Author: April Hall

Internet Copywriter

What is the ultimate purpose of the internet? (Wow-I know that’s a loaded question that could take forever to answer!) For some, the internet is a source of information. For others, it’s a place to interact with friends, play games and enjoy the range of available entertainment. For many of us who work with SEO, however, we have one true purpose for ourselves and our clients: to make money. We want to sell as many of our products and services as we can, and this is done by attracting customers–not just visitors–to our sites.

But, how can we attract those ready-to-buy customers to our site, when there are so many other sites floating around out there? How can we make our businesses stand out and make it to the top of the search engine results page when there are such giants as About.com and Yahoo to content with? The answer is to make use of long tail keywords.

I first head the term “long tail keyword” a few months ago; and although I got the gist of what that term meant, I was still confused about exactly how to write content using them. Did it mean that I had to put the entire string of terms together, without any words in between? Did I have to use the long tail keyword in its entirety every time? Some quick conversations with SEO pros, along with some sample searches, led me to these conclusions:

• Long tail keywords are one of the most effective ways to draw unique visitors to your site
• You may break up these strings of words with minor prepositions without causing any major differences to your page’s searchability
• It is best to use long tail keywords in conjunction with shorter keywords on the same page
  

Long tail keywords are 3 to 4 word keyword phrases that are very specific to what you are selling. For example, rather than a t-shirt company writing content that targets “t-shirts”, they may choose to target the long tail keyword phrase “funny political t-shirts”. It seems like targeting such a specific keyword would reduce your number of site visitors and reduce your page views, doesn’t it? Well, this may be true, but there are three very good reasons to use long tail keywords anyway:

1. It makes writing SEO Content much easier. Any content writer is more easily able to write a page of content on “used hybrid cars gas mileage” than they are “used cars”. A more focused keyword content makes for sharper, more focused writing.
2. It makes it easier to target customers who are actually ready to buy. An internet searcher who is looking for “home security systems company houston” is much more likely to be to the point of actually buying a product than a searcher who simply types in “house alarms”. You may be reaching a smaller pool of searchers, but you are reaching those customers who are ready to close the sale.
3. It makes it more likely to reach the front page of search engine results. Using long tail keywords means that you will have fewer competitors trying to reach the front page of the search results, because fewer pages have targeted that string of keywords. Big-name sites usually dominate the search result pages of simple, broad searches; but smaller sites that have created properly targeted content stand a good chance of reaching their ideal customers.

Bookmark to:
         

Author: Henry Adaso

Web Content Writer

Dispelling some misconceptions and half-truths about business blogging

When people hear about the prospects of blogging for profit, they get funny ideas about the process. Blogging can add value to a business in countless ways, but it’s hardly a one-size-fits-all. Just ask any successful business blogger and they’ll tell you how tricky it is navigating the waters of blogging as a promotional tool. For the rest of us, here’s what you need to know before jumping on the bandwagon.

1. Blogging leads to higher revenue
The biggest misconception about blogs is that they automatically lead to an increase in revenue. Well, at least not directly. For the most part, the idea is to build an audience and brand your image in a way that helps establish your company’s presence on the web. As Eric pointed out in his piece, Intangible Benefits of Social Networking,� people feel more comfortable buying from companies they recognize.

2. No one reads blogs
As silly as it sounds, blog skeptics still exist. No wonder so many companies miss an opportunity to expand their customer base and keep existing customers happy by connecting with them through blogs.

3. Blogging is for web savvy people
In actuality, it’s so easy even a Geico caveman can do it. Then again, those Geico cavemen can also do the electric boogalo. But I digress. Of course, it helps to know a thing or two about writing for the web, but with the advent of various novice-friendly publishing outlets, there’s something for everyone.

4. I don’t have to blog regularly
You don’t have to blog every day to be taken seriously, but it’s important to keep your business blog constantly updated with fresh content. If readers are greeted with a ‘Gone Fishing’ sign every 2 weeks, they’ll probably click over to the next blog on their bookmark.

5. It’s OK to fake it
It’s absolutely not OK to advise people on a subject you’re not familiar with. If you’re not qualified to talk about hangover remedies, for instance, leave the job to those who are well experienced in that area. In a world where everyone’s an expert, your reputation will go a long way in setting you apart from competitors.

6. Formatting? It’s just a blog
Believe it or not, how you present your posts matter to readers. Keep it short, concise, and relevant. Avoid posting in formats like PDF, MS Word, or others that may require new readers to download additional software. If you’re unsure, consult these effective web writing tips before getting started.

7. Business blogs are supposed to sell products
Don’t bore readers with sales pitches. No one wants to hear you ramble about your product. Instead, provide readers with valuable information and helpful tips.

Remember, the ultimate goal is to establish your image as a respectable brand. If you do that successfully, good tidings will follow.

Bookmark to:
         

Author: April Hall

Internet Copywriter

Although the blogging community has been around for going on ten years now, it has only been in the last few years that average businesses have begun to recognize the value of this type of internet presence. Many small businesses who would otherwise not be able to afford internet marketing are able to use business blogs to promote their products and services. Even the most writing-averse small business owners usually find that they enjoy taking a few minutes out of every week to write about the industry they love.

What is a business blog?

Blogs are typically websites that are updated frequently, with many short entries and an opportunity for readers to comment on those entries. This entry itself is an entry within a business blog. Unlike formal articles and other types of web content, a business blog can usually be written using a more informal style; and may even include some personal anecdotes and humor. The blog entries can be written entirely by you-the owner-or by members of your staff. You may also choose to have the blogs written by professional copywriters who understand how to use internet keywords that can really drive up your readership numbers.

If you are looking for a cheap (think free) blog, there are plenty of options available. Blogspot.com and Blogger.com offer free blogs; you just have to choose a blog name that has not already been taken. Just as you would with a regular website domain name, it is best to choose a name that corresponds with your business name, or close to it. You want to make your blog easy to find and easy for your readers to remember (Of course, the hope is that your blog will be so good that it will wind up as a bookmark on many a computer!).

For a more professional look, go ahead and pay for an official domain name. There are very affordable web hosting services with companies such as GoDaddy.com and other value services; however, you may find that the service is so minimal with this type of discount service that it is almost the same as using a free service. Of course, a quality web development company can offer you a blog or website that gives you truly professional service at surprisingly affordable prices. Shop around before you make the decision; or, try a free blog service until you begin to understand what a blog can really do for your business.

Do business blogs actually work?

If by “work” you mean do they increase your business’ visibility on the web, the answer is yes, with a few caveats:

• Your blog needs to be updated regularly
• Your blog needs to utilize all-important SEO keywords
• Your blog needs to focus on topics that are timely, relevant and interesting to the readers

There really is nothing lost for your business by embarking on a business blogging venture. You just may enjoy writing the entries, interacting with readers and sharing your business knowledge. And as some blogs turn into real profit-makers, you have a lot to lose by not taking that chance.

Bookmark to: