by Doreen Martel

Created on: January 02, 2009   Last Updated: January 26, 2011

There are hundreds of companies out there that will offer to teach you to write effective SEO (Search Engine Optimization) articles, websites and blogs. The fact of the matter is that there isn't all that much mystery in learning to write effective content that is considered effective SEO copy. If you write any articles at all, chances are you have inadvertently learned to write effective SEO copy. You might think that you have to have some great technical expertise, but that's a misnomer as well. Even if you are the type of person who learns by visual queues you may discover that you know more about search engine optimization techniques than you thought.

What is SEO?

SEO is most easily defined as a style of writing that allows your work to be found easily by a search engine. Search engines focus in on key words that are used in articles to "rank" them based on how dense the keywords are in the final copy.

How difficult is Search Engine Optimization?

Search engine optimization is fairly simple if a few simple rules of thumb are followed that optimize your SEO articles to accomplish what you are looking for.

1. Titles - make your title attention grabbing - and try to create an alternate title for SEO purposes

2. Keywords - find 5 to 7 keywords for best search engine optimization

3. Style - do not stuff your articles or blog posts with keywords. Make sure they flow naturally throughout the text for the most effective SEO. Over-stuffing key words makes your content difficult to read and makes it sound lopsided.  There are hundreds of examples of bad articles on the internet that were clearly written to "attract" attention from search engines.

Placement of Keywords

For effective search engine optimization you need to strategically place your keywords throughout your SEO article.

1. First line in article - include keywords twice in the first paragraph of your article. Make your first paragraph a summary for maximum SEO;

2. Throughout your article - when you're trying to use effective search engine optimization you should try to make sure that your keywords are used carefully throughout the body of your article (rule of thumb - repeat your keywords every fifty words);

3. End of article - to make the most of search engine optimization include your keywords twice in the final paragraph of your SEO article

Why use SEO?

The biggest advantage to using search engine optimization is that it will draw attention to your work. Proper use of keywords will help people find your articles, blogs and websites.. Search engine optimization is similar to inviting a group of experts together who all know a lot about one topic. They are the people you want to find your article, your website or your blog. Proper use of SEO techniques can help you draw the audience you want.

Can anyone learn SEO?

Yes anyone can learn SEO and it does not have to cost you hundreds of dollars. In fact, you have just had a very basic SEO lesson and you were not even aware of it. Review this article and count the instances you found the words "SEO" and "Search engine optimization" and you will realize you just learned the basic premise of SEO optimization.  Writing effective SEO copy does not have to be a mystery.

Learn more about this author, Doreen Martel.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.