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July 31, 2005
Wordtracker Magic Question
Wordtracker Magic Question: July 31, 2005
Hi John,
I just bought your e-book, Wordtracker Magic - great advice.
1. Can you explain to me why the quotes are important when I do my Wordtracker Comprehensive Search ?
2. And with quotes set to YES, do you have a tredshold for how big the competition may be, before you discard the keyword?
Regards
FJ, Denmark
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ANSWER:
[FJ] Can you explain to me why the quotes are important when I do my Wordtracker Comprehensive Search ?
{John Alexander] Yes, you must leave quotes turned on in Wordtracker, so that you can gather the results as "a complete phrase." If you turn quotes off, you will never discover those niche phrases.
But this does not mean that you should optimize using quotes around the phrase, but only for the research. When you optimize your page, create very focused content based upon one researched phrase per page. But no need to use quotes when optimizing. Keep in mind if you're finding "low hanging fruit" (phrases with high KEI) then often you only need mild optimization because there is literally no competition.
[FJ] And with quotes set to YES, do you have a tredshold for how big the competition may be, before you discard the keyword?
[John Alexander] This depends on your optimization experience. When you are brand new to SEO you might look for competition of 100 competing pages or less. If you've been more experienced you can take on more competition you can aim between the 500-1000 competing pages. Of course once you are experienced and know how to compete then it really don't matter because you'll choose your own comfort threshold.
When you are brand new, why not go for zero competition when you can find it?
What I attempt to do, is look beyond how big the competition is. In time, you can build your skills and you can grab more competitive phrases with lower KEI. But the reason you want high KEI to start, is because it's easy to grab quality traffic that results in business. The sooner a new SEO get's genuine results, the better! This is because that experience (call it a recent positive SEO experience) is absolutely essential. It changes our understanding and helps us to grow immediately. It changes the way we feel about our own work.
Ultimately, with practice, you're mind should be leaving the thoughts of keywords and learning to spot behavioural trends within the complete phrase. Do NOT get hung up in analysis like some people do. They'll write to me saying, oh my gosh John, here are 3 different keyword phrases and I don't know which one is the best?" I say, stop....don't get hung up.
If you have got three varied phrases that you can create intelligent content of useful value for your readers, THEN use all 3 phrases. Use one phrase per page and create 3 different pages of original content. Be sure to follow your instincts and test all of your ideas. You'll soon be growing muscles in this realm of research, but you only grow by reason of practice. You only grow, as you practice. So don't get stuck on one screen to long in analytic mode.
Another trap that people may fall into is they become addicted to those high KEI phrases and so they leave lower KEI phrases without realizing their value too. (some excellent value)
-Try and take at least one phrase away from every screenshot.
-Don't get stuck in a loop just looking ONLY for high KEI.
With practice you'll find that there is plenty there, but all of my emphasis on high KEI is for when you are "first getting started."
High KEI is not the end of the world. You can build your comfort and SEO skill level to the point to where you can compete (if you study SEO.)
If you have not had any SEO training and need some help to build your SEO skillset and understanding of the whole process then you could either:
1 Come to one of our hands-on SEO workshops (Tuition is $1795 for 5-Days).
Or if you cannot afford to take the time to travel...
2. Study Robin Nobles comprehensive SEO courses online which are right up to date. These are at http://www.onlinewebtraining.com
Here is a little peek at what she has in the advanced area:
http://www.onlinewebtraining.com/advanced_contents.php
Okay, finally I'd like to give you some our other free articles and tips (maybe you've already seen them)
Have you listened to my free Wordtracker Magic audio tips? Short little audios of me explaining how to do things in Wordtracker. I send out 2 X 3 minute audio tips per week. Just turn up your sound and listen on your computer.
Here is World Talk Radio "talk show" where I was interviewed about using Wordtracker Magic.
Here is an article where I show the huge impact between little phrase combination differences.
One last tip. Don't spend hours stressing over keyword research. Learn how to get Wordtracker to give up her gold in just minutes (practice what I teach in the guide). Think of it like growing mucles...the more you workout, the stronger you get. Develop your lateral thinking skills. Focus on behaviors more than keywords.
But most important, spend your time (most of your time) creating really valuable content for your visitors. Create content that you can read and be proud of. Create content that merits real value.
Then apply a little mild optimization based on those Wordtracker Magic phrases. Focus on only one phrase per page.
Here is our SEO Workshop agenda if you want to see what else we do in our workshops.
In the meantime, thank you for taking the time to write to me and I wish you the very best of visibility and exposure for your Web site. Thanks for buying the Wordtracker Magic e-book. Drop me a note as you experience more success and tell me how you're doing.
Here are our student's comments about what they experience from attending our hands-on SEO Workshop:
Highest regards,
John Alexander
john@searchengineworkshops.com
http://www.searchengineworkshops.com
Like the only REAL magic; the magic of knowledge!
Posted by John at July 31, 2005 10:58 AM