7 Ways to Boost Your Social Media Conversion Rate

March 26, 2023 by cryan.com

According to Statista, the number of social media users by the end of 2023 will reach 4.89 billion. Quite an impressive number, wouldn't you say? And even more impressive when we consider that's equal to more than half the population of our entire planet. That said, it goes to reason that leveraging the power of social media would be the way to go in digital marketing. But, if only it were that simple. Keeping the interest high and not fleeting is a daily challenge. One that, with a careful approach, can luckily be overcome. And today, we are teaching you to do just that. You'll soon learn of the ways to boost your social media conversion rate. Before you know it, you won't only be generating leads; you'll be building a network of loyal customers.

How to Boost Your Social Media Conversion Rate?

Social media can be just the untapped resource you need to propel your business forward. However, using it for marketing purposes can prove somewhat of a challenge. The process of targeting social media users can be described as something like trying to hit a moving target. Possible, for sure, but complicated because the target rarely stands still. In social media, people come fast and go just as swiftly. Their interests change from day to day. That's why you must thoroughly comprehend the terrain before putting funds into your social media marketing plan. If you hit the perfect note with your target audience, the benefits will soon come and will be substantial. But if you miss, your marketing budget will have been exhausted before you realize it.

Find out what appeals to your audience; it will help you boost your social media conversion rate.

While the crucial component of social media marketing efforts is building relationships, remember that's merely a strategy, not the primary goal. As per convertmore.com, the actual goal of every social media strategy should be to improve engagement and boost conversions. With that in mind, we strongly advise you to take note of the following fairly straightforward tactics. Find ways to implement them, and the results are bound to come.

#1 Schedule Your Posts

The beauty of social media is that-you can have an audience from all over the world. However, that also presents a new kind of problem. These people live in different time zones, so how can you effectively communicate with all of them at once? Thankfully, the modern world has given us scheduling apps that can sweep all your related worries away. Some even offer a chance to research the audience to discover where most are coming from. With this knowledge, you can then create a scheduling plan. Or rather, determine what and when you will post. From there, generate the content and watch it go online when you decide beforehand. That way, you'll have consistent, relevant posts that followers appreciate even if you are relaxing on a remote island.

#2 Personalize Your Content

Are you looking to boost your social media conversion rate? You might just do it with the help of personalized content. Why? Because seeing something they can relate to appeals to potential customers. It makes them stay with the brand for longer. It induces trust, and it's that same trust that, in the end, may help convert them.

Reports suggest that as much as 90% of people are more likely to purchase from brands that provide appropriate recommendations that suit their preferences. But what does this mean to you in terms of social media? Well, it means that to make the most of it, you'll need to provide content that corresponds with your audience's taste. Think TikToks, shorts, reels, stories, posts, promotions, etc.

#3 Repurpose/Reshare Old Content

Have you published an article you are particularly proud of? You have already shared it on social media, so you might think it's not worth sharing again. Wrong! In fact, if your followers have responded well to it, why not reuse it? Of course, the goal is not to publish it the same way you did before. What you can do, instead, is create a new post sharing the link to the same article. But this time, use another visual to promote it. Write a whole new snippet. You can even refresh the article using new, relevant information. The goal, however, is not to change it too much. It still has to convey the same message. One that resonated with your audience so well.

Quality content can be shared more than once.

#4 Optimize the Content for Each Network Individually

Social networking sites are all different. And with it, so is the content that's shared across them. After all, you can't expect to just paste the same lengthy Facebook post to Twitter with the latter's character count limited to 280 (the exception being verified accounts). That doesn't mean you cannot share it at all. It just means you'll have to be creative in optimizing it. This stands true for all social media sites. Where you cannot take advantage of the textual posts, you might be able to take advantage of the visuals, and vice versa.

#5 Let Influencers Influence Conversions

Influencers' power in digital marketing, mainly social media marketing, shouldn't be understated. Pairing with the right kind of people can bring your business hundreds of new customers! However, many think you need to shell out a lot of cash to collaborate with an influencer. We are here to prove you otherwise! Yes, those with millions of followers will require a substantial upfront investment. But it's not them you'll be collaborating with. Instead, the key is to pair up with micro-influencers. After all, those with a couple of thousand loyal followers in your niche can bring you as much good as big-time social media personas can, only at a fraction of the cost.

Micro-influencers can be game-changers in terms of conversion rate.

#6 Produce Valuable Content

What we mean by valuable content is, naturally, one with value. In other words, one that is informative. One that answers people's questions and solves problems. But since this is social media we are talking about, and people browsing through it have short attention spans, you should aim to be clear and concise. If you are an expert in the industry who knows what they are talking about, this should pose no problem.

#7 Take Advantage of the User-Generated Content (UGC)

Nothing can help boost your social media conversion rate as much as user-generated content can. User-generated content (UGC) constitutes anything your customers create that features your brand name/products/services. It can range from photos and videos to posts and even reviews. But why does user-generated content work? Well, because it makes your brand seem more authentic. It shows users what it's like to use your products/services in the real world, making them more likely to trust your brand. It's simple, really. If many people show they trust you, more are likely to do the same.

The Beginner's Guide To Track Running

March 19, 2023 by cryan.com

Running is one of the simplest and most effective exercises to keep oneself fit and active. Track running is a form of running that takes place on a track, usually a 400-meter oval. It is a great way to improve endurance, speed, and overall fitness. In this blog post, we will discuss an article on another website about "The Beginner's Guide To Track Running."

https://www.runnersblueprint.com/track-running/

The Story

The article on runnersblueprint.com discusses the basics of track running and provides useful tips for beginners. The author emphasizes the importance of warming up and stretching before starting a run. This can help in preventing injuries and improve performance. The story also talks about the different types of workouts that can be done on a track, such as interval training, hill repeats, and tempo runs.

The article also provides tips on how to run faster and more efficiently on a track. These include maintaining good running form, focusing on breathing, and using proper footwork. The author also suggests incorporating strength training exercises into the workout routine to improve overall fitness and reduce the risk of injury.

The Benefits of Track Running

Track running has numerous benefits, both physical and mental. It is a great way to improve cardiovascular health, build endurance, and burn calories. It can also help in reducing stress, improving mood, and boosting self-confidence. Running on a track can be a social activity as well, as it provides an opportunity to connect with other runners and participate in group workouts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, track running is an excellent way to improve overall fitness, build endurance, and reduce stress. The article on runnersblueprint.com about "The Beginner's Guide To Track Running" provides valuable tips and advice for those who are new to this form of exercise. It emphasizes the importance of warming up, stretching, and incorporating strength training exercises into the workout routine. So, get out there and start running on a track today!

Furnace Filter

March 12, 2023 by cryan.com

Your furnace is an essential part of your home's heating system, and it's important to keep it functioning correctly to ensure that you stay comfortable during the colder months. One of the most important yet often overlooked aspects of furnace maintenance is replacing the filter. In this blog post, we'll discuss why changing your furnace filter is so important and how often you should be doing it.

This is a before/after picture of our last furnace change. It is recommended to change it every 6 months, but I think it would be better to change it sooner.

Benefits of Changing Your Furnace Filter

Regularly changing your furnace filter can have several benefits. Firstly, it can help improve the air quality in your home. The filter is responsible for trapping dust, dirt, and other particles that can circulate in the air. Over time, these particles can build up in the filter, reducing its effectiveness and allowing them to circulate throughout your home. When you change the filter, you're ensuring that the air in your home is clean, which can be especially important for those with allergies or respiratory issues.

Secondly, changing your furnace filter can help improve the efficiency of your furnace. A dirty filter can restrict the flow of air, making it more difficult for your furnace to heat your home. This can lead to increased energy consumption and higher energy bills. By regularly changing your filter, you're ensuring that your furnace is running at peak efficiency, which can save you money in the long run.

How Often Should You Change Your Furnace Filter

So how often should you be changing your furnace filter? The answer depends on a few factors. If you have pets or live in an area with high levels of pollution, you may need to change your filter more frequently. As a general rule, however, it's recommended that you change your filter every 3 months. This will ensure that your furnace is running efficiently and that the air in your home is clean and healthy.

Conclusion

Changing your furnace filter may seem like a small thing, but it can have a big impact on your home's comfort and energy efficiency. By regularly replacing your filter, you can improve the air quality in your home, reduce your energy bills, and ensure that your furnace is running at peak efficiency. So next time you're thinking about putting off changing your filter, remember all the benefits that come with keeping it clean and make it a priority on your to-do list.

It is a good idea to buy a multipack of filters at the time of purchasing a new one, so you'll have an extra one on hand. Make a note of the size of your furnace's filter, so you can easily pick out the right filter size and brand in the future. This will save you time and money as you won't have to worry about running to the store every time your filter needs replacing. Having a few extra on hand also ensures that you will have a replacement filter in case one is damaged or becomes clogged.

Angry Customers

February 26, 2023 by cryan.com

The following is from the Delphi Member Services handbook 1995. Information to help support agents handle calls.

Why is it important to effectively deal with upset customers?

Fact: 68% of customers will stop service as a result of rude, indifferent or discourteous service. (according to Rebecca L. Morgan, author of the book "Calming Upset Customers.")

Fact: Hostile people will call not because they are mad at you personally, but for a variety of other reasons. (ie. Their expectations have not been met regarding the service, they are already upset by someone/something else, they are frustrated, they feel they can manipulate you if they make a lot of noise or they are embarrassed at not being able to do something.)

Fact: You can't control a caller's behavior but you can change your behavior to avoid causing any more annoyance to the member.

My email signature when I worked at Delphi Internet.

Tips on handling difficult callers

Tone: People respond more to how you say something than what you say. If your voice is annoyed, impatient or condescending, the caller will become angrier. Raising the tone of your voice at the end of a sentence implies a question, not confidence. When your voice sounds assured, they will believe you know what you are talking about and will be easier to calm. It may also help to deepen your telephone voice. Lower voices are perceived as being more mature, confident, and in control.

Speed: Talk slowly, otherwise you will lose your listener and they will become frustrated.

Smile: When you smile, endorphins are released that make you feel better and calmer. The quality and tone of your voice improve when you smile. (advice from Jim Delande)

Breathe: Take a deep breath to calm yourself. When you're upset you lose objectivity. It is important to be calm if you're going to find a solution. (advice from Neovi Vrotsos)

Interrupting: This may induce more anger in an already upset caller. Interrupt with caution by prefacing it with, "I hate to interrupt, but...," or "Pardon me for interrupting.

Empathize: Showing that you understand how they feel, or why they feel that way is important. Empathy is a powerful tool in deflecting a caller's anger. (ie. "I understand your problem," or " can appreciate your frustration.") Always follow empathy with action. (ie. "I don't blame you for being angry...let me see how I can fix this.")

Avoid debate: Avoid causing defensiveness of any sort. Listen to the caller while they blow off steam and then take action.

Take control of the call: It is important to stay in control of the call. Remember that the anger is not directed at you personally, and you may be able to deflect much of its impact by staying calm.

It's nothing personal: The caller is not upset with you, they don't even know you!

Take time out: If you find yourself becoming upset, allow yourself a little time away from the situation. This will give you a chance to calm down before you return. (ie. "Let me check on this, please hold for a minute," or "I need to consult with a (supervisor/colleague), just one moment.") After a particularly difficult call, take a few minutes to collect and relax. Don't go into the next call feeling upset.

End on a high note: Always thank them for calling. The more positive you end the call, the better the member will feel about what took place.

Question and Answer

Q: What should I do when a hysterical member calls?

A: Empathize, state that you want to help, probe for more information, repeat the concern to make sure they understand, ask what they'd like to have happen, summarize actions, let them know you value them as a customer and end pleasantly.

Q: What if the member is ranting and not giving me a chance to explain or ask questions?

A: Use his/her name at the beginning of your sentence. Most people listen when they hear their name. (ie. Mr./Mrs. Jones)

Q: What if a caller is cursing at me?

A: Do not curse back. Compose yourself as best you can and avoid responding to abuse. It shows strength, not weakness, to stay calm in that circumstance.

By Michelle Campanale, Delphi Member Services, 1995.
Sources: Calming Upset Customers: Rebecca L. Morgan. Crisp Publications, Los Altos. 1989.
Solid Gold Customer Relations: Carol Sapin Gold. Prentice Hall, New Jersey. 1983.
How to Talk so People Listen: Sonya Hamlin. Harper & Row, New York. 1988.

Omdurman Reasonably Principle

January 29, 2023 by cryan.com

One day I was creating various random words for testing and found this word: Omdurman Reasonably Principle. It was a weird-looking phrase. I decided to use it to create a Facebook page for testing - it basically ensured that it was unique and certainly something that wouldn't be mistaken for an actual business.

After many years, I thought it would be interesting to see what ChatGPT thought of the Omdurman Reasonably Principle. Perhaps AI will tell me it is relevant.

Omdurman Reasonably Principle Image generated by AI

ChatGPT Definition

Here is what ChatGPT says of the Omdurman Reasonably Principle:

The Omdurman Reasonably Principle is a principle of international law that states that a state has a duty to prevent transboundary harm caused by activities within its jurisdiction or control. The principle is named after the case of Omdurman, Sudan, where the Sudanese government was held liable for damage caused by toxic waste dumped in the Nile River by a subsidiary of an Italian company.

The principle has been recognized by several international courts and tribunals, including the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration. It is based on the idea that states have a responsibility to protect the environment and prevent harm to other states and their citizens.

The principle has been applied in a number of cases involving transboundary pollution and environmental damage, including cases involving pollution of transboundary rivers and the dumping of toxic waste in the ocean.

The principle is an important tool for protecting the environment and holding states accountable for their actions. It helps to ensure that states take appropriate measures to prevent and address transboundary harm, and promotes cooperation among states to protect the environment.

In addition to the Omdurman Reasonably Principle, there are other international legal instruments and principles that are relevant to transboundary environmental issues, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution.

The Omdurman Reasonably Principle is an important principle of international law that recognizes the responsibility of states to prevent transboundary harm caused by their activities. It plays an important role in protecting the environment and promoting cooperation among states to address transboundary environmental issues.

AI Results

The way AI treats completely random words is terrifying. They do a good job making it seem like it is a legitimate word. I'd like to see a lawyer use this principle to argue their case. AI can take random words and apply them to actual legal precedents, creating new arguments that no lawyer has ever thought of. This could give lawyers an entirely new way to look at a case, allowing them to come up with solutions and arguments that they may not have considered before.

Banned at McDonalds

January 22, 2023 by cryan.com

Mcdonald's offers free WiFi to customers at many of their locations. However, many customers have noticed that certain websites are blocked when connecting to Mcdonald's WiFi. This blog post will explore why this is the case and what can be done.

Government Regulations

Mcdonald's must comply with strict government regulations when offering WiFi to customers. Depending on the country, there may be regulations blocking certain websites. Mcdonald's must follow these regulations to stay in compliance with the law.

Parental Controls

Another reason why Mcdonald's may block certain websites is to provide parental controls for their customers. By blocking sites that are inappropriate for children, Mcdonald's can ensure that their customers have a pleasant and safe experience while using their WiFi.

Security

Mcdonald's also blocks certain websites to protect the security of their customers. Sites that contain malicious software can be blocked to prevent customers from unknowingly downloading viruses and other malicious programs.

CRYAN.COM is Banned!

Last week I was at Mcdonald's and connected to their WiFi to do some internet surfing while enjoying lunch. I was surprised to find that I wasn't able to visit CRyan.com.

I don't know why Mcdonald's banned this website. It would be interesting to find out what content they considered inappropriate for their customers. Clearly, the average user isn't visiting this site long enough to use up bandwidth resources.

I wish there was a way for website owners to get additional information or appeal the ban. For now, you'll have to use your Cellular data to view the website if you want to browse the site while you enjoy your BigMac

How to Measure the SEO Performance of Your Website

January 8, 2023 by cryan.com

How can you tell if your SEO strategy is efficient or not? With so many nuances in search engine optimization, it becomes difficult to relate the success or failure of your website with the SEO efforts. There are many other factors besides SEO that also affect a lot of essential metrics. The best way to measure the SEO performance of your website is through key performance indicators. Let's find out the most important SEO KPIs and how they affect your website.

What software to use to measure the SEO performance of your website?

By far, the best software on the market is Google Analytics. While there are other platforms, Google Analytics is built explicitly for this type of research. It provides complete visibility to all SEO aspects and substantially simplifies the tracking process.

Additionally, there are other platforms like Serpstat or Ahrefs. If you find that using multiple platforms helps, we advise you to do so.

Use Google Analytics to efficiently track relevant SEO metrics.

Another piece of advice is to learn how to use Google Chrome inspector to inspect your website. This free tool will significantly help you when doing any website audit.

Find out your website's search ranking

Let's face it, at the end of the day, you want to see your website at the top of the search ranking list. That is a clear sign that your SEO efforts have paid off. Whether you are measuring the traffic, leads, or conversions, none of that can achieve satisfying results without ranking your website high.

In order to track the website's ranking, it is crucial to have important keywords in mind. The idea is to see how your website and specific pages rank for exact, relevant keywords. That will tell you everything you need to know!

A good advice is to use social media to boost organic traffic. A huge benefit of social media profiles is that they always attract interested followers. All you need to do is to connect them with your website.

Measure organic traffic

Having a high organic traffic rate means your website naturally attracts relevant visitors. You could not wish for a better thing to happen. Organic traffic is probably one of the most important SEO elements.

The easiest way to measure organic traffic influx is to use Google Analytics. Navigate to the Audience section, and select Overview. From there, you can click on Add Segment and add the Organic Traffic metric. You will get a detailed report showing your website's organic traffic activity.

Organic traffic is one of the essential SEO KPIs.

Also, measure branded traffic

Branded traffic comes from keywords related to your brand's name. Navigate to the Google Search Console, and create a Performance report. Here is where you need to add all brand-related keywords. Do not forget to add misspelled keywords as well because sometimes people make mistakes when typing.

Search engine visibility

If you want to know how well your domain ranks for specified keywords, you need to track search engine visibility. This metric is so important because it can show early results. So, to measure the SEO performance, collect as much data as possible from this metric.

Furthermore, you should also use the Google search console to learn everything about search engine visibility. Simply pull the Performance report, and review the Total Clicks and Total Impressions.

Link monitoring

Links connect all of your website's pages. They also connect your website with other relevant sources of information. They are the main element of the internet and a crucial part of On-Page and Off-Page SEO.

Because of how important they are, people think having as many backlinks as possible is good for their websites. However, that is not entirely correct. If you gain one hundred low-quality links, that will only ruin your website authority and lower the SERP ranking.

You want to target high-quality backlinks that come from relevant websites. The best way to track the quality score of your backlinks is with the help of various SEO tools. You want to look for the link authority index. The higher it is, the better. You can also check your domain name and see how strong your link profile is. That will directly depend on the number of high-quality backlinks that link to your website.

Measure average session duration

Whenever someone visits your website, they spend some time checking out your content. They can stay on one page or check out multiple pages depending on their interests. From the moment they land on your website, they start a session that ends when they leave.

It is imperative to measure the average session duration. You want to know how much time visitors spend on your website and what they are doing. An excellent way to accomplish longer sessions is to structure your website and give it some depth. Add your main navigation, breadcrumbs, and all sorts of different functionalities.

Average session duration will tell you how interested people are in your website.

However, keep in mind that building a complex website with a high number of pages does not mean it will efficiently keep the visitors longer. Think about link depth and how relevant those pages are. You want to provide quality content. Without it, no one would have a reason to stay there longer.

Be mindful of the bounce rate

A bounce happens when a visitor lands on your website and closes it immediately. That can occur due to multiple reasons:

• Slow page-loading speed
• A low number of relevant pages
• Content that delivers too fast
• Misleading titles
• Irrelevant traffic
• Technical issues with the website
• Wrong redirect from a different website
• Single-page websites
• Poor UX experience
• Low-quality content
• No mobile optimization

All of these reasons will push away the users from your website. A high bounce rate means you are not delivering quality. This metric will seriously affect your SEO ranking. If you notice a high bounce rate, try to figure out why it happens and how to solve the issue.

Hire professional help to make your SEO deliver

As an example, let's say you are running a moving business. You want to optimize your website for keywords relevant to the moving industry, but you are not sure whether your strategy is good or bad. In this case, hiring SEO services for a moving company would be a good approach. You need a team that gets results and saves time and money. If you are unsure how to track relevant SEO metrics accurately, always consult a professional.

Do a regular SEO audit to achieve the best results

As the final piece of advice, it is necessary to regularly do SEO audits. When you measure the SEO performance and get results, use them to fix SEO issues on your website. That is the best way to stay up to date with the latest SEO trends and ensure your website always ranks high!

What to do when your on Furlough

December 18, 2022 by cryan.com

Furlough is a temporary leave of absence from work that is often used as a cost-saving measure by employers during difficult economic times. While on furlough, employees typically do not work and do not receive their usual salary or benefits, but they may be eligible for government support such as unemployment insurance.

Here are some things that employees may be able to do while on furlough:

• Look for new employment: While on furlough, employees are generally permitted to look for new employment, as long as they are not working for another employer during their furlough period.
• Participate in certain activities: Some employers may allow employees to participate in certain activities or training programs while on furlough, as long as these activities do not interfere with their ability to return to work when their furlough period ends.
• Receive government support: Employees who are on furlough may be eligible for government support, such as unemployment insurance, to help them financially while they are not working.

Here are some things that employees may not be able to do while on furlough:

• Work for another employer: Employees on furlough are generally not allowed to work for another employer during their furlough period.
• Perform their usual job duties: While on furlough, employees are not expected to perform their usual job duties or work for their employer in any capacity.
• Receive their usual salary or benefits: Employees on furlough do not receive their usual salary or benefits from their employer, although they may be eligible for government support.

It is important to note that the specific rules and restrictions of furlough can vary depending on the employer and the employee's individual situation. Employees should consult with their employer or HR representative for more information on what they can and cannot do while on furlough.

99% Of What's Taught In SEO Is BS.

December 4, 2022 by cryan.com

When I talk to aspiring marketers who want to learn SEO, I often hear the same things. Ramblings about useless tools, shiny objects, and obsessions that will never get them anywhere. Why is this happening?

There's So Much Focus On The Wrong Stuff

The majority of what is covered on YouTube, podcasts, and articles online is fluff. Think about it for a moment. When was the last time you read an article that gave you real, practical steps to improve your SEO that worked?

Unfortunately, many of the so-called "SEO experts" don't teach any helpful information, whatsoever. It's all not related to your business, or it's all centered around tools.

Tools Don't Get You Traffic

I think SEOs like talking about tools because they are cool. It's fun to imagine there are these "shiny bullets" or "secret buttons" that will finally rank your website #1. But the real world doesn't work like that.

I know several SEOs (myself included) who have ranked many businesses in Google without ever using a keyword research tool. These tools don't solve any problems in the SEO process. (Hot take, I know)

Hear me out.

When it comes to keyword research tools because they are commonly taught by many SEO instructors they are useless. You, your competition, and every other business in your niche are using them. Because of that, you're all getting the same topic ideas and keywords!

Now imagine if your competition is trying to create content about the same topics yeah, you're going to have a bad time!

So what gets you results? And what should you do to come up with content topics instead? Well, I'll be getting to that in just a second. But first

You need to stop listening to the majority.

Podcasts Suck...For A Lot Of SEOs

When I ask business owners or marketers where they are learning SEO, I hear "podcasts" more often than I used to.

There are a lot of issues with trying to use podcasts to learn search engine optimization as a skill.

You'd be surprised how many SEO podcast websites I've visited where it's nearly impossible to find episode 1, or they don't even have it listed in their catalog of episodes. On top of this, though, podcasts aren't in any sort of logical order. Oftentimes it's just random topics depending on who a podcast host is interviewing any given week.

There isn't any rhyme or reason to what they are teaching, and this makes the process of learning SEO overwhelming, daunting, and more complicated than it needs to be.

Okay, but what about video?

YouTubers Need Content

Unfortunately, video isn't much better. Not only do you encounter the exact same issues that you would with podcasts, but YouTubers need content. That means they're going to try and talk about as many things as they can about SEO.

To illustrate this point, I did a search on YouTube for "SEO beginner guide". Here are the 3 results that pop up:

Clicking on the first result leads me to a video from Ahrefs. Thankfully, they have timestamps on their video so it's easy to skip around and see what they are talking about. This reveals an unfortunate truth: 99% of the video is not important and is a waste of your time!

They are teaching exactly what I mentioned earlier: using shiny objects (their keyword research tool.) In fact, the majority of the video takes place inside of their tool. Again, using a tool doesn't get results.

I will give credit where it's due. They do talk about a few valid things like guest post outreach and analyzing search intent. But these are two very short portions of their overall long video, clocking in at over an hour and 57 minutes.

You also have to be wary of channels that are trying to go out of their way to sell you on courses. They'll give you some information, but never the bigger picture without buying their "magic bullet" course that solves SEO once and for all for you. And when you do actually dish out a ridiculous amount of money to buy their product, it's a rehash of all the same information you've already heard before.

My Hot Take: Google Algorithm Updates Don't Matter

Nearly every SEO book, YouTuber, or podcast I've encountered talks in great length about algorithm updates. Most SEO instructors go deep into the history of SEO and how things used to be. But here's the thing: That's literally useless information. I know this is a "hot take", but I have a really big point to make.

Yes, the SEO space grows, changes, and evolves over time. Technology is a chaotic space in general, and search engine optimization falls under the tech sphere.

But what if I told you that not only is there only one thing you need to do with SEO, but that it hasn't changed since the 90s? Would you believe me?

Okay, So What Should I Actually Do?

Here's the truth:

99% of real SEO is content.

Yes, all you have to do is publish valuable content that answers searcher's questions.

This is literally all SEO is, and it hasn't changed since the inception of Google. Publishing 3-5 high quality, original blog posts per week gets you the results you want for your business or website. This is where the majority, if not all of your focus should be when it comes to search engine optimization.

Yes - You Need The Basics

Now make no mistake, you still need to have a strong foundation when it comes to your website. Having a secure, functional, and optimized website is key. You should have a sitemap, a SSL certificate, fast page speeds, and keywords specified for your content.

But this is only 1% of the battle.

Content Is The Only Thing That Ultimately Matters

Even if you mess up everything else, having content still gets you results. Content gets you traffic from Google, which gets you conversions (or people doing what you want them to.) Good content answers questions consumers have in your niche or industry.

The internet is made up of content, and if you want results from Google you have to create it, too. I think people get intimidated by the idea of creating content, but it's actually quite easy to do. All you need is 30 minutes and Google Docs, and you can effortlessly write up an excellent piece.

Most of us are in business because we are passionate about what we do. We already ramble to our relatives and friends about it, so why not write about it too? When you provide value to searchers in your niche, you quickly build trust and authority with not only search engines - but real humans too.

I know a lot of marketers and business owners dread the "C word", but it really shouldn't be that way.

Why Content Should Excite You

Again, I know producing content can look daunting. But instead of associating negative feelings with it, you should associate positive ones instead. After all, once you see the bigger picture content becomes incredibly exciting!

First of all, content does many things simultaneously. As a new SEO, you don't necessarily see these things from the outside looking in. But content does all of these things:

• It brings people into your website (this happens 24/7, 365 on complete autopilot)
• It automatically builds trust, authority, and credibility with prospects (turning them into paying customers for you!)
• It shortens your sales process and saves you time in your business (customers will already know the answer because of your content)
• It is an asset that becomes more valuable over time for your business
• It can automatically move prospects along in your sales funnel

But besides all this, there is another reason that content is epic.

The Content Compounding Effect

This is a term I coined over at Local Rank Ninja called the "content compounding effect." Not enough people talk about this in the SEO space online. But content does something incredible.

To explain this, I'm going to illustrate an example.

Let's say I just started a new website, and I have 10 pieces of content published.

Now let's pretend that each piece of content brings in 10 visitors per month.

Well, that's easy mathright?

1. x 100 = 100 visitors a month.

Not very impressive, sure.

But now let's pretend I publish 100 posts in total.

Naturally, we'd follow the same formula.

So 100 x 10 = 1,000 visitors per month.

Because something happens when you consistently publish content over a period of time.

Because you've done so, now you are an authority in the eyes of Google's almighty algorithm.

Instead of each post bringing in 10 visitors a month, let's say each post is now bringing in 25 visitors a month.

Well, that means you now have 2,500 visitors a month coming into your website!

And again, keep in mind that this is happening 24/7, 365 on autopilot - without you paying a dime.

Except it doesn't stop there.

As your domain ages, and more people online link to your content it builds up even more authority. So a year from now, these same 100 posts may now be bringing in 5,000 visitors a month instead of 2,500. Not to mention we've assumedly published more blog posts since then.

That is why content is the ultimate tool for any marketer - let alone SEOs!

Yes, You Need To Have A Blog

When I explain this to business owners, a lot of them are on board until they hear the word "blog" and then they seem to become disconnected. But it's important again to understand the *why* here. You see, a blog is just a page on your website.

Blog posts are much like web pages, except that they're time sensitive or related to a date. All a blog page is is a list of curated pieces of content. Your website automatically updates this page.

It seems like many business owners and marketers believe a blog isn't relevant to their business, but that couldn't be farther from the truth.

Back in 2016 I ran a computer repair business. I was 19 at the time, and trying to outrank all of the competitors in my city. The way I did this and jumped to the #1 spot was by having a blog and publishing helpful articles.

I still remember one of my best posts was "How to troubleshoot your laptop's WiFi adapter". That post brought in 100s of prospects to my website a month, and gave me the authority I needed to outrank established businesses that had been #1 for over a decade.

You see, it doesn't matter if you're a pizzeria, an ecommerce store, or a different type of business altogether. A blog can 100% be relevant to your business. It's about demonstrating your authority and showcasing you know what you're talking about.

None of This Matters If

Now I am going to throw a caveat in here. Content is 90% of the battle, but there's still 10% you need. A perfect SEO painting consists of three colors.

The Three Cs

You need to have all three of these things in place to rank #1.

Content

We just covered this in-depth, but content really is the bread and butter of our SEO process. Without it, we're failing our attempt to build authority with search engines and humans. Answer questions consumers have in your niche consistently over time.

Creativity

This one is important, and not talked about enough. You can have educational content, but it definitely shouldn't be dry. Having the ability to explain things in a simple, easy to understand way is everything.

Additionally, you should be able to separate your content from everyone else's. Design a featured image. Lay your content in a format that is easy to digest. Separating yourself from your competitor's content is important if you want to stand out.

Clout

Ah yes, this is a perfect example of a feedback loop. While you *will* get this over time from publishing content alone, we want to go out of our way to establish this as early on as possible. You need your name out there in your niche or industry.

Doing things like going on podcasts, guest posting to other websites, and creating YouTube videos are all perfect examples of generating clout around your brand and business. Having mentions of your name and website across the web build E.A.T. (Expertise, Authority, and Trust.) Google wants to see this if their algorithm is to consider you an authority in your space.

Notice by the way as a side note, that all three of the methods I just mentioned still involve creating content!

An Important Question To Ask Yourself

Stop reading for a moment and have a serious discussion with yourself. Do you have all three of these things in place? If not, that should be your next step with your SEO. Before you do anything else, having the three Cs builds authority.

Remember: The average time marketers agree it takes to see results with SEO is between 6 months to a year. So the sooner you do this, the sooner it's done and you can shift your focus to content publication.

If you have these three things in place, you can easily achieve your business goals.

Content Solves The Link Problem

"But wait, Gabriel" I hear you saying. "I need backlinks to increase my website authority, or search engines aren't going to give me a chance!" Well, Google actually likes guest posting, since you're still answering searcher's questions with high quality content.

It's a win-win. Website owners get free content and you get some mentions or links back to your website. Again, we're still working with content here.

If all you do is spend time writing - that's time well spent! I know sometimes it can feel like you're not achieving anything since SEO takes some time. But keep at it and remember that this is proven to work.

You Need To Start Writing

Okay, hopefully I've motivated you to get writing. I have a couple suggestions for making the content creation process easier. These are things that will save you from headache and frustration later on.

Write Your Content In Google Docs

I learned early on the hard way what happens if your connection gets interrupted from the WordPress dashboard. Always write your content in Google Docs. It's free, and all you need is a Gmail account.

Google Docs automatically saves your work as you go, so you don't have to worry about losing your blog post halfway through. It also has a share option, so you can easily collaborate with your team or employees and get content done quickly. For guest posting, this is especially useful because you can share the post you are asking them to publish. Site owners like looking over the content before making a decision.

Include Images Every 3-5 Paragraphs

Nobody wants to look at a wall of text! Seriously. Your goal should be to make the content non-intimidating from a glance. Images not only add personality and expression to your content, but they make your content easier to skim.

You can take images yourself, or use stock photos. Pixabay is a great website that gives you free stock photos you can use. Additionally, you can always pay for these but they do get expensive the more you have.

Cite Your Sources

Are you mentioning a statistic in your industry? Or perhaps you are making an argument. Either way, you will want to make sure you state your sources - just like how you were taught in high school. By doing this your content is higher quality and it shows you've done your research.

Good content often has outbound links (or links pointing to other websites) so you need to make sure you include these. This brings me to my next point.

Interlink Your Content Together

Remember: You want your website to be *the* "go to" place for this topic. As you publish more and more articles, you will start to be able to cite yourself. I know that sounds funny, but it's important. Your goal is to ultimately build an educational resource that informs prospects and searchers as best as you can.

Pro Tip: Include An Author Box

An author box, or author bio is a tiny box at the top or bottom of your content. Typically it has the article writer's name, photo, and a brief segment about them. Not only does having an author box build E.A.T., but it also makes you more personal to readers.

They get to see who you are and a little bit about you. This is another one of those things that build trust and authority with both humans and search engines. You can add this for free inside WordPress with the

Conclusion

The majority of what is taught to beginners is fundamentally flawed in the SEO industry. So-called "SEO gurus" are more interested in fueling their wallets than teaching you what actually works. By focusing on content creation, you can grow your business without having to feel overwhelmed or intimidated.

Content moves the needle the most and 90% of your time should be spent on it as a bare minimum. Content is exciting, and when you understand the bigger picture it becomes easier to push yourself to publish blog posts, even if you don't see results in the beginning.

Want To Be A SEO Ninja?

If you want to discover powerful, proven, and effective SEO strategies check out my new book the

In it I teach what real SEO actually is, and how to spend your time doing the things that move the needle the most for your business or website.

Mixing Babies and Business

November 20, 2022 by cryan.com

The best time to start a new business is when you have a good idea and are in the right place at the right time. And though being home with a baby may not feel like the best time, in many ways, it can actually be a perfect time.

You have a newborn you don't want to leave, you have an opportunity to work from your own home office, and you have a great idea for a business. All you need are a few pointers on how to make that happen.

cryan.com is a website that brings you lots of great information about a variety of topics. Check out hundreds of blog posts to keep you informed and up to date.

Pace Yourself

Those first weeks home with your newborn should be spent healing, adjusting, and bonding. But there are still a few beginning steps you can work on in that time that won't feel too stressful.

Brainstorm your business idea on paper and pencil or even when you're rocking your infant to sleep. Write down everything you come up with, then begin narrowing each idea down until you have one that you feel is both something you'd enjoy doing and can execute from your own home office with the resources you have on hand.

Write a business plan next. This will take several weeks since it involves some research. Your business plan will be your roadmap or blueprint for how you'll bring your business idea to life. You'll include things like how you plan to market your business, where you'll get the funding, and what your long-and-short-term goals are. You can find online templates that can guide you through how to create one and how to make it look professional if you plan to present it to investors.

Mixing Baby and Business

Not only does your home office have to work for you, like ergonomic chairs and proper lighting, but it also needs to work for your baby. When child-proofing your home office, clear out everything from the room so that it is clean and safe, and get rid of any sharp objects or anything that can fall over. Remove anything fragile or breakable (especially if there are other small children in the home). Ensure there is no open flame in the room (e.g., candles or fireplace). And once your baby starts to crawl, make sure there is enough space for them to move around and play safely in the room.

Baby monitors will be one of your most important pieces of office tech. High-definition video monitoring is now the standard, and many are now app-enabled or have Wi-Fi capabilities. Also popular is a digital video camera system that uses your existing wireless network, allowing you to use your computer or smartphone as the receiver. And some models even have an adjustable sensor that monitors the temperature in your baby's room.

You'll want to dress professionally since you'll probably have people in from time to time, appear in video conference calls, or just because looking professional makes you *feel* like a professional. And then there are times when just a classic t-shirt is what you need. Fortunately, you can look great while still being able to breastfeed or pump with stylish and comfortable maternity clothing and easy-to-use and supportive nursing bras.

Helpful Business Tips

With all the worries that naturally come with being a new mother, it's best if you can reduce the number of business worries you could face. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take that will alleviate some of those for you.

How you structure your business can be important since forming it as an LLC, for instance, reduces your personal liability since it keeps your personal and business assets separate. It's also easy to do it yourself, so you don't have to hire an attorney, and there is less paperwork and a lower tax burden, too.

And take advantage of free and easy-to-use business apps like invoice generators that keep track of payments and receipts for you, PDF conversion tools that allow you to convert all your business and marketing files into PDF form for easy sharing, and Facebook ad maker apps that help you market on the biggest social media site in the world.

From baby-proofing your office and using smart business practices like an LLC business structure and fee apps to practical and stylish clothing and state-of-the-art baby monitors, your dream of combining motherhood with a successful business is well within your reach.