How do you write blog posts that rank well on search engines?

It’s certainly about the relevant topic but it’s also about picking a topic that people actually search for. So it can be the greatest topic in the world but if nobody searches for that topic, you’re not going to have success on the search engine result pages. So make sure the content that you’re producing is relevant to you certainly, but more importantly to the audience.

To write blog posts that rank well on search engines, start by choosing highly relevant topics. This begins with keyword research using tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush. Analyze search volume and competition to find topics that align with your niche and have potential for ranking. Ensure your content addresses user intent and provides value, incorporating chosen keywords naturally. Stay updated with industry trends and audience interests to maintain relevance over time. Ultimately, relevance is the cornerstone of successful SEO-driven blog posts.

I like the "Skyscraper Technique". Basically it's like making a better version of something that's already really popular. Imagine someone built a tall skyscraper, and you decide to build an even taller one right next to it. You find a popular topic or article, make your own version that's even more awesome, and then tell lots of people about it. This helps you get more attention and readers. Boom!

Another place to go to find on-trend topics is Reddit. This is a hugely popular forum and is growing in popularity in the SERPs. You can use subreddits to narrow your search even further and really drill down into a niche.

Selecting a relevant topic for SEO-friendly blog posts involves a strategic approach. Start by conducting keyword research to identify trending and high-traffic keywords related to your niche. Consider long-tail keywords, which often have less competition and can target specific user intent. Analyze your competitors' content to uncover gaps or areas where you can provide more valuable insights. Stay updated on industry trends and current events that align with your niche, as these can make for timely and engaging topics. Choose a topic that resonates with your target audience's interests and questions while also aligning with your expertise and brand identity. Use Quora, LinkedIn Groups, Reddit, and trending hashtags for topic ideas.

Write for humans first without inflating your content based on keyword tools. Your content should continue the conversation in your audience's minds. And that won't happen if you obsess over the technicalities of your keywords. Technicalities like keyword difficulty, volume, etc. Sure, these parameters are important. But what's crucial, is to understand the intent of your audience and answer the questions running in their minds. Once you achieve the above, optimizing content to rank is easy. Here are the factors that drive rankings: 1. Title with the primary keyword 2. Meta description that draws the reader to click 3. Image SEO. Because it drives 20% of the searches on avg. 4. Internal links are the new backlinks

Also ensure that you pay attention to LSI keywords. They are often ignored by writers. LSI keywords help you to know more about the people search and intent. They can make a difference!

If your blog is in it's infant stage, long-tail keywords will allow you to gain traction with search engines. Tools are great, but so is the manual Google search. SERP analysis will show you the intent of your keyword. Is it transactional, commercial, or informational? This will dictate the sort of content you need to write. For blog posts, hunt down those informational long-tail keywords.

Keyword research is the foundation of effective SEO and content strategy. Start by brainstorming potential keywords relevant to your topic or business. Then, use keyword research tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ahrefs to identify search volume, competition, and keyword variations. Look for long-tail keywords (specific phrases with lower competition) and consider user intent. Analyze competitor content and identify their high-performing keywords. Additionally, explore related search terms and questions for content ideas. Keyword research is an ongoing process, so regularly update your keyword list to adapt to changing trends and audience behavior, ensuring your content remains visible and valuable in search engine rankings.

Stop Doing Keyword Research! That's it; I said it.. Every tool is wrong other than Google itself. So, find a topic people want a solution for, and give a detailed solution (No need to find LSI and other related phrases). If you're giving the best resource on the internet, Google will go the extra mile for you! The key is simple: Write for the reader, not for the search engine.

Make sure your title matches the content of your blog post. If there's a mismatch, your audience will be left frustrated or confused and leave your site. Use your titles to address pain points your users face and show how your content can help them.

Yes, write a catchy title, but make sure that catchy title also includes the terms that people actually search for when they search for content.

Crafting a catchy title is an art that can significantly boost your content's appeal. Start by understanding your audience's interests and pain points. Next, use powerful words or emotional triggers that resonate with them. Employ alliteration, puns, or humor to make it memorable. Make it concise and to the point while sparking curiosity. Address a specific problem or offer a benefit to the reader. Experiment with different title variations and test their effectiveness through A/B testing. Keep your title relevant to the content to maintain trust and avoid clickbait. A catchy title can draw readers in, increasing the chances of your content being read and shared. For example: Unlock the Secrets of Irresistibly Catchy Titles!

Think about the needs of the person who is searching for the information your content contains, for example, a blog post on running shoes. What is the 'job' that your content does for them? What action do you want them to take? From there, that will inform your title, meta description, and keyword strategy. In doing this, you can decide whether to write a title that captures local search intent (Best Running Shoe Stores in Cincinnati), commercial intent (Best Running Shoes in 2023), or informational intent (What Makes A Running Shoe Effective?) By considering these factors, your content is much more likely to reach who you want it to and drive action.

I have experienced this struggle of writing a catchy title. I always used to think 'creativity-first' which led to lack of clarity for the reader. A bad example of a 'catchy title' would be from my own personal blog on Linkedin - 'Chicken leg now has its feet covered' - It was a blog where I uncovered the story of how the two most unpredictable industries came together for a brand collab - food & shoes. I was so excited to uncover this story that I thought this would be the best title as it would make people curious but that didn't happen. It barely got any views. So, before thinking of writing a catchy title, write a title that gives clarity and then make it catchy with punch lines, unpopular opinions or how-to.

Some tools I like to use when optimizing content: -Grammarly (spelling, grammar, readability, SEO, etc.) -Yoast for Wordpress (check draft posts for SEO) -Semrush (check on-page SEO after publishing; good way to catch interlinking opportunities later on too)

Studies show that readers scan content in an F-shaped pattern, focusing on headlines, subheadings, and the first few sentences of paragraphs. By structuring your content to align with this natural reading behaviour, you can enhance readability and user experience. Putting important information in these areas can capture readers' attention, ensuring key messages are seen and remembered!

I believe internal linking is the most crucial aspect of solid SEO performance form a content point of view. You need to consider building topic clusters where a bank of relevant blog posts on a central topic link with one another (and link back to a central pillar page). This builds authority and shows Google that your site is a comprehensive source on a topic or theme.

Optimizing your content for maximum impact involves several key steps. Start with keyword optimization by strategically placing relevant keywords throughout your content, including in titles, headers, and body text. Ensure your content is well-structured with clear headings and subheadings to enhance readability. Add engaging visuals, (images and videos) to complement your text. Make your content shareable with social media buttons and encourage user interaction through comments and calls to action. Regularly update and refresh your content to keep it relevant. Finally, track performance with analytics tools, analyzing metrics like page views, bounce rates, and conversion rates to continually refine and improve your content strategy.

In my experience to write a top notch content you need to research a bit before starting. Research recent trends, updates, activities and future goals and developments. This will help you prepare an article that can add value and be of real use to your readers.

In the beginning of my career I used to be obsessed with SEO optimizing my blog posts, without thinking what the reader might need. My content, while relevant and optimized, was sort of cold and rigid. I then learned the importance of human touch in online content, so I started writing FOR people, with the reader in mind. A structure I use is: - research keywords, consumer, problem, competition - write down the questions I need to answer, substract relevant subtitles, and add certain nuance things like tone and terminology - answer in a way that the consumer would understand - optimize SEO - next day final edit and post, or at least take a break and return to the article with fresher eyes.

Testing and analyzing your content's performance is a critical aspect of your strategy. Start by setting clear objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success. Conduct A/B tests to compare different versions of your content, tweaking elements like headlines, visuals, or calls-to-action. Utilize analytics tools to track user behavior, monitoring metrics such as click-through rates, conversion rates, and engagement levels. After gathering data, interpret the results to identify what's working and what needs improvement. Adjust your content strategy accordingly, making data-driven decisions to optimize your future campaigns. Regularly review and analyze your results, as ongoing refinement is key to achieving your goals.

To improve your blog's search engine rankings, picture keywords as library labels – incorporate them naturally into your content. Structure your posts like reader-friendly books with clear headings and optimized images for swift loading. Promote your blog actively, employing analytics to refine your strategy based on what resonates with your audience's pain points and search intent. Just as you'd organize a library for easy access to valuable information, these steps will enhance your blog's visibility and performance in search engine rankings.

Too many people write for search engines without remembering that they are writing for human readers. Yes, keywords, meta descriptions and content clusters are important, but they are secondary to writing valuable and digestible content that resonates with your target audience.

Imp: The keywords should match the stages of the buyer's journey and how you can lead them to the next stage. It helps write a clear and actionable CTA that isn't forced on your audience. For example, you are writing an article on what is Meenakari. Your offering is a Meenakari experience/workshop. The next stage for your reader is knowing about the Meenakari artists, not buying your experience. So, your CTA can be on the journey of a Meenakari artist, leading to a new article. If you are writing a long article, you can build up content from the awareness stage to consideration, and then decision making. Ex: you can write about the artist in the same article and then say how we offer a workshop with him where the reader can register.

Writing blogs on relevant topics is the 1st part and 95% go with the same strategy. We have to give something more than text content, to do this we must provide readers with visual graphics summarising concepts and the agenda is more important. Graphics relates more than text content and it becomes easy to grasp knowledge in a short time. That can improve overall blog quality and set it apart from the rest of the 95% competition. Converting static images to GIFs is a magic wand. 🧙🏻

Readability of blog posts is worthy of consideration. It is important for the target audience. To make your blog posts readable, the following factors should be considered: 1. Sentence length. Shorter sentences are generally easier to read than longer sentences. 2. Paragraph length. Shorter paragraphs are also easier to read than longer paragraphs. 3. Avoid using technical jargons your target audience may not understand.