Archive for the Category »SEO «

Sep

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a HUGE topic. So large in fact, many blogs are dedicated to just that. Books are written about it, and some businesses are built around it.

In the comments of the Readers vs Bots, Making Everyone Happy post, Patricia of Patricia’s Wisdom asked if I could write more about SEO. I promised her I would.

A search engine optimization expert, I am not, but I do know if bloggers want to get search engine traffic, some degree of SEO must be used.

Today”s Lesson

In a nutshell, here’s what I feel is true about search engine optimization.

If we are targeting readers who are searching for widgets, then we need to write about widgets.
If we are trying to get search engine traffic to a article (or a blog) which is about widgets, but we go off track and start writing about shoes (for example), the search engines aren’t going to send us people who are looking for widgets. Our posts need to stay on topic.
We can rank high with one search engine, but not on another.
Many bloggers concentrate on ranking high with Google, however Yahoo, Bing or another search engine may be a better choice. With Google currently being the biggest search engine, it may be best to concentrate our efforts on getting more traffic from the smaller search engines where there may be less competition.
Search engine optimization can change the way we write.
If we want search engine traffic, we need to tell the search engines we have a relevant post about a specific topic. This is done by using keywords and/or keyword phrases. Although those posts may need to be worded differently than how we normally write, challenging ourselves to write for the search engines (and our readers, too) may help to gain a larger readership.
Every post does not have to be search engine optimized.
On this blog, I seldom use SEO. It’s not that I don’t want search engine traffic, but I either forget to include it, I get lazy, or I’m not sure how to optimize a specific topic. Having said that, just having a handful of posts that are optimized can help to keep search engine traffic coming our way.
Catchy titles can attract the wrong audience.
In a previous lesson we learned how using catchy titles can deceive our readers and the search engines. Although we may get traffic based on the words we used in our title, chances are we are not reaching our target audience.
Even the most carefully optimized post may not get found.
Because the search engines use parameters other than just optimization of posts, even a perfectly written post may not get highly indexed by the search engines. Search engines consider page rank, inbound links, the credibility of a site (plus other algorithms), therefore, if our post is on a subject in an already saturated market, search engine optimization could all be for naught.
When we pick keywords or keyword phrases, we’re just guessing others will use the same terms
If we look at our stats and see how others find us, they often use search terms we wouldn’t even think of. Although we can’t possibly know what search strings people will enter, it’s important we consider possibilities other than the obvious.

So there you have it, my seven simple tips on SEO.

Today’s Assignment

Do you use search engine optimization in your posts?

If so, do you have any tips to share with the class?

If not, what about SEO confuses you?

Raise your hand and share your thoughts.

And now, seven fabulous resources on search engine optimization:

SEO Tips For WordPress Bloggers (Video) by Matt Cutts (a Google executive) – posted on John Hoff’s blog. I strongly recommend watching this video in it’s entirety.
Google Webmaster Central
Yahoo.com. Log into your account and search “help” for webmaster resources.
Bing.com/webmaster plus their toolbox
Best SEO Practices for Creative Writers – courtesy of Jan Geronimo
SEO and Accessibility by Joe Dolson
101 Great Blogs You Should Be Subscribing To Starting at number 36, Kevin lists 12 blogs which specialize in SEO

Category: Blogging, Blogging Lessons, Increase Traffic, Keywords, SEO 73 Comments

Sep

Readers vs Bots – Making Everyone Happy

Barbara Swafford

We know what Google wants from us bloggers.

They like (in part) to see blogs that are updated often (it appears more often is better), inbound links from reputable sites and the use of SEO (search engine optimization) so they can index our posts correctly.

That way, when someone types in a search string, they (the search engines) will look good by providing THEIR readers exactly what they ask for.

Today’s Lesson

As bloggers we often fall into the trap of wanting to please the search engines. After all, it’s the search engines that can bring us the most traffic plus visitors who may click on our ads. It’s also search engine traffic that can drive up our rankings.

Hence, we crank out search engine optimized posts and the bots smile down on us, reward us with more traffic and everyone is happy.

Or, are they?

By posting too frequently are we missing out? Are we pleasing the bots but deterring loyal readers from sticking around?

Are we closing the door to comments because we’re not giving our readers enough time to think about what we wrote and then write a response?

Are we forgetting about OUR readers?

When Ann-Marie, co-author of Wilma’s Blog contacted me, she shared what she sees happening.

With her permission, I’m quoting what she said/asked in an email:

Myself and Wilma have been talking about how many times a week we post on our blog.

We recognize that a post is the starting point of the conversation and it is in the commenting that the conversation takes real form.

As other bloggers get involved we begin to see an opportunity to really ‘nut out’ our thoughts.

The dialogue begins to flow and with it comes new understanding and learning for everyone.

It ends up being an interactive discussion about a subject in which people have something to say.

So if we post too frequently, are we in danger of stifling this existing conversation and stopping it before it comes to a natural end?

Ann-Marie and Wilma are concerned about what THEIR readers want; not what the search engines are looking for.

They realize if they slap a new post on top of one that’s still alive with conversation, they could kill it.

And in the process of killing the conversation, they may also lose their loyal readers.

So, what’s the best route?

Today’s Assignment

What advice would you give to Ann-Marie and Wilma?

If you have a post and the comment section is buzzing, do you throw a new one on top of it, or do you let the conversation on the older post die down?

Photo Credit: Google Bot? by fabiofco

Category: Archives, Blogging, Blogging Lessons, Comments, Posting, SEO 68 Comments

Apr

Gain Readers By Selling Yourself

Barbara Swafford

After reading Betsy’s post on Passing Thru, “Selling Isn’t Selling Anymore”, I was reminded of how bloggers need to “sell” themselves in order to gain readers.

Let’s face it, with the amount of time we spend on our blog posts, we certainly don’t want it to be all for naught.

Although selling isn’t a favorite of mine, oddly enough, my first full-time job was in sales at a Sears catalog store.

Part of my job was to go through the telephone book and make “cold calls”. I would pick out names, call them, introduce myself and ask them if I could assist them in finding something out of our catalog. Often we would page through sections of the catalog and I would help them uncover a treasure.

All phone calls didn’t end up in a sale, but fortunately I lived in a small community and held that job before telemarketing became the rage. Instead of my calls being a nuisance, people were actually grateful for my help.

Today’s Lesson

For our blog to succeed, we must sell it.

And, in selling our blog, we are also selling ourselves.

When building a community on a blog, we need to get our name out there.

This can be done by:

Visiting other blogs and leaving meaningful comments
Linking to other blogs referencing one of their posts
Joining and participating in social networking sites such as Twitter
Offering a free ebook or newsletter
Joining and/or hosting blog carnivals
Entering our names in blog directories
Using our blog URL as part of our email signature
Write a captivating “About Me” page, giving our readers a reason to subscribe

For blogs that are built for search engine traffic, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is required. Using SEO means we are competing against others for the same keywords and/or keyword phrases. Perfecting our use of SEO becomes essential as we’re technically selling ourselves to “Big Brother”, telling him our content is worth rating above others.

It’s one thing to write and boast of the hundreds of posts in our archives, but if we’re not letting others know what we have is worthwhile reading, we may as well be writing a private journal.

Today’s Assignment

How do you sell yourself? Or, do you?

If you’re not selling yourself, what holds you back?

For those who concentrate on selling themselves and their blogs, what can you share with others that has worked for you?

Care to share?

P.S. For more ideas on getting found, stay tuned for a future guest post when Matthew Dryden steps in as substitute teacher and shares what he learned from watching two of his mentors market themselves.

Photo Credit:Wishbook

Category: Archives, Blogging, Blogging Lessons, Comments, Increase Traffic, Linking, SEO, Social Networking, Writing Tips 41 Comments

Mar

If We Knew Then What We Know Now

Barbara Swafford

I have always loved listening to stories being told by older adults. They speak of when they traveled from “the old country”, how the farm house needed to be expanded with the addition of more children, their experiences on jobs, why others became their best friends, how being honest paid off, what they thought when the first man walked on the moon, and much more.

I learned a lot from them.

In most cases, our elders are very wise people.

Today’s Lesson

When I started blogging, I listened to what the blogging pros had to say. In fact, I was amazed how much information about blogging could be found online, for free. I felt like a kid in a candy store.

Today I’m reflecting on what I learned from my “blogging elders”.

Content is king

Even though each post of ours may not be our best work, the posts that hold the most value will become the ones others link to, comment on, and remember.

First impressions are lasting ones.

It pays to spend time tweaking our sites so readers don’t click off before they have a chance to read our work. If what we show above the fold doesn’t capture their attention, we can color them gone.

The attitude of “If I build it, they will come”, doesn’t cut it in blogging

In order to get found we need to use SEO (search engine optimization), comment on other blogs, be active on social networking sites such as Twitter, StumbleUpon, Digg,…, register our blogs with Google Webmaster tools, and/or install a Google sitemap, just to name a few.

Blogging is more than writing

Although blogging is a big attraction for those who love to write, we must also learn what goes on behind the scenes of our blogs. If coding and tweaking our sites isn’t something we’re comfortable with, fee based professionals are available.

Checking our stats too often can detrimental to our creativity

A lot of bloggers become stataholics. Me, included. When we start relying on the numbers to measure our success, we’re apt to be disappointed. It’s when WE know we’re doing a good job, the pressure dissipates. Just as in life, our self confidence comes into play. Those who believe in themselves have a higher success rate.

Other bloggers are not our competition

In the world of blogosphere, there’s room for an infinite number of people writing on the same subject. Our words will ring true for some, but not for all. Fearing we’re up against “the competition” is another creativity smasher.

There’s more to life than blogging.

Chances are we won’t get rich quick with blogging, nor will we join the ranks of the pros without paying our dues. Although it’s great to know blogging can become our livelihood, it’s important to take time to make memories in real life. After all, THAT is what truly matters.

What about you? Are you listening to what others are saying? Heeding their advice?

Today’s Assignment

Whether you’ve been blogging for days, weeks, months or years, what have you learned that sticks with you?

Care to share? Just leave your thoughts in the comment section.

Thank you!