bob johnson consulting, llc 1 writing right for the web: engaging visitors and improving search...
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 11
Writing Right for the Web:Writing Right for the Web: Engaging Visitors and Improving Search Engaging Visitors and Improving Search Engine Visibility on Traditional WebsitesEngine Visibility on Traditional Websites
University of Nebraska - LincolnUniversity of Nebraska - LincolnAugust 10, 2011August 10, 2011
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 22Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 22
Today we discuss the optimal Today we discuss the optimal presentation of content on your presentation of content on your
“traditional” website…“traditional” website…
Copywriting, basic content Copywriting, basic content presentation, and SEOpresentation, and SEO
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 33
What we are doing today… 5 stepsWhat we are doing today… 5 steps
Content… essential to scan quicklyContent… essential to scan quickly
– Examples of easy-to-scan pagesExamples of easy-to-scan pages
Writing like a direct marketerWriting like a direct marketer
Web-friendly online publicationsWeb-friendly online publications
Displaying content on the pageDisplaying content on the page
Better search engine visibilityBetter search engine visibility
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Major reason people go to your Major reason people go to your website…website…
Complete a taskComplete a task
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 55
6 key truths about the Internet…6 key truths about the Internet…
People are impatientPeople are impatient
People are impatientPeople are impatient
People are impatientPeople are impatient
People are impatientPeople are impatient
People are impatientPeople are impatient
People are impatientPeople are impatient
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 66
Major reason people go to your Major reason people go to your website…website…
Complete a taskComplete a task
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 77
The Golden Rule…The Golden Rule…
5 seconds to connect5 seconds to connect
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 88
Website is… Website is… A series of online magazinesA series of online magazines
Admissions, alumni, athletics, friends, donors…Admissions, alumni, athletics, friends, donors…Content, style, frequency will differ…Content, style, frequency will differ…
As it does for print magazinesAs it does for print magazines
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 99
Web content editor and friends…Web content editor and friends…http://www.bobjohnsonblog.com/web-content-editors/http://www.bobjohnsonblog.com/web-content-editors/
Web Content Editor
Editors for audience sections Writers for audience sections
Copy editor Reporting Correspondents
Production specialists Publication designer
Editorial advisory board
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 1010
Not a place for great literature…Not a place for great literature… Moby Dick on the webMoby Dick on the web
““Whenever I find myself Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; November in my soul; whenever I find myself whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically street, and methodically knocking people's hats off- knocking people's hats off- then, I account it high time to then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can.”get to sea as soon as I can.”
I must go to sea when: – I'm depressed or
melancholy – I stop in front of coffin
warehouses – I follow funerals – I have a powerful urge
to knock people's hats off
Continue the adventure here.
– Thanks to Kathy Henning, Communications Specialist, Seattle Pacific University
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 1111
Step 1…Step 1…Web readers are scan readersWeb readers are scan readers
If people can’t scan your pages, people won’t read your content…
Eliminate dense blocks of text…Change big paragraphs to small paragraphs,
add subheads & bullet points
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Not so engaging on this page…Not so engaging on this page…http://www.cofc.edu/about/index.phphttp://www.cofc.edu/about/index.php
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No unbroken text blocks here…No unbroken text blocks here…http://www.cofc.edu/academics/index.phphttp://www.cofc.edu/academics/index.php
Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 1313
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 1414
Too much content here…Too much content here…http://www.suny.edu/sunynews/http://www.suny.edu/sunynews/
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 1515
New, improved version… New, improved version… http://www.suny.edu/sunynews/http://www.suny.edu/sunynews/
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 1616
Easy to scan blog-style news stories…Easy to scan blog-style news stories…http://www.tamus.edu/http://www.tamus.edu/
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 1717
Easy to scan annual giving report…Easy to scan annual giving report…https://apps.carleton.edu/giving/report/2010/https://apps.carleton.edu/giving/report/2010/
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 1818
Easy to scan for brand message…Easy to scan for brand message…http://www.smith.edu/about_whyissmith.phphttp://www.smith.edu/about_whyissmith.php
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 1919
Easy to scan for top tasks…Easy to scan for top tasks…
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 2020
Web readers scan for “care” words…Web readers scan for “care” words…
Words that get attention & engage the visitor…Words that get attention & engage the visitor…Write from the viewpoint of your audience…Write from the viewpoint of your audience…What are the “Carewords” that get attention?What are the “Carewords” that get attention?
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 2121
Carewords for Exec MBA prospectsCarewords for Exec MBA prospectsUNC Kenan-Flagler Business SchoolUNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
Words people cared Words people cared about…Top 25%about…Top 25%– Advance your careerAdvance your career– Balancing work, home, Balancing work, home,
and schooland school– Career advancementCareer advancement– CostCost– Best school possibleBest school possible– Prestigious, well-Prestigious, well-
recognized degreerecognized degree
Words that didn’t rank Words that didn’t rank high…Low 25%high…Low 25%– Accessible facultyAccessible faculty– Experience of facultyExperience of faculty– Corporate sponsorshipCorporate sponsorship– Shaping leadersShaping leaders– Class diversity Class diversity
(industry or (industry or experience)experience)
– Format of programFormat of program
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 2222
Carewords shape top content…Carewords shape top content…http://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/programs/emba/index.cfmhttp://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/programs/emba/index.cfm
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Heading meets link expectations…Heading meets link expectations…http://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/programs/emba/advance/http://www.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/programs/emba/advance/
balance.cfmbalance.cfm
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 2424
Step 2…Step 2…Write like a direct marketer on your Write like a direct marketer on your
websitewebsite
Brief…Brief…Clear…Clear…
Compelling and PersuasiveCompelling and Persuasive
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 2525
Avoid old-style marketing copy…Avoid old-style marketing copy…
““Rolls-Royce has an Rolls-Royce has an obsession with quality obsession with quality appreciated by appreciated by discerning customers”discerning customers”– Rolls-Royce campaign Rolls-Royce campaign
before David Ogilvybefore David Ogilvy
Sounds like…Sounds like…– ““Committed to Committed to
academic excellence”academic excellence”
““At 60 miles an hour At 60 miles an hour the loudest noise in the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce this new Rolls-Royce comes from the comes from the electric clock”electric clock”– Rolls-Royce campaign Rolls-Royce campaign
after David Ogilvyafter David Ogilvy
Sounds like…Sounds like…– The real worldThe real world– Must be trueMust be true
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Can’t make claims like this anymore…Can’t make claims like this anymore…(Names changed to protect the guilty)(Names changed to protect the guilty)
““For more than 60 years, XYZ University has For more than 60 years, XYZ University has maintained maintained a prestigious reputation a prestigious reputation for the for the quality of its engineering program. Today, the quality of its engineering program. Today, the WXYZ University engineering degree remains WXYZ University engineering degree remains the “the “gold standard” of excellencegold standard” of excellence in engineering in engineering education. Students graduating with our degree education. Students graduating with our degree will enter the marketplace armed with skills that will enter the marketplace armed with skills that are backed by the XYZ University are backed by the XYZ University heritage of heritage of unmatched quality unmatched quality in the academic preparation in the academic preparation of engineering professionals.” of engineering professionals.”
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 2727
Direct marketing style helps people Direct marketing style helps people scan…scan…
Short sentences… 5 to 10 wordsShort sentences… 5 to 10 words
Short paragraphs… 50 words or lessShort paragraphs… 50 words or less
– One sentence paragraph is OKOne sentence paragraph is OK
Sub-heads…Sub-heads…
– Active words, not labelsActive words, not labels
– Flow from the primary page heading Flow from the primary page heading
Bullet points Bullet points
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 2828
Direct marketing style helps people Direct marketing style helps people connect…connect…
Newspaper copy words… Newspaper copy words… – ““walk”… not “ambulate”walk”… not “ambulate”
– ““confuse”… not “discombobulate”confuse”… not “discombobulate”
– ““beat around the bush”… not “prevaricate”beat around the bush”… not “prevaricate”
– ““view”… not “purview”view”… not “purview”
Personal language stylePersonal language style– ““You” and “your” are great web writing wordsYou” and “your” are great web writing words
Visible prompts to take an actionVisible prompts to take an action
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Marketing style that works…Marketing style that works…http://www.wm.edu/about/index.phphttp://www.wm.edu/about/index.php
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High visibility action steps…High visibility action steps…http://www.waldenu.edu/Tuition-and-Financial-Aid.htmhttp://www.waldenu.edu/Tuition-and-Financial-Aid.htm
Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 3030
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 3131
Repeat the call to action…Repeat the call to action…http://www.mbaregis.com/http://www.mbaregis.com/
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 3232
Words increase action…Words increase action…http://dustincurtis.com/you_should_follow_me_on_twitter.htmlhttp://dustincurtis.com/you_should_follow_me_on_twitter.html
I'm on I'm on TwitterTwitter… 4.7% … 4.7%
Follow me on Follow me on TwitterTwitter... 7.31% ... 7.31%
You should follow me You should follow me on on TwitterTwitter... 10.09% ... 10.09%
You should follow me You should follow me on Twitter on Twitter herehere... ... 12.81%12.81%
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 3333
The web is an informal place, so make things as personal as possible…
The “you” word is fine…Include a name for phone & email
contact…Use a name at the end of an auto response
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““You”-friendly transfer credit page…You”-friendly transfer credit page…http://degreecompletion.stedwards.edu/x157.xmlhttp://degreecompletion.stedwards.edu/x157.xml
Write like this…Write like this…– ““Request a transcript Request a transcript
from each college from each college you’ve attended.”you’ve attended.”
16 times…16 times…– Use of “you” or “your” Use of “you” or “your”
on this pageon this page
Abolish…Abolish…– ““The student must…” The student must…”
languagelanguage
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 3535
Step 3… Major print publications as PDFs or ublications as PDFs or
“flip tech” challenge natural law…“flip tech” challenge natural law…
If you can read the text, you can’t see the If you can read the text, you can’t see the photosphotos
If you can see the photos, you can’t read the If you can see the photos, you can’t read the texttext
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The “Big Three” mistakes…The “Big Three” mistakes…
Alumni magazines…Alumni magazines…Annual reports…Annual reports…
Admissions viewbooksAdmissions viewbooks
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 3737
The PDF format doesn’t work well…The PDF format doesn’t work well…
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 3838
An example of getting it right…An example of getting it right…http://magazine.uchicago.edu/http://magazine.uchicago.edu/
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 3939
Every university can do it…Every university can do it…http://alfredmagazine.alfred.edu/... http://magazine.biola.edu/http://alfredmagazine.alfred.edu/... http://magazine.biola.edu/
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 4040
Resist calls to “flip” technology…Resist calls to “flip” technology…http://issuu.com/umson/docs/university_of_maryland_nursinghttp://issuu.com/umson/docs/university_of_maryland_nursing
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 4141
Step 4…Step 4…Putting content on the pagePutting content on the page
Contrast…Contrast…Font type and size…Font type and size…
ScrollingScrollingLinksLinks
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 4242
Special attention to the first Special attention to the first sentence in a paragraph…sentence in a paragraph…
The first sentence can stand alone…Craft the first sentence to capture attention…
One sentence paragraph is OK…Keep paragraphs to 50 words or less
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Strong first sentence stands out…Strong first sentence stands out…http://clas.uiowa.edu/students/handbook/restarthttp://clas.uiowa.edu/students/handbook/restart
“ReStart is the academic forgiveness policy of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.”
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 4444
Black text on white still works best…Black text on white still works best…
Black text on white (or very light) background is Black text on white (or very light) background is best…best…
Avoid low contrast between text and Avoid low contrast between text and background whatever the color combinationbackground whatever the color combination
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 4545
Serif or sans serif?Serif or sans serif?
Sans serif is easier to read quickly…Sans serif is easier to read quickly…Verdana, Arial, Calibri are popular sans serif Verdana, Arial, Calibri are popular sans serif
fontsfonts
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 4646
Font size?Font size?
10 point or 12 point… Don’t make people squint10 point or 12 point… Don’t make people squintFonts are different at same sizes… (Verdana)Fonts are different at same sizes… (Verdana)
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Or let readers pick their font size…Or let readers pick their font size…http://www4.esu.edu/admissions/index.cfmhttp://www4.esu.edu/admissions/index.cfm
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Scroll or don’t scroll?Scroll or don’t scroll?http://www.useit.com/alertbox/scrolling-attention.htmlhttp://www.useit.com/alertbox/scrolling-attention.html
OK to scroll when content of continuing interest OK to scroll when content of continuing interest is unfolding…is unfolding…
When topics change, might be time for a new When topics change, might be time for a new pagepage
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Writing links that work…Writing links that work…http://bit.ly/2dxRHthttp://bit.ly/2dxRHt
Place the link at the point of action…Place the link at the point of action…– Often at the end of a paragraphOften at the end of a paragraph– Sometimes at an item within the paragraph itselfSometimes at an item within the paragraph itself
Make the link obvious… Make the link obvious… – Underline the link like thisUnderline the link like this – Use blue as the colorUse blue as the color
Make sure link expectations are metMake sure link expectations are met– A list of academic majorsA list of academic majors– Not text about the majorsNot text about the majors
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After content block, call to action link…After content block, call to action link…http://www.susqu.edu/admissions/default.asphttp://www.susqu.edu/admissions/default.asp
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Easy to scan links within a paragraph…Easy to scan links within a paragraph…http://www.usfca.edu/about/why/http://www.usfca.edu/about/why/
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 5252
Step 5…Step 5…Writing for search engine visibilityWriting for search engine visibility
The most important element is relevant The most important element is relevant content that people want to find…content that people want to find…
““Organic search”… fix your website firstOrganic search”… fix your website first
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Important Google change in 2011…Important Google change in 2011…
““Panda” raised the value of web content Panda” raised the value of web content editors everywhere…editors everywhere…
For example…For example…– “Removing low quality pages, merging or
improving the content of individual shallow pages into more useful pages, or moving low quality pages to a different domain could eventually help the rankings of your higher-quality content.” (http://bit.ly/k2uUZX)
Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 5353
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23 “high quality” questions to ask…23 “high quality” questions to ask…http://bit.ly/k2uUZXhttp://bit.ly/k2uUZX
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Especially for web editors…Especially for web editors…
“Does this article have spelling, stylistic, or factual errors?”
“Was the article edited well, or does it appear sloppy or hastily produced?”
“Does this article provide a complete or comprehensive description of the topic?”
“Are the articles short, unsubstantial, or otherwise lacking in helpful specifics?”
“Would users complain when they see pages from this site?”
Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 5555
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Key metrics for “quality” content…Key metrics for “quality” content…
SEO specialists are watching two SEO specialists are watching two measures of “quality” content…measures of “quality” content…– Time spent on website pages by individual Time spent on website pages by individual
visitorsvisitors– Number of pages visited on a siteNumber of pages visited on a site
Recommendation for high education sites:Recommendation for high education sites:– Check & compare “bounce rate” from entry Check & compare “bounce rate” from entry
page to academic program contentpage to academic program content
Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 5656
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Find the “Top Landing Pages”…Find the “Top Landing Pages”…
Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 5757
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 5858
4 simple steps to success…4 simple steps to success…
““Eternal” SEO success points:Eternal” SEO success points:– Good title tags on your pagesGood title tags on your pages– Good body copyGood body copy– Great contentGreat content– No barriers on your website to block the No barriers on your website to block the
searchsearchNo broken linksNo broken links
Links lead to the expected contentLinks lead to the expected content– Danny Sullivan, editor, SearchEngineLand.comDanny Sullivan, editor, SearchEngineLand.com
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 5959
Write for the person visiting the site, Write for the person visiting the site, not for search engines…not for search engines…
Use keyword words that real people use…Use keyword words that real people use…Add content carewords that people want to Add content carewords that people want to
readread
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Don’t “stuff” keywords…Don’t “stuff” keywords…
The page title and description, primary The page title and description, primary headline, one subhead, twice in the text…headline, one subhead, twice in the text…
More and the page won’t seem well writtenMore and the page won’t seem well written
Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 6060
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Tips for success…Tips for success…http://bit.ly/ayzqPHhttp://bit.ly/ayzqPH
Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 6161
Title tag:Title tag:– 8 to 10 words – 50 to 80 characters8 to 10 words – 50 to 80 characters– Main key word at or close to the startMain key word at or close to the start
Different title tag on every pageDifferent title tag on every page– If not, Google may think content is the sameIf not, Google may think content is the same
Meta tag:Meta tag:– Write for the person visiting the page, not for searchWrite for the person visiting the page, not for search
Primary heading (H1)… one per pagePrimary heading (H1)… one per page– Write a “carewords” headline for the visitor firstWrite a “carewords” headline for the visitor first– Then try to work in a primary keywordThen try to work in a primary keyword
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 6262
Try this to help with keywords…Try this to help with keywords…http://freekeywords.wordtracker.com/http://freekeywords.wordtracker.com/
Check these results:Check these results:– Distance LearningDistance Learning
5,6305,630– Online degreesOnline degrees
2,4712,471– Online accredited Online accredited
degreesdegrees1,4041,404
– Online college degreesOnline college degrees1,0971,097
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Results for “Online MBA degree”…Results for “Online MBA degree”…
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 6464
An “Online MBA program”…An “Online MBA program”…http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/iMBA.shtmlhttp://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/iMBA.shtml
Title tagTitle tag– ““Penn State – Online Penn State – Online
MBA degree program”MBA degree program”
Page headingPage heading– ““Penn State’s Online Penn State’s Online
MBA”MBA”
First sub-headFirst sub-head– ““The Penn State iMBA”The Penn State iMBA”
First sentenceFirst sentence– ““Penn State’s online Penn State’s online
MBA degre…”MBA degre…”
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 6565
Change headlines on press releases…Change headlines on press releases…http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4879230.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4879230.stm
Print versionPrint version
– ““Tulsa star: The life and Tulsa star: The life and
career of a much-loved career of a much-loved
1960s singer.” 1960s singer.”
Website version…Website version…
– "Obituary: Gene Pitney.“"Obituary: Gene Pitney.“
Steve Lohr, "This Boring Steve Lohr, "This Boring
Headline is Written for Headline is Written for
Google," The NY TimesGoogle," The NY Times
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 6666
Keywords with Google…Keywords with Google…http://bit.ly/dAdAD4http://bit.ly/dAdAD4
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Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC 6767
In summary…In summary…
5 second scan rule…5 second scan rule…Write in direct marketing style…Write in direct marketing style…Use words people care about…Use words people care about…
Limit PDFs and “flip” technology…Limit PDFs and “flip” technology…Write for people… search engines will find youWrite for people… search engines will find you
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The Yahoo! Style Guide…The Yahoo! Style Guide…http://styleguide.yahoo.com/writing http://styleguide.yahoo.com/writing
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Highlighting the “Carewords” path…Highlighting the “Carewords” path…http://whttp://www.gerrymcgovern.com/nt/class/web-writing.htmww.gerrymcgovern.com/nt/class/web-writing.htm
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““Writing Right” on my blog…Writing Right” on my blog…http://www.bobjohnsonblog.com/writing-right-for-the-web/http://www.bobjohnsonblog.com/writing-right-for-the-web/
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Usability test results…Usability test results…http://www.useit.com/papers/webwriting/http://www.useit.com/papers/webwriting/
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Books to keep moving forward…Books to keep moving forward…
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Thank You!Thank You!
Bob Johnson, Ph.D.Bob Johnson, Ph.D.PresidentPresident
Bob Johnson Consulting, LLCBob Johnson Consulting, LLC226 Chauncey Court226 Chauncey CourtMarshall, MI 49068Marshall, MI 49068
248.766.6425 248.766.6425 [email protected]
Customer Carewords Research for Online Marketing Success: Customer Carewords Research for Online Marketing Success:
http://www.bobjohnsonconsulting.com/customercarewords.htmlhttp://www.bobjohnsonconsulting.com/customercarewords.html