K is for Keywords

There is much info about keywords floating around on the internet. I often read about how important they are for bloggers, but sometimes the reasoning and the execution makes me chuckle a little. I figure it's worth a little chat.

Keywords, for the purpose of this discussion, are the words that internet searchers put in to find information. For example, if I wanted to look up information on eye doctors in Denver I would put the words "Denver" and "Eye Doctor" in the search bar.

This is important for bloggers or website owners because if you want someone to visit your site then marking your posts so that they will show up when people search is essential.

So how do you get keywords to show up in searches?

1. Great blog post titles. Your titles are the number one place that search engines will look for keywords. Make sure they aren't obscure but say exactly what your post is about.
2. Bolded or larger words used in your posts. Don't overuse them or the search engine bots get mad at you. But an occasional bold on important key phrases are a good way to attract the bots.
3. Labels. Now here's where the execution doesn't work so well. Those labels that you can put on your posts in order to grab an audience are often given too much importance and are used too haphazardly. Make your labels short, concise and clear. 

Here's the thing about keywords: Just because you can draw someone to your site doesn't mean you should.  

Think about who your keywords will attract. I could label this post as "Things that make me chuckle" and maybe it will draw some people who search those terms, but do you think the people who search those terms want to find this post? No, they'll move on. And they won't benefit me at all. They won't become a follower and they won't buy my books (when I have them:).

Try to picture in your mind who your readers are - who you want them to be - and use keywords and labels that will attract them. I want author bloggers who are looking for marketing advice. So, for the most part, I should focus on using labels that will attract those people. Using other terms will only confuse readers, make my label cloud too cluttered, and attract people who will only stay on my page for a few seconds.

Do you think about keywords? Do you have any thoughts to add about your experiences with them?