Understanding SEO and Content Creation in Digital Marketing

With the arrival of the holidays comes time spent conversing with family members you only see once a year, and sprinkled into those interactions is a small helping of awkwardness. 

Over this most recent holiday break, I overheard my cousin explaining what he does for his digital marketing role in SEO and Content Creation to another family member. The Content Creation portion of the role is pretty straightforward. To satisfy a user’s query, you add value through a digital medium like text, video, music, graphics, etc. In other words, you are creating something useful for your target audience to digest and walk away satisfied that they found what they were after. The content created should reflect the brand of the site you are posting it to, the same way a leader maintains consistency in their messaging to constituents.  

The Challenge of Explaining SEO

But what about describing the SEO portion? Explaining what search engine optimization is to someone should be easy in theory, but sometimes, the look on the face of the person receiving the explanation says otherwise. Is it the fact that you’re already starting on the wrong foot by using an acronym? You say “SEO, which stands for Search Engine Optimization,” and you’ve already lost them.  

The truth is, many people don’t care to know about what’s going on behind the scenes of Google, DuckDuckGo, or other search engines. They just want it to work when they open it. But what if you could explain how understanding SEO, even at the basic level, could help make their search queries more accurate and efficient?  

SEO Simplified: The Library Analogy

We can view SEO in comparison to organizing a library where books (websites) need to be easily findable through proper cataloging (keywords, meta tags).  

Elaborating on this analogy, we can draw parallels between various elements of a library experience and aspects of SEO:

1. Asking a Librarian for Help (SEO Query and Keywords): In a library, when you’re looking for a specific book or topic but aren’t sure where to start, you might ask a librarian for help. The librarian listens to your query, suggesting where to look or even specific titles. In the digital world, this is akin to using a search engine. You type in your query (keywords), and the search engine (the digital librarian) provides the most relevant websites or pages. Just as a librarian uses your description to guide you, search engines use keywords to pull up the most relevant results. Effective use of keywords in SEO is like giving clear, concise instructions to the librarian, ensuring that you get exactly what you’re looking for.
2. Efficient Library Cataloging System (Website Structure and Meta Tags): In a well-organized library, books are cataloged and sorted systematically, making it easy to find what you’re after. Each book has a specific place based on genre, author, or topic. Similarly, a well-structured website with straightforward navigation and properly used meta tags helps search engines understand the site’s content. Meta tags serve as catalog cards, providing search engines with information about the content of each page, just like how a library’s catalog card gives a brief overview of each book’s contents and its location in the library.
3. Library Signage and Guides (User Experience and Site Navigation): In a library, clear signage and guides help visitors navigate between different sections effortlessly. On a website, good user experience (UX) and intuitive site navigation serve a similar purpose. They guide the user through the website, making it easy to find the desired information. This is like having well-placed signs in a library that direct you to different genres, new arrivals, or specific collections.
4. Easily Accessible and Well-Maintained Books (Mobile Optimization and Site Speed): In a library, books should be easily accessible, and the environment should be welcoming. In the digital world, this translates to mobile optimization and site speed. Your website needs to be easily accessible on various devices, just like how books should be reachable on different shelves. Quick loading times are akin to having the books well-maintained and ready to be checked out without delays.

Content Creation and SEO Personified

In visualizing these parallels, I wanted to paint a clearer picture for others unfamiliar with SEO and Content Creation to understand. To bridge this gap, I’ve listed standard SEO and Content Creation elements of digital marketing, assigning each to a different personality focus. As you read through these, consider who you know or work with that fits each criterion.

Keywords: The Strategist

• Traits: Analytical, focused, and strategic. Always knows the right thing to say.
• Description: Like a strategist, you’re all about finding the right approach and words to make an impact. You know the importance of being relevant and precise. Maybe you are also the driving factor of the modern blogpost.  

Backlinks: The Networker

• Traits: Social, connected, and resourceful. The one who knows everyone and makes valuable connections.
• Description: As a networker, you understand the power of relationships and credibility. You’re at the center of the web, linking others and building trust.

Content Quality: The Storyteller

• Traits: Creative, engaging, and thoughtful. Has a talent for capturing attention with compelling narratives.
• Description: Just like a great storyteller, you captivate audiences with quality and substance. Your focus is on delivering value and keeping people interested.

Meta Tags: The Organizer

• Traits: Detail-oriented, efficient, and structured. Keeps everything in order and easy to find.
• Description: As the organizer, you know how to categorize and present information clearly. You make sure everything is where it should be for maximum efficiency.

User Experience (UX): The Empath

• Traits: Intuitive, user-focused, and empathetic. Always puts others’ needs first to ensure a pleasant experience.
• Description: Like an empath, you’re all about understanding and catering to the user’s journey. Your goal is to make experiences enjoyable and seamless.

Mobile Optimization: The Innovator

• Traits: Tech-savvy, adaptable, and forward-thinking. Embraces change and new technologies.
• Description: As the innovator, you’re always one step ahead, ensuring compatibility and performance across platforms. You adapt quickly to the evolving digital landscape.

Site Speed: The Efficient

• Traits: Fast, timely, and performance-oriented. Values time and ensures everything runs smoothly.
• Description: Efficiency is your mantra. Like a well-oiled machine, you ensure everything loads quickly and runs without a hitch.

SEO Analytics: The Data Scientist

• Traits: Inquisitive, data-driven, and insightful. Loves digging into data to find meaningful patterns.
• Description: You, the data scientist, are all about the numbers. You analyze performance and use insights to drive decisions and strategies.

Bridging the Gap: Relating SEO and Content Creation to Everyday Experiences

Hopefully, this was a fun read illustrating the parallels between the digital arena and our physical reality. In wrapping up, it’s crucial to recognize the profound impact that SEO and Content Creation have on our online experiences. Just like navigating a bustling city or a well-organized library, understanding the intricacies of the digital landscape empowers us to find what we need more efficiently and enjoy richer, more relevant content.

Think of the digital world as a vast ocean of information. Knowing about SEO and Content Creation is like having a compass and a map; it helps you navigate this vast expanse more skillfully, ensuring you reach your desired destination easily and with satisfaction.

As you continue to engage with various websites and platforms, I encourage you to apply this newfound understanding. Observe how different websites capture your attention, how search results align with your queries, and how the content you enjoy resonates with you. This awareness not only enhances your online experiences but also connects you more deeply with the ever-evolving digital world around us.

So, the next time you find yourself explaining SEO and Content Creation to someone, remember that you’re not just discussing technical concepts; you’re sharing knowledge that shapes our collective digital journey. And in this journey, each of us plays a role in creating a more informed, accessible, and enjoyable digital universe.

Tired of spending your time on SEO and Content Creation? Secure a free consultation with LFG Media Group today to learn what we can do for your digital presence and take these tasks off your hands.