In the ever-changing landscape of SEO, many professionals get caught up in metrics like domain authority, rankings, click-through rates, and user acquisition. While it’s true that these traditional SEO factors are essential, they shouldn’t overshadow the most critical element of all: your audience.
If you truly want to skyrocket your online visibility, engagement, and customer conversions, then it’s high time to recognise people as the driving force behind SEO success. In fact, recent statistics from SEMrush show that 44% of marketers said the quality and value of their content has led to success.
In this article, we will explore what people-first content is, why it matters, and how to effectively implement it to boost your SEO efforts.
What is People-First Content?
People-first content is a marketing strategy that prioritises the needs and preferences of your target audience above all else. Essentially, it involves creating content, including blog articles, press releases, social media posts, case studies, and more, that addresses people’s queries directly, rather than catering to the demands of search engines.
Why Putting People First Matters
User experience (UX) plays a pivotal role in determining your website’s performance, and adopting a people-first content approach is one of the most potent strategies to achieve optimal results.
When people find valuable and relevant content, they are more likely to click, read, explore further and return to your website, elevating its credibility and authority in the eyes of both users and search engines. This, in turn, leads to higher rankings for targeted keywords, increased engagement, improved brand loyalty, and more conversions, ultimately fuelling business growth.
How to Write People-First Content
Now that we’ve established what people-first content is and why it’s important, let’s take a look at some specific tips for creating this type of content:
- Focus on Search Intent
Firstly, put yourself in the shoes of your audience and identify the primary reasons they might search for information related to your business niche. Are they looking for product reviews, service information, how-to guides, or comparison articles? Once you’ve gained a deep understanding of your audience’s search intent, you can then finely tune your content and keyword strategy to perfectly align with their needs, making your website a go-to resource.
- Stick to Your Niche
It’s crucial to focus on your core expertise and avoid venturing into unrelated topics. For instance, a cycling company discussing the benefits of cars would seem out of place. By producing content that is associated with your niche, you establish yourself as an authority in the field and attract a more targeted audience, while boosting your chances of ranking higher for relevant search queries.
- Provide Well-Research Information
Before writing, make sure to thoroughly research your topics and provide accurate, up-to-date information. Incorporate data, statistics, and credible sources to back up your claims. Quality content not only captivates readers, but also earns backlinks from other websites, a vital factor in SEO to further enhance your website’s trustworthiness and domain authority.
- Avoid Industry Jargon & Keyword Stuffing
Often, businesses resort to using industry jargon and stuffing their content pieces with keywords, believing this is the way to increase visibility, and interest. However, this approach can easily backfire. Not only does it make the content seem monotonous, robotic, and lacking in personality, but it can also make it difficult to read and understand. Aim for clear and simple language that speaks to your audience in an informative, but approachable and engaging tone of voice.
- Make it readable
Finally, people tend to skim-read online content, so make sure your articles are easy to digest. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and subheadings to break up the text and improve readability. You could also incorporate multimedia elements such as images and videos to make your content visually appealing.
Are you Ready to Take the Next Step?
Overall, a people-first content approach can be a powerful tool for improving your SEO and building a stronger connection with your audience.
If you find yourself grappling with creating high-value content that caters to both readers and search engines, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 0161 958 6292. Discover how our expert SEO services can drive tangible growth for your business.