Do you want to spruce up your blog-writing skills in 2023 but don’t know where to start? Take this opportunity to improve your blog writing in 2023 with some helpful tips from our team.
Since the release of Google’s Helpful Content Update (HCU) in December of 2022, it is important to note that the immensely popular search engine’s algorithm has undergone the biggest change it has seen in years, and companies must accommodate these expectations.
With that in mind, here are seven steps and tips to keep in mind while writing blog posts with an SEO focus in 2023.
7 SEO Tips for Writing Blog Posts in 2023
An Initial Idea Is Always Accompanied By a Keyword
Writing blog posts is incredibly important for driving organic traffic to your site, but your work would not gain much traction from search engines if it weren’t for the keywords that you incorporate into your writing.
With that in mind, it is important to utilize appropriate keyword research while formulating ideas for your company’s blog. Some of the best platforms to use for general keyword research include the following:
- Google Keyword Planner
- Answer the Public
- Moz Keyword Explorer
- Ahrefs
- Semrush
Keyword research can also help you rank for many other relevant keywords. According to Ahrefs, the average web page that ranks in the top ten is likely to rank on the first page of Google for approximately 1,000 other keywords. So with that in mind, be sure to take the time to research keywords you can utilize in every blog post you write – finding a cluster of even 3-5 similar keywords for a page can do the trick.
Outline the Topics Your Blog Will Discuss
Once you have settled on the initial idea of your post (as well as the primary keywords you want to drive for SEO purposes), now is the time to expand on that initial idea.
For example, if you are writing a blog post about what someone needs to know about adopting a dog, there are several things that could be discussed within the content. Some of those topics you could touch on include:
- What goes into owning a dog? That can consist of the type of food, training, breed, etc.
- Should I start with a puppy or adopt an adult dog? What are the differences in temperament?
- How do you train a puppy to go to the bathroom outside?
- What should you do with your pet when you go out of town?
- Would my dog benefit from having another dog to play with?
There are several different directions you can take a blog post with just a topic and keywords. Though you have the creative freedom to take your blog post in any direction you would like, make sure it does not take away from what your target audience is inquiring about.
A helpful tip for keeping your blog post relevant is to plug your keywords into Google and see what the other top-ranking pages are writing about to seek some inspiration from them. From there, simply outline the different topics that you are going to discuss in your post.
Write Your Rough Draft
This is your chance to take all of your ideas and “put them on paper.” Your outline can serve as a guide to the overall direction of your blog post, though it is okay to switch things up while in the middle of your first draft.
Some things to consider while writing your first draft include the following frequently asked questions:
What exactly is a rough draft?
A rough draft is essentially the finished product of a post that has not been further edited and polished. This means that you write your post without reading through your work.
What is the goal of a rough draft?
The goal of writing a rough draft is to write a complete blog post to the best of your ability without editing it. Additionally, it allows you to get all of your ideas out on paper, which gives you a starting point when you go to edit your work.
How long should my rough draft be?
Your rough draft should ideally be around the same length as your final product. Though it may not include all of your research, citations, and internal links, it includes all of your thoughts and ideas with room to add these links later on.
Another thing to keep in mind while writing your first draft is that it is okay if the contents of your post are not complete the first time through. This is where going through and editing your post will come in handy.
We also understand that writing can be extremely difficult at certain points, so keep in mind that your first draft does not have to be perfect – it just has to be written!
Check Your Page for Errors – Twice!
Rereading your work twice is just a suggestion; you can read it and edit it as many times as you like, as long as you are also taking the time to review your content to see if it has continued to align with the initial goals of your post.
When editing your blog post, look for these three things to ensure the best results possible regarding SEO, as well as staying true to your overall brand:
- Tone – Make sure the way you are writing your piece aligns with your brand’s voice. This can include the words you use and specific grammar and punctuation quirks if needed.
- Audience – As stated in the outlining and writing stages, ensure that your writing appeals to your target audience. Ask yourself, “Is my target audience going to benefit from this information?”
- Keyword usage – It is important to ensure that your keywords are sprinkled naturally into your copy and not stuffed into every single sentence. Google does not value content that comes across as “spammy.”
It is also important that your copy is free of any grammatical errors before publishing. A helpful tool that we recommend for editing your blog posts is Grammarly, which is a free computer extension that reviews your pieces for spelling, grammar, and punctuation, as well as overall clarity and delivery. The software also includes suggestions for your errors, making the process of cleaning up your writing more efficient than ever.
Incorporate an Author Bio on Each Post
In order to further establish credibility on your blog posts (as well as authoritative value in the eyes of search engines), including author bios somewhere on your blog posts is essential. This should include the author of the post, their photo, and a brief statement regarding their qualifications to be writing the post. For some examples, here are some of the author bios that we have included in our own blog posts:
It is also a good idea to link your authors’ bios to their internal team pages so people can learn more about the author of each post. For search engine and credibility purposes as well, this would be the perfect opportunity to optimize your team pages with important industry-related information from the individual.
For an example of how your website bios should look, check out our own Sarah Blocksidge’s page.
Include Consistent Facts and Statistics
Make your content rich and informative with copy that is backed by facts, statistics, and studies, all linked out to the appropriate sources. The goal of writing for SEO (and keeping the HCU in mind) is to inform your audience about industry-leading content backed by numbers, so plug them in when you can.
Another thing to consider is creating entire blog posts that revolve around compiling statistics relevant to your industry. For example, if you are running a manufacturing company, it could be beneficial to write a blog post on digital marketing statistics geared specifically towards manufacturers. This information can be considered helpful for those in the industry, as well as journalists who report on the manufacturing industry as a whole.
Make Sure to Include Internal Links in Your Post
Internal linking is the process of linking relevant pages of your website together in order to build your website’s overall SEO equity. Consider it like a spider web that helps visitors effectively navigate your website.
An easy way to quickly crawl your website for page-related links is to use Google’s site search feature. To utilize this tool, simply plug your website’s URL into the Google search bar along with words that are relevant to the page you are trying to link to. It should look something like this:
site:www.sixthcitymarketing.com [relevant term/keyword]
From there, you should be able to look through the site links that appear in the search results and find opportunities to internally link your pages together.
Final Thoughts About Blog Writing for SEO in 2023
The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to blog writing is that there is no set formula for writing and completing a blog post. Everyone’s process is different, so our team recommends whatever strategy comes the most naturally to you.
When it comes to SEO, make sure to follow these simple, yet important and effective steps to ensure that your content is relevant, valuable, and, most of all, helpful. From our team to yours, we wish you the best of luck in your blog-writing endeavors in 2023!
Want to Learn More About Writing for SEO? Check Out These Posts
- 4 Tips for Writing Engaging Content
- How to Improve Your SEO Writing in 2023
- A Guide to Guest Posting
- What Is Evergreen Content?
