Article authors who use SEO (Search Engine Optimization) keywords to attract attention and falsely position themselves as experts, are like impurities in the water, clogging up the pipes. This is indeed a sorry situation. Unlike the days when the internet was young, if you want to find good information, you have to filter out the dirt first.
When you do web research using keywords, do you generally have to read anywhere from 4-7 articles on one particular topic before finding one written by an intelligent human being? SEO abuse is making it more and more difficult to locate the people with real expertise and valuable insights. It's a growing problem, to say the least. But in terms of information-gathering, how do we pick through the chaff and get to the gold?
Use Specialized Terms in Your Keyword Search
When I'm in research mode, in addition to keywords, I use specific and/or specialized terms in my web searches. This helps me scope out authors with real knowledge as opposed to the BS artist looking to make a quick buck. It works for me, and it can work for you as well.
For example, let's say you're a writer, and you want to learn the proper protocol for submitting a query letter. If you search using the words 'query letter,' know what's going to come up? A million and one hits, the majority of which will be ads, which serve no purpose if you're trying to learn something new. But if you type in 'query letter' and 'format' and 'cover page' all in the same search box, you may be able to find some really helpful information from publishing experts who know everything there is to know about query letters.
Make Sure Your Specialized Terms are Still Considered Special
It's worth noting that specialized terms often evolve into keywords as their meaning becomes widespread. Unfortunately, as the evolve in popularity, they devolve with respect to informational value.
In the old days, if I wanted to find a good article about nutrition and the immune system, I might look up 'free radical fighters'. It was something that only real nutrition specialists knew about. In today's more health-conscious world, the term 'free radical fighters' is wildly popular. Where it was once strictly textbook terminology, it's now a "buzz word," used to advertise things like shampoo. As such, it's become a 'dumbed down' term; a fancy word that's being thrown around, and as a result, you see it in lots of places where there's nothing 'specialized' at all! Consequently, if I do a web search using this keyword, it's going to take me several tries before finding detailed information that I can actually learn from.
So: how does this impact information researchers, authors, and the quality of content on the internet? The diligent web hunter should choose his web search words wisely. And the author who wants to leverage SEO with keywords, should also fortify his articles with real and valuable information- including specialized terminology. In doing so, perhaps we have a shot at keeping the internet's article content informative, relevant, and valuable to the reader.
Authors, Do Your Part for the Future of Internet Communication
Are you an author with real expertise, who's feeling 'elbowed out' by folks who use tawdry keyword manipulation tactics to attract attention on the web? Don't worry about those people, and don't give up! The dumbification of the internet does not have to be, if we don't let it happen. Just keep on writing, and do it the smart way- that will both attract visitors through search engine optimization, and provide your readers with real, valuable information they can learn from and use. Include keywords, include specialized knowledge, include it all. Get it out there, get writing, and don't lose sight of your goals!
At times, you may find yourself swept away on the intoxicating wave of high-speed communication. Seem so easy to just start hammering out any old shpiel about this or that, throw in some popular keywords, call it an article, spread your name around and convince people you're an expert. Right?
Wrong. Authors, don't get sucked in by all the hype and sensationalism on the internet. Never skimp on quality for quantity and the hope of instant fame... because if you do, you'll flare up and be snuffed out in a millisecond. It takes years to build your reputation as an expert, and rightly so. Prestige must be earned, can't be bought, and won't ever be yours if you take shortcuts. If you really want to brand yourself as an expert in your field, keeping working, keep learning and keep growing. Your success will come in due time.
If you listen to those who believe in the Laws Of Attraction as applied to internet business, they'd probably say "People with higher aspirations and creative solutions will find each other." Let's hope they're right.
Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.
Dina Giolitto is a New-Jersey based Copywriting Consultant with ten years of industry experience. Her current focus is web content and web marketing for a multitude of products and services although the bulk of her experience lies in retail for big-name companies like Toys"R"Us. Visit http://www.wordfeeder.com for rates and samples.
It is a well-known fact that a key to obtaining... Read More
***What is the Resource box?'Resource box' is an information box... Read More
When you have to share what you've created, where do... Read More
Most authors are wasting their time producing dozens to hundreds... Read More
As an article author, sometimes you can only pull so... Read More
Are you looking for a better way to promote your... Read More
Thanks to recent information that leaked by Google within their... Read More
A lot of great ideas happen when two or more... Read More
It's no secret-link exchanges are dying a painful death. And... Read More
Publicity?you're business can survive without it, but it certainly won't... Read More
Article marketing is becoming more and more popular, especially as... Read More
As you write the outline for your next article, there... Read More
What is Anchor Text Optimization?Anchor text optimization consists of the... Read More
How does a writing agency market itself effectively in a... Read More
Writing articles is one of the best ways to get... Read More
A simple technique to increase web site traffic is using... Read More
This is the "real" Money Maker in the Mail Order... Read More
Understanding the rules of correct formatting for online articles will... Read More
Here's a depressing fact if you sell anything on the... Read More
Writing can be fraught at the best of times but... Read More
It is not my intention to give you a 5... Read More
Last time on "Because your articles suck" ? we discussed... Read More
There is no doubt that Spam has affected online business... Read More
This author started with a clean website and wrote 5... Read More
Part 1 of a 2-part series To read Part 2... Read More
Are you an Article Marketer? If so, you know that... Read More
Do you know one of the most powerful marketing techniques... Read More
You've already agreed that putting some of your best articles... Read More
What's the most powerful marketing technique on the Web? Search... Read More
1. What is the single most compelling subject from your... Read More
Writing effectively on the internet is the most effective way... Read More
Who remembers the 1979 movie, The Jerk with Steve Martin?... Read More
Article distribution is currently booming on the internet. Authors do... Read More
Here's a depressing fact if you sell anything on the... Read More
Publishing content on the internet is not a hard task.... Read More
What should be in your article summary? It's otherwise known... Read More
Good technical articles are challenging to write. They're time-consuming, demanding... Read More
Not every web designer has the time ? or skills... Read More
Writing articles for publication on the Internet is, at the... Read More
There is no doubt that Spam has affected online business... Read More
By now most entrepreneurs realize that the most cost effective... Read More
I am often approached and asked, how do I write... Read More
Your publicity dreams may include being featured in Forbes, Fortune,... Read More
Most all ezine publishers need fresh content. Article writing is... Read More
Are you a reluctant marketer for your book? Do you... Read More
Find definitions from A to G! ~~~~~~~~~~~ A ~~~~~~~~~~~ About... Read More
The first twenty-five words of your article are the most... Read More
There is some wisdom in saying that when you are... Read More
Why do so many internet marketers waste their time on... Read More
Every field or discipline has its own specialized vocabulary and... Read More
Article Writing Article Writing |