#ContentWritingChat June 21 2016 Recap: The Basics of Optimizing Your Content Correctly for Search Engines
Did you miss #ContentWritingChat this week? There’s no need to worry, my friend. We have you covered with a recap of our latest chat (and it’s a good one). Go ahead and dive into our recap and brush up on your SEO skills with this week’s tips! #ContentWritingChat June 21 2016 Recap: The Basics of Optimizing Your Content Correctly for Search Engines Join us for #ContentWritingChat on Tuesday, June 21st at 10 AM CDT with guest host @sherrybonelli! pic.twitter.com/Nb3R9N83nn — Express Writers (@ExpWriters) June 14, 2016 For this week’s chat, our guest host was Sherry Bonelli. Sherry is an expert digital marketer (hailing back from 1998), the founder of Early Bird Digital Marketing, and has been featured on the TODAY Show, CNN, ABC. She joined us to share her tips on optimizing your written online content for search engines. Q1: What are the basics copywriters should know about SEO? You don’t have to be an SEO expert to optimize your online content. If you’re a natural writer, knowing the basics will just refine your existing skills to help you create fantastic content that Google will love. Check out these tips from the chat: A1: Everyone can learn enough SEO basics to make a difference! Don’t overthink it. #ContentWritingChat — Sherry Bonelli (@sherrybonelli) June 21, 2016 A1: Title & Description get people’s attention in SERPs. Use keywords. #ContentWritingChat — Sherry Bonelli (@sherrybonelli) June 21, 2016 Don’t forget that everyone can learn the basics of SEO and even small optimizations can make a difference. As Sherry said, the title of your content and its description will get the attention of potential readers. Make sure you’re using the right keywords to rank higher and attract your ideal reader. A1. Even a basic understanding of the language people use to talk about your industry will help your writing. #contentwritingchat — Kristen Dunleavy (@KristenWritesIt) June 21, 2016 Great advice from Kristen! Understand the language people use within your industry. You need to get inside their heads to choose the keywords they’ll be searching for. A1. Write for the audience- talk like you’re talking to a real person. Keywords matter but are second to utility. #ContentWritingChat — Epictions (@epictions) June 21, 2016 Write with your audience in mind. You want to write for humans, not for robots. Keywords come second. A1: How to do keyword research; it’s vital to reaching your audience. Also, how to use keywords naturally. #contentwritingchat — Netvantage Marketing (@netvantage) June 21, 2016 Make sure you know how to do keyword research. To find the ideal keywords for your content, you’ll need to know how to research them effectively and which tools you should use. A1. Copywriters should know why SEO matters, what keywords are and how to use them effectively. #contentwritingchat — Brittany Brander (@BrittanyBrander) June 21, 2016 Brittany said to make sure you know why SEO matters. Of course, don’t forget about those all-important keywords either. A1 Basic #SEO Title, tags, meta description, H1,H2, keywords, search volume, long list #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/UVjVw39uAi — Varun Kumar (@varunkr842) June 21, 2016 Varun suggested that you learn about title, tags, meta description, and headers. You should also understand how to choose the correct keywords. A1a Know how to write good meta titles & descriptions. “Free PPC.” Huge for SEO benefits and ROI from content rankings #ContentWritingChat — Julia McCoy (@JuliaEMcCoy) June 21, 2016 Our CEO, Julia, said to make sure you know how to write good meta titles and descriptions. Those are key for ranking your content! A1. Focus on using the right keywords in titles/headlines and tag images with appropriate keywords as well. #ContentWritingChat — Cheryl Joy (@CherylJoy2) June 21, 2016 Cheryl said to focus on using the right keywords for your content and in your titles and headings. Don’t forget to tag your images with the appropriate keywords as well. This is a step that’s easy to overlook! A1: I use the @yoast SEO plugin to help keep me on the right track with SEO. #ContentWritingChat — Zachary Fenell (@zacharyfenell) June 21, 2016 Zachary relies on the Yoast SEO plugin for WordPress to keep him on track when it comes to optimization. We’re right there with you! A1: First & foremost, it has to be natural. I’ve encountered keyword-stuffed copy too often — burns the eyes, it does. #contentwritingchat — Ryan Eisenacher (@ImAGirl_YouKnow) June 21, 2016 Ryan knows keyword stuffing isn’t cool. Make sure the copy you write sounds natural, otherwise it can be a turn-off for your reader. A1) Keep your content natural. Don’t force your #SEO because the search engines will see through it. Optimise not force. #contentwritingchat — Jim Carter (@MSLJim) June 21, 2016 Jim said to keep your content natural. Don’t force your SEO. Q2: Should you optimize every piece of content you create? Is it worthwhile to optimize every piece of content you publish online? Here’s what some of our chat participants had to say: A2: Yes. Every piece of content you write should be optimized. Even if it’s print material…#ContentWritingChat — Sherry Bonelli (@sherrybonelli) June 21, 2016 Sherry believes in optimizing all of the content you create, even print material. A2: No. Depends on what the content is for. If PPC landing page, definitely zero need to do SEO #ContentWritingChat https://t.co/HpEMsOeCZ2 — ThinkSEM (@ThinkSEM) June 21, 2016 Sarah from ThinkSEM said you don’t need to optimize all of your content. Ultimately, it depends what the content is for. Certain pages on your site don’t necessarily need to rank. A2) Only optimize what is relevant. Such as our “about” or “contact us” page may not be relevant. #contentwritingchat — Scott Johnson (@iScottJohnson) June 21, 2016 Scott said pages such as your About page and your Contact page don’t need to be optimized. Make sure you’re optimizing what’s relevant. @writingchat a2 When we write, we want it to reach everyone, and optimizing it will ensure wider reach #contentwritingchat — Atulmaharaj (@Atulmaharaj) June 21, 2016 For the content you want to reach a wide audience, make sure you’re taking the time … Read more