Donna M McDine, Author of A Sandy Grave
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.
Keyword Eye
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, being the guest author today at A.R. Silverberry’s blog helps market me 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: Donna McDine is a multi award-winning children’s author. Her stories, articles, and book reviews have been published in over 100 print and online publications. Her interest in ocean life resulted in writing and publishing A Sandy Grave (January 2014). Other books by McDine, Powder Monkey (May 2013), Hockey Agony (January 2013) and The Golden Pathway (August 2010). A fifth book is in the publishing pipeline with Guardian Angel Publishing. She writes and moms from her home in the historical hamlet Tappan, NY. McDine is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. Visit Donna at www.donnamcdine.com / www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com. Follow Donna on Facebook and Twitter.
