New Google Keyword Research Tool

Well, it’s not exactly new, but Google seem to have moved their new version of the Adwords Keyword Research tool out of beta. For the past few months, we’ve had the option of choosing to use the old interface instead of having to fill in that irritating Captcha form. Now though, it seems we have no choice but to get used to a brand new process of keyword analysis.

I actually Tweeted my disapproval of this only 15 minutes ago whilst trying to work out just how to display only the keywords I entered (amongst other things, this was the most pertinent). I’ve since discovered that this can be done, and even done better than before, by making use of the tick boxes down the left hand side. Maybe I should be a bit more patient.

Not only can you choose exactly which keywords you want to see information for from a huge list, but you can selectively choose related keywords, rather than ask for related terms and getting what you were given with the previous interface.

The ability to select keywords with pinpoint accuracy has certainly won me over, but it will still take some getting used to. I’m sure that Google will have evolved an already-vital tool into something those involved in SEO will find even more useful than before.

New Clients

I’ve taken on a few new clients this past month, one I think is a great idea – another, I’m very proud of gaining.

Firstly, the great idea – Rye Hill Farm is in Slaley, near Hexham, in Northumberland. They offer bed and breakfast and self catering accommodation. Very ordinary – but the best bit is, it’s on a real, working farm set deep within the beautiful Northumbrian countryside (well worth a visit). They’ve asked me to refresh their website content whilst optimising it for the following phrases:

1. bed and breakfast northumberland
2. self catering cottages northumberland
3. bed and breakfast hexham
4. bed and breakfast in northumberland
5. self catering cottage northumberland

Time will tell how effective my SEO Copywriting will be, but hopefully it will make a real difference to visitor numbers and overall enquiries.

Secondly, a blue-chip industrial handling company have asked me to assume full control of their SEO activity, requesting content optimisation, website maintenance and link building in order to enhance their already global reputation. They particularly wish to gain rankings for ‘bulk materials handling’ in order to compete with their online rivals. Stock Redler Ltd design and produce bulk materials handling solutions and have requested an altogether more powerful website which will align their online presence in search engines with their established reputation in their industry.

I’m really pleased with the work carried out so far, and with any luck their website will continue to develop as SEO work takes effect.

The Origin of QWERTY

Read an interesting article on the BBC website the other day, about the reason why we use QWERTY keyboards, instead of just setting the keys up alphabetically. Apparently, it dates back to the end of the American Civil War when global standardisation of pretty much everything was taking place. During trials to find the best typwriting machine, the frequency and combinations of letters used in the English language necessitated a QWERTY setup; when alphabetical keyboards were used, it created a higher number of key clashes, which are not as easily corrected as they are today.

Just something I, as a SEO Copywriter, found interesting, as we all use this QWERTY setup, but most of us have probably never stopped to think why!

Yet another enquiry!

I tend not to blow my own trumpet too much. But, since nobody else will blow it for me, sometimes I need to. In just the last 7 days, I’ve had 4 seperate enquiries about SEO and SEO Copywriting work. This might not seem all that impressive, but as a freelance SEO Copywriter working alone, I think it’s something to be proud of! Combine these new enquiries with repeat work and referrals from satisfied customers, and it’s no surprise that I’m so busy at the moment. Which is nice.

SEO Copywriting is a skill – honestly!

It annoys me a little when potential clients ask for a SEO Copywriting quote, only then to try to haggle or lower the cost of the job. I understand why they do it: everybody has to make a living. But recently, I’ve noticed that a lot of people involved with online/ digital services (SEO, content writing, web design/ dev, coding etc) seem to be undervalued. Whatever your skill is, be it building, painting, lion-taming, whatever – the skills you have are valuable. The whole reason people come to you is because you possess a skill which they do not. Yet so many skills involving the internet seem to be hugely undervalued. Why should we have our time and skills cheapened because they’re web-based? Clients from Hell is a great insight into the minds of clients of this ilk, and others.

Outsourcing Copywriting – Key to SEO Success

It’s official – if you want to improve your SEO, then quality content is the key. SEOMoz’s Whiteboard Friday this week focussed on how best to outsource content creation to get better SEO results. Rand Fishkin describes the methods he recommends for outsourcing content creation.

Content is extremely important for SEO and users alike, so it is vital that SEO Copywriting is used intelligently to create engaging copy for humans whilst using it to achieve higher rankings. And the more content you have, the more focused it can be, which means more rankings for a bigger variety of keywords. Of course, not everyone has time to write content on a regular basis – if this sounds familiar, why not contact me?

See the full video here: http://www.seomoz.org/blog/whiteboard-friday-outsourcing-content-creation