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. 

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

Ignite curiosity in your child through reading!

Connect with Donna McDine on Google+

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