Supplement: 2013: The Year of the Online Writer

Introduction

The year of 2012 was important to any SMB in the digital marketing game, especially for those who are investing in content creation and online writing. We’ve seen the search giant, Google, focus more and more on quality content and make even talented writers more important with their Panda and Penguin updates. These changes force digital marketing companies and SMBs to be more aware of how Google determines online authority; Copyblogger’s “2013: The Year of the Online Writer” only solidifies that statement.

Online Marketing is Driven by Content

A lot of SEO and search marketing companies harp on getting SMB websites more links to boost rankings. Sure, you need links - online public relations - to really boost your rankings, but it’s the quality content that gets you the most authoritative links. Thus, coining the phrase “content is king.” Noggin takes a public relations approach when thinking about digital marketing driven by content, from building relationships with publishers to sharing via social media channels.

Google Authorship Elevates the Writer

We still hear people in the industry hate on Google+, labeling the social network a “flop” that failed miserably. Let it be known that Google+ is not something to devalue. Copyblogger states, “What’s been dubbed as ‘author rank’ has the potential to be the biggest algorithmic signal for SEO since the hyperlink itself.” Simply put, you should be sharing all of your content across all channels - Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

The Writer as Entreproducer

Writers are of a different breed. A breed that will only become more valuable to SMBs looking to extend their voice to their customers, ultimately building relationships and helping those who matter most. A writer’s personal brand has more weight nowadays. Choose yours carefully and understand that they could control the outcome of whether or not an SMB succeeds at bringing on new business. You don’t need new business? Think again. Consumers are cutting costs and if your competitor offers the same product at a lower price, you lose. Content creation determines the health of business development. Get in the game before it’s too late.

Comments

[Matthew Loomis]

Love it. This is definitely share worthy. Thanks for sharing this on LinkedIn, Zach!