Creative Spark Interview with Shae Baxter

Not sure where to start with SEO for your website?  Ask Shae Baxter!

It’s true that WordPress websites are considered one of the best content management systems when it comes to Search Engine Optimisation, a WordPress site gives you an awesome foundation to start on, particularly if you use the SEO by Yoast plugin like we do.  But the onus is still on YOU to write compelling content and copy so that Google will love your website.

I asked Shae for her take on some of the most common questions our clients ask us.

Shae, for clients who don’t want to blog, or don’t feel like they need to – what would you say to them; can your website successfully bring the traffic you want for your business if you don’t blog?

If you’re not prepared to blog, then I ask – how can you drive traffic to your website on a regular basis?

Sure there are plenty of websites that are successful without blogging but if you’re only going to have a standard 10 page static website, it doesn’t give you much opportunity to optimise for long tail keywords. You would have to drive paid advertising to it.

Besides, Google loves fresh, updated content.

If you don’t want to blog, you can do some other form of content marketing such as video or podcasts. There are plenty of benefits to blogging, not just SEO benefits, but it’s also a great opportunity to showcase your thought leadership and authority.

For those just starting to learn about using SEO, what are your 3-5 must-do action items?

• Keyword research – stop guessing and start validating. Get on the Google Keyword Planner Tool and find out how people search online. Keywords send traffic to your website and if you can optimise for keywords that aren’t competitive, it’s a much easier way to rank on Google than relying on backlinks, which is hard to get.
• Definitely create your Google Plus profile page and start sharing your content there.
• Submit your site to Google Webmaster Tools. It’s a great way to find what keywords send traffic to your website in the last 90 days, especially since Google Analytics removed the ability for us to see what keywords send traffic. It can also provide some other great data about the performance of your website too.
• And finally, make sure you internally link to your own articles and pages on your own site too (read this post for Shae’s tips on this).

Sometimes when I’m writing blog posts, I feel like I’m not being authentic, not writing naturally, as I’m conscious of using keywords and I don’t like following the “formula” of post titles like “My top 3 tips to xyz”. 

Isn’t there a risk with this that you don’t connect with your reader, or you’re lost in a sea of “Top 3…” posts? 

You should never write for search engines. You should always write with your reader first and foremost  – and that’s what Google wants you to do.

What I teach my clients is to always write your post without thinking of the search engines altogether. The optimization part of SEO should only ever come after you’ve written your post.

Then just spend 10 minutes or so reviewing your post and find opportunities to replace some generic wording with your keyword as long as it reads really natural and well.

How important is social media for SEO?  It’s really easy to spend a lot of time on social media to “grow” your business, but what are the critical points to be aware of that will actually serve your business when it comes to SEO?

SEO doesn’t work in isolation and no marketing activity should. SEO is just a delivery method, as is social media and email marketing etc. You should be using social media in conjunction with a good SEO strategy.

I really encourage everyone to get on board with Google Plus. Google is rewarding people that use the platform in the search rankings and I’ve seen plenty of evidence of this in the last few weeks.

And finally, just because I love reading, and hearing what others are reading – what’s the best book or blog you’ve read lately that’s helped your business, or your personal growth?

I’m really enjoying reading a book called Google Semantic Search: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Techniques That Get Your Company More Traffic, Increase Brand Impact and Amplify Your Online Presence, by David Amerland. It’s all about getting ranked on Google’s semantic search engine.

Leave a comment and let me know – how confident are you about playing the SEO game?

Shae has limited spaces left for her SEO Express Strategy Package, get in before 14th October if you want some focused SEO training.

Shae Baxter is a SEO coach, trainer, blogger and writer, and is the creator of Get Your Blog Read By Millions SEO Coaching Program, designed for creative women entrepreneurs. She helps creative entrepreneurs create content and blog posts that Google loves.

Shae believes that women don’t need to compromise on being authentic + original and that SEO should not get in the way of this.

Her mission is to create the best SEO + blogging training resources for women entrepreneurs on the planet and to inspire tens of thousands of women to spread their message far and wide using this powerful force that is Search Engine Optimization.

Connect with Shae at shaebaxter.com, Google+, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Instagram.