What’s in a [Key]Word?

A lot.

Keywords are, essentially, the words and phrases you type into a search engine such as Google (Bing, Yahoo, etc.) when you’re looking for something; truly, they can be anything.  They’re also the words and phrases people type into said search engine when they’re looking for something—such as your blog/site, product, or service.

Use keywords to boost traffic to your blog/site via search engines . . . to make your site more visible to folks looking for keywords related to whatever you may be offering.  How do you do this?  Quite simply, by applying SEO (Search Engine Optimization) techniques in your blog layout and writing.  Think: target.

My favorite phrase?  You got it: do your due diligence.  In this case, research keywords and decide which will best drive traffic to your awesome blog.  Take into account the ultimate goal(s) when selecting them.

Keyword searches help you verify—and understand—what your viewers/followers (potential customers) are seeking.  Among other things, consider how:

• much traffic a particular phrase gets
• competitive it is for ranking (i.e. how many others are attempting to be found by that word/phrase)
• appropriate it is to you / your business.

A blog post with a relevant keyword phrase in the title tag will rank higher for searches because it serves as a strategic signal for search engines.  As such, it will prove more pertinent and, thus, increase click-through or click.  This is, for all intents and purposes, the action of clicking on a link to get from Point A to Point B (often defined as an instant response to an ad).

Optimize each post.  It’s been recommended that you use one keyword per post (too many and you become submerged in Ocean Blog-Posts).  Make it a dynamic one!

It’s not as difficult or overwhelming as it sounds.  Give thought to your blog/site.  What’s your niche?  Keep in mind the categories and posts: what words best describe them?  List them and then enter them into various search engines to find out how significant they are (i.e. how high the search volume is).  Look for phrasing options.  Honor—and apply—what you find.

There are countless free tools, like Google Adwords Keyword Planner, to assist you with finding pertinent keywords/phrases.  And page-grader tools will help you determine if your blog content is truly effective.  There are lots (!) of sites and programs that will facilitate your learning and development as a [successful] blogger.  It merely takes time and commitment, as anything worth becoming skilled at does.  You can do it and you never need go it alone.

Here’s my “keyword” for the day and week: perseverance.  What’s yours?

Author: tylerus

I'm primarily a writer of fiction and blog posts, and a sometimes editor and proofreader of books, manuals, and film/television scripts. Fact-checking and researching, organizing and coordinating are skills and joys (I enjoy playing detective and developing structure). My fiction audience: lovers of female-sleuth mysteries. My genres of preference: mysteries (needless to say), women’s fiction, informative and helpful “affirmative” non-fiction. So-o, here I am, staring up a new blog for aspiring and established e-Book writers. The plan: to share the (long) journey of getting to this stage, and share "learnings" and "teachings". There's a lot I hope to accomplish with this blog, but it may be a while before that happens as there's a lot on the ol' plate - taking care of Mom, working full-time, and attempting to get another book in the Triple Threat Investigation Agency series written (never mind blog postings and other writing projects). It's very challenging and it's all good. As I like to say: teeny focused baby steps are just as effective as long forceful strides. It may take a little longer, but we will get there. View all posts by tylerus