What are Keywords?
You have a website and you are ready to see your website do its job and bring you customers. Well first you need to figure out if you are using the language of your customers. By knowing the language your customers are speaking or the terms they are using, you can figure out what words they use via search…. So why are these words so important. Well let’s begin with the basics.
What are Keywords? Keywords are the words people use to type into a search engine to find the products, services, or anything else they might be looking for. Keywords can be a single word or a word phrase, which is called a Keyword Phrase or Long Tail Phrase. Not sure where the phrase “Long Tail” came from but hey… now you know what it means.
So how do Keywords help you increase your search engine ranking? When you set up your website or blog, it is imperative to use words that your users would use to find you. For instance, one of the services my company offers is printing. Let’s say you just started your business and you need someone to print your business cards. You go to Google and you do a search for business cards but all I have on my site is information about printing. If I do not have enough information on my website pertaining to business cards my website will not come up in search and chances are you won’t find my company. If I want to ensure that users find my site when looking for business cards I need include more content on my site that includes the word phrase “business cards”.
It is essential to do some research to find out what words your target audience is searching to find your services or products. Using Google’s keyword tool is a great way to find out what keyword and keyword phrases are ranking high for the products and services you offer. You can also talk to your customers or a focus group and ask them what specific words they use as well. Once you have generated a list you can then begin to incorporate those words into your websites content.
4 Rules of thumb and helpful hints:
It is important to know that you should never over use keywords in your website content. Keyword density determines how search algorithms view your site. You should never repeat your key terms more than 6 times per 350 words of content.- Search Engine Algorithms place more emphasis on your page title than it does to keyword density; therefore, it is important to put your target keywords in the title.
- Keywords should be naturally dispersed through out your page content. Overuse of key terms could be penalized by search algorithms and cause your page to banned from search engines all together; it is always best to use good judgment to ensure your content reads naturally.
- Include keyword terms in your pictures meta data, description and caption but only if it makes sense to do so.
The goal of any business with a website is to have it ranked within in the top 10 results when users search for your products and services. Search Engine Optimization is an ongoing process that takes time and testing. Only through trial and error and using several different optimization tactics can you be successful. You should also NOT expect your efforts to give you results over night. True search engine optimization for top ranking takes several months and constant research to stay abreast of new strategies due to the ever-changing nature of the Internet. So basically what I’m saying here is you probably need to hire a professional if you are serious about optimizing your website for success.
Aries – Graphic Design & Internet Marketing / AriesGDIM Tami Highbaugh-Abdullah Creative Marketing Director 317.345.4182 AriesGDIM.com / AriesGraphicDesign.com @ariesgdim – Twitter Google+ AriesGDIM
857 Edgemont Ave Indianapolis, IN, 46208 USA
tami@ariesgraphicdesign.com • 3173454182
How do you Write Search Engine Optimized Blog Posts?
It is important to remember that increasing your search engine ranking organically takes time. You will need a mix of posting on different channels (Social Media Marketing), finding your target audience, testing using analytics, keyword optimization, website usability testing and a strategic Internet marketing plan. These are all key components in reaching #1 successfully.
Here’s a tip though…. The #1 way to increase your search engine ranking is by writing optimized blog posts on a regular basis. So how do you do that? Do you want to learn how to SEO? You write blogs that rock…. so they can rankTM.
- Write keyword optimized posts: When writing your blog about particular subjects, do a
Increase your search engine ranking
search with the Google Keywords Tool. This will help you to see what keywords users are searching for the most. Once you have reviewed the list generated, use these keywords naturally through out your blog post. Notice I said naturally? Keyword density is important. If you over use keywords in your posts, the search engines block your blog all together. You also want to include keywords in the title of your blog, the title tag, in the description and in the meta tags.
- Use Anchored Text: What the heck does that mean? When writing your blog it is a good idea to link keywords to other blog posts or pages within your website with relevant content. You can also link your keywords to blogs or pages on other websites. It’s always good to share the love. Links outside of your site could possibly cause you to lose your reader because they are clicking away; this is why it is important to make sure your links always open in a new window. That way your readers stay on your website while at the same time linking to the new page.
- Selectively bold, italicize, or underline keywords: Now this one I don’t care for too much but it can help your ranking… so if you are going to do it, do it in a way that will not be irritating to your readers (like I have in this post). There is nothing worse than bold words for no good reason.
- Make your Blog easy to read: Using numbered or bulleted text to break up your content will make it easier to read. It also gives readers, who are skimmers, the ability to look over your blog quickly, determine if they want to read it and if it is worth sharing.
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Social Media Share Buttons
Aesthetics mean a lot: Make it pretty please! You want to do everything possible to keep your users on your blog. If your blog does not look professional chances are your readers will go elsewhere. Having a professional looking blog adds to your credibility as an authority in your field. There are a lot of great bloggers being ignored because their blogs look like poop. A pleasant visual presentation is key. Visit other blogs and take note of the ones that grab your attention; these are the sites you want to model your blog after. If you do not have the ability to create an awesome blog, it is time to hire a graphic designer that can get you started.
- Be Authentic: Anyone can write a blog about a topic but no one can be you. Use your personality and make your blogs interesting. Engage your readers with what makes you different from everyone else… Be YOU!
- Make it easy to share: The more your content is shared the greater the possibility for traffic and traffic increases search engine rankings. Be sure to include share buttons below and above your blog posts so your readers can easily share your wonderful content.
This is not an all-inclusive list… this is just the beginning; there are a load of other tips to help get your blog optimized for search engine rankings but this should get you started in the right direction.
Aries – Graphic Design & Internet Marketing / AriesGDIM Tami Highbaugh-Abdullah Creative Marketing Director 317.345.4182 AriesGDIM.com / AriesGraphicDesign.com @ariesgdim – Twitter Google+ AriesGDIMWhat is Twitter?
Lately I have written a few blogs about Twitter basics and my Twitter pet peeves. After talking to a friend and client of mine, I realized that there are still a lot people who don’t really know what Twitter actually is. So I decided to take a little time to give a brief synapses of what I understand Twitter to be.
What is Twitter
So, what is Twitter? Twitter is a real time information social platform that provides friends, family, coworkers, businesses and perspective clients the ability to connect and stay connected using short quick exchanges. Twitter users listen, share and communicate information regarding their thoughts, new and exciting news and events. Users ask questions and get answers.
Many Twitter users have used Twitter to replace email messaging when it comes to quick thoughts and questions like: What are you doing? Can we meet? How are you today? Etc. These quick thoughts and questions are called Tweets, which can only be 140 characters.
If you don’t think Tweeting is for you then you can still set up an account and follow Twitter users who tweet about topics of your interest to you. Many people use Twitter as valuable source of news because Twitter acts like news feed.
Twitter is also a great way to get brand exposure for your business because it allows you to share your content with your followers. Don’t get too caught up in self promotion, most Twitter users don’t like that. You should also share or retweet information that others may find interesting as well. By doing this you build relationships and increase your brand exposure.
I have met people on Twitter I would have never met on Facebook. Many of the Facebook friends I have gained in the last year have been in direct response to my increased Twitter presence. Based on my Google Analytics numbers, 40% of the hits to my website have either come from Twitter or from Twitter monitoring sites or applications.
Want to learn more about Twitter? Please visit the following links:
Why Should I Follow you? Basic Twitter Tips Twitter Basics/Tips for NoobsAlso if you have a question please feel free to leave our question below.
Related links:
http://mashable.com/what-is-twitter/ http://tweeternet.com/ Aries – Graphic Design & Internet Marketing / AriesGDIM Tami Highbaugh-Abdullah Creative Marketing Director 317.345.4182 AriesGDIM.com / AriesGraphicDesign.com @ariesgdim – Twitter Google+ AriesGDIM
Why should I follow you on Twitter? Basic Twitter Tips
Today I was talking to Anise Smith and Lauren Peterson (Fellow Full Sail University Internet Marketing Masters) regarding Twitter and the whole Twitter game users play of following, being expected to follow back and then later being unfollowed. People do this because some Twitter strategist said that you should…. and it builds a positive follower/follow ratio that looks good. According to the Twitter specialist you should never be following more people than follow you. I say it’s all bull boo boo.
My other Twitter issue is people who follow you and then beg you to follow them back. Maybe you have seen it… the guilt trip message, “I have followed you please follow me back #teamfollowback.” So what you followed me… Now I may have pissed a whole lot of people off by making that statement so let me explain because I love my followers.
A Follow on Twitter should not be based on whether or not someone is following you back. It should be based on the normal things that would cause you to be interested in any person or professional in the first place. I would never claim to be a Twitter expert but this is what I know and what has worked for me thus far (and let me add I’m a baby in the Twitter game only 1 1/2 years old). I follow people based on these 4 basic points.
- A completed profile
- An interesting profile
- Quality Tweets
- Good conversations
Really simple right? By doing this I have made Twitter friends all over the world that I talk to regularly, that have reached out and connected with me on Facebook and Empire Avenue, that share my content, and miss me when I get a little too quiet. Of course as a business owner I want to have a big Twitter following and a gregarious Klout score but what I have now works for me and those that follow me which is great. My Klout score is increasing and everyday I get new followers just by sharing interesting blog posts and my occasional quirky observations.
Often people on Twitter use it in strange ways… and playing the Twitter Follow/Unfollow Game of following people just to unfollow them later in an attempt to keep your follow/follower ratio looking good just seems twisted. If the whole purpose is to engage and build relationships you kind of defeat the purpose. Being authentic, getting to know your followers, is the best way to truly set a solid Twitter foundation. As they say… if you build it they will come.
For more information regarding Twitter Basics you may want to check out Twitter Basics for Noobs.
Aries – Graphic Design & Internet Marketing / AriesGDIM Tami Highbaugh-Abdullah Creative Marketing Director 317.345.4182 AriesGDIM.com / AriesGraphicDesign.com @ariesgdim – Twitter Google+ AriesGDIM Indianapolis, IN
Is it Acceptable to Like and +1 Your Own Content?
Just yesterday I was Google+ ing and came across a post from @Kimbeasley. Her post was asking if users should “+1” or “Facebook Like” their own content. Amazingly a few of the commenters thought it was blatant/overt self-promotion to +1 and Like your own posts. One response said that they actually make fun of people who like their own posts. Wow! Really?!?! Ok, if you say so…..
+1 your content
First let me explain what is considered Blatant/Overt self-promotion in regards to social media. Big Fat SPAM! You know the people that post their services and products to your Facebook wall and you barely know them? How about the people who tag you on their pictures that are sales ads? That is Blatant Self-Promotion and it is very, very, very irritating.
There is nothing wrong with self-promotion when it is done the right way. So what are some of the right ways to self promote?
- Posting sharable content (posts that people like and share)
- Posting questions/statements that generate conversation
- Networking and sharing other peoples content (yes sharing others people content is a form of self-promotion)
- Blogging about information that is informative, helpful, funny, or beneficial to those who read it
- Commenting on other peoples posts & blogs sharing your knowledge
- Liking, +1 ing, sharing and tweeting other users content as well as your own
So what about those people who thought +1 ing and Liking your own posts was blatant self-promotion? Well if I post it and I liked what I posted, why not. I would also point out that +1 ing, Liking, Sharing, & Tweeting your own content has SEO benefits. Each social media like/plus/share to your content increases your search engine rankings. This is important if you are a business owner trying to get traffic to your website…. and traffic back to your website is the ultimate goal right? But hey, everyone is entitled to their own opinion so… if you choose to miss out on the possible benefits… well that is totally up to you.
Lastly and more logically how will anyone know about the services and products your company sells if you don’t self promote. Tastefully promoting your company by sharing beneficial, shareable content is the acceptable way. Do not be scared that someone will be offended if you tweet, like or +1 your own blog posts; doing so only makes good business sense.
Now for a little “Blatant” and “Overt” self-promotion, I will be adding a signature to the end of this blog post. Oops did I offend you?
Aries – Graphic Design & Internet Marketing / AriesGDIM Tami Highbaugh-Abdullah Creative Marketing Director 317.345.4182 AriesGDIM.com / AriesGraphicDesign.com @ariesgdim – Twitter Google+ AriesGDIM
