Thursday 30 August 2012

SEO Tips

Hey guys!

Today I am going to focus on SEO and how to make the most of your website content. Good SEO will result in a higher ranking on Google which means great news for business! Obviously SEO is not entirely about content, but being a copywriter, content writing is my specialty.Using my experience and knowledge about Google-worthy website content, I have written a few useful tips:


  • Always include your products and services as keywords and make sure that the main ones are inserted into your Meta tag title.
  • Choose to focus more on smaller amounts of keywords and use them as often as you can in your website content without sounding too repetitive. Overkill is never good.
  • This one is a no-brainer: don’t use keywords that have nothing to do with the specific products or services that your business offers. There is no point in doing this (although some people do. I've come across a good few websites. It's funny. One of the reasons why my job never gets boring :P)
  • When choosing your keywords, make sure that you do your research- be STRATEGIC. It is better to use keywords that your competition is NOT using, but that people are still searching for. This will increase your chances of obtaining a higher rank on search engine sites like Google. If you choose to use common keywords, the SEO work that you will have to do will be a lot more difficult and take a lot longer. Remember, time is money!
  • All pages of website content need to be between 250 and 1000 words, of which 8% of these words need to be your chosen keywords. Keyword density is important. Using a keyword 8 times in an article will give you a much higher rank on search engine sites than if you were using a keyword just twice.
  • The key to learning how to rank in Google? Be a master of your keywords. Use them multiple times, use them in different contexts, use them in lists, use them in different orders- just USE THEM OFTEN.  
  • Never stop doing keyword research. Times change and so do trends. This means that what people are searching for today may not be the same as what they are searching for next month, or a year from now.
  • BLOG. Blogging gives your website extra kudos on search engines.
  • Make sure that your website has a variety of back links.
  • When writing content for your website, make sure that you are writing in a way that will attract your specific target market. Be familiar rather than formal- clients relate to you and your business more that way.
  • Make use of social networking sites and utilise them as an internet marketing tool. People spend a lot of time on social networking sites which means that, for the benefit of your business, you should too.
  • Don’t waffle. When writing website content, just get straight to the point. Potential clients are looking for information, so make sure that you give it to them.
  • Use bullets, short sentences and short paragraphs. If your articles are all bundled up in one paragraph that goes on for pages and pages, people visiting your website will be much less likely to stick around. If your content is short and concise, you will be giving them what they are looking for- the facts.
  • Lastly, make sure that you edit your content. Spelling and grammar mistakes are definitely not good for business! In fact, they are just plain annoying. Don't make them. Seriously. Just don't.
 Hopefully these tips were helpful and you are now looking like this:
and not like this:
If you have questions at all... feel free to ask away!

Hope everybody has a great Friday and an even better weekend ;)

Bye for now

B





Tuesday 28 August 2012

Lesson of the Week: Never Order Salad as a Main

Howdy everyone!

Last weekend my mom and I wined and dined (and by wine, I mean BEER) at a restaurant in Bedfordview. I am not going to mention the name of said restaurant- however, I AM going to say that the food was atrocious. Maybe it was just what we ordered- but seriously, it was really bad. I learnt a lesson that night- NEVER order a salad as a main meal. Chances are that you are just going to get a massive bowl of lettuce and perhaps 2 or 3 baby tomatoes hidden somewhere inside the green mass. Anyway, despite the disappointment with the food, the beer was good which is why we are smiling in this pic (mom is checking out the guy sitting at the table next to us)

As for work stuff... things are going well. The last few days were pretty hectic but everything seems to be getting back to normal again now. I wrote for a gorgeous company today called Crafters Market. If you're interested in arts and crafts, you have probably heard of them already. They actually have 7 stores in South Africa which is pretty impressive. Go to them for all your scrap-booking and arty-farty needs. They have lovely ideas for birthday gifts as well.

Don't forget to check out www.ipcoweb.com if you want to learn more about how to rank on Google!

Cheers for now!

B

Friday 24 August 2012

My Writing Companion

Happy Friday everyone!

It occurred to me today that I have yet to introduce you to my writing companion. She is the light of my life, that special someone who adds a little bit of a sparkle to my eyes, and the reason why I get up in the morning... my adorable pooch, Snooki. Take a look at how beautiful she is:
Most of the time when I'm working she sits snuggled up on my lap... other times she lies on the bed and soaks up some rays (she is SUCH a sun worshiper- unlike her momma!) She makes the long days of writing that much more enjoyable.

Now that you have met my little angel, it's now time for my bi-weekly shout out... Hmmmm... which company caught my eye this week? How about Future Bride? They are a bridal directory... you can find pretty much anything and everything you need for a wedding there- photography, venues, hair and make up etc. It's definitely a useful tool to know about when planning your special day.

Anyway all, it has been one heck of a busy week so I am off to get an early start on the weekend! Don't forget to visit www.ipcoweb.com to learn more about what we do and for some really cool SEO tips!

Ciao.

B
xx

Tuesday 21 August 2012

Athol Fugard- What a Legend!

I have just finished writing my first essay for the English literature module that I am taking this semester- African Encounters. I have been reading the likes of Antjie Krog, Eskia Mphahlele and Wole Soyinka- all great writers. But Athol Fugard really tops the list for me. I bawled my eyes out reading 'Master Harold and the Boys'. The essay that I have just written was actually supposed to be 1500 words but somehow I have 3000- I love it when I can just write and write about something without getting bored or running out of ideas! 'Master Harold and the Boys' is truly an excellent play. Watching it on Youtube was such a treat because Zakes Mokae is also a legend of note. Wow. I am in love with him. What a wonderful South African actor he was.

Besides my English lit essay, I have been writing articles all day as well. (God, I love my job) I wrote for a really interesting company called Funky Fitness. They are personal trainers based in Germiston, but what really stood out was how detailed and well-laid out their website is. I truly believe that when a business or company has a detailed website, it shows how much effort they put into their business in general. Boring, one page websites sometimes depress me. So anyway, if you are looking to get fit, give them a call. They have some pretty cool packages available.

As for Ipcoweb, we are constantly growing and welcoming new and unique clients. There is never a dull day working here, that's for sure! Interested in getting your company's website on page one on Google? Contact us

Cheers

B
xx

Friday 17 August 2012

It's Girls' Night Tonight

Hey there people!

So it has been a busy week this week (as usual). Been pumping articles out like there is no tomorrow, so I am quite ready for a break. The weekend could not have come sooner!

So those that are familiar with my weird self will know that I am a serious hermit- I am probably one of the only people in her early twenties that prefers to stay in on a Friday and Saturday night, rather than jamming it up on the dance floor. But it's true, I do. Friday nights are for watching 'Who wants to be a Millionaire' and 'QI' on BBC Entertainment! Not for getting sh*t faced at some club! But alas, everybody seems to think I am extremely abnormal because I think this way... I have decided that I am now going to start making a concerted effort to get out a bit more. Soooo, it's girls' night tonight! Nothing crazy, just dinner and a few drinks (i.e BEER!) at a (quiet) restaurant. Thought it would be best to start off slow. Anyway, I'm seriously looking forward to spending time with a friend who I haven't seen since last year and blowing off some (a lot, actually) steam. Will let you know how it goes!

Somehow my workaholic side just never seems to want to stay hidden... I simply cannot write a new post for my blog without recommending one of the fab companies that I write for. So, let me draw your attention to a company called 'Jungle Gym City'. It's all in their name- they sell wooden jungle gyms! Writing for them really brought back memories of being a kid, without a care in the world, swinging on the monkey bars in the school playground. Just fabulous. The next time you are looking for jungle gyms for sale, contact them. They have a great selection to choose from.

Lastly, don't forget to check us out www.ipcoweb.com to learn more about SEO and how it can benefit your business!

The weekend starts NOW. Farewell, comrades! 'Til next time.

B
xx

Monday 13 August 2012

The Olympics, Safaris and Aircraft Charters

I'm suffering from Olympics withdrawal symptoms today. I am going to miss those incredible athletes and those hilariously offensive commentators (the one athletics commentator was particularly hilarious)... but life goes on, I guess. We only have to wait another 4 years before we get to indulge in the bodies...erm... I mean abilities of those incredible sportsmen- and women- again.

On another note, I have two companies that I would like to chat about today- both of which I love writing for. The first is an impressive company called FlyJetstream Aviation. They are specialists in charter aviation and, if you have that kind of money on hand like SO many of us do, they are definitely the charter airline to choose. Their private jet planes really are beautiful and there are so many to choose from. I have grown to love this company purely because their passion for aviation really shines through when you view their website- also maybe because I wrote 20 articles for them in one day a while back so I basically know them like the back of my hand. I must say though, they are definitely a company that I keep close to my heart as a copy writer.

The second company is called Go Safari. They are a company that organises South African tours and travel itineraries for tourists- they can help you to put together the safari holiday of your dreams. If you want to experience the true essence of South Africa, then they are definitely the company to rely on to show you everything that we in SA have to offer. Why do I love this company? Well, there is something about the bush that calms my soul and writing for Go Safari seems to rejuvenate me somehow by bringing back the memories I have of the tranquility that can only be found at the bushveld. There is nothing better than drinking a good beer whilst sitting out on the deck of your lodge taking in all the beauty of nature and listening to the grunts of the animals in the distance. NOTHING BETTER! If you want to experience that, then Go Safari is the company to contact.

Anyway, soon enough the new Ipcoweb website will be up and running- so excited! In the mean time don't forget to read up on our free Google SEO workshops. These workshops cover the following:
  • How do I get on Google?
  • How to SEO
  • What is PPC?
  • How do I get PPC?
  • How do I use Google analytics with my Website?
  • Do I need a website for my small business?
  • What is the difference between a sponsored link and organic links?
  • How will the Google Panda Update affect my ranking?
  • Basic ad words and what to do with your voucher
  • Creating a effective key word strategy
  • The different types of keywords
  • SEM
It is definitely a workshop that will enrich you with new information and strategies when it comes to the running of your business website- and remember, the workshop is FREE.

That's it from me for today! Have a wonderful week everybody!
B
xx

Thursday 9 August 2012

You Sell WHAT?

So, as a copy writer for an SEO company, you are often told to write articles for businesses that sell products that you know absolutely ZIP about. This happens to me occasionally- especially when dealing with technologically-minded companies. Before starting out as a copy writer I had no clue what VOIP, VPN or arduino was. I didn't even know what a pallet was (shameful, I know) but it's amazing how much you learn in such a short space of time! It's also amazing that when writing for a product that you STILL don't understand (after having researched for HOURS) you tend to be the most creative you've ever been! Sometimes I don't know what the heck it is or does, but I setill sell the sh*t out of that product anyway (hahahahaha!)

Today I wrote for a really nice company that I feel like sharing with the world. The company is called 'Fabric-A-Brac' and they sell dress materials and offer sewing/knitting courses to the public. Doesn't sound overly exciting- but sometimes you find that you fall in love with the essence and personality of a company when you write for them. This is one of those companies that I look forward to writing for again.

Anyways, it's National Women's Day today- a public holiday in SA for most (but not for workaholics like me)- so I thought I would give a shout out to all those special ladies out there. I find this holiday to be a little bit hypocritical- and sometimes patronising- but I believe that women really don't receive the appreciation that they deserve, so why not? Let's celebrate each other!

Don't forget to visit www.ipcoweb.com for more info about our free Google SEO workshops or to sign up for one of our SEO packages. You may be lucky enough to have one of your articles written by me :P hehehe.

Wednesday 8 August 2012

Hi!

Hey people!

My name is Bianca and I am a copy writer for an awesome company called Ipcoweb. I write a fair amount of articles for many different companies every day. Truth is, I live and breathe my job! There is nothing more interesting than learning about different companies, their views and ethics, as well as the many (sometimes weird) and wonderful products and services that are out there. I will be using this blog to share my copy writing experiences... it would be pretty cool to gather some ideas and advice from everyone, too! 

In the mean time, check out www,ipcoweb.com and have a look at what we do!