Image via WikipediaWe do a lot of talking here and everywhere else about writing for the web and the importance of SEO implemented into your writing. But, my friends, let me ask you this: Are you writing for SEO (search engine optimization) and SERPs (search engine results pages) so much that your writing isn't YOUR writing anymore? Does each and every sentence now owe it's structure to Google?Even Flow Versus SEO
Yup, that's my new mantra! And, it's cool because it rhymes. I ask myself that question each and every time I hit the "publish" button now. (Or, before I hit the "publish" button. Besides, we don't really "hit" buttons do we? It's more of a finger tap, if anything.)
Let's just put it out there, okay?
SEO gets you noticed by the Search Engine and Virtual "Robots" that scan web pages.
Good writing that flows naturally gets you noticed, read and returned to by readers who actually like what you have to say.
So, which one are you more concerned with? Well, that's a sticky conversation, and I'm apt to say the second, the "good writing" piece. However, if you want to actually allow people an easier way to actually visit your pages, blogs, articles, etc., then you're going to have to be found by the search engines.
This is why SEO is so important in Web Writing For Money. I can't think of a situation with web writing that will result in you making MORE money with less readers or visitors. If you get paid on a CPM (views per thousand) base then you need visitors. If you get paid by people actually coming to your site and clicking on ads then you need a lot of readers and visitors. If you're trying to promote a service or product in your writing then you need conversion.
After being in marketing and sales (and the hardest sales market in the world, in my opinion. Army recruiting in a time of sustained combat? Yeah, it takes skill!) I have learned that to get conversion you need two things above all else:
1. A great message.
2. A deep well of leads.
Every time a person has the opportunity to see your writing on the web through good SEO practices and being found with a quick search, then you should consider that a lead. Your message is what is in the content of your web writing. Does it contain a "call to action" or in any way try to get the reader to do what you want them to do? Does it get the message that you wanted to convey to the reader?
Of course, we have to be careful with this, too. You can't "tell" or "ask" readers to click on ads or you will be banished to the depths Hades itself by the "Big G". However, with good WEB WRITING which is comprised of smart SEO and good writing then you'll attain a following. You'll be easily found by search engines and people will actually want to read and visit your articles, pages, site, blogs, etc. Then you'll find that some are just a wee-bit curious about that text or image ad in the upper left hand corner (remember our discussion on ad placement?)of your page (right below the header and left or center of the content) and a few will click through to the advertisers site. See? Everyone's happy now. You have great web writing skills and actually do something that you love and make a little money from it. Google is happy because they are appeasing another advertiser and people keep using their search engine and ad program. And the advertiser is happy because they know that a deep well of leads is important.
It's an amazing cycle that leaves a lot of people happy and it all starts with your good web writing. Doesn't that make you feel good?
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