SEO copywriting has enabled me to think like
a search engine, even when it’s inappropriate.
Just the other day my shopping buddy showed me a new product and I asked,
“What does it rank?” Her response was beyond puzzlement.
While treading the legal definition of sanity when I speak, thanks to SEO copywriting, at least I have never been accused of lacking passion for my work.
Yet sometimes I miss the days when a word was just a word, based on its own merit – sans thoughts of SEO copywriting and what Google, Yahoo or some other search engine needs to be fed.
Why SEO Copywriting is Difficult
Vocabulary is used as inaccurate judge of a person’s intelligence, but nonetheless is an impression to be dealt with. Unfortunately, when it comes to optimal SEO copywriting and the choice of keywords, we may have to dumb down our writing a bit.
Is our audience illiterate or just plain lazy? No, but sometimes it looks that way when top keyword searches are analyzed. Perhaps, it is a result of low expectations in search engine results.
Whatever the case, I am not passing judgment. The point is that keywords used in SEO copywriting may not represent normal conversation. At the very least, it is easy to wrongly assume successful keyword terms in SEO copywriting. One person may think “budget”, another “inexpensive” and yet another “cheap” searching for the same concept.
Dumbing Down an Article
For instance, in my article on “cheap laptops” I elected to use the keyword “cheap” rather than “inexpensive,” several times of course for best SEO copywriting results.
This is an example of the dumbing down of language that is sometimes necessary in effective SEO copywriting.
There was a time when I would have frowned, no cringed, at the word “cheap.” Am I a recovered vocabulary snob? Not really, no more than anyone else. Okay, perhaps just a little bit but I come by it honestly.
Before SEO copywriting, parents, schools and books made some impression on educated speech – certainly many others feel this way too.
The scary part is that things have changed. I comfortably employed the word “cheap” in my SEO copywriting without much hesitation. So, former snob or not, I have crossed over into the SEO copywriting zone and only occasionally look back.
Why I Chose Cheap
As I received an inquiry as to my choice of the word “cheap,” and a suggestion to use the word “inexpensive,” I thought it might not be clear why the choice was made. Moreover, how the properly chosen synonym can improve SEO copywriting results, or page views, drastically.
I cheapened the language in the article for SEO copywriting purpose based on the following figures:
“Cheap laptop” receives over 100,000 searches monthly with several thousand more on keyword variations such as “cheap new laptop” and “cheap used laptop.”
“Inexpensive laptop” receives about 1000 searches monthly with only hundreds more for keyword variations.
Undoubtedly these numbers require little elaboration as to how this translates into more page views from SEO copywriting.
All I Need Is a Keyword Suggestion Tool? Wrong.
When employing SEO copywriting tactics here are some tips to keep in mind:
–Try a variety of synonyms to help you find the right keyword, use multiple thesauruses as needed. (Sources listed below.)
–The most searched keywords are not always the best. Keep competition in mind and how well the site you’re writing for ranks in search engines.
–You may find better results from alternating more popular keywords with less popular ones.
–Think long term and think of your audience. When SEO copywriting, if you find a particular keyword phrase substantially degrades an article, or alters the information, think twice about using it. A “cheap” laptop has a different connotation than a cheap house, cheap diamond or cheap clothes.
Related SEO Copywriting Resources
Reference.com offers many synonyms.
Merriam Webster provides closely related words.
Yourdictionary.com offers a massive collection of word resources. Try the home
page or go straight to the specialty dictionaries if you’re stuck for ideas.
Keyword Suggestion Tools: Several SEO copywriting resources exist but here are
a few starting points:
DigitalPoint.com (Wordtracker and Overture)
Google AdWords Keyword Tool (keyword suggestions and relative usage)
SEO Book Keyword Suggestion Tool (good for rough estimates and keyword
suggestions)
The most exact keyword tools useful in SEO copywriting tend to be somewhat costly commercial products but these free resources make a good reference point.
