Pizza is better with cheese. Coffee is better with cream. Christmas is better with presents. So why would you create content without SEO? The two go hand in hand like long walks and sunsets on the beach. Without one, the other loses its efficacy.
Writing any type of content requires effort, and you want to be sure that it pays off. Fortunately, there is a secret formula to maximizing your return on SEO content. We want to share some of these ingredients below. Add them to the menu as you wish!
Start with Due Diligence
In high school, you wouldn’t have written a paper without doing the research. And if you did, it probably didn’t go too well. The same is true when writing SEO content. You must find out what keywords and phrases your audience is searching for. List out the keywords on a spreadsheet along with how many times they are used in the content. Some keywords will be more of a priority than others.
Be Strategic
At one time, content writers could dump keywords into the copy and call it a day. Not only is this looked down upon today, but it could also end up hurting your efforts. So, you must be thoughtful and strategic with the placement of the keywords. Some should be sprinkled naturally in the copy while others should be included in the first H1 or H2. Keyword variations are good and help out with the natural flow.
Trim the Fat
Longer blog posts at 1,000+ words are often touted for ranking better on the search engines. And, there are certainly times when long content is valuable. But for the majority of us, 1,000+ word posts aren’t going to happen each week. This is when it’s time to simplify your posts and stick to a more dependable schedule.
Short content has a number of benefits, including:
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It’s easier to read.
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It’s easier to create.
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You can cover more topics.
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You can keep readers wanting more.
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There is still room for quality.
Avoid Being Lame
Do you know how many blogs have been written on the top 5 benefits of SEO? Way. Too. Many. It’s tempting to create content that is low effort. You’re able to get something out there quickly, share it to your social profiles, and incorporate important keywords. But look at it this way. Is the content really benefiting your brand, or is it just a placeholder until the next boring blog comes along?
Make each post count. Be different. Use a conversational tone. Write about stuff people care about. This is how you build communities and work toward your bigger SEO goals.
Conclusion
Always remember that your content has a purpose. It should be thoughtful, accurate and entertaining, but it also needs to be found by the right people. Much of your success in creating SEO content lies in using the proper keywords, crafting supporting content, and covering a wide range of topics. What other ingredients do you think should be added?
