Stuck. Stuck rhymes with truck. It was stuck.
Not the other word. You potty mouth, you. ?
That’s how I’m currently feeling about SEO.
In case you’re not familiar, SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, and it basically means using the correct words that people are Googling, so that your stuff shows up at the top of the search results, which in turn helps them find your information.
It also kind of means that if Google can’t find you, your people won’t be able to find you. And you will be pouring your heart and soul onto the keyboard only to be discouraged and have your blog die a slow and painful death, leaving you to weep dejectedly amongst a mist of unrealized dreams and Milk Duds. Okay, not really. (But also, maybe.)
So here’s what I’ve decided.
I’m going to write all the blog posts that have been swirling around in my brain for way too long, without getting paralyzed by not having the ‘right’ keywords in them. Perhaps Google will be so confused it will throw up its hands and say ‘Whatevs, let’s show this shit to everyone.’
“Whatevs, let’s show this shit to everyone.“
~ potentially, Google
Quite likely, no one is searching the exact phrase ‘how to drink green smoothies when green smoothies suck’ or ‘how to modify the rockin’ vintage leather jacket I got at the thrift store that is too manky to wear as-is but is waaayyyy too fun to pass up.’ Few people search for ‘mindset shifts to help with bad hair days’ or ‘I have some boring shoes and I want to make them more “me”.’
I suppose people could be typing those exact phrases into Google, and I could do my due diligence and actually do the research, but that’s not what my soul is shouting at guiding me to do right now. I’ve learned insights on life and handy tricks, things to share that can truly help others; if that waits until I figure out SEO then someone who needs to hear it will be missing out.
I have resistance to doing the same thing that everyone else is doing anyway, so it feels wrong to just do what everyone else is doing. Know what I mean?!?
I use lots of made-up words, like stick-to-it-ivness (hanging in there) – ain’t nobody Googling that. And random old words like peruse, and whilst, and lest because, well, words are fun! Maybe we can bring some forgotten ones back (hey, if legwarmers and fluorescent colors can make a comeback, the sky’s the limit, really)
I’m going back to my original plan
I’m going back to my original plan, back before I got swept up in the shoulds and musts. I’m going to change my headers back to the cute orange font that I fell in love with and ignore the pros who advise keeping the same fonts (as soon as I relearn/remember how the heck to do that ?♀️). Throw caution to the wind and not even look at the word count before I hit publish. Use emojis with abandon (or is it without abandon?? Note to self; look that up. Regardless, I’m probably gonna use a lot of them ?)
I’ll write about customizing wall decor even if I don’t have perfect photos and super epically concise step-by-step instructions, because I know deep down that sometimes all you need is someone’s idea to spark your own. That your taste is likely not exactly the same as mine but you get joy out of personalizing your stuff. That you are creative enough and resourceful enough to use my general idea and fly with it, using your favourite colours and supplies to make a masterpiece of whatever item you choose.
I’ll let the search engines do their thing for now
… and worry about optimizing and all that other jazz later, writing with the belief that those who need to read my words will find them.
Disclaimer –
But lest you think (see?!? It fits! Bahahahaha) that it’s all about me, let’s be real. You don’t particularly care about me, per se. You want to know how I can help you; how what I talk about applies to you. And that is awesome. That’s exactly how it should be!
Regardless of which expert is telling you what amazing thing, it’s imperative that you actually evaluate how it fits into your life. Take whatever tidbits you can from it and put them into action in your own space. Because we’re all unique. And that is even awesome.
Without further ado… drumroll please… here are some takeaways for you:
Be true to yourself.
Listen, but don’t blindly follow.
Evaluate if what you’re reading fits your morals and your vibe.
Take what you learn and tweak it to fit your style.
More importantly, take action. Thinking about things does nothing but stick you in confusion and living a life of regrets. You don’t know how things will go until you try. Then see how it goes, make adjustments, and try again.
Trust your gut. Your intuition is trying to guide you and the Universe wants the best for you, but you have to know what you want and heed the tiny nudges leading you there.
Respect the opinions of others; they’re entitled to their own thoughts and words, but that doesn’t mean you have to buy into it or feel bullied into copying.
Love yourself first, and you’ll have enough to spill out to everyone and everything else.
Let your you shine through!
If you’d like some dandy little tips on how to showcase more of your you, enter your name and email below and I’ll send you my free guide- 5 Easy Ways to Help Your You Shine Through. It’s cheerful and fun ?