Easy SEO Techniques for Online Article Writers

Yes, here I go mentioning SEO again -- that magic three-letter abbreviation we hear often. Easy SEO techniques can help online article writers significantly. If you haven't heard of SEO or if you haven't heeded the advice, as an online article writer, you likely are losing out big time. A large portion of Internet traffic comes via search engines, namely Google. If you expect search engines to find your content and deliver it in search results, you need to talk their language -- SEO. Because we're talking simple, this is not a complete SEO guide. But here are some easy SEO techniques you can incorporate right away to help increase traffic.

Easy SEO Techniques for Online Article Writers: Keyphrases in Key Areas
One of the main aspects of SEO is placement of keyphrases. Keyphrases of an article should be something people would search for to find info provided in the article. Keyphrases for this article include 'easy SEO techniques' and 'online article writers.' Keyphrases should generally be included once in the title, once in the first couple sentences, once more in the first paragraph if it's longer, and then once or twice every following paragraph (depending on length). If your article uses subheadings, placing keyphrases within those adds to this easy SEO technique.

Wait, before we move on, does this seem to go against what you'd consider good writing (especially you long-time writers) to repeat certain phrases so often? Understandable. If you are writing purely for self-satisfaction, forget these easy SEO techniques. But if you want to make money as an online article writer, SEO is a must.

Easy SEO Techniques for Online Article Writers: Focus, Focus, Focus
Focusing clearly on the subject at hand is a very easy SEO technique. Not only should online article writers focus in on the subject without rambling, but one specific aspect of that topic. For instance, the subject of this article is 'techniques for online article writers.' For focus, it was narrowed down to 'SEO techniques,' and more specifically, 'easy' SEO techniques.

A good way to narrow your focus is to search your topic on the site you're writing for, as well as Google, to see what already exists. Go for an angle that focuses on something useful or interesting, but focus on an aspect either not covered enough or not covered in the manner you intend on covering it. When I Googled on this topic, I found many SEO articles, but none that were as specific or as simple to understand as I'm hoping this is.

Easy SEO Techniques for Online Article Writers: Remove Modifiers and Fluff
Ever tried to read an article where the use of words such as "and, at, that, to," etc. is excessive? Not only is this bad for readability, but it takes up space and lowers the instance of keyphrases. Of course you need these words in some areas, but remove them where possible. Like the words above, being too descriptive or using too much storytelling in online article writing can take from the SEO. Creativity is good, but don't be excessive. This easy SEO technique is useful when writing the article, as well as during proofreading.

Easy SEO Techniques for Online Article Writers: Latentic Semantic Indexing (LSI)
Latentic Semantic Indexing (LSI) is an SEO technique that can easily be implemented with others. It shouldn't be the only method used, but when used in conjunction with the techniques above (and more as you learn), it's a great technique. Keeping in line with the 'easy' SEO techniques theme, here's a simple way to remember LSI. It's basically words related to your keyphrases and topic.

To find related words, simply type into a Google search the keywords from your keyphrases one at a time with a tilde mark (or ~) in front of them. That will give you results with some related terms. You also can use keyword tools, such as the Google AdWords Tool. Once you have all your related terms, sprinkle those throughout your content. These do not need to be used as often as your main keywords. Ignore the ones that actually are not related and do not make sense within your content. You still need to make sense and provide something functional to your readers.

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