Do you know what today is? If you answered International SEO Day, then you're correct! On this day, digital marketers, web developers, and businesses worldwide recognize the power of SEO and its impact on the digital age. And on September 27, 1998, the Google search engine was launched.
According to Wikipedia, "Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving the quality and quantity of website traffic to a website or web page from search engines. SEO targets unpaid traffic (known as natural or organic results) rather than direct traffic or paid traffic. Unpaid traffic may originate from different kinds of searches, including image search, video search, academic search, news search, and industry-specific vertical search engines. As an Internet marketing strategy, SEO considers how search engines work, the computer-programmed algorithms that dictate search engine behavior, what people search for, the actual search terms or keywords typed into search engines, and which search engines are preferred by their targeted audience. SEO is performed because a website will receive more visitors from a search engine when websites rank higher on the search engine results page (SERP). These visitors can then potentially be converted into customers."
To recognize the importance of SEO, I recently had a discussion with Lisa Sicard who's based in Maine, who I met on Twitter/X. Highlights follow a brief introduction. Lisa has over 25 years of experience and loves helping others with social media, blogging, and content marketing. She specializes in helping small businesses and bloggers to thrive and succeed online. She wrote a book, How to Tweet and Thrive on Twitter in 2020; and her blog was nominated as One of the Best Internet Marketing Blogs by Infinity Blog Awards in 2019, and also one of the Best Top Marketing Blogs in 2015 and 2016 by Fit Small Business.
QUESTION: Since you've been blogging for over a decade, what are your three best blogging tips?
LISA SICARD: Here are my three tips:
(1) Mastering SEO can make or break your blog. Start with thorough keyword and topic research before you write. This ensures that you're creating content people actually search for.
(2) Many bloggers miss out on the power of internal linking. Make sure to link your posts to each other. This not only helps with SEO, but it also keeps readers on your site longer.
(3) Lastly, your blog isn't a "set it and forget it" project. Update your posts every six months with fresh stats and new info. This keeps your content relevant and boosts your SEO rankings. Keep these tips in mind, and your blog will thrive.
SHARE THIS: Your blog isn't a "set it and forget it" project. ~@lisapatb #SEOtip #DebbieLaskeysBlog
QUESTION: In the words of Brian Clark, CEO of Copyblogger Media and founder of Copyblogger.com, “Don’t focus on having a great blog. Focus on producing a blog that's great for your readers.” What does this quote mean to you?
LISA SICARD: Based on my blogging experience, the key to a successful blog is simple: put your readers first. Instead of aiming to create content that just looks or sounds great, focus on solving your readers' problems. Understand what they need and tailor your posts to address those needs.
For instance, if your readers struggle with gaining followers on Twitter/X, provide them with practical, step-by-step guides that help them. If your audience seeks career advice, offer actionable tips that they can apply right away. The goal is to make your blog a "go-to" resource for them.
In my years of blogging, I've learned that when you prioritize your readers' needs, they keep coming back. They share your content, they engage more, and they trust you. This trust turns into a loyal following, which is far more valuable than just having a "great" blog.
Keep it simple, keep it relevant, and always think about how you can make your readers' lives easier or better. That's the real secret to a great blog.
QUESTION: What’s your favorite social media platform, and why?
LISA SICARD: Twitter/X is, and always has been, my favorite social media platform. I love the brevity of it, though longer tweets are more engaging today and help the algorithm. I've met more people on Twitter/X than on any other platform, and Twitter/X has generated more traffic to Inspire To Thrive (my website) than any other platform. With 12 years of blogging experience and 15 years on Twitter/X, I find it indispensable for connecting with others and driving traffic.
QUESTION: As a social media strategist, how do you convince senior leaders to integrate social media into an overall marketing plan to create consistent messaging?
LISA SICARD: To convince senior leaders to integrate social media into an overall marketing plan, start by showing them concrete examples and stats. Numbers don't lie, and seeing real-world success can be a game-changer. Know your company's audience before recommending a specific platform because each platform has a different user base. It's crucial to align the choice with where the target audience hangs out.
Once you've chosen the right platform, run tests and closely monitor the results. Use data to show what's working and what isn't. Always be ready to make adjustments based on these insights. Social media trends change fast, and your strategy should be flexible. You will need to keep up with the latest network changes.
Lastly, it's all about repetition. Test, monitor results, pivot, and repeat. This cycle will maximize your reach and engagement. I've seen firsthand how powerful this approach can be. Consistent messaging across social platforms isn't just possible; it’s essential for modern marketing success.
QUESTION: Many people remember the famous OREO Tweet during the 2013 Super Bowl. With that in mind, what's your favorite social media marketing campaign?
LISA SICARD: The Dove Soap Beauty Campaign for Real Beauty is a worldwide marketing campaign launched by Unilever in 2004 aiming to build self confidence in women and young children. It made everyone seem so real.
My gratitude to Lisa for appearing on my blog, and for sharing her digital marketing insights.
Image Credit: WordSwag.
Learn more about International SEO Day:
https://www.thereisadayforthat.com/holidays/various/international-sEO-day
Connect with Lisa at these links:
Website: https://inspiretothrive.com
Blog: https://inspiretothrive.com/blog
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisasicard
Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/Lisapatb
Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/InspireToThrive
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