Tag Archives: SEO

WAC Updates

Words Are Hard!

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Recently one of my son’s buddies spent the night. Whenever this charming and amusing young man would get tongue-tied, he would grin and quip, “Words are hard.” Upon hearing him say this a time or two, I told him I was stealing his line for my blog. After all, as one who spends many hours a week working with words, I would be lying if I did not say that, at times, “Words are hard!”

Words are hard!
Words are hard!

For many people, writing is one of the most difficult chores out there. Yes, they recognize the value of a properly written website, but the thought of spending time crafting web content that flows and gets the message out is intimidating. Add in things like understanding search engine optimization (SEO) and incorporating pics, managing social media pages and producing a newsletter and you have moved beyond “words are hard” on to “I hate writing!”

Fortunately, when you hire Write Away Copywriting, you don’t have to bogged down with finding the right word(s). Rather, you can hand that job off to me. I will be glad to take on the writing process for you so you can focus on elements such as helping current clients, reaching out to potential clients and developing new ideas and products. I will take time to learn about your service/industry and will then create SEO content that is perfect for both web crawlers and people, alike. By hiring a copywriter, you can pass the job of Finding the Right Words off to someone else.

So, the next time you are facing a writing project and find yourself thinking “words are hard”, don’t stress out. Just contact Write Away and take writing off of your To Do List. I look forward to hearing from you!

 

Words image from Constant Contact.
Child's pic, used with permission.

 

WAC Updates

15 Blogging Tips from around the Web

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Pencil-Editor-WriterBlogging is an important part of building a web presence, but it can be a bit intimidating. If staring at a blank screen seems to be more common than you would like, then use the tips below the next time yo are asked to write for the company blog.

  1. Brainstorm and organize your ideas. Start with your concept as the anchor, create a brief outline and write 2- sentences for each point.
  2. Include hard data such as facts and statistics, being sure to link to the original source.
  3. Have a title that is eye-catching. Men are typically drawn to titles with numbers (7 Ways to…) while women are prone to titles with “How to” or “Why”.
  4. Identify your audience, and determine what type of content appeals to them. This may take a bit of trial and error.
  5. Write with authority. Establish yourself as an industry expert.
  6. Check out other blogs within your industry and see what is trending.
  7. Be consistent. Whether you publish on the same day of the month/week, use the same format every time, etc. don’t change things up every time you post something.
  8. If you are part of a conference or webinar, blog about it.
  9. Don’t be afraid to create controversy.
  10. Write in your own voice.
  11. Use Spellcheck programs. Proofread multiple times. If possible, have 1-2 others proof your work before posting.
  12. Link to others, but never let someone pay you to do so.
  13. Your blog should include the following info:
    • Graphics that draw the eye. These can be images, infographics, bar graphs, etc. It is even better if the images are original to you.
    • Offer specials (when appropriate)
    • Answer questions
    • Teach people how to use your product/services
    • Have a point; don’t just ramble in order to reach a specific word count.
    • Always have a Call to Action
  14. Use keywords and phrases. Be sure to target the cities where you want to build a customer base.
  15. Formatting is important!
  • Use short paragraphs – no more than 75 to 100 words or 6 lines long.
  • Having white space between paragraphs makes it easier to read.
  • Use subheadings in bold that include keywords.
  • Use an easy to read font.
  • Lists with bullet points or numbers make it easy for readers to scan information quickly.
  • Shorter sentences are better.
  • Align to the left, rather than the center.
  • Keep posts to no more than 300 to 1,000 words long.

Blogging is a part of being found on the Web; and, with bit of planning, it doesn’t have to be a stressful process. Of course, if you would rather have someone else write the blog posts for you, contact Write Away and explain the types of post you need, and a few other elements and you can mark “write a blog post” off of your To Do list.

WAC Updates

Are You Ready for Social Media?

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star treck social mediaYou don’t have to be an expert to maintain a presence on social media. However, you do need to have a strategy, a plan and a commitment to make your presence known.  If you have never given any thought to what you want your social media platforms to look like, then there is no time like the present.

Here are a few things to keep in mind;

  1. Determine who your audience is (or who want it to be).
  2. Decide how often and when you will post.
  3. Study the various platforms, paying special attention to the most popular- Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus ,  LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram.  Keep in mind that not every business will work on every platform. For instance, while the first four will work great for nearly every business, Instagram and Pinterest might not.
  4. Choose a cover photo and profile picture that expresses who your company is and what you do. Be sure to use the same images on every platform as this adds credibility and helps with branding.
  5. In most cases, shorter posts are better than long ones.
  6. As much as possible, include a picture as part of the post. Ideally, the picture should be original to you/your company. When it isn’t be sure to give credit to the source.
  7. Be sure to check for spelling, punctuation or grammar errors.
  8. Don’t be afraid to post something that might be controversial. This often encourages reader engagement.
  9. In making a social media post, ask yourself the following: Is it educational? Is it entertaining? Is it encouraging?  The more of these you can answer, “yes” to the better the post.
  10. Consider linking back to your website whenever possible.  This is referred to as signposting, and provides external links.
  11. Don’t make every post about yourself. Ideally, only 20% of your posts should be about you. Otherwise, your followers will get bored with what you have to say.
  12. Did you use #hashtags and keywords that go with your business?

These are but a few tips for developing a social media presence. Develop a plan that works for you and then commit to it.  Need help? Contact Write Away to manage your social media platforms for you.

 

(image from imforza.com)

SEO Copywriter

Best SEO Practices: Getting the Most From Your Website

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If you have a website, then you have already scored important space on the Web. However, having a website isn’t enough. You must also take time to ensure that your SEO is up to par. Use these tips to boost your rankings in search engine results and improve your SEO.

17 Best SEO Practices

  1. Know your audience – Choose words, emotions, images, etc. that will engage them. Also, think about how what you offer relates to your client’s needs or interests.
  2. Pay attention to your competition, and note what key words/phrases seem to be working well for them. Then, leverage this knowledge to connect your audience with your content.
  3. Be sure to use headlines and headers that include your keywords. This also makes it easier to engage your readers and help them find the information they want.
  4. Write with featured snippets in mind. These are the tidbits that Google Search will pull to answer questions based on queries.
  5. Use images, and be sure to include keywords as part of the meta description. Also, images help break up copy making it more engaging and easy to read. An article with relevant images will get 94% more views than a post without pictures.
  6. Readability – Be sure that the content is not just written well, but is easy for readers to understand as well as focus on. Keep sentences to no more than 25 words -ideally less- as much as possible, and paragraphs to a maximum of 5 sentences.
  7. Post articles/content to your site domain. Sure, posting to sites like LinkedIn or Reddit is helpful, but you want your readers to come to your site first!
  8. Take advantage of social media. Know what platform works best for your business and be sure to post links to your website content there. Include your site’s keywords in your social media posts whenever possible – but not to the extreme, as you want your social posts to be engaging and sociable rather than stilted.
  9. Link internally by connecting information on one page to content on a different page on your website.
  10. Frequently monitor your efforts to see what keywords, phrases, marketing approaches, etc. are working for you. Adjust as necessary.
  11. Be sure to write meta descriptions that engage readers as they scroll through search engine results.
  12. Always have a Call to Action. Readers need to know what it is you want them to do.
  13. Use bullet points and numbering to make it easier for readers to locate information.
  14. Have Jump Links. This allows a site guest to jump from info at the top of a page to a different part of the page, without needing to scroll through all of the page’s content.
  15. Use a Data Map to determine what the FAQ are for your industry and be sure to include that info on your site.
  16. Be consistent and correct. The more often and consistently you post, the more your site will come up in searches. In addition, be sure to check all facts and information you post. Link to sites to supporting data. Do original research as well. Don’t rely on others to provide stats and intel. Consider performing tests and queries within your own business/industry.
  17. Improve page speed. Slow loading pages frustrate site guests, and they are likely to leave your website without even giving it a chance. One report showed that half of shoppers will not wait more than 3 seconds for a retail page to load, and a Nielsen research found that most users will leave pages within 10 -20 seconds.

This is just a handful of ways that you can boost your website’s SEO. If you would like to learn more about improving your website content or boosting your search engine results ranking, contact Write Away today.

WAC Updates

Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone in 2018

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So what goals have you set for your business for the upcoming year?

Whether it is building a larger client base, starting a newsletter, learning more about social media or perhaps adding a new service, there is always something to learn and explore. And one of the best parts about being a business owner is that you can take the chance and try them.

Of course, that can also be overwhelming and frightening, too. However, if you have set goals for the year ahead, then here are some things to keep in mind.

I wish I could say I was brilliant, and came up with these points on my own, but it’s only right to give credit where it’s due.  Hence, thanks to my pastor, Bud Wrenn – Integrity Church, Burlington, NC – for these reminders about on moving forward.

1. Be all in to be all out. Did you set goals for 2018? Then give them all you have and work towards achieving them.
2. Shake up the status quo. Doing what you have always done, or what everyone expects won’t bring about change. You will likely have to do something unconventional.
3. Have your eyes on the big picture and work daily to achieve it. Whether the goal is meeting new people, gaining more clients, better time management or something totally not work related, you have to focus on the goal and take action every day towards bringing to fruition.
4. Don’t give up! Ups and downs are the norm, but don’t let the lows hold you down.

Are you ready for the year ahead?  Then now is the time to take the first step. Keep in mind that you don’t have to work alone to accomplish your goals. Surround yourself with people who want to help you succeed.  Then hold your head high and take those steps. If you falter, there are people to catch you and help stay focussed.

And, if some of the goals include writing, then don’t hesitate to talk to someone at Write Away to learn more. After all, just because you want to do rewrite your web content, begin using social media or start a blog, it doesn’t mean you have to do it by yourself!

So, what do plan on accomplishing in the year ahead? Contact Write Away today to get started.

WAC Updates

Creativity: Writing is not for Everyone!

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writing help

The writing process is more than merely having a good idea. It is time spent researching your topic and determining the best way to present your findings. For some people, the writing process is far more intimidating than the development aspect, but both portions are necessary in showcasing your new idea. If you have realized that you would much rather be on the design and developing side rather than the writing and advertising side, then don’t beat yourself up over it. After all, everyone had different skill sets.

And, even if your product is unlike anything that has ever been showcase, Write Away Copywriting can help you promote your product. Janet S. is happy to tour your facility to see what you can do, will take notes so that your product or services can be well represented and even get you set up on social media pages, so that you can get the word out about who you are and what you do. You don’t have to be a writer…just focus on the creativity and let Write Away do the rest. If you have questions about WAC can help, please contact Jan S. today.

 

WAC Updates

5 Ideas for Blog Posts

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5 Blog post ideas for the tired blogger (pic from www.gapyear.com)

Having a blog on your website is a great way to boost your site’s SEO, but only if you take the time to post to it on a regular basis. In fact, many experts recommend posting at least once a week. But for many of us, that is a steep assignment as life and the daily needs of running a business can get in the way of blogging. For others, it might not be the time involved for blogging so much as having ideas for the posts.

If you fall into this latter category, then you are not alone. Write Away Copywriting has some ideas and tips for your next blog posts.

Be informed of the latest changes, new products, etc. in your industry so you can share that information with your readers.

Lessons learned about running your business are not only inspiring but lets others know that they can overcome obstacle, too. It also lends some credibility to you and your business.

Ongoing saga of what is going on at your company. Do you have a new product or service? Perhaps you have hired a new sales rep or expanded your service area. Letting your readers know what is going on helps them connect and builds loyalty.

Goals you are working towards also lets people know where your company is headed.

Surveys are a great way to get customer feedback or to ask leaders in your field for their input. Consider posting pictures with names and companies of the survey contributors, as way to boost link opportunities, as well.

Blog posts are a fun way to generate interest and excitement about what is happening at your company. They don’t have to be long, technical diatribes, just something that keeps site guests engaged and wanting to hire you or use your products. So, don’t let that blog page sit empty…write a blog post this week!

WAC Updates

Choosing the Game Plan for Your Company Website

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footballfieldI love football! The camaraderie in team spirit, the thinking and strategizing, the physicality and the competiveness all work to make it a great game. But, in order for a team to be a success, they must have a solid game plan. Your business is no different. To have a profitable business, you must have a game plan.

Your plan will be different from the company’s down the block, but you must put some intentionality into what you want you to accomplish. However, sometimes it can be difficult to determine what direction to take for your business, especially when it comes to building a website. You may struggle with whether to have an Events page versus a Blog spot, if you should have a Company History page or an Employee Bio page-or perhaps both.

If you need help in moving forward with your game plan for creating an online presence, then it’s time to talk to a web developer about what needs to be done. This is similar to when the coach lays out the approach for the upcoming game. Whether you enter the discussion with a web developer carrying your tablet or notebook, expect to get answers for the following:

  • How many pages your site must have to fully represent your company?
  • Will you have a blog or an events page? You should have at least one of these, as you don’t want your page to be static or Google is unlikely to notice its existence.
  • To what social media platforms will you link?
  • How much do you want to invest in building your website and its ongoing management?

These are but a few of the questions you will be asked as you craft your wining game plan, but they are very necessary to building an online presence. If you need direction in finding a trustworthy web developer, be sure to contact some of these web developers:

These are all friends of North Carolina copywriter, Write Away Copywriting. They will be happy to help you with the design and content of your website. And, if you should prefer to not do the writing for your website’s content, don’t hesitate to contact J. Slagell. Get started on your web presence game plan today so you can score a touchdown sooner and not later!

WAC Updates

Being Number 1– Having a Web Presence is Important!

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2012.05.02_seoWhether you are competitive or not, we all like to be in first place. But when it comes to SEO and being found on the Web, there is no greater pleasure than discovering that your website is listed in Google’s top spot….or at least being listed on the first page.  However, this does not happen merely because one has included their primary keywords through out their website, and set up several social media accounts. It takes work.

Having a top ranking webpage means spending time each week at your pc (or whatever mobile device you use) making social media post, interacting with others on the various social platforms, writing monthly blog posts, and ensuring that your site’s SEO practices continue to meet any changes that Google may send. In addition, it means making sure that your website is mobile device friendly -after all, well over 80% of today’s web user are searching the web on something other than their computer.  All in all,   being found on the first page of  Google -or even just keeping up with all the many actions needed to keep your social media followers engage- can be a large part of your week…or it can be a job that you pass off to someone else in your company.

For many large companies, they have a team of people who handle each of these aspects, so the sales persons, designers, marketers, etc. can focus on bringing more business. But if you are a smaller company, then you might find yourself deciding that things like social media and blogs aren’t really that important. This could be a costly mistake! Rather than overlooking blogs and social interaction too time consuming, contact Write Away about managing these job for you.  WAC is always happy to step in and help you keep your web presence on track. Contact WAC today to learn more.