How Do I Fix My SEO?

Hi,

Yes, I just cannot work artlessly as I believe search engine optimization (SEO) is a continuous process but not a spontaneous one.

There is a thin line between a content writer and a content developer in SEO. I witnessed many blog posts very recently on Google's new Quality Rater Guidelines and how it is going to affect individuals and overall the industry.

All the write-ups were solid.

Suddenly a thought came to me. Not all of the articles must attract the same level of attraction from their readers due to various reasons obviously.

As I felt it with me, the connection, well, was not equal to all. Some writing bored me not because they were second or third on the reading list.

I believe a writer is the one who primarily responsible for making a connection with his/her readers through writing. The writer can make or break a reader’s mind through his/her creation. Writing is not any more compilation of words or following the word counts blindly. Writing is an art and always remains an art.

I have the opportunity in my career to work with many talented writers but meet very few creators.

A definition of a content creator to me -

Did I spend enough time on it? Did I do enough to make it right? Is this satisfying me?

I am not talking about editing, adding, or tweaking the copy here and there.

I am thinking of it giving birth to a baby and then taking care of the baby.

Nevertheless, there are hiccups.

Going through labor pain is sometimes annoying to some people.

Just like, sometimes, our creativity does not come up.

We have off times. There are time-frames when cannot quite create anything but our work just cannot stop.

As a result, we feel stressed. Maybe, you are not connecting with the writing topic as a writer for a specific period.

Maybe we are just exhausted.

Beating ourselves up is easy and piling on the stress is easier especially when deadlines are around the corner.

The result? We feel worse.. gloomy. We try to channelize pressure off us on others around us subconsciously behaving badly. Feel gloomier afterward.

Finally, nothing gets done the way we wanted.

I have experienced this many times. I spent a lot of time trying to make an SEO plan work when what I should have done is let it go and start over.

So, if you are going through this, know that you are not alone. We all have tough times.

From my experience, I can tell you there are things you can do.

How can I fix my SEO problem?

You can do a lot but here I am sharing my three best ways of survival from falling into an infinite loop of disgrace:

1. Get away from work

The idea is to focus on something different instead. Keep your mind busy with other things that will allow you to get a break.

When we are stuck, we tend to do the same mistakes, repeatedly. Shifting focus temporarily will help us get out of with a solution. Moreover, you will feel much organized and able to think out of the box.

2. Take periodic breaks while working

Work in sprints. Working continuously for long hours does not automatically ensure quality. It is hard to see computer screens for me when I do not give any justification for it. Moreover, you can only strain your neck, back, and eyes a strain.

If you are not amalgamating effortlessly with your work, then simply take a break, and come back afresh. I believe, no matter how solid your SEO plan is, without an energized brain, hard to get back on track.

3. Give yourself OK to fail

It is hard to swallow failure or negative comments most of the time. However, if you focus always on success and sweat over from the fear of failures, then eventually you should give up on your SEO career.

SEO is so dynamic that many times changing plans is the only thing that makes sense.

That does not mean you should stop trying new things or experiments or tests.

How to do SEO?

I could have spent my entire life in an organization by following my senior’s direction. I still would have get blame for any catastrophe because I know that following SEO directions blindly is as dangerous as walking in the desert with only a bottle of water.

As long as you want to do SEO professionally, you should not take anything for granted without testing it properly.

On the other side, sometimes a slight directional change in view is all that you need to make your SEO works. After all, why bang your head against the wall when we know SEO is a developing concept where change is the only constant and starting over could make things much easier?

Believe me, work stress-free and you will recognize the difference in you, your work.

What do you feel?

What is your go-to strategy when your SEO does not pay you back? I would love to learn from you!

Have a great time ahead, everyone!

One last thing, everything you do in your SEO job, do it with dignity, with glee.

Enjoy your progress in SEO! No matter if, no one praise you for your effort to make the SEO community flourish. I am here if you need me.

Partha

How To Set Goals In Google Analytics?

Hi!

Professionally, I do SEO. Therefore, Google Analytics is a common yet decisive weapon in my arsenal.

Yesterday I was reading an article on Google Analytics goal setting. At the end of the reading, I felt a bit miserable.

Why?

I realized how truly goal setting could start turning our dreams into reality.

I would like to draw your kind attention to this topic.

How?

You may have read a lot of articles about how to improve mental health, stay happy, keep your hope alive, etc.

If you like SEO, then you may go through articles on Google Analytics a few times.

A few of those I read too.

Suddenly, I start correlating the article on Google Analytics goal setting with my life. Moreover, I now start understanding more accurately the messages that lie within those inspirational articles on improving mental health, happiness, live a stress-free life, etc.

I realized that reaching our dreams is much easier than it may seem.

All we need to set a goal, keep everything simple along the way to reach that goal, and do not over-optimize anything to reach the goal faster.

The truth is we can reach practically any SEO goal set up in Google Analytics to measure progress, with the right SEO mindset. Likewise, with dedication and proper approach, dreams in our life are achievable too by just anyone.

Setting goals in Google Analytics is one thing and achieving it within the given time frame is another. The situation may sounds familiar to you.

However, you may be one of those number-crushers who consistently achieve targets and finish SEO projects on a high note. You are not at all surprised at how easily reach an SEO goal really can be.

Because you have found a process that works for you.

Chances are those number-crushers (who have found the optimum process to achieve targets consistently) optimized well their lives too.

However, not all have found the process until now. Let me share with you some simple steps we can take to reach just about any goal we set out to accomplish.

I have found these are the common traits for those who are not only doing their SEO jobs great but also living a happy monk-like life.

Prerequisite: We DO have to stick to these!

• Break major goals down into minor mini-goals
• Define a clear objective for every move you make
• Align major goals with the end goal
• Set realistic deadline that should keep you energetic to meet goals
• List all your goals in a specific order
• Develop an approach to meet every single goal
• Take notes about your goals in a document to refer to in the future - in both cases - meeting the goals and failed to meet
• Share goals with others too in case any refinement is required
• Imagine the happiness one can feel achieving goals when feel overwhelmed, every time will push you closer to the goal
• Stay passionate about everything but getting over-passionate about goals may backfire - focusing on the process is equally important as focusing on output

Ready to set up goals in Google Analytics? Then be sure to tune your mindset first to quantify your SEO progress through Google Analytics data.

I hope you understand the fact now to do SEO happily; we have to have a happy life. To living a happy life, we must set some goals and hitting them consistently (which means setting up a process). Once we optimized well our life as per our true potential, we can repeat the same in our SEO work! Accordingly, we can able to set logical goals in Google Analytics. Not only had that, we all then able to analyze all the data associated with goals.

If you do, I would like to hear your feedback!

Cheers!

Partha

How Do I Get Into Content Marketing?

For the last five years, wherever I go online, every digital marketing forum has at least three active threads on content marketing.

A lot of conferences and events are occurring around the globe every month and most of you may have attended at least one content marketing boot camp.

In less than three years, marketers, communications pros, journalists, marketing analysts, and more - professionals just like you - are in quest of getting the latest insights on content marketing strategies, interact with thought leaders from around the world through Twitter, LinkedIn, …and the list goes on!

The buzz is getting BIG every year, and the excitement is through the roof! I understand and respect the trend. However, it is a crunch time for us to take an educated step for a brighter future.

What makes a good content marketer?

Unfortunately, many of us know that content marketing has to do, but very less distinguishes it from spamming. There is a thin line between doing marketing with your content strategy to reach out to your targeted audience AND frustrate them by showing them marketing messages repeatedly until they block you.

However, as a responsible marketer, we have several options:

• The main agenda should always help the consumers through content, not to brag with cliche messages
• Maintain a variety as well as continuity in content production - must not use the same content in a different format again n again
• Share opinions through content to receive an opinion from the readers - everything that we create as a medium to communicate with viewers should add some value to the community

If you want to network and meet some of your potential customers leveraging the power of engaging content because you are looking for sales, then content marketing is fine, but if use your content directly to drive sales, then not.

What is the best way to do content marketing?

The marketers need to understand one thing, use content not to improve your marketing game, rather use to make high-level connections - which essentially helps to plan your marketing strategy for the future.

If you are planning to use a tool for automating the content publishing process then that is cool, but for making new connections and nurture old relationships to communicate meaningfully, do not mechanize your content development process.

Please stop misusing any marketing opportunity to grow solely your business. You are doing injustice to you more than anyone else is by creating content perplexedly.

How Do Small Businesses Do SEO?

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a subset of marketing (or search engine marketing). Thus, it costs time and money. If you are short on time but have the money, hiring an agency or consultant is an option.

However, if you are short on money, use these do-it-yourself directives to improve your SEO result -

1. Do keyword research

Let's start with keyword research. You know what consumers want because you are the owner of the business. Apply that knowledge in keyword research, create a list of the possible words and phrases that consumers use to find your business online.

It also helps you to estimate the demand for your product/service that you have to target.

I am not telling you which tool you should use to do this because -

• There are many free and paid tools available online
• There are many resources also available online on how to do keyword research

All I can suggest here, any tool no matter how powerful and accurate it is, never ever can suggest better keywords for SEO than your own business brain.

2. Know your opposition

During the process of searching and finalizing keywords, watch for the top-ranked websites in the search engine results pages (SERP), for the same key phrases. Try to find answers to the questions like -

• Who they are?
• What are they doing well and poorly?
• How do they use keywords inside the website and the content they have?
• What is their USP (unique selling point/proposition)?
• How they engage with their prospects?

Studying online business reviews and ratings besides checking social media activity to learn about competition is an easy way to start.

In digital marketing most of the reviews and ratings are part of paid ads - so, the best way to rely on your own field experience and take business decisions.

After all, the people who are searching for you (your target audience) online are the people who use to take your brick-n-mortar service earlier.

3. Design your web pages

With an understanding of what customers want, and the keywords they use to find you online, build pages on your business website to adhere to those search queries.

You have competitor analysis with you, so build an individual page’s layout corresponding to that study backed by the latest trends and thought - as a customer, what I should need on a page to take conclusion affirmatively.

4. Optimize your site

The next step is to categorize the pages meaningfully and create a logical structure for a website. Depending on your variety of products and services, you should expand the website vertically as well as horizontally.

Any website today should be mobile responsive and that is a basic requirement to cater to the ever-growing number of smartphone and tablet users.

Also, make sure that the experience of those users is smooth and engaging in terms of page load time.

You simply cannot have a technically perfect website but you can minimize/remove easily fixable bugs from the site to make it overall healthier.

Again, to give your visitors a superior quality experience while they are on your page, the focus should be on simplicity.

Else, you can find a bunch of blog posts on the web about how to optimize a site; but my one recommendation to you - keep optimizing but not at the expense of degrading the user experience.

5. Produce content consistently

You do not need to be a writer or hire a seasoned writer until you can speak in your user’s language and your users can understand it easily.

Consistency is key. Quality is the main thing.

Content does fit in any form - not need to be text only. However, make it engaging enough so your business's target audience consumes it the way you want.

I do not know any secret recipe for developing content, but I can suggest you check every bit of content before you post on the web from your user’s point of view.

If you are happy with the creation, then you can expect a similar level of acceptance for whom you have developed content. It is as simple as it is.

6. Start building relationships

Link building is a major component of SEO but is ineffective now. You should focus on building business relations.

The more you give away to the web, the better you place yourself on the web.

If you built a compelling website, then users automatically not just want to share their experience with their friends - but visit repeatedly for more.

Eventually, you will start earning links ethically.

The competitive research in point no. two, above, will help you here because you already know now links from which sites give your competitors the mileage.

Accordingly, you can start interacting with those websites meaningfully.

Nevertheless, use your logic again, you know your business, you also know about your target audience, so it is easy to think where those people are like to spend their time online. That is it; chalk out a program and start following it diligently.

The result will soon follow you.

7. Shape your social media network

As part of building public relations, social media platforms are a fantastic way to listen to what others are saying and accordingly help them by providing accurate solutions.

Please do not push them, rather pull them naturally towards you at their own convenience. Connect with your customers and prospects meaningfully but not forcefully.

Give value to these professional relationships as much as you value your personal bonding. Boosts your SEO by nurturing your relationships with the unknown.

I bet if these unknowns will start giving one day happily their reviews and ratings on you and those will be priceless for your business online.

8. Understand data to derive information

In an idle world, you can optimize randomly. However, in an ideal world, you cannot what you do not quantify.

Hence, you need analytics in digital marketing to track performance, to take steps based on data analysis, to understand what is working for your business and what is not.

You can change anything mentioned above if you have data; if your data is telling you that users like more "this" than "that", and then you can do any change more confidently.

Analyze performance for your SEO program is essential too but do not over-analyze anything. Rely on your field knowledge, because data sometimes can give mixed results. That said, relying on data is a good bet nowadays.

No alternative to education: study whenever you get a chance to stay relevant and knowledgeable.

Minimize your tumbling.

Failure is inevitable, you have to face problems and your education will give you the power to encounter every challenge that you face on the way.

Ask questions: always try to start with "WHY" and not with "HOW".

If you are stuck anywhere ask questions to yourself first. You will automatically be redirected to how. How to solve this problem.

Be patient. Stay happy. Believe in your own.

No one can stop you to become a formidable SEO even though you do not have any background.

Cheers!

Why Is My SEO Not Working?

Search engine optimization (SEO) not working? Here is why -

Hey,

So you are upset by the lack of traffic to your website?

Yes, I can understand. You are putting time and money into inviting traffic but not getting results are depressing.

You are probably doing all these -

• Publishing articles
• Building links here and there
• Buying links desperately

Even you are worried about what will happen after the next Google update.

If any of these sounds familiar to you, I have something more bad news that you might be interested in -

Stop doing what you are doing right now otherwise your website continues falling. Getting tons of traffic that increases each month gradually will remain a dream for you unless you have a revised mental state.

There are no hacks, that can save you/your website from falling further as per my knowledge.

How do I fix my SEO?

Here is a solution:

There is a blueprint saved already in your mind that dictates to you until now how to do SEO to get exponential traffic. Reprogram it.

You are carrying an SEO mindset (otherwise you would have not read this post) perfectly tailored to "how Google works in 2008". It’s a failed template used every day by many like us to generate traffic for our clients or for our own.

Stop taking directions from masters or searching for SEO tips and tricks online. Spend time on correcting your mentality first.

Those who create tons of new business for their clients around the world changed either their mentality first or established an illegal connection with Google, Bing, and many more search engine teams to receive favoritism.

How can you improve your SEO?

Rather than wasting your time with SEO theory, tune your mind first and look at actual case studies of sites ranking in late 2018.

• Exactly how they seeing the keywords and consider adding them within the content
• The links they are building a scam or a pure output of an ethical public relations program
• The types of content they are developing consistently
• The approach they are taking for any form of social media interactions
• The way they slice-n-dice results in further improvement

For all these, you have to follow only one strategy - rebuild your SEO mind-map. I am giving you this incredibly valuable suggestion for free.

Why? Because I did the same mistake you are doing and I do not want you to suffer more. Actually, the quicker we all change collectively, the better everyone can leverage the power of modern SEO. After all, we are all members of the same online community.

Then you can apply what you learn to your website immediately after.

How to think about SEO?

I am seeing a lot of digital marketers (young and seasoned both) are doing enough to create a bad reputation about SEO in common mass. Which has to stop right away. And, this is my effort to do that.

If you are not ready to change from your inside, you cannot hold yourself and figure out a different way to increase your website traffic.

Make sure you have developed the right mentality before doing SEO, which is the best you can do to you, to the entire SEO community!

SEO is a very sophisticated thing. I feel pain when people around me telling me, oh! You do SEO through their dubious expression to me, my profession, and to my community.

We have no right to degrade SEO unnecessarily for our own false mindset about SEO.

See you soon!