Tag: SEO Copywriter

Categories
WAC Updates

It’s in the Cookies!

 

2014-01-12 21.28.43

I love Chinese food! From Moo Goo Gai Pan to Wonton Soup and Egg Foo Young to Spicy Orange Chicken, the spices and textures there comprise a well-planned Chinese meal. But, perhaps as much as the food brings pleasure, I love to open the fortune cookies and read their words of “wisdom”. (By the way, did you know that fortune cookies are not actually Chinese? Rather, they are based on a Japanese recipe and then made popular by Americans.)

Shown here are some fortunes I have received in recent months. No, I don’t base my work – or life- on the little slips of paper, but I must say these four have definitely given me something to think about.

What about you? Do these statements inspire you? What actions do you need to take? If your answer includes developing SEO web content, publishing blog posts, writing newsletters or making the most of social media, then talk to Jan at Write Away Copywriting to learn how to get started. I will be happy to help.

Categories
WAC Updates

Say What You Mean: Using Keywords in Your Online Presence

 

Snellen_chart.svgI was recently told the following story:

A mother brought her young son to the optometrist because he had complained that he could not see everything that was written on the blackboard. The child is an excellent reader, so the doctor opted to use the traditional alphabet-based eye chart.

The doctor pointed to one of the smaller rows and asked the boy if he could read it. The boy replied, “No, Sir.” The doctor then pointed to a row with larger letters, and again asked, “Can you read this?” The little boy again answered, “No, Sir.” As the doctor moved up the chart, the little boy said that, no, he could not read the row. Finally, the doctor reached the second row from the top– the one just below the big “E” – and once again, the little boy replied that he could not read it.

By now, the doctor and the mother were quite concerned. The optometrist finally asked, “Are you sure you cannot see the letters?” The little boy replied, “Oh! I can see the letters but you asked if I could read it and none of the letters in the rows of letters made words!”

Conclusion: Be sure the words you use convey the message you want the recipients to receive.

Writing for the Web is no different. You have to not only use your company’s keywords, but you need to use then often enough –without overdoing it – to be noticed by the search engines but without forgetting that you are writing for people. After all, keywords are not just important to your Website content, but if you wish to be found on the Web, you need to use them as part of your social media updates, PPC campaigns, landing pages and blog posts.

However, not every company specializes in writing for the Web (also known as Search Engine Optimization) or has time to learn the nuances of SEO writing. As a result, their online presence suffers. This is where NC copywriting professional, Write Away Copy Writing is there to help. Whether it is through providing SEO rich Web content, making weekly/daily social media posts, writing company newsletters or providing keyword rich blog posts, Write Away Copywriting would love to help you get found on the Web.  Contact J. Slagell, your NC SEO copywriter today to learn how the words you use for your business can be incorporated into website and social media posts so that your intended recipients are getting the message you want them to receive.

Categories
SEO Content SEO Copywriter

SEO Copywriting and Your Business

Having a Website that looks like it was written by an SEO Copywriting Expert

If you have spent any time on the Web, then you know that it is a vast and varied world. With just the click of the mouse and a few keywords, you can find information on virtually every topic in existence. That said if you are a business owner, then you want to take steps to ensure you rank high in the search results, should someone do a search using the keywords for your business. This is best accomplished through using SEO or hiring a SEO copywriting provider.

What does a SEO Copywriter do?

An SEO copywriter understands what is necessary to make your website be found. By employing SEO copywriting methods, your site will rank high in the search engine results. So what are those SEO copy writing methods? Here is a brief overview of the steps taken.

•    Develop a list of keywords. These keywords may be derived by you, from talking to friends, or by research you or your SEO copywriter does.
•    If you have no idea what keywords would be for you site, you can also use tools like the Google AdWords Tool, Free Keywords.com or SEObook.com.
•    Optimize your site by using these keywords. This is what your SEO copywriting provider can help you with through articles, the written content, photo captions and other web elements.
•    Keep in mind that copywriting for SEO is geared toward people, not machines.

Doing SEO Copywriting: Optimizing Your Website

SEO copywriting, unfortunately, is not an exact science but rather it is more of a carefully crafted art. However, there are some steps that you or an SEO copywriter can take. Here are 10 steps from author Steven Holzner of Small Business Websites Made Easy that are necessary in building a search engine optimized website.

1.    Put your keywords in a <meta> tag with the name attribute set to keywords. You are allowed 200 – 240 characters for this.
2.    Have a description of your of your page in a <meta> element with the name set to “description”. This has a limit of 240 characters/spaces. However, don’t just stuff keywords in your text. You want to stay between 3% and 5%.
3.    Use keywords in your title, in headings and in the body of your webpage(s). Be sure to use the appropriate <meta> tag.
4.    If your site has multiple pages, be sure that the pages are linked to each other.
5.    From time to time, have some of your keywords <bold> or <strong> to add emphasis. You may also wish to attract the attention of search engine robots. Be sure that your pages are not gear your pages specifically to the robots, though as this can actually lower your page rank.
6.    Select a domain that includes your most important keywords.
7.    Be sure your page loads quickly; pages that are slow are unlikely to be indexed.
8.    Have a sitemap and be sure it has an easy link trail to every location on your site.
9.    Include an About Us page on your site and ensure that your entire site’s pages link to the Homepage.
10.    Do not have identical pages but different URLs if you have more than one site for your business.

These are just a smattering of the SEO copywriting techniques you will want to follow. If you are unable to implement these elements, or perhaps do not have the time, talk to Write Away Copywriting, an SEO copywriting, to learn more.

Additional Reading about SEO Copywriting

•    SEO Copywriting Made Simple
•    Web Workshop: Search Engine Optimization Copywriting
•    14 SEO Copy writing Writing Tips
•    Top 5 SEO Copywriting Tips
•    What is Copywriting? Common FAQ’s

 

Categories
Content Writing Copywriting SEO Copywriter

Copywriting: Is a Web Copywriter Worth the Money?

Today’s To Do List:

•Write an SEO friendly blog post
•Post an interesting comment on the company’s social media sites
•Do some research on changes in the business world

Goals for the Year:

•Start a company newsletter
•Update the written content on the company website
•Have a weekly blog post
•Spend more time with family and friends

If your agenda looks like this (or a variation of it) but you don’t know when you are going to actually accomplish everything, then you need a web copywriter. After all, your time is valuable and you want to make the most of your time as well as your money. When you hire a web copy writing expert, then you have the extra time you deserve as well as the web content you desire.

What is a Web Copywriter?

A web copywriter is someone who understands the value of search engine optimized (SEO) web content. In fact, as a web copywriting guru they pay attention to Internet trends, have an understanding of search engine optimization and know how to use your business’ keywords to help your company website be noticed by search engines.

Hiring a web copywriter is an investment in your business. Consequently, the old maxim, “You get what you pay for” comes into play. A good web copy writer is unlikely to sell their services for pennies, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend hundreds of dollars a month either! You will need to determine what having a web copy writer on staff is worth to you.

Writers on sites such as E-lance.com will provide content for as little as .03¢ a word. However, what you may save in hiring a professional web copy writing professional you are likely to spend in time editing the material, or paying a professional web copywriter to do the editing. When you hire a SEO copywriter, you may spend a bit more, but the finished product will be well worth it.

Good Qualities in a Web Copy writing Expert

There are many things to look for in a web copywriter. After all, they are representing your company and you want a positive reputation. The following are some worthwhile criteria to look for:

  1. Does the web copywriter have a portfolio or personal work samples you can see? This will give you a chance to determine if their work will meet your needs.
  2. Is the work theirs? You will want to be sure that the work has not been plagiarized.
  3. Is the web copy writing professional enthusiastic about the project?
  4. Did they ask about your company’s history and the products/services you offer?

 

When interviewing a copywriter they should acknowledge you have the final say, but also show and interest in you. Oftentimes, a web copywriting professional will have a different approach or new idea(s) that can help build your business. Being open to their suggestions will go a long way towards establishing a good working relationship.

Your Web Copywriter and You

When hiring a web copywriter, it is worth your time and money to be sure there is a clear understanding of what is expected. Take some time to establish what each party is providing.

Some Client Expectations of a Web Copywriter Items a Web Copywriter May ask for
-Web content of a specific length
-Pictures to go with the web content
-Specific day(s) of the month when the web content is due
-Specific keywords to be included
-Keyword density
-Signing a contract with a privacy or no competition clause		 -Background information on the company
-A list of preferred keywords
-A list of preferred topics
-A specific payment schedule
-Bio material on key employees
-Information on products or services

These are important elements of working with a web copy writer. Bypassing them can create an ineffective working relationship. By making sure everyone understands what is expected of them, a solid working relationship will be formed.

Hiring a web copywriter can help your business grow, without you needing to spend extra hours at work. After all, you want to move the items on your To Do List to the Completed List. Since for most of us, time is money, hiring web copywriting professional is an investment worth making. When are you going to hire a web copywriter for your company?

Additional Articles about Web Copywriters

–It Just Ain’t Write: Finding Good Web Copywriters
–How to Find and Keep a Great Copywriter
–What to Expect from a Website Copywriter Professional
–What does a Web Copywriter do?

Categories
Copywriting SEO Content SEO Copywriter

What is Copywriting? Common FAQs about SEO Writing

Do you spend long hours at your computer working on your web content when you would rather be doing something else? If you own your own business, chances are, the answer is yes. What if you could outsource some of that writing work? Then you would have time to do the things you love. One option is to hire a Web Copywriting provider.

What is a Copywriting provider? A Copywriting provider is someone whose sole purpose is to see that your website, and perhaps the sites that you design for others, have SEO friendly web content. When you have someone else doing the Copy writing then you have more time to pursue hobbies, being a part of family activities, or building your business through personal interaction with clients and potential customers. Perhaps, you are creating a company website, but don’t how to best promote yourself on the Web? Hiring a Copywriting provider makes it easy to get SEO friendly web content without having to do the copy writing yourself, thus giving you more time to do other things.

Copywriting FAQs

What types of work can be done by a copy writing provider? The short answer is any type of writing. However, there is more to Web writing than just putting a series of sentences together. In particular, a good copywriter will have an understanding of SEO (search engine optimization) and employ SEO writing practices in the material they produce. In addition to writing for the Web, a copywriter may also compose speeches, video scripts, newsletters, reports, product reviews, product directions and virtually any other type of writing.

Can a Copy writer do copyrighting? No. Copywriting is not the process by which you secure legal protection for something you have invented or created.

So what is a Copywriting provider? In its most exact definition Copywriting is, “The art and science of writing words to promote a product, a business or an idea.”

Why hire a copywriter? He or she has taken the time to learn something about your business, so that the Copywriting provided doesn’t just talk about what you offer, but sells the product. When this is done properly, your sales will be higher. In addition, a copy writer understands how to create web content that engages the consumer and increases a site’s search engine ranking.

What should be expected of a SEO writing provider? A person who does SEO writing will select, create and connect words that persuade the consumer to take a specific action resulting in a larger customer base.

If you have a website and are interested in seeing it claim a top spot in search engine rank results, it is vital that you hone your Copywriting skill. Or perhaps, you would rather hire an SEO copy writing specialist to do the writing for you? One of the nicest benefits of hiring an SEO writing provider is that you will be able to move writing web content from your “To Do” list to the “Done” list. Either way you choose, Copywriting is one of the most important elements of your business website.

Interested in reading more about Copywriting? Check out the material here.