Wednesday, October 1, 2014

The Importance of Keywords in Your Marketing Toolbox


I'm delighted to participate in the Insecure Writer's Support Group blog hop and IWSG anthology. The topic is for marketing and I grant permission to Alex Cavanaugh for use in the anthology...


The Importance of Keywords in Your Marketing Toolbox

by Donna M. McDine

Keywords… What’s this you may be asking? Keywords are what people type into search engines (i.e., Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.) when researching a particular topic or product (i.e., Best Jersey Shore vacation spots; cheap airfare; NYC wedding planners, children’s historical fiction books, etc.). The more a keyword is searched the more attraction it has. The list is endless. But, what does this have to do with me as a writer? Absolutely EVERYTHING!

It is imperative your website and blog have strong keywords in titles, text, and in the meta data. Lets break it down a bit further…

Titles - at least one keyword should be included in the title connecting to the content of the article. If your article is about the importance of press releases the title should be something like… “Don’t Give Up On Press Releases.”

Text – whether it’s the description of your website or an article, keywords need to be mentioned throughout. Of course, repetitive keyword mention that does not include true value to the description or article is a waste of time.  

Meta Data – this is html jargon for the backend of your website. Within the html code page description (Independent Book Store Listings) and keywords (i.e., sci-fi author, children’s author, how to write a press release.) of the particular page are listed. The meta data is used by browsers search engines (keywords), or other web services to show results when someone conducts a search.


How to Search for Keywords - A search of keywords is important to setting up the right combination for you. My go to keyword search site is www.keywordeye.com (NOTE: I do not guarantee your success by utilizing this service, this is a FREE/PAID service that I use for my personal needs). Once you create an account the steps are self-explanatory and I’ve included a snapshot of a recent search for “children’s books” with the results of the different keyword combinations.


The above goes well beyond your website and blog, when writing articles for magazines or guest blogger posts, keywords should be at the forefront of your writing. Of course, your byline helps in getting your name out there further, which is extremely helpful if someone searches your name. To show how important it is to get your name out there and keywords associated with you, I’ve included snapshots of “Rockland County Children’s Authors” and “Whale Poachers Children’s Book.”

Keyword Search: Rockland County Children’s Authors


Search results: I’m listed in 3 of the 5 top searches. Not bad.


Keyword Search: whale poachers children’s book


Search results: My latest children’s book, A Sandy Grave is listed in the top 5 searches. How cool is that!

These results have taken me years to establish and I continue to do so on an ongoing basis. For example, when you guest author at a colleague’s blog it market you further. The more material published about you, by you and connected with keywords will help rise you to a top level in the search engines.   

Good luck to you as you write informative content with essential keywords!

Bio: Multi award-winning children's author, Donna McDine, ignites curiosity in children through reading. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Best wishes,
Donna M. McDine
Multi Award-winning Children's Author

Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!

Connect with

A Sandy Grave ~ January 2014 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ 2014 Purple Dragonfly 1st Place Picture Books 6+, Story Monster Approved, Beach Book Festival Honorable Mention 2014, Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Powder Monkey ~ May 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved and Reader's Favorite Five Star Review

Hockey Agony ~ January 2013 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc. ~ Story Monster Approved and Reader's Farvorite Five Star Review

The Golden Pathway ~ August 2010 ~ Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
~ Literary Classics Silver Award and Seal of Approval, Readers Favorite 2012 International Book Awards Honorable Mention and Dan Poynter's Global e-Book Awards Finalist

30 comments:

  1. Welcome to the IWSG! It's great to have you here. Sound advice. I remember learning about meta tags and went crazy with them for awhile. Kinda killed the purpose. hehehe

    Take care!!

    Elsie
    co-host IWSG

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Elsie, thanks for dropping by and commenting. Glad you like my post. Thanks for co-hosting IWSG.

      Best,
      Donna

      Delete
  2. Welcome to the IWSG!
    Thanks for listing that keyword site. I used tags and keywords when I write, but I didn't know about that site.
    Thanks for contributing to the book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Alex,

      Delighted you stopped by and commented. Glad my article is of use in the anthology and you found it helpful!

      Best,
      Donna

      Delete
  3. Hi Donna,

    Welcome to IWSG! This is a GREAT article. Definitely bookmarking it for future reference!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Quanie,

      Thanks for the warm welcome! Glad you found my article helpful.

      Best,
      Donna

      Delete
  4. What great advice. I know I don't use keywords effectively enough. Thanks for reminding me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Diane,

      Thanks for visiting and commenting. Glad you find the article helpful!

      Best,
      Donna

      Delete
  5. Thanks for reminding me about this keyword site. I signed up a long time ago, but haven't used it. Now I'm fired up to try it out again. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi J Q,

      Glad I gave you the good old virtual slap to use keywords. Good luck!

      Best,
      Donna

      Delete
  6. Very informative post--thanks so much! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lara,

      Glad you like my post and that you find it helpful.

      Best,
      Donna

      Delete
  7. I am so glad someone posted on this. For so many authors it's an after thought. Great post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mina,

      Delighted you find my post/article helpful! Thanks for visiting!

      Best,
      Donna

      Delete
  8. I always want to learn more about keywords and how to use them. Thanks for the explanation. I took some notes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Susan,

      I aim to please. Glad you found my article helpful. Good luck!

      Best,
      Donna

      Delete
  9. Very nice contribution. I haven't been concentrating on keywords, but now I will. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sher,

      Glad my article has provided you motivation to begin using keywords. Good luck!

      Best,
      Donna

      Delete
  10. This is another area I seem to know little about! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us, it will be a useful addition to the anthology.

    Great to visit and meet you as co-host of IWSG this month.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Suzanne,

      Thanks for co-hosing IWSG this month! Glad you find my article worthy for the anthology!

      Best,
      Donna

      Delete
  11. Hi Donna. I think you are one of those giants that I mentioned in my comment reply on my blog!. This is great information, and something I know nothing about. Thank you! Thank you! I'm a recently retired elementary teacher, and I'm wondering if you have gone to any of the International Reading Association regional conferences? They often include seminars and talks by children's authors. I know our Colorado Council of the IRA (CCIRA) is welcoming to authors who present. But, of course, if you are not an invited author, it's at your own expense. My sister and I presented her books for several years. And the conference bookstores will often display your books for a cut, even if you are not a featured author. Good luck on you journey, Donna!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Fundy,

      I am humbled by your lovely and heartwarming comment. No I have not spoken at the International Reading Associations, but I spoke to the Westchester Reading Council Chapter several years ago and will be at the 19th Annual Rockland Literacy Extravaganza hosted by St. Thomas Aquinas College, Rockland Reading Council and the rtc Institute. Thanks for the valuable information!

      Best,
      Donna

      Delete
  12. I'm so glad to meet you via the IWSG! It's great how you're on the top of so many lists by utilizing specific keywords. Thanks for the wonderful tips, as well as your words of encouragement on my blog. Looking forward to following you, Donna!

    Julie

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    Replies
    1. Hi Julie,

      I'm over the moon that I've joined IWSG. Everyone has been so welcoming and I'm enjoying meeting so many talented and giving people! Your heartwarming note has made my day! Thanks for following me!

      Best,
      Donna

      Delete
  13. This is helpful. I am so clueless on the 'online savvy' things I am supposed to know. And thanks for the follow! I look forward to getting to know you!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Hart,

      I'm over the moon you found my article helpful! Baby steps is all it takes! I look forward to staying connected and getting to know you too!

      Best,
      Donna

      Delete
  14. Hi Donna! Welcome to the IWSG! This is such a great group to be a part of, and I know you will love it! I think the thing I love the most about the IWSG is getting to know so many talented writers. It's great to discover new friends. :) With that said, it's so nice to "meet you"—I'm your newest follower! :) Sorry it took me so long to visit you back.

    I love your post on keyword searches. I'm not usually the most tech savvy, so any info to help me navigate is awesome. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

    ~Kristin Smith
    IWSG co-host
    http://swordsandstilettos.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Kristin,

      Thanks for stopping by and please no need for apologies. Life is hectic. I'm glad we have connected through IWSG and that you've found my article helpful! Thanks for the follow. I'm hoping on over to your blog now.

      Best,
      Donna

      Delete
  15. Wow, what a great article! Really helpful information. Thanks for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Sharon,

      Glad you found my article helpful!

      Warmly,
      Donna

      Delete

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