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Top Five SEO Benefits of Blogging

Search engine optimization (SEO) is often marked as arcane subject akin to calculus that only the initiated are privileged to fully grasp and put to use. While SEO may be difficult to understand, it is vital to ensure the success of business bloggers in Los Angeles. The benefits of blogging are manifold, from building trust among your customers to sharing information to establishing yourself as an expert in a particular field. Boosting your SEO rankings is the key to ensuring a vibrant site that makes it to the top of search engine results. Below are five methods you can use to help improve your search engine optimization.

Guest Blogging

Guest blogging can be an extremely beneficial way to increase your SEO rankings if you work with individuals wh o are experts in their fields. The popularity of these writers will help drive traffic to your website and boost your rankings. In order for guest blogging to be a viable option, you will need to thoroughly screen potential bloggers with interviews and “background checks” to ensure that they are trustworthy.

Keywords

Keywords were once the magic key to achieving the highest rankings with search engines. Extreme keyword densities, purposely misspelled keywords and awkward keyword phrases were commonly observed phenomena in the SEO world. With the advent of the new Google algorithms, however, keywords no longer have the same punch as they once did. Keywords are now required to serve some purpose. Instead of keyword stuffing, focus on offering real information and using keywords naturally.

Social Media Marketing

Did you know that Google returns social media in its search results? Connect your blog to your social media accounts to give your website another “hook” for search engines to snag. Use search terms in your meta descriptions and titles to ensure that your search engine optimization through social media listings is increased as well.

Keep It Fresh

According to Google, “Search results, like warm cookies right out of the oven…are best when they’re fresh.” One of the main benefits of blogging is that you have the opportunity to offer regularly updated content for search engines to feed on. Large amounts of new content are signals to Google that your blog is up-to-date and therefore more relevant than those that aren’t updated regularly. Try to update your blog with fresh content at least once a week to ensure that your website receives a high ranking.

Images

Images are another tool that search engines use to rank sites. Be sure to name them according to relevant search terms/keywords. Do the same with the alt-text to ensure that those who are unable to see the images on their screens receive a relevant image description.

Search engine optimization can be a daunting task for those whose schedules do not allow them the time to do it well. If you’re in this situation, consider Bright Age. We are a social media management company in Los Angeles that assists clients with their websites and blogs. Trust us to help you with any SEO-related questions or social media marketing needs you may have.

Tips to Rock Your Blogger Outreach Strategy

A smart, effective blogger outreach campaign can transform your digital marketing strategy. When you are ready to rock your blog with fresh ideas and dynamic copy, reaching out to guest bloggers or linking to industry experts can help you turn a critical corner in successful blogging.

Below are a few tips to help ROCK your blogger outreach marketing strategy:

Experts can keep you ahead of the curve: Reaching out to professional bloggers through online sources such as Technorati or Huffington Post by commenting on their blogs or sending them emails praising recent posts can build rapport and smooth the way for a future business relationship. Through these channels, you can create your own stable of experts to help boost your blog’s message. I would also recommend using the Blogger Outreach Dashboard BlogDash.

Pingbacks can work wonders: Linking to another professional blog or website can attract the attention of a blogger or source you would like to work with. Take the time to read through blogs written by those who could effectively carry your own message. Link to the blog entries and see whether you can build a relationship through mutual support.

Use social media regularly as a resource: This can work in two ways. Clever tweets and Facebook posts promoting your blog can attract attention from your peers, as can direct messaging to people you would like to work with. You can build expert source lists through Twitter and Facebook from which to access professionals quickly when seeking a guest blog. Pinterest also is an emerging resource for valuable audience-building strategies through strong visuals.

Keep track of results: Blog sites typically give you simple snapshot profiles of how your blog is doing in terms of readership. It is important to monitor results to see how topics and timing affect your posts. For a little extra money, you can get more detailed analysis that may even drill down to who is reading your blog on a regular basis. You may discover that you can build essential audience profiles from this data.

Stay on task: Your iCal or Google Calendar needs to be updated regularly to show what you have scheduled to run with your network of bloggers. In this way, you can spot content holes when it comes to business promotions or see whether themes need to rescheduled or different topics covered on your site. Variety and consistency in terms of quality from your various bloggers will keep your audience plugged in to follow each update.

For more expert guidance, contact Bright Age, a Los Angeles digital marketing agency that can easily meet your social media promotional needs, freeing you to focus more on your overall business strategy. Call today to find out how we can bring new life to your existing blog’s performance and create a plan that works for your business.