What should I write about next?
March 24, 2009
Have you ever sat at your PC, staring at your web site and wondering what your next article should be about? You know that it's important to have fresh content, because fresh content means more chances to rank for long tail keywords and earn more money from your site. But what do you write about next?
Here's an idea: ask your visitors.
Now, I don't mean putting a survey on your site to find out what your visitors want to read about (though that's not a bad idea, come to think of it). What I'm talking about is using your web stats to discover what people are interested in reading about.
Now, most of the time folks will find your site via the search engines using queries that you've optimized your site for — but not always. I'll use an example site of mine to help you visualize what I mean.
I have a site that's got about a dozen articles on it, all related to stereo headphones. Naturally, I get a lot of search traffic for the phrases like "stereo headphones" or "best stereo headphones", keywords that I've optimized the site for.
However, I just took a look at the search queries people found the site with (using AWStats, my stats program). Here's part of the list:
- best sealed headphones
- sterio hadphones
- stereo headphones wireless
- wireless headphone devices
- what stereo headphones have the best speakers
- headphones top product
- best wireless headphone
- difference between cordless and wireless
- best headphones for all music types
- bose double prong
- the best headphones bluetooth
- headphones
- did ever invent wireless headphones
- stereo headphone in popular
- best headphones to get
- wireless headphone
- wireless stereo head phones
- what is difference between stereo earphones
- the best headphone
- advantages of playing music through headphones
- best headphones top
- how to look for the best headphones
- auscultadores sem fios bose
- best stereo earphones for my ipod
- headphonedevices
- broken bose headphones
- best headphone bluetooth
- wireless headphones comfortable
- cordles stereo headphones
- getter earphone
- best wireless headphones
- best wireless headphones music stereo
- best headphone to get
- advantage of wireless headphones
- best true stereo headphones
- what ia the best headphones
- stero headphones
- wirless music headphones
- best home stereo headphones
- best wireless stereo headphones
There are all kinds of keywords in there that my site is not well optimized for, but is apparently landing in the rankings for. That list is golden, because it means that Google already favors my site to some degree for all of those keywords.
So here's what you do with that list:
- Analyze those keywords to see which ones are profitable.
That means running the keywords through Google's Keywords Tool to see if they get any traffic at all.
Once I find the keywords that get a decent amount of traffic, I run them through WebComp Analyst to see how many links I'd need to aim at a page to get it to rank for those keywords. Keep in mind, though, that if your site is already being found for the terms, your chances of ranking even better for the keywords is probably pretty good.
When I say "a decent amount of traffic", I don't mean thousands of queries a month — a few hundred is fine, or even a few dozen if it's a super-targeted keyword phrase. The more targeted the keywords, the higher the AdSense click values usually are, and the more likely to convert into a customer the visitor is if you're promoting affiliate products.
Remember, too, to check and make sure that the keywords have strong commercial intent.
- Select the keywords that have the most potential and write about those topics.
Whether you do this one at a time, or have content created around all of the best keywords at once is up to you. Just remember: somebody already found your site for the keywords, and Google says there are other folks looking for the same thing. So the sooner you can get that content up, the sooner you can start profiting from it.
- Get links to the new content using the keywords as the anchor text.
I use 1WayLinks.net to get a few dozen (or hundred, as the need may be) links to my new content pages. Be sure to vary the anchor text some — you don't want the same anchor text for every link or that will throw up a red flag at Google.
For instance, if I put up a new page at my stereo headphones site for "best stereo earphones for my ipod" (that's in the above list), I would vary the anchor text between "best stereo earphones for my ipod" and perhaps "best earphones for my ipod" and "best stereo earphones to use with my ipod." Three or four variations is usually plenty. (1WayLinks has built-in spinning capabilities that makes this easy to do.)
- Rinse and repeat.
Once your new content is up and starts to get ranked, you'll find your site ranking for even more keywords that you weren't targeting. Guess what that means? That's right: more opportunities to create new content!
You'll find that even a niche site can grow very quickly if you take the time to examine your stats a few times a month and act on what you see. You'll probably get so many content ideas in there that you can't keep up with them all!
So the next time you find yourself staring blankly at your web site and wondering what to write about, remember to check your stats.
Please leave your thoughts and questions in a comment below.
Comments
60 Responses to “What should I write about next?”
-
Jonathan Leger has been earning his living online full-time since the fall of 2004. He regularly posts advice about search engine optimization (his current passion), AdSense and Internet Marketing. He is the creator of a suite of popular software tools, including: Jonathan L Leger 
-
-
I also look at the most published and most veiwed articles in my niche at ezinearticles. Easy way to find some fresh ideas
I don't have a problem writing the articles as much as I do uploading the darn things to the articles directory
That always seems so tedious and boring. Like drying the dishes after their washed.
Jon, you are spot on! In fact, I got a full report on one of my sites (compliments of my web host) and discovered over 20,000 long tail searches in the past three months. My mouth fell open, and I fell into a state of shock. Never again will I complain about not having anything to write about!
Jonathan,
That is a brilliant idea. It also shows what readers are interested in. The cool thing is that if you have a search term that your site gets traffic from and it is on page #2 in Google, you can certainly get magnitudes more traffic if it is one page #1.
Another great strategy buddy. I'm addicted to your blog!
Rusty
Very easy to come up with content if you rewrite, redo, or repurpose it. Have you heard about Instant Article Wizard?
I get brain block all of the time. Thanks for shedding some light on writers block and how to logically overcome it. The info on commercial intent was interesting, never even knew about that.
Now I need to get off my butt and start writing. Thanks again for a great article!
This is a great idea.
Is there some shortcut to finding which items that have commercial intent actually pay a decent return? That put the icing on the cake for this method.
Jon, just admit it… you are coming out with a new product!!
I mean really, I can see how all this can form a brand-new product that compliments your current products. And it will save TONS of time on research, etc.
I love your stuff, my man. Keep it coming!
Great ideas Jonathan! I use all these tools but not that way so thank you. You could also probably search Digg and other high traffic social sites to find out where the buzz is at in your niche and do the same process.
Stats are great for research and thats a brilliant spin on it. It's amazing what search terms people land on your for. Nice post. I will add it to my arsenal.
Thanks
You can also use http://hittail.com (you can track 5 websites/blgos for free) and after you get some stats back, check the "Suggestions" tab, to see what you SHOULD write about. Works really well.
I saw "fix bad credit" mentioning searching the most viewed articles on ezinearticles. But how can you do that? Because I would be interested in knowing how to do that.
These are some very good ideas and definitely ones that I had not thought of before. Will give me something to work on as I see that blank screen a lot.
Jonathan Leger really know his stuff for search engines. Jonathan almost intoxicating!.
That's great advice. Thanks for posting it.
By far the best info I've gotten from you. I'm going to try this because lately it seems all of my moves have been not helping. Thanks again for sharing. You do good things for us.
Geez, I never even thought about keyword research for finding hot article content. Thanks for this valuable post.
Thanks Jon for this great tips! It's simple yet powerful!
Hello Jon thank you very much for your Information!
Thanks Jon. This will come in handy big time. Great post!
There is a really great tool called Hittail that does most of the heavy lifting for you and is built based on the long tail theory…. they analyze the keywords used to find your site and then apply their own algorithm that automatically checks competition, if people are searching for the word and whether the word is valuable to target for your site.
check out www.hittail.com (no aff link)
I am a big user on all my sites and once you get these keywords, you simply write content and building links using Jonathan's tools (I use 1WL). They have a free version and a paid version…check them out.
I really appreciate all the hints and good tips that you have been sending me. Thanks.
Cool, I never thought of that before. I will have to watch my stats once I get some, just getting going on my site. Good idea for content ideas.
Hi Jonathan readers posters keyword search fans for n'wide … excellent references to what everyone who wants to succeed online needs to be delving in to anyways … I really like the comments to … Jonathan you are making big changes to ease the lives of online marketers with a few clicks …. by following you is getting closer to my thoughts to how it was going to be online by just doing a few educated clicks with the right kinda software making bigger bucks from my ever dwindling dollar thanks mate
All my best to you and your tools
Phillip Skinner
Good post! Thanks for the information… really inspiring…
Jon,
This is something we found by accident ourselves when looking at some of our own AWStats a few weeks ago.
We have some sites that have never ranked for the intended primary target phrase, which in itself is odd given that those terms were specificaly selected because they have reasonable search volumn and low competition, but which are getting traffic on a wide variety of terms - over 200 totally unplanned ones in some cases.
So, I'm glad you echo what we discovered - it proves we're on the right track.
I did this exactly as you described a few years ago on a few keyword phrases that I thought were small and insignificant, but kept popping up in my stats. I've been getting steady traffic from those articles for years.
Rufina James
Very useful advice, Jon.
I just recently changed my site and optimized it using a very similar strategy. IMO, Commercial Intent is drastically overlooked by probably 99% of marketers.
Also, many don't realise that you can earn more by using targetted keywords, even though they produce less traffic.
Wow why i didn't think before. I will follow your great tips Jon.
Great ideas to follow . I was not sure how to continue after my web sites are alive and kicking . Now I have a hint !
The 1waylinks service is a familiar format: network of member created blogs for sharing content. But unless I overlooked them, items not addressed on the sales page:
Is the service seeded with at least a few higher PR blogs?
How duplicate content is countered.? (not that syndication is worthless but if it's just a straight post…)
thank jon…
this is a good lesson….i will try it to create more unique article for all of my blogs
Yes, it all comes back to knowing what your prospects are looking for. Don't try to write content for everyone, instead focus specifically on what your prospects want. Looking at your AWStats is a great way to find out. Good stuff Jonathan!
Hi Jon,
Another well put together and methodical approach to discovering keyword phrase and anchor text opportunities to help move a site's ranking up for phrases it's already been found for.
Great work again! Or, as always.
Jeff
Hi Jon
Very helpful tips. I often do as you say here, just sit and stare at my computer screen with no idea of what to write about. In future when I am stuck I will be following your advice.
Michelle Jayes
I like your thought about checking your logs. I get inspired by commenting on other peoples blogs also.
Allen
Putting fresh content on your site or blog is probably the biggest stumbling block for most people. When looking at my stats in cpanel I am constantly amazed at what people do actually search for and end up at my site. The phrases searched for would never have crossed my mind ao looking at the search phrases that get people to your site are sometimes completely left field from what you thought they would be. Again Jon hits the nail on the head.
Good work Jon keep it coming.
Thanks for this useful post. I know that I can always rely on your for ideas to improve my SEO, marketing and article writing.
Keep up the good work !!!
I like your suggestion about finding the keywords that get traffic. Then rise and repeat and rinse and repeat.
Always useful and informative posts here. Thanks for these great ideas
What a great idea! That is an excellent way to find out what people want to see, and you went in to great detail showing how to further optimize those pages. You're a genius!
Great article, Jon!
Very good ideas and insights.
Thanks for sharing this.
Another great tip. So simple too. Keep 'em comming.
Using analytics to discover what your readers want to read is a great strategy. It is also a way to get those people searching for products that you talk about to click your affiliate links and make you money.
Thanks for the great advice! It is all about giving users what they want and what they are looking for. So many websites out there have self-centered content which was written for the site owners instead of visitors. No one cares to read that garbage. So many web owners start out thinking about what they want their readers to read, instead what their readers WANT to read. Your advice reverses that.
I've heard this technique being used in the past.
looks like you have tweaked it a bit to zero in on better keyword results to increase more traffic.
wow, very informative. one of the best SEO advice ive read in months.
I think this is good idea. I have been faced with such a situation on several occasions in the past. Not knowing what to write on next is the worst kind of situation.
Thanks! i think it is all about customer satisfaction. It is all that what a customer want are we giving the right thing to him and he is satisfied or not.
Cool, I just recently figured this out myself, although I do not have much use for it yet since my keywords are still scattered all over the place, maybe in 6 months or so, who knows.
I looked into 1waylinks.net as you suggested, but have been unable to figure out what it is or how it works. I'm not ready to buy it, as I am still not quite sure exactly what it is or how it works.
Do you have any more information about this site? I am quite curious, but would like more information before making an up or down decision.
Very true- varying the anchor text is essential in order for the filters not to penalize us.
The other thing that I do when I don't know what to write about is look at the search plugin in my Wordpress blog to find out what people have searched for on my blog and not found the answer to. That usually inspires me.
Thanks again for another inspirational post =)
Eren
i don't really know thats a hard one actually i have one how about writing on how people are able to make money on the internet to the point where no longer have to work a traditional job anymore
Jon how about the basic process overview for taking a website to the first page of Google in a non-competitive market.
I love looking at stats but I always have to remind myself to make a couple of notes about keywords and then get back to building and linking.
Rick
Since finding your site i have started to read many of your articles and are finding more and more that are providing me an excellent insight in to tools and things that i had never known before.
Many thanks for providing your advice to the rest of us!
I learn a lot from you about google linking and SEO, thanks for this article.
Great advice. I also try to use the alternate keywords Google lists at the bottom of search results related to my keywords. You still have to do some research on them of course, but it works.
Hi there jonathan!
That's actually a pretty neat advise right there! will definitely give it a go.
Btw, how effective is using google analytics a a resource tool for these keywords instead?
Thanks!
-YanKirby
Bloggers would always have this "what should i write about next?" problems. Thanks for the tips, those tips are definitely helpful for bloggers