What is SEO? Content Tips For Graphic Designers - HOW Design & Scenttrail Note | Search Engine Optimization | Scoop.it

How strong is your content marketing strategy? What is SEO, anyway? Read 6 SEO tips and tricks to help you boost the visibility of your web content.

1. Strong Copy Trumps SEO.
2. Do Keyword Research.
3. Share Link Love (i.e. create great content).

Marty Note
Interesting to see how How Design explains SEO to graphic designers. I would take a slightly different tack. Let's reframe SEO in ways graphic designers can understand and adapt.

I create content daily and am learning SLOWLY how to make headlines sing and links flow in. As competition for links goes UP with the rising tide of content publishers are the right side of the bell curve where more than average links reside will learn a few tricks from graphic designers such as:

* ARRESTING Images.
* Demand hierarchy.
* Clear Calls To Action (CTAs).
* Headlines that GRAB and HOLD.

Content that doesn't get read doesn't help. The first rule of getting your content read is find an ARRESTING related image you won't get sued to use. Haiku Deck (http://www.haikudeck.com) is one of my favorite visual marketing tools. Need lawsuit free arresting images? Use Haiku Deck.

Demand Hierarchy is keeping demands on your visitors LOW. When I was a Director of Ecommerce we did extensive analysis of our 40+ homepage links and 5 mattered. Vicious 90%/10% rule in links. Key is to lower choice and eliminate the superfluous. 

CTAs don't have to be "buy now" anymore. We love asking a question with the link between the present page and the answer. Want To Be A Great Internet Marketer? Highlight and underline that sentence and it will get clicked because it is an IMPLIED CTA.

This doesn't mean we are above a good "Learn More", but too many "old style" CTAs can get boring and lose their punch.

Finally your HEADLINE or subheads matter. Headlines should set a hook. Subheads should organize the answer so readers can scan and skip sections. I try to live by the 7 word rule.

I read this rule about roadside billboards. Billboard creators limit their copy to 7 words because who can read more zipping buy at 60 mph. We all zip by at 100 mph on the web these days so short, punchy headlines that align with your arresting image and plant a hook work best.

We like KEYWORDS, Brands and questions in headlines too. Questions create curiosity. Keywords create scenttrail and brands create comfort and "like me" feelings of trust and security.

1. Strong Copy Trumps SEO.

You’ve probably heard it before: “Content is King.” And it’s true! The first rule of optimizing content, no matter what, is that none of your SEO strategy matters unless you have great content that people want to see. If you don’t, it’s time to stop and work on your copywriting skills. Using Google Adwords to identify strong keywords related to your website’ overall topic, write corresponding content that answers questions and provides solutions.

2. Do your keyword research.

Speaking of which, Google Adwords is a great tool if you’re looking to improve your SEO score. Look for keywords with a high KCI—keyword competition index—or low competition, high search volume. Choose the most relevant keywords that also have the strongest KCI and incorporate them into your content—or create content that addresses the topics you’ve found on AdWords.

3. Share the link love.- See more at: http://www.howdesign.com/editors-picks/what-is-seo-content-strategy-tips-designers/#sthash.ko79aaRr.dpuf
1. Strong Copy Trumps SEO.

You’ve probably heard it before: “Content is King.” And it’s true! The first rule of optimizing content, no matter what, is that none of your SEO strategy matters unless you have great content that people want to see. If you don’t, it’s time to stop and work on your copywriting skills. Using Google Adwords to identify strong keywords related to your website’ overall topic, write corresponding content that answers questions and provides solutions.

2. Do your keyword research.

Speaking of which, Google Adwords is a great tool if you’re looking to improve your SEO score. Look for keywords with a high KCI—keyword competition index—or low competition, high search volume. Choose the most relevant keywords that also have the strongest KCI and incorporate them into your content—or create content that addresses the topics you’ve found on AdWords.

3. Share the link love.- See more at: http://www.howdesign.com/editors-picks/what-is-seo-content-strategy-tips-designers/#sthash.ko79aaRr.dpuf
1. Strong Copy Trumps SEO.

You’ve probably heard it before: “Content is King.” And it’s true! The first rule of optimizing content, no matter what, is that none of your SEO strategy matters unless you have great content that people want to see. If you don’t, it’s time to stop and work on your copywriting skills. Using Google Adwords to identify strong keywords related to your website’ overall topic, write corresponding content that answers questions and provides solutions.

2. Do your keyword research.

Speaking of which, Google Adwords is a great tool if you’re looking to improve your SEO score. Look for keywords with a high KCI—keyword competition index—or low competition, high search volume. Choose the most relevant keywords that also have the strongest KCI and incorporate them into your content—or create content that addresses the topics you’ve found on AdWords.

3. Share the link love.- See more at: http://www.howdesign.com/editors-picks/what-is-seo-content-strategy-tips-designers/#sthash.ko79aaRr.dpuf

Via Martin (Marty) Smith