Search engine optimization (sometimes called search engine marketing) is a key component to generating new and increased traffic to your blog. Plus, you‘re reaching your audience when they’re most thirsty for information – when they’re searching. Quite ideal!
Some tips to get started:
• Think about which keywords are the most relevant to your blog, as your search engine rank is based on relevance (well, technically a Google algorithm).
• Try out different terms and see which generate the most traffic and then optimize accordingly.
• Put yourself in the shoes of the searcher. Which search terms would someone who is less familiar with your subject or issues use?
• Use tools like Google AdWords Keyword Tool to find popular words or phrases that relate to your topic
What about search engine ads?
If you really want to kick-start traffic to your blog, consider purchasing some “sponsored links” on Google. Also known as AdWords, these prime search engine results are pretty inexpensive when it comes to getting a return on your investment. And you only pay when people actually click through. I got some interesting factoids from Google’s Adwords Evangelist Frederick Vallaeys (yes, that’s his real title) at the session he presented yesterday at NTEN:
• The keyword phrase sweet spot for Adwords is 2-5 words. Less is too general and more is too specific.
• One key to picking an effective ad headline (after all, you want that click through!) is to make sure the headline matches the search terms.
• Use multiple ads to test messages and optimize
Oh, and NTEN membership has its privileges — the latest of which is a new partnership with Google to give priority processing of Google Grants applications for NTEN organizations to run ads on Google.
