The Beginner’s Guide To SEO Writing (Without Getting Overwhelmed)
Although this writing style can be interesting to keep up with and satisfying to complete, it can feel a bit dense and monotonous as well.
Welcome to the Collective World Careers Newsletter. Collective World is a one-of-a-kind creative network powered by the minds and voices behind The Thought & Expression Company. We’re so glad you’re here.
Today, SEO Writer and Account Manager Katee Fletcher explains how to stay mindful and modern when writing SEO-style content.
Starting with the basics, the term SEO stands for “search engine optimization” and means that certain content has been tailored to perform well on search engines like Google. Although this writing style can be interesting to keep up with and satisfying to complete, it can feel a bit dense and monotonous as well. So to combat that workweek slump over SEO writing, I’ve gathered a few ways that I keep my content relevant while also staying mindful of my wellness.
Be Aware & On Top Of Google Core Updates
Google is known for its wild and frequent algorithm updates because they can entirely alter your SEO approach and affect the ranking of your website. Minor algorithm changes happen multiple times each day. However, every two to three months, Google also makes what they call “core updates.” Core algorithm updates function to improve Google’s search results, making them more relevant and valuable to users. Therefore, it’s vital to stay on top of Google’s core updates to keep your website on track with what’s pertinent regarding search traffic.
While this task may seem daunting, Google usually announces the rollout of major core updates prior to their release because they know how it impacts a variety of sites. So be sure to stay up-to-date on these algorithm changes and prepare your content for them by reading Google’s Webmaster Central Blog for upcoming changes.
Curate A Workspace That’s Comfortable But Conducive To Productivity
Whether you’re commuting to an office or working from home, it’s essential to be in a space where you feel relaxed and can focus when writing. Be sure to keep a tidy desk space so you don’t feel cramped while working. Furthermore, investing in certain items like a laptop riser, comfortable desk chair, or a mouse might be worth it to keep you comfortable while typing all day long.
Another fun way that I like to spruce up my workspace and keep my mind calm is to decorate with plants, light a soothing candle, and always keep a tall glass of water nearby. I work remotely for my job and have learned that switching up my work location is another awesome way to break me out of a mental fog. Therefore, I often change up my workstation by visiting coffee shops, libraries, or simply venturing to a different table in my apartment.
All writers are unique, meaning different environments, decorations, workstations, etc., speak to different people. Therefore, it’s important to test the waters of various places or items to get to know what helps you focus and do your best work.
Use Various Relevant Search Tools
When it comes to SEO, it’s going to take a few tools to get your article to rank top-notch amongst competitors. However, a wide array of tools are available to purchase or operate for free that help with research on things such as:
Necessary article elements, including word usage, article length, header quantity, etc.
Keywords your site could rank or compete for.
Insights on how specific keywords are performing on your site.
Depending on your site and writing style, certain tools work better for different people or teams. To find the right SEO equipment for your content, browse the forums below:
Take Screen Breaks
Sitting at a desk and staring at a screen for extended periods of time can lead to strain on your back, neck, hands, and eyes. Many writers struggle with eye strain, fatigue, dry eye, and headaches which can cause a decline in productivity and definitely crush our motivation.
To keep your mind fresh and your body energetic, it’s crucial to take screen breaks every once in a while. Many physicians swear by the 20-20-20 rule, which encourages a 20-second break to stare at something 20 feet away after 20 minutes of working in front of a screen. However, breaks don’t have to be that regimented; they can be as simple as grabbing a snack, writing in your planner, or looking out the window. It’s just important to be aware of the tension typing and staring at a screen can have on your mind and body, so you know to break away now and again.
Tackle Concepts That Pique Your Interest But Vibe With Your Website’s Content
When it comes to SEO writing, the content you’re choosing to write must align with the aesthetic and narrative of your website (e.g., if your website is a food blog, don’t try and write about fashion or weather). Google’s algorithms are aware of a site’s competency in particular topics and are more likely to bump an article to the front page if their brand is well-versed in that content field.
However, no one likes writing things that are entirely lackluster to them, so it’s important to pick keywords that interest you to some degree. Researching and learning about varied concepts can be fun and rewarding if they seem compelling to you somehow, so strive to find a balance between what’s relevant to your site and your interests!
Find A Good Playlist To Break Up The Monotony
Good music can jazz up any situation, including writing an article that requires research and technicalities. It can brighten your mood, drown out annoying workspace neighbors, and help you hone in on the task in front of you. Even if you’re the type of writer who can’t listen to music with words while writing, classical music or EDM can help drown out distractions.
Be sure to find your perfect beat that breaks up the uniformity of SEO work!
Keep Track Of Your Work & Monitor Its Insights
Due to Google’s knowledge of a website’s competency in specific subject matter, it’s essential to keep track of the articles you produce. Monitoring what content is being created makes room for you to see how you’re performing in some regions of content and what other themes you may be able to compete for.
Tools such as Google Analytics and Google Search Console make it easy for teams to track insights on particular articles and see how they’re performing over time. Ahrefs is another popular tool that allows users to track what topics are performing for competitors and how your site ranks for similar keywords.
Form A Personalized Routine That Works For Your Writing
Finding a rhythm within your work helps make the process go by faster and more efficiently. Not to mention, routines also mean breaks because if your mind doesn’t rest, how can it perform?
Personally, when I sit down to write an SEO article, I start with researching:
What does this keyword mean and what audiences are searching for it?
How are competitors using this keyword?
According to my tools, how long should this article be?
How many photos should I incorporate?
After I have a general idea of what I’m writing about, I dive into fleshing out an outline, set a title, work those headers, link resources here and there, and then… I write!
When it comes to writing the article, I like to set mini rewards for myself along the way to help me focus. Rewards could look like this: after each page or section, I take a five-minute break to scroll on social media, talk to a friend, make myself a snack; whatever is small and will provide a few minutes of rest. And whenever I’m feeling like my head is cloudy or I’ve tried to write a sentence seven times or I’ve been staring at the cursor blinking for five minutes and no words come to my brain– I take a walk. Fresh air cures everything, and letting yourself take a step back and regroup is totally normal and necessary sometimes.
Once the article is written, I use my tools for crosschecking that I’ve included certain keywords, it’s at an appropriate length, etc. Essentially, I make sure it’s optimized, and then I put it together in my CMS and publish it!
SEO-style writing may seem overwhelming at first with its many moving parts, but once you get into your groove and find the tools, workspace, and organization tactics that work for you, it gets a whole lot easier!
For more from Katee, find her on Thought Catalog and Instagram.
To connect with our network of writers and creators, you can join our community on Discord.
Great insights on web development trends! As a representative of Vfix Technology, one of the best website designing companies in Delhi, I appreciate your focus on user experience and SEO strategies. We also emphasize custom solutions and mobile optimization in our projects. Looking forward to more articles like this that highlight the importance of effective design. Keep up the great work! Visit us at https://www.vfixtechnology.com.
Wow, awesome guide! 🚀 Adding humor to SEO makes it less daunting. How about injecting creativity into meta descriptions? 💡
https://www.artattackk.com/