How to Use “Action Words” to Increase Traffic & Reader Response.

Finding the right “action words” can instantly add verve to your writing style, as well as score you extra points with search engines.

With all of the possible keyword variations that a consumer might use when performing a search, your writing style should essentially cover the bases through using as many potential key phrases as possible (while maintaining the ability to succinctly communicate your point). Over time, the benefits of using “action words” and “semantic synonyms” in your writing style become obvious, as measurable results flourish through notable increases in blog traffic, additional traffic from long-tail organic rankings, increases in subscription rates and higher reader participation occur as a by-product of this savvy SEO tactic.

Action words are remarkable because people frequently use them when conducting searches such as, “how do I optimize my website” or “how do I get more traffic?”. By taking this into consideration (when composing your content), it provides you with an opportunity to tailor your copy specifically for a keyword or combination of key phrases with precision. This tactic combined with social media exposure can encourage higher click through rates, votes or catch the eye of the major players who have a need for your services.

For example, note the difference in tone between a simple word choice like “provide” vs. “provider”, one is questionable (as an action word), the other is assertive. Assertive words translate to the psyche of your reader with stronger intention and are pivotal phrases that add fervor to your posts.

Increasing your Keyword Range / Relevance

You have to realize that when spiders parse data, the snippet that is returned in search engines is often a combination of meta data and on page text, so every word on an optimized page is a potential keyword, and if you truly understand this implication, mastering the long tail of search through tactful writing is yet another benefit you can unlock to augment your on page SEO.

How the use of “How To” can increase reader response and click through rates

How to is probably one of the next best techniques for dialing in traffic. So many articles and titles online start with How to “insert keyword, keyword, solution”, and for very good reason.

On a daily basis, there are increasing amounts of advertisements mixed with content vying for our attention. Which is why there is something comforting about a brief, punchy description or enticing title that can compel us to investigate it further (witnessing revolutionary solutions to postulated problems). “How To” posts have some of the highest conversion rates for link baiting and selling e-commerce / e-book related products you can purchase and then download. This includes the pitch “How You Can”, as well.

This tried and true writing method is characteristically straight-forward. Giving the reader a token of appreciation (and rousing the call to action) is accomplished through satiating the “what’s in it for me mentality” right from the start. Examples such as “How your Blog can Double it’s Traffic”, or “How to Increase Traffic and Revenue by 77% in 2 Easy Steps”, etc. These both use the action word tactic we are discussing (action words and the promise of what you get when you read it). Sounds simple enough, yet it is hard to believe how minor adjustments can really set off a stampede of comments, subscriptions to your RSS feeds or lead generation by adhering to such principles.

We all know about the power of using a magnetic headline or catchy title, but streamlining your content to serve a specific purpose and delivering what you promise, is the fundamental way to gain the reader’s trust. How many times have you clicked a link with a baited title only to read a few paragraphs and find sparsely related concepts strung together on a whimsical tangent from an author. The only thing that accomplishes is a high bounce rate.

Relevance is what readers want and by using the HOW TO format, it not only cuts to the chase, but establishes the main ingredient for the article or blurb. From there, if it delivers, then high traffic from referrals and unique visits, votes from social media sites or link popularity will be abundant.

In closing, here is yet another example of “action words” provided by SEO Expert John Alexander.

This is an excerpt from John Alexander’s SEO Tip of the Day, which is what inspired this post. I suggest each and every one of you go and sign up for Daily SEO Tips that are delivered to your email each and every day.

Excerpt from John Alexander

Okay, what are the two most powerful letters that can be added to a behaviorally related “root word” that will convert a “behavior” into a “tool?”

The Answer: E R

Example:

ACTION WORDS TOOLS

Hold + add E R = Holder (what kind of “holder?” – That’s for you to research!)
Stamp + add E R = Stamper

Watch Watcher
Clean Cleaner
Wash Washer
Build Builder
Fix Fixer
Warm Warmer
Charge Charger
Find Finder

There are hundreds of examples, but I hope this makes sense. If this sounds all too complicated. It’s not! I am suggesting that you can use Wordtracker to research powerful “action words” to discover what tools or alternate keywords are hottest in the marketplace.

They also work great for creating alternative link building key phrases so that you vary your anchor text when building links.

Stay tuned for more Search Engine Optimization Tips, Tactics and Techniques.