Effective Strategies for Ranking Articles on Google as a New Blogger
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Content Marketing
In the past six months, I managed to write an article about Saturday Night Live (SNL) that has climbed into the top ten search results on Google, currently sitting at #3. The piece is titled "How to Become a Writer for SNL [The Insanely Complete Guide]," and I take great pride in its depth and relevance. After conducting extensive research on how to achieve high rankings on Google, I condensed my findings into five actionable steps. If I can accomplish this, so can you.
I’m not a well-known figure in the writing community. I don't possess a large audience nor do I invest in paid advertisements to draw traffic to my site. I like to think of myself as a determined freelance writer who leverages content marketing to attract organic visitors. Based on my journey and research, I am confident that these strategies can help anyone, including beginner bloggers, enhance their Google rankings, increase traffic, and ultimately, boost earnings.
Here’s a screenshot showcasing my website's presence on the first page of search results (www.WritingBeginner.com):
Chapter 2: Finding Effective Keywords
Identifying Keywords with High Ranking Potential
The initial step I took to elevate my SNL article was to discover a strong keyword. In my experience, the ideal keywords should exhibit high monthly search volume and low competition. High volume indicates that many people are searching for that topic, while low competition suggests that few quality articles exist on the subject.
To find my SNL topic, I utilized Ahrefs, a paid keyword research tool. Although it's costly, it’s effective. However, you don’t necessarily need a paid tool for this task. I entered the term "writer" into Ahrefs’ keyword explorer, which yielded thousands of potential keywords. I filtered the results to focus on those with a competition score below ten.
After reviewing numerous keyword options, I discovered the phrase "How to Become a Writer for SNL," which had a keyword difficulty score of just 1. This indicates a high likelihood of ranking well on Google.
While this keyword may not drive massive traffic alone, the cumulative effect of all my articles contributes to steady growth in visitors.
Adopting Successful Strategies from Major Brands
Major companies like Nike and Amazon utilize ranking strategies that can be emulated. One significant approach is search engine optimization (SEO). Once I grasped the fundamentals of SEO, my articles began to achieve higher rankings.
SEO can be intricate, but here are the basics I implemented for my SNL article:
- Incorporate the keyword phrase at the beginning of the title.
- Use the keyword within the first 100 words of the article.
- Mention the keyword a few more times throughout the content, aiming for a keyword density of 1–1.5%.
- Include the keyword in at least one subheading.
- Utilize the keyword in the alt text of relevant images.
- Feature the keyword in the article's meta description.
While there is more to SEO than this, these fundamental strategies helped me rank my SNL article effectively.
Chapter 3: Crafting High-Quality Content
Creating Comprehensive Articles
After identifying my keyword, I examined the competition. It’s unwise to write an article if I know it won't rank well. Fortunately, the top results were brief and lacked relevance. The leading article was a humorous take on writing for SNL, which, while entertaining, didn’t provide practical guidance.
To assess competition, I would:
- Google the search phrase.
- Open the top result and select all text (Shift + A).
- Copy and paste it into a free online word counter to obtain the word count.
After conducting this for the top ten results, it was evident I could surpass the competition with a detailed article of over 2,000 words. I ultimately crafted an extensive piece of 3,620 words.
Producing the Most Valuable Content
Beyond length, my goal was to produce the best article on becoming an SNL writer. “Best” for me signifies:
- Relevance to the search phrase.
- Detailed insights.
- Unique perspectives not found in other articles.
- Practical assistance for readers.
To achieve this, I conducted thorough research, gathered relevant images, cited reputable sources, linked to useful resources, and provided clear instructions.
Continually Updating Your Content
The final strategy I employed to maintain my article's ranking was regular updates. As I noticed my article climbing the rankings via Ahrefs, I added an additional 500 words of valuable content. I included fresh images, new tips, and links to updated resources, incorporating more variations of my keyword phrase.
Following this method, I’ve enhanced a dozen of my other articles, most of which are also rising in the rankings. Just recently, I saw that my article titled "How to Become a Fortune Cookie Writer" has also entered the top ten search results.
Chapter 4: Conclusion
To achieve high rankings for your articles on Google, follow these five steps:
- Identify high-volume, low-competition keyword phrases.
- Apply basic SEO principles to your writing.
- Create the longest article on your chosen topic.
- Ensure your article is the most valuable resource available.
- Regularly update your article with enhanced content and SEO practices.
I persist in employing this system to elevate my articles in Google rankings. The most crucial first step is to locate effective keyword phrases. If you focus on crafting quality articles around topics people are actively searching for, success will follow.
This video titled "How I Ranked A Blog Post 5th On Google In 7 Days (AI WRITTEN)" provides insights into the techniques used to achieve impressive rankings quickly.
The second video titled "How I Ranked An AI Written Article #1 On Google (& How You Can)" shares strategies that can help you replicate similar success with your own articles.