Basic SEO Starter Tips

By Liz H. Kelly

Do you want some quick SEO tips for how to get your website listed higher in the search results? Whether it’s Google, Yahoo, MSN or other search engines, there are some basic things that you can do to start your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) strategy.

The Social Media Club in Los Angeles hosted an awesome SEO and Social Media panel discussion last night with the experts (@tonyadam, @barbaraboser, @seanpercival and @jeff419). The group shared a ton of great information about SEO versus Social Media, how to load balance multiple sites, and measurement tools to check your results. You can go to the Social Media Club LA website for the more detailed notes. This blog will introduce you to SEO basics so it doesn’t seem so overwhelming.

As an introduction, below are some of the panel’s high-level comments:

There is no secret sauce for SEO - it’s content, links, etc
SEO is more technical than social media.
It’s a myth that you need to be ranked #1
Google is always looking for new, fresh content
Just start doing stuff, try a lot and see what works

SEO Basics

1. Do a Keyword Analysis

The first thing that you need to do is a Keyword Analysis to determine which words and phrases are being searched online the most. Start by searching on your topic using Google’s or Yahoo’s tools, and then add the words that match your topic and target audience the best.

Google Keyword Tool
https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal

2. Add keywords to all content

Add your keywords to all content to get the best results from the search engines. Pick one or two keyword phrases per page to incorporate several times, and avoid over-doing it. Think about how you’re structuring your site and add keywords in a pyramid down approach (ex. add real estate in the title, and then mortgages in a sub-article).

3. Use great titles on the top of each page

Add keywords to a title, and make it clear and concise. A great internet title is usually 40-60 characters (including spaces). Use your most important keywords in the title. Try to be shocking and controversial to get more traffic.

4. Write valuable and relevant content

For the best SEO results, write interesting content about your topic that is at least 200-400 words per page. If you can tie your article to a current trend that’s in the news, it can make the story more relevant. Your articles should create at least two emotions when they read it (laugh, cry, scream).

5. Use great titles in your file names

Add keywords to your file names for all graphics. Instead of saying file23, use healthy_diet.jpg. The file titles will get picked up in Google images, which will provide more exposure and traffic to your website.

6. Use real text versus text embedded in images

By posting real text (especially towards the top of each page) versus an image with words as part of the graphic, the search engines will find your website faster. Avoid fancy flash pieces at the top of the page because they will not get picked up by the search engines. Google cannot crawl flash content.

7. Add Links that point Inside and Outside your website

The search engines value websites that include relevant links. Add inside links that direct the user to other pages within your site. More importantly, add links to relevant websites outside. For example, if you’re an expert on health, consider linking your website to healthy cookbook sites. Sponsor an educational or .gov event or donate to them because Google views them as a trusted site, which improves your SEO.

8. Submit your URL to these directories to register your site:

o www.google.com/addurl.html
o http://search.yahoo.com/info/submit.html
o http://search.msn.com/docs/submit.aspx
o www.dmoz.org

9. Add a sitemap

Add a sitemap to your site with links to all the pages to improve your SEO.

10. Ranking tools

Check your website on the ranking tools to track your SEO results. You can use rankchecker.com to find out:
- # of pages are indexed
- top keywords
- what pages have issues
- see which keywords are converting

Congratulations, you’re now ready to start your SEO strategy. If you implement these tips, you’ll be doing much more than most websites. While your better strategy is to hire an SEO Consultant who understands everything the panel shared last night, these basics are things you can do right away to improve your search placement results.

If you want more SEO help, email info@sunriseroadmedia.com or find me on Twitter @lizhkelly. We can help you SEO your website, and/or find an SEO PhD from the panel if you need one. Your website can be found much faster with a comprehensive SEO strategy, which will improve your ranking, sales, and brand awareness.

Special thanks to the SEO panel:
@tonyadam, @barbaraboser, @seanpercival and @jeff419 and the Social Media Club LA (http://www.socialmediaclub.la/)

Interactive Marketing Spending Forecast

by Liz H. Kelly

According to Forrester Research’s most recent report, overall interactive marketing spending in the US will grow from $25.5 billion in 2009 to almost $55 billion in 2014, a 17% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).

Out of this forecast, social media leads with spending in the US anticipated to grow from $716 million in 2009 to over $3.1 billion in 2014 - a 34% CAGR - which is a significantly higher rate of growth than the future spending on other interactive marketing channels.

And then when TV and the internet merge, which has already started, watch the interactive marketing dollars skyrocket even more!

If you want help planning your Integrated Marketing Campaign that combines Traditional PR, Digital PR, Marketing and Sponsorships, email us for a free initial consultation: info@sunriseroadmedia.com

Social Media Money Tips - Digital Hollywood

by Liz H. Kelly

How are social media companies making cash? There was an awesome panel discussion today at the Digital Hollywood Conference in Santa Monica, CA, where experts shared how they are making money online.

Hot Topic Examples included:
1. Virtual Money - check out lunch bucks on Myyearbook.com
2. TV Show - build buzz for a TV show - stay tuned for BettyConfidential.com
3. Interactive Contests with Advertiser promos - check out DigitalMedia.com
4. Retail Widgets that sell music, merchandise and tickets - visit Musicane.com
5. Sponsored content in online magazines - visit RealGirlsMedia.com
6. Consumer generated news with content sponsors - visit Allvoices.com
7. Authentic advertising - visit WeeWorld.com to ceate your WeeMee

The panel was moderated by Joyce Schwartz, who wrote The Vision Board. If you want help planning your Integrated Marketing Campaign that combines Traditional PR, Digital PR, Marketing and Sponsorships, email us for a free initial consultation: info@sunriseroadmedia.com

Sunrise Road Media

Smart Integrated Marketing

Basic SEO Starter Tips

Interactive Marketing Spending Forecast

Social Media Money Tips - Digital Hollywood