI keywords are powerful supporters to your main keyword....
Key Basic Writing Tips for Ultimate Search Engine Traffic:
- Use your primary keyword in its exact form in the title tag and include a variation of the secondary keyword after it.
- Make sure your primary keyword appears in the URL of your article.
- Use the secondary keyword in your meta description in its exact form, and also include a variation of the primary keyword too.
- Include the keywords in your article at least once— But, be careful that your keyword density doesn't hit more than 1% unless it comes naturally. Instead, include LSI keywords. This is where the WA tools (Rapid Writer and Keyword Tool) can help.
- Include at least two high quality images, and for each image, use one of your keywords as the image alt text. Also, throw in a YouTube video with the keywords in the title. No, it doesn't have to be yours. (But would help your SEO if it were)
- When you're talking about Wealthy Affiliate, don't automatically hyperlink it with your affiliate URL. Instead, hyperlink the anchor text to your Wealthy Affiliate Review page.
Okay, one thing to note: Don't get caught up on your word length when it comes to blog posts. My personal preference is that my PAGES have considerable length. While my posts may be anywhere from 300 - 1000 words, my pages are often 1200 to 3000 words. I covered the reasoning behind posts vs pages in an older article:
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/pjgermain/blog/per...
Things to keep in mind:
- The Search Engines like text
- The Search Engines like formatting
- The Search Engines like freshness
- The Search Engines like accessibility
- The Search Engines like outbound hyperlinks
- The Search Engines aren't psychic, so remember to link to your other posts or pages (notice my links to my other WA blog posts?)
- The Search Engines like you to tell it where you are
- The Search Engines like experts
Now, that being said. Think of yourself as a reader when you visit my website or anyone else's. What do we all normally do? Some of us read word for word, but most of us scan the content looking for things that interest us specifically.
So, with that in mind, think about these things:
- The most important heading on the page should be the H1
- There is usually only one H1 on any page
- Subheadings should be H2s, sub-subheadings should be H3s, etc.
- Each heading should contain valuable keywords; if not, it’s a wasted heading
- For longer pieces of content, the headings are what allow the reader to skip to the parts of the article they are after, quickly
Okay, I'm going to keep today brief. I know there's seems like a lot going on here, but truly, this is the stuff that separates the pro writer from the all the noise out there. Practice it and you will get better and better. Read other articles to. Discover what pulls you in and what styles you like and take those parts and create your own style.
When all else fails, just begin "talking on paper". A Blog is a conversation anyway. Just talk it out loud and type as you go! You CAN do it!
Cheers!
Pj
Recent Comments
75
This is the best, most succinct and easy to read post I've ever seen on this. I always wonder whether to read ANOTHER one, but I'm of course, struggling with learning this on a daily basis. I'm so glad I read this, and I'm keeping it as a favority. Thanks so much. -Alexx
Thank you! I can see that I have been doing some things wrong. So I will be editing a lot this week!
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I personally love those step by step tutorials, and am kicking myself not taking better notes in my first lessons. I will have to go back now when I build another website... Unless, You have a handy one around that you know of!! :) Very good article, Bookmarked!
Have a great day,
Paula
That's the great thing about them. They'll be here for ya! Thank you, Paula!