SEO and the Writer

Interesting site about SEO and businesses at Entrepreneur.com.  This article includes several interesting tips--or rather SEO mistakes to avoid--some I've heard before, but some I haven't.  The two most interesting are "Sin No. 3: Not using descriptive internal anchor text" and "Sin No. 7: Thinking all search traffic will go directly to your home page."  Both made me think more about what I am doing with my webpage. 

For instance, I should be making more descriptive links, for that affects searches.  It's an easy trick, and one I'll try to do more often.

Number seven made me think about what each of my individual pages are showing.  I'm still working on building my webpage, but as I do so, I need to think of what type of message is coming across.  What kind of "branding" as an author am I conveying.

Good stuff.  Well worth the read for authors with websites.

A Social Media Strategy: Outside Content

Entrepreneur magazine's Chris Brogan writes,

You don't just want to beat people over the head with your own products or services.

Rather he suggests finding

interesting information that applies to their tastes and share that, too (296). 

I feel this information is helpful for writers' social media strategies.  Twitter posts shouldn't just be about your product.  Blog posts shouldn't either.  Some of these posts should include outside information worth sharing, information your readers will enjoy.

But still, you should tie this content into your blog or brand.  For example, if you write fantasy, post fantasy links or tidbits or fantasy book reviews.  This way, it doesn't feel off-topic or send a confusing message concerning what you are about.  This way you are providing content your readers will like without beating them over the head with just your own works.

Cites: Brogan, Chris. "You Are a Media Company." Entrepreneur Nov. 2011: 292-297. Nook Edition.