A woman freelancer.
1. Ask for the reference site.
Browsing through a reference website.
Most of them will only provide their own requirements for the article such as the word count and the topic to write about. Don't wait that they'll be the one to ask if you need a link or access to their website or not. Instead, when you receive a proposal for blog post writing, ask the client about it immediately. Why?
Getting to know their website can help you create a content that will surely match their business. Also, you'll know about the kind of writing style that is most suitable and the existing articles. This technique will help you avoid issues such as duplicate or anti-client content.
2. Recommend keywords.
Highlighting the importance of SEO auditing in targeting the best keywords.
You will encounter clients who are new to online marketing and do not know anything about SEO. So, when they look for writers, they will only advertise the topic and word count. When this happens, be ready to give them an overview of SEO in relation to blogging. This way, they can easily get your point.
Oftentimes, they highly appreciate efforts such as this that they are willing to increase the pay per article. This also gives them an impression that you can be trusted, that you are the perfect candidate for the job, and can help them achieve their goal.
How do you determine the best keywords for the clients? One effective technique is to combine their products or services with their location. For example, if they are selling roller shutters in Sydney, Australia, you can use that phrase as the main keyword. So, that will be “roller shutters in Sydney”.
Another option is to combine their service with the events that they cater for. A client who is a provider of catering services for various events can use keywords such as, catering services for weddings, catering for corporate meetings, catering package for birthdays, and cater for special celebrations.
On the other hand, if you wanna search for the top keywords used in Google, you can use the Google Adwords Keyword Planner.
- How to Do Keyword Research for SEO: A Beginner's Guide
Learn how to do keyword research from scratch so you can start ranking in search for terms you actually care about.
3. Use catchy words or phrases in the title.
An example of catchy, attractive title.
The key here is to ask yourself whether all types of users in the online world will notice the title or not. Using adjectives and the 5 W’s (Who, What, When, Where, and Why) is highly effective.
Say for instance you will be talking about website tools. Instead of writing “The Most Trusted Website Tools Today”, you can go for a question such as “What Are the Most Trusted Online Tools Now?” The second will stir more interest or curiosity from the readers compared to the first one.
- How to Write a Catchy Headline in 1 Minute and 7 Seconds | Grammarly Blog
Learning how to write a catchy headline can be the difference between a well-distributed piece of writing, or a dud. So, let’s take a look at the steps required to write a headline that will attract the readers you’re looking for.
4. Add meat to your content.
The people of today are smart enough to know the basics of everything so avoid including concepts that are understandable enough. As other writers say, avoid stating the obvious.
Oftentimes, users look for meaty content, those they can get a great deal of something after reading. In short, you must write with substance and not just for the sake of creating something.
Your goal as a blogger is to entertain your readers by using real situations and introducing lessons, facts or discoveries.
Add meat to your content.
Say no to Mr. or Ms. Fluffy. Write with substance and meaning.
— Miss Eva Gono
5. Make it natural like the nature.
Make it natural like nature.
So you have the keywords ready for the client. Your next concern is how to insert these into the article. Remember this one essential rule in keyword insertion – make it natural. If there is any hint that it is purposely fitted to advertise a product or service, do not go for it.
The key there is to come up with a direct match topic. You just have to determine the category of the website and find a subcategory that relates to the topic.
- How to Naturally Integrate Keywords into Your Online Content
The good news is that once you have your list of targeted keywords or keyword phrases, integrating them into your online content is not as difficult as you think. There is no magic formula, just a few simple to follow rules.
6. Add images.
Images can make the blog visually appealing and fun. Suggesting something to readers with a corresponding picture showing how’s it done can be very effective in increasing their attention span.
When searching for images, go for those with high resolution and big size in relation to the subject matter at hand.
7. Include authoritative links.
Authoritative sources from famous blogs, websites and books can add credibility to an article. It gives an impression to your readers that you have a sure, clear basis of your claims, findings or recommendations.
- 11 Guidelines for Getting Authoritative Links | SEW
This post will offer 11 guidelines for getting authoritative links. Authoritative links bring value to your web promotion strategy that far exceeds their value on the surface.
8. Add a conclusion all the time.
Some writers are actually in the habit of just listing ideas or points and then leave their readers. This should not be the case. Conclusions can actually be used to convince your readers to browse more on the website. It finalizes whatever ideas you laid down at the beginning.
- The Importance of Writing a Great Conclusion
A good conclusion reinforces your argument and briefly encapsulates how you have proven its validity. - Elements of a Fantastic Conclusion » Alan Lawrence Sitomer
Each Well-Written SAT Essay has a Concrete Conclusion! - Strategies for Writing a Conclusion
Conclusions are often the most difficult part of an essay to write. A writer needs to keep in mind that the conclusion is often what a reader remembers best. Your conclusion should be the best part of your paper.
9. Feature an internal link.
Internal links refer to one of the many previous articles in the blog that can be used to convince the user to stay longer in the site and read more.
- Internal Links - SEO Best Practices - Moz
Learn all about internal linking for SEO: what internal links are and best practices for formatting and SEO. - How to Use Internal Linking to Improve Your Website's SEO
Learn how to use internal linking to improve your website's search engine optimization strategy. - The Seven Commandments of Internal Linking that Will Improve Content Marketing SEO
In this article, I want deliver a level of SEO knowledge that will benefit the experienced SEO, but that will also provide actionable data to help SEO newbies.
10. Be specific with the page title and anchor text.
When writing page titles, these should not be more than 75 characters, while anchor texts should only be 3 to 4 words. Make sure that together with the article’s heading or title, all of these should be written in different styles and words.
The page title should summarize the article while the anchor text should provide a brief description of the topic covered.
- SEO For Page Titles | SEOmark ©
Have you correctly optimised the page titles on your website? If not, read this page title SEO guide. Written by Mark Walters, a specialist SEO Consultant. - How to Write Title Tags For Search Engine Optimization | SEW
Properly written title tags are critical to your SEO strategy. Title tags tell search engines what your page is about. This guide covers everything you need to know about title tags and offers best practices for title tag optimization. - Anchor Text - Learn SEO - Moz
Anchor Text is the visible, clickable text in a hyperlink. Learn best practices for building natural, SEO-friendly anchor text. - The Seven Commandments of Internal Linking that Will Improve Content Marketing SEO
In this article, I want deliver a level of SEO knowledge that will benefit the experienced SEO, but that will also provide actionable data to help SEO newbies. - How to Use Anchor Text in Backlinks - SEO Chat
What’s the best way to use anchor text to gain the best possible rankings from your link popularity campaign? Read on for tips and insight from the “SEO Guy” Morgan Carey.
11. Place ALT text below images.
These texts can actually help increase the traffic of a website. When people search for a particular image, this will show up, linking to the article. So, you’ll have a new visitor to the site.
- Image Alt Text Vs. Image Title : What's the Difference? - Search Engine Journal
Most webmasters don’t see any difference between image alt text and title mostly keeping them the same. A great discussion over at Google Webmaster Groups provides an exhaustive information on the differences.
12. Utilize subheadings.
Just like this article, subheadings should be used in order to make your article organized and readable.
- Blogging 101: Why Using Subheadings Is A Good Idea | TWELVESKIP
It’s one thing to get someone to read your article because of a catchy title, and another to get the reader to continue reading your article. There are many tactics you can employ to do this, but one of the best ways is to simply use subheadings.
13. Connect to your audience.
Blogs, in their nature, are not academic. Instead, they are used to expose something in a fun and personal way.
Connect to all your audience.
Ekta Parishad - Rajagopal speaking to 25,000 people, Janadesh 2007, India by Ekta Parishad - Ekta Parishad. Licensed under Creative Commons Attributio
- 7 Essential Tips For Writers Who Hope To Engage Millions Of Readers
I’ve found in my own writing work that generating a very high level of response requires both fresh, compelling content and a powerful way of reaching inside readers and engaging their heartstrings and their intellect. - 10 Writing Tips for More Engaging Content
The internet's saturated with content and if you’re a "web writer" it can be hard to set yourself apart from the competition. Fortunately people don't care quite as much about the facts as they do the style of your writing...
The Freelancers View
Learn the basics of SEO Content Writing.
Comments
Aeva Gono (author) from Philippines on October 15, 2015:
Hi Papillon man!
Yeah, I am so happy to know that you find this hub very helpful :) All of the ideas I included are based on what I learned in my previous employment. :)
Dale Tinklepaugh from Salem, Virginia on October 15, 2015:
Awesome! Thank you for packing so much useful information into your article and including so many fascinating links. It's going to take a while to get through them all. But judging from the ones I've already read, it will be well worth the time. Great job.
Aeva Gono (author) from Philippines on August 11, 2015:
Hi quildon! Thank you :) Oh yes, SEO is very important when writing blog posts. It can affect the quality of traffic our hubs can get. :) Looking forward to read more of your excellent hubs :)
Angela Joseph from Florida on August 03, 2015:
Great article, Evane. I know how to integrate keywords into my writing when the client asks for it, but when I'm writing my own blog posts, I forget about SEO. Maybe it's time to change that. Thanks for following me here on hubpages.
Aeva Gono (author) from Philippines on September 25, 2014:
Oh thank you SavioC. My pleasure.
SavioC on September 25, 2014:
Excellent teaching material. Thanks Evane.
