SEO Content Writing is a must-have tool in the digital marketing skill set. Fact of the matter is, even as the types of content we create and consume evolve, as long as Google is around and people are still searching for solutions to their problems by using words, content in its written form is going to have a place (The death of Google by TikTok is a bit premature, IMO).
You’ll be able to find quite long guides on content writing with SEO in mind, but I know that you don’t need a 5,000-word guide. You want to finish an article and get everything you need in the one page so you can get started right away, am I right? Yes? OK, well then read on!
How To Do SEO Content Writing: Step By Step 👇🏽
Step #1 – Consider Intent, Choose Keywords
I’m assuming you’ve read or heard a little bit about searcher’s/consumer’s intent. If people are searching for more general keywords, there usually is low purchase intent, versus if they’re searching for more specific keywords with modifiers that people use when they have credit card in hand, e.g.:
- reviews,
- discount,
- comparison,
it’s pretty clear that they’re ready to buy or otherwise take action.
Usually, the former has higher search volume and the more high intent you get, the lower the search volume. In general, start at the lower end. There’s usually less competition here and it’s easier to rank your articles for these keywords as a result. Ironically, you might actually get more action from fewer clicks, if you write your content to specifically address the questions readers have.
Step #2 – Consider Content Structure
SEO consists of on-page and off-page signals. Off-page is a whole other kettle of fish that warrants its own post. On-page, I’ll discuss briefly now. Basically, one of the most important on-page signals that Google and other search engines use to tell which pages on your blog are useful are links between pages.
Have you got one very huge article, several thousand words long that acts as a pillar? Have your smaller, blog-type pages link to it. It’s basically as simple as that. Have links that make sense sprinkled throughout the posts, as well as call outs that help both people and search engines navigate your content and you’ll be doing everyone a favor.
Step #3 – Systemize & Turn Up Regularly
The last thing is about the consistency of signals you give to Google. There are something like 70 million new blogs created on Google monthly. Most of them never see the light of day. Google has to consistently sort the wheat from the chaff. How do you make yours one that Google sorts and places into their coveted SERPS?
Consistency of posting is a good start. While a lot of blogs automate this, it shouldn’t stop you from writing or creating content regularly yourself. Even not considering that Google likes this, the people in your circles like it too. They want to read and follow someone they trust. If you show up, they’ll start showing up more too and that makes Google happy. They want to show more of what they know people like.
These three steps are it. Do these well and you’ve got SEO content writing down pat.