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The Basic 5: Where to Start with SEO
Maybe you've listened to podcasts and watched all the free stuff on Semrush and Ahrefs regarding SEO.
But still...it's so overwhelming. Where do you begin?!
👉 Here's how to break it down into 5 basic steps.
And you don’t have to be a guru😋
Start simple.
#1. Use long-tail keywords relevant to your brand and audience
What's a long-tail keyword?
A long-tail keyword is typically a phrase of 3-5 words related to the topic you want to write about.
These tend to be lower-search-volume and lower-competition words that you can win on with lower domain rankings.
Example:
“how to post on LinkedIn” is a long-tail keyword.
Knowing my audience, many of you are interested in LinkedIn-related content. So it would make sense to write about this given your interest and my experience on the platform.
By plugging "how to post on LinkedIn" into the Moz free keyword research tool, I can see it gets pretty good volume with 849 searches/month and is moderately difficult. It may be a little tricky, but if I offer great content, it's possible to get on page #1.
Tip: SEOSurfer is a paid tool I also use to optimize my articles. It helps with keyword research and gives me ideas on additional complimentary keywords to help my articles rank higher. It costs me $30/month.
#2. Match search intent and begin an outline for your blog article
Before writing about your topic, do a regular Google search.
Step 1: Type "how to post on LinkedIn" into Google.
Step 2: Look at the articles that pop up in the #1-#5 spots on the page.
Ranking #1 and #2 are pages/articles on LinkedIn.
There's also some video content.
#3 article and beyond are not LinkedIn but other websites with content on this topic...
Step 3: Compare patterns among the top articles to gauge what you need to include in terms of sections in your article. Then, write it better.
Looking through the examples above, I need to shoot for 18 tips or more, provide multiple images, link to several credible references, and really pack the article with value. Maybe even add in a video or two walking through different parts of the process.
Studying what's already doing well gives you a checklist of key sections to include in your article.
#3. Utilize the "People also ask" section for additional H2s and valuable content for your article
The "People also ask" section is a huge hint from Google about what people are searching for related to your topic or long-tail keyword.
Scroll through the Google search page and you quickly find it towards the top...
Address as many of these questions as possible that make sense for what you're writing about. Sometimes, they are similar, so you don't want to be redundant.
These should come across as H2s in your outline.
It's an excellent way to provide more value to your audience and help you rank well in SERPs.
#4. Make your article visually appealing
What does this mean?
One image at the top of the blog article isn't going to cut it.
Depending on the length of your article, consider using...
- Multiple images throughout
- An infographic to help explain a complex idea
- Embed a video for readers to click and view in a separate window
👉Skimmable and visually interesting is the goal.
Unique photography is usually best for building your brand. Free imagery found on Pixels or Unsplash is okay, but it's easy for others to replicate.
Tip: I like to use Canva to create infographics. They have templates for several types of content, and you can create a lot for free.
#5. End your article with an action
An action could be a few different things...
- Link to another related article on your blog to read
- Ask to join your newsletter
- Or link to an applicable product page
Just don't leave your reader with nothing else to do.
This is really important when you're wanting to focus on converting more readers into subscribers or purchasers.
Here's an example at the end of a blog post on my site prompting others to sign up for my newsletter:
Here's a different example offering up another article to read at the end of one of my blog posts:
Can you implement more than these 5 actions when it comes to SEO?...Oh yes!
But starting with these basic 5 steps can keep it simple so you can implement them consistently.
Fill Your Cup Moment
Earlier this week, I was having a case of the Monday meltdowns.
I was mentally overloaded...
- Deep in content briefs for my part-time agency gig
- Working late to deliver quality content for my regular clients
- And desperate for time to work on my own content (like this newsletter)
Thankfully, the dust started to settle on Wednesday.
But that overwhelming feeling on Monday was too real.
So you know what I did?
First, I vented to my husband:)🤣
Then, I stuck to my routine, I grabbed my tunes, and I did my 30 minute jog outside to move my body and release some stress.
And I'm glad I did.
I've realized you need to set the pace—especially building your own business.
Don't overlook your personal needs.
Honor what your mind and body require to help keep you going.
A little movement and some fresh air can help as a daily reset. Don't skip out on yourself🙌
My Resource Recommendations
(None of these are affiliated links - Just purely things I like, use, or learned.)
Struggling on how to structure your social posts to get more engagement and convert more leads? Then check out Justin Welsh's copywriting formula. I referenced it when writing a teaser post for my newsletter this week. This is one to bookmark for sure.
Going along with my Monday meltdown moment this week, this article by Ryan Holiday caught my eye. A real example of what overworking and pushing yourself too hard can do. (Definitely what you want to avoid.)
Want to feel inspired? Check out this video about Terry Rice. This was a featured story in a ConvertKit email this week. I had no idea about Terry's background and how the loss of his son led him into the creator world. His story definitely tugged at my emotions, and it's stayed with me as a reminder of how powerful sharing our stories can be in helping others.
Well that's a wrap! Thanks again for being here:)
Talk soon,
Allison
👋P.S. Just ONE MORE thing...How am I doing?
Are there other topics you want to hear about? Please reply to this email and shoot me a quick note. I love hearing from my readers.
👉Three Ways I Can Help:
- Follow me on LinkedIn. Enjoy my free insights open to everyone!
- For CEOs and Founders: I have room for one more monthly retainer client. I provide content strategy, planning, and execution where I essentially become an extension of your team. If you need a strategist and writer to fill this gap, please reply to this email, and let's chat.
- Read more on my blog about content creation and freelance tips.
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