Writing SEO content requires a seamless blend of three skills to get the best results. In order to be a skilled SEO copywriter, you must be able to produce creative and engaging writing, have sufficient knowledge of the topic, and be able to use relevant keywords seamlessly into your writing. Are you at a loss on how to create informative and creative content? Here are ten tips that can be added to your copywriting cheat sheet to help you improve your SEO content.
1. Write & Read Everyday
When you’re a content writer, it is important to keep yourself up to date with the trends in your field. Doing the research to learn more about your industry can help you generate new ideas and get the right results for your clients. If you take the time to write and read every day, it can help you perfect your craft. Even if what you’re reading, or writing is not within your niche, the habit alone keeps your mind nimble.
2. Plan Your Next Steps
If you’re well versed on the content you’re creating, it may be easy to just dive in. However, there may be times when you don’t know where to start. This is where an outline comes in handy. Outlining your content before your first draft can be crucial in helping you build your writing project. It is a useful tool that gives you room to figure out what your next steps should be. It is also an easy way to map out your SEO content to make it readily available to your audience.
3. Make Keywords a Priority
Using keywords to enhance your SEO content is (literally) key in content creation. Keywords are important because they give your content broadcasting power. If you don’t use the right keywords, then you risk not being seen by the audience that matters. Depending on the industry you focus on, the keywords are constantly changing. It is in your best interest to keep up with the trends and to take advantage of the keywords that are currently being searched.
4. Bullet Points Are Your Friends
A helpful trick to improve your SEO content, a bulleted or numbered list, will help break up the monotony in your writing. Often when you’re reading a blog post, you may find some are just a wall of text. When reading this type of content, it can be hard to absorb the information. Bullet points make it easy to scan, absorb and share SEO content.
- They break up content.
- They draw the eye.
- They make for easier reading and learning information.
5. Cater to Your Audience
When creating SEO content, you have to be aware of who you’re writing for. Keeping the audience in mind will help you create stimulating content. You want to approach the audience in a way that they can relate to. For example, if you’re writing about the wonders of a new consumer product, you’ll explore its benefits and uses — but in a casual manner. But if you’re writing content about software, you may approach it from a more analytical standpoint because that is what your audience is looking for. Remember, you want to engage your audience, not scare them away!
6. Don’t Be Afraid to Rewrite
Your first draft will never be your final draft. In any type of content creation, you will have to attempt a few rewrites to make sure your writing flows. Being a great copywriter means you accept that you might have to go over your work from your audience’s point of view and then improve it. When you’re writing a blog post, you want your information to be concise but also welcoming. Always go over your piece and edit thoroughly before publishing.
7. Question Your Work
A large part of being a content writer is having the ability to question your work. You have to be able to put aside your pride. Ask yourself if the content you’re creating ticks all the right boxes. Does your content address all the key issues under that topic? Will the readers take an interest in your message? You must revaluate your work so that you can produce your best. Pro tip: Start with, “This is NOT good enough.” And then make it better!
8. Always Check Your Grammar
When you think your content is ready for publishing, think again! Your content needs spellchecks and grammar checks. You should go through each line to make sure your structure is solid. If your writing seems rushed, then it’s easy for the audience to dismiss your content and find the information they need, elsewhere.
9. Write with Clarity
For any topic, try to find a way to make your voice heard. It is possible to be authentic while also being educational. You can interact with your audience through your tone of voice. For successful content marketing, having a distinct, clear voice is essential.
10. Be a Credible Source
Check your facts, and then check them again! Being a copywriter means you may write about a variety of things that you don’t necessarily have to be an expert on. Providing your audience with correct information is paramount. If your sources do not seem credible, find sources that are. Whether they be studies, scientific research, or government sites, it is better to find information that is peer reviewed and tested.
Maybe you want to be a good copywriter, but you also have a business to run. We understand! Don’t struggle with creating content that works for your business. MintCopy is a content agency offering a range of copywriting services to clients across North America.
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Resources:
https://www.searchenginejournal.com/on-page-seo/seo-writing/