Tag Archives: Blogging

DIY SEO: Blog Commenting

Posted on by Wade Sonenberg

DIY SEOAnother simple way to increase to increase your website or blog’s inbound links is by commenting on blogs related to your industry. It takes just a few minutes to gain high quality, one-way, relevant inbound links – and you might just learn something you can use while you do it! It’s important to stick to blogs about your particular industry, since Google and other search engines give higher priority for links coming from pages with similar topics.

Where to find relevant blogs?

  • Simply Google the industry + “blog” For example, the term “fishing charter blog”
  • BlogCatalog directory (there are many other directories). Browse or search
  • Technorati Search your targeted keywords, and check out the top results

Add to the Conversation

Nobody likes the guy who posts “I’m the best Fishing Guide in FL, check me out.” Blatant advertisement is likely to be deleted quickly, and very few people will follow the link to your site this way. Rule of thumb is to either add something complimentary, or something thoughtful is even better – it doesn’t have to be esoteric however.

How to Comment for Maximum SEO Effect

On most blogging platforms, there will be three boxes that you’ll need to fill out. Here’s a couple tricks to get the most out of the comment you’re about to enter:

  • Name
    The name attribute is what’s going to make up the written text of the link. It helps (greatly) in SEO to have keywords in this text because it tells search engines what the link target (your website) is all about. Now some bloggers won’t take kindly to the name “best Florida fishing guide.” That said, if you’re business name includes some of your target keywords, then it should be OK to use that name. To simplify, entering the name “Bob” doesn’t help much unless your trying to rank well for “Bob” in Google.
  • URL/website/address
    Called by various names, but in all cases it is the target of the aforementioned link. Usually you want to include your home page, but it’s good practice to vary them a little bit, especially when you have a page that is relevant to the blog post at hand. Also, if you have other content rich pages that you’d like to rank well for a given term, include it here. An example of this is if you operate a guide service off of a particular island or offer an “overnight” charter option.

Fishing And Hunting Guides – Blogging Will Increase Bookings and Revenue

Posted on by Wade Sonenberg

Hunters and fishermen are increasingly using the internet to find pros and guides on their next outing. Blogging is the most effective way to reach these potential clients, whether used separately or in conjunction with an existing website. Hunting and fishing guides who blog will consistently do two things: 1.) Get more eyeballs on their company, outfit, or organization and 2.) Convert more of these viewers to clients. Read on for the how and why this concept works:

Fishing Guide Websites1.) You’re the expert, prove it!

If you’re the guy that knows Florida flats bonefish, or how rocky mountain elk react to early fall snow, give tips and advice. Potential clients will recognize you as an expert and wonder what other tricks you have up your sleeve. Give teasers, but you don’t have to give away that favorite fishing hole.

2.) Fishing/Hunting Reports

First thing potential clients are going to want to know is what fish are running at that time of year, or when the rut starts. Give them an idea of when their target species is doing what through periodic updates.

3.) Regulations

Second thing potential clients are looking for: what bag limits are in place, when is the season for a particular game, how would one draw permits for such a beast or is this something the guide can handle for me? Note, a link to the state DNR web page will do, but covering them your self is even better.

4.) Profile Fish and Game

Detail what’s out there to hunt or fish. Give photos, describe what kind of trip is involved, and list what options are available for bagging their dream or game.

5.) Search Engines Love Blogs

Not all websites are created equal. Search engines love blogs because they are text heavy, deliver fresh content, create unique titles, and a number of other SEO factors not within the scope of this article. What’s important is that blogs can consistently outperform traditional websites for target search terms, but also maximize the effect of long tail search terms (google “long tail seo”). You’ll be surprised at how many people find you and your blog by seemingly random search terms such as a particular mountain you hunt, or a reef you mentioned last spring.

6.) Pictures are Your Friend

Potential clients want nothing more than to be the face in that picture of a 32″ redfish, trophy rainbow, or a 400 class elk. Photo galleries are a great idea, but also feature a trophy from time to time with a very ecstatic client in the background.

Hunting Websites7.) Testimonials

If you’re really making people happy, they will love to give you great feedback. Email some past clients for a testimonial, or better yet ask a happy client to write a note on the boat ride or hike back from your outing. Most clients are happy to help, and you wouldn’t believe how far testimonials go to build credibility.

8.) It’s Easy

Anybody who can use the internet and make complete sentences can do it. Potential clients aren’t looking for Pulitzer Prize awarding writing; they are looking for the scoop on their next destination and somebody who can take them to where the “big ones” are located. Most blogging platforms offer an easy to use web interface to write, edit, and change the look of the blog very easily.

9.) Low Cost or No Cost

Setting up a domain name with a new blog (or paying somebody to do so), isn’t expensive at all, usually running around $80 to $200 a year depending on hosting, features, etc. since software packages such as WordPress and TypePad are free. An even easier, and free option is to host your blog on a free blogging platform such as WordPress.com, TypePad.com, Blogger.com, or even OutdoorsBlogger.com.