As business owners learn more about the rules of SEO, how to rank well in Google and the importance of content in their marketing strategy, it’s almost like a light bulb goes off in their head at some point. The thought goes something like this:
“You mean, if I use my keyword 50 times in a 400-word piece of content, Google will rank me higher?”
The answer: maybe, but not likely.
You may see some short-term benefit in your rankings, and a correlation of a bit more traffic from a strategy like this. The benefits may not be worth the risk involved, however.
Spammy, Keyword Stuffed Content Is A Thing Of The Past
Google is catching on to spammy, salesy content, and that added traffic is not going to pay your bills. You don’t get money by generating website visits. You get money by generating sales. There’s a difference.
Your audience is smarter than you’re giving them credit for at this point. People aren’t interested in plumbers selling plumbing services to people looking for plumbers in the Chicago area.
This type of writing is what happens when businesses act on the above impulse, and it may raise your traffic, but it can also lower your conversion rate. Remember, it’s the guy at the computer reaching for his wallet that pays your bills. If your message isn’t aimed at him, he may never reach for that wallet
No commercials
Another tendency of businesses new to producing content is to create a commercial.
When it comes to television, viewers are there because they’re waiting for their favorite show to come back. No one sits down at the computer wanting to read or watch a commercial. They want value and entertainment.
When it’s your customer seeking you out, you’ll have to provide them with what they are looking for.
How do you get the attention of a perspective customer?
Well, if he’s looking for plumbing services, there’s probably a reason for it. Maybe his pipes are leaking. Maybe he wants a new bathtub fixture. There could be a number of reasons.
If it’s your blog post, or your “how to” report that they find when they do a Google search for their issue, you’ll have their attention. Valuable information builds trust.
That’s why providing consistently awesome content is so important. It’s crucial for a plumber to offer great industry information in a way that stands out from his competition. This way, your content strategy helps distinguish your business from the other search results.
If they find your post, and they’re still looking for someone to take care of the job for them, you’re the guy who knows what he’s talking about, and that’s a pretty good place to be in a world driven by content.
The Case For Humanized Content
The bottom line of all this: one of the most important rules of SEO for blogs is to humanize your content.
Even if you’re using SEO tactics to increase your blog’s ranking, you’re better off writing for humans instead of search engines.
Unless you’re lucky enough to count Google, Yahoo or Bing as a client, the search engines aren’t paying your bills, your customers are. That’s where your marketing efforts should stay aimed.
Instead of focusing on writing keyword-rich content for search engines, write for the humans who will become your customers. Believe it or not, even the search engines will reward you for doing so.
What are you doing to humanize your content? Has it worked?
Matt Brennan is a marketing writer helping companies increase their audience by telling better stories. He regularly provides content marketing strategies and blogging tips for businesses.
Link Roundup
Each time I write a post, I collect the 10 best reads from around the web and share them with you here.
These posts focus on web-based solutions, online resources and up-to-date news for small businesses.
Enjoy!
What Marketers Need to Know About the New FTC Disclosures: It’s worth your while to check out this post on some new changes in how you should use social media.
Think a Target Market Is Limiting? Think Again.: Interesting insight on the importance of selecting a target market.
Twitter Ads Are Finally Available To All US Businesses, No Longer Invite Only: Get the 411 on this new marketing channel.
What Are Customers Saying About You on Social Media?: Monitoring your online reputation is key these days – this post has some basic steps to help you get up and running.
3 iPad Apps That Make Project Planning Easier: Some new apps for you to check out.
Two Personas Every Marketer Should Care About, Even if They Never Buy: Good information on two key types of people marketers should target.
Some B-to-B Brands Make Strides in Social Media: B2B businesses are well on their way to realizing the value of social media. If you’re a B2B business, check out this post for ideas.
Demand Grows for Social B2B Data: Another good post on how B2B businesses can most effectively use social media.
Lowe’s Gives Home Improvement Tips in 6-Second Vines: A great real-life example of a businesses marketing on Vine.
How Marketers Are Using Paid Social Media: New Research: Some great insights in this post including actionable tips for each one.
Another great article. I recently had a media company submit a horrible article to me requesting that I publish it on our highly read blog on behalf of one of their clients. Declined. Why? It was beyond spammy, loaded with duplicative keywords and empty of any energy or meaningful call to action. I provided them constructive feedback in my reply, and I hope they learn from this and take another shot at it because their client is well known. We’ll see…
Keith,
I agree – Matt Brennan is an excellent and insightful writer – glad you enjoyed his post!
I hope that your potential guest posters learn from your comments. Whether you write for businesses or consumers, being able to take constructive criticism is so important, especially if you want to get published!
Thanks for sharing your experience.
-Matt
Thanks guys! Glad you liked the post. That situation sounds frustrating, Keith. There’s no shortage of that type of writing floating around out there. Hopefully they learn.