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It’s easy to put SEO off for later.
After all, it’s a time investment, and we’re all strapped for time.
But, of all our marketing tasks, I’ll argue that it’s the one you shouldn’t put off.
Why? Because it takes time to vest. And once it does, SEO frees up so much of your time to serve clients or focus on other marketing tasks.
It’s your ticket off the social media treadmill- but only if you get started today.
Since “time” is the number one objection I hear from people who are waiting to invest in their SEO, I thought I’d address a few ways you can save time on your SEO tasks.
There’s no substitute for putting in the work, but there are ways to make it easier and less time-consuming.
1. Refresh Your Old Content
If you’ve already got long-form content (–> blog posts) on your website, then you’re sitting on gold!
Updating older blog posts is one of the quickest ways to give your SEO a leg up without starting from scratch.
Google uses something called a “freshness” factor to help rank websites.
While most people think the only way to stay fresh is by cranking out new content, updating what you already have is just as valuable.
Here are a few ways to update your blog posts:
- Bring it up to date: Look for any info that’s out of date. Maybe there’s a stat that’s changed since 2021, a new trend, or some details that could use a quick refresh. Even small updates signal to Google that your content is worth paying attention to.
- Add something new: If there’s a question or a new study that’s popped up since you first wrote the post, consider adding a quick section about it. Not only does this show Google your content is current, but it adds even more value to the existing post.
- Improve the formatting: User experience matters to Google. And a few tweaks to improve readability, like breaking up long paragraphs, adding bullet points, or throwing in a quick table of contents, can make a huge difference for both your readers and your SEO.
ProTip #1: Don’t know where to start? Focus on posts that already bring in some traffic or cover high-value keywords.
ProTip #2: Many SEO tools, like Yoast on WordPress, update the “last modified” date in the metadata automatically, so search engines know the content is fresh. But simply changing the date isn’t enough. Be sure to actually improve the content with updated insights or information for the update to really count.
2. Fresh Content Isn’t Just for Blogs
When it comes to SEO, “content” doesn’t start and end with your blog.
Keeping your website fresh goes beyond posting new articles; there’s a lot of low-hanging fruit that can make a difference in your SEO without the commitment of creating a full blog post.
Google likes to see signs of life on your website, and small updates across the board can signal that your site is active and that your content is up-to-date.
Here are a few easy ways to keep your whole website looking fresh:
- Testimonials: Got a new glowing review? Pop it onto your homepage or services page. Social proof sells and it can help keep your website fresh.
- Media mentions, features or podcast interviews: If you’ve been featured in the media or partnered with another business, add a note or link to showcase it. It’s a quick update that shows you’re active and that other people trust you.
- New photos: Whether it’s updated brand photos or behind-the-scenes shots, adding recent visuals makes your site feel more personal and help keep it current.
3. Use AI for Content Ideation and Planning
Let’s face it, coming up with fresh content ideas can absolutely be a speed bump on your content creation journey.
But with AI as an assist, you can cut down on brainstorming time, get a clear plan for your content calendar and reduce the time you spend staring at a blinking cursor.
Here’s how AI can help save you time on content planning:
- Get new topic ideas: AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT) can help you find topics based on what people are searching for in your industry. Plug in information about your audience, your expertise and offers, a few keywords or common questions from your clients, and let AI generate a list of relevant topics.
- Plan your content calendar: AI tools can help you map out a strategic schedule for your blog and other content. This way, you’ll always have something ready to go without scrambling at the last minute.
- Outline posts: If you know what you want to write about but aren’t sure how to structure it, AI can generate outlines to guide you. It’s a great jumping-off point that gives you a head start on creating high-value, well-organized content.
ChatGPT Tip: Make Your Prompts Work Harder for You
To get better results from your AI tool, be excruciatingly detailed and specific with your prompts. Here’s a breakdown that can help you get exactly what you need:
- Start with who you are and who you serve.
- Outline your areas of expertise.
- Be clear about what you want ChatGPT to generate for you (e.g., ideas, outlines, etc.).
- Request multiple options for better variety.
- Edit the output to reflect your brand voice.
Example Prompt:
“I’m a copywriter who works with eco-conscious small business owners passionate about sustainability and ethical practices. My clients are driven by purpose, not just profit, and they want to share their story in a way that feels authentic and aligns with their values. They struggle with standing out in a crowded marketplace and often feel overwhelmed by marketing tactics that feel too salesy. My expertise includes storytelling, brand messaging, and conversion copywriting tailored for eco-friendly and mission-driven brands. Please provide me with 10 blog ideas that focus on storytelling and brand messaging strategies. These should be topics that help eco-friendly brands connect with their audience on a deeper level, showcase their values, and increase their brand visibility in a way that feels genuine.”
Remember: Prompting for ideas is different from having AI generate full content. If I were prompting it to write something, I’d include additional, very specific details on my brand’s voice, writing guidelines and communication style.
4. Leverage AI to Write Schema Markup
Schema markup might sound technical, but it’s actually a straightforward way to help search engines understand the content on your site.
In simple terms, schema is a type of structured data, or code, that you add to your website to describe specific details about your business, services, or content in a way that search engines like Google can easily interpret.
Instead of making Google infer what your page is about, schema markup explicitly tells it what you do, who you serve, and how you serve them. It’s the equivalent of giving Google a set of clear instructions so nothing gets lost in translation.
When Google has a better understanding of your business and services, it can more accurately match you with the right audience, increasing your chances of showing up in search results that matter.
The best part? You don’t have to dive into coding to get schema on your site. AI tools can generate it for you!
For a detailed tutorial, hop over to:
5. Use AI for Metadata
Metadata, like your SEO titles and meta-descriptions, is key for helping search engines understand what each page on your site is about.
But writing it yourself can feel tedious, especially when you’re trying to come up with something catchy and concise.
AI can be a huge time-saver for generating metadata that’s optimized for SEO and engaging for readers.
Here’s how to make the most of it:
- Generate title and description ideas: AI tools can create a variety of options for your SEO titles and descriptions. Feed it your SEO keyword and the contents of the page (or a GREAT summary), and let the AI do its magic to give you click-worthy, keyword-friendly options.
- Keep it on-brand: While AI is great for generating ideas, remember to give it a quick edit to make sure the tone and style align with your voice. The goal is to make your metadata compelling for both search engines and potential clients.
How to Use AI to Write Your Meta Descriptions
- Input your content: Either ask ChatGPT to use its external browser to visit an existing URL, or paste the full contents of your blog or webpage directly into the chat. This allows AI to get a complete understanding of your content.
- Prompt for meta description or SEO title: Once the AI has read your content, ask it to generate a click-worthy SEO title of 55 characters or a meta description around 150–160 characters containing your EXACT keyphrase (be sure to share your keyphrase!).
- Request multiple options: AI can provide several variations. I always like to ask for at least 5 to start.
- Edit for voice: Tweak the AI-generated descriptions to make sure they sound like you.
I like this approach because it lets AI read and interpret your content, making its output more accurate and compelling.
6. Use WordPress Plugins to Simplify SEO Tasks
If you’re using WordPress, plugins are your best friend for handling a lot of SEO tasks without getting into the weeds.
The right plugins can keep your website optimized, fast, and user-friendly, with minimal effort from you.
Here are a few plugins worth installing to make SEO simpler:
- SEO Plugin (e.g. Yoast): These plugins guide you through SEO basics, like metadata and readability, so your pages are optimized as you build them.
- Image optimization plugin (e.g. Imagify): Large images can slow down your site, which impacts SEO. Smush automatically compresses images, helping your pages load faster.
- Caching plugin (e.g. WPRocket): Caching plugins store a version of your site so it loads faster for visitors. A faster site means a better user experience, which is a win for SEO.
- Redirect management plugin (e.g. Redirection): Every time you update content or change a URL, this plugin ensures old links still work. It keeps visitors (and Google) happy by redirecting them to the right place.
7. Get an SEO Audit
An SEO audit is a roadmap for your website’s success. It’s also key to making sure you spend your limited time on tasks that actually matter.
Rather than guessing where to spend your time or endlessly Googling for answers, an audit pinpoints exactly where your website needs attention for maximum ROI.
It’s the shortcut to knowing what will move the needle on your SEO. No wasted effort, just a clear path forward.
Here’s how an audit saves you time:
- Personalized recommendations: An audit shows you exactly which areas need improvement, whether it’s page speed, missing metadata, or keyword targeting. No more spinning your wheels or wasting time on low-impact tasks; you’ll know exactly what to focus on.
- Immediate action steps: Audits break down the steps needed to optimize your site, so you’re not left wondering where to start. It’s a direct route to better SEO without a lot of guesswork.
- Choose DIY or Pro Support: Whether you tackle it yourself or bring in an expert, an audit gives you the insight to make informed decisions and maximize your efforts.
Time-Saving SEO That Works
SEO might feel like a time commitment upfront (because, well, it is), but it’s one of those things that frees up so much time in the long run.
But imagine a website that brings in clients while you’re off doing what you do best, serving your people, building your brand, or even just catching a breather.
It’s within reach!
Here’s the key: SEO isn’t about perfect execution.
It’s about making forward progress- making sure each tweak, update, or new piece of content is taking you one step closer to building a website that works hard for you, day in, day out and while you’re on the beach.
So pick a tip (or two!) and get started!
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