One of the first things you learn when you start a blog is –
If you want visitors to your site, learn how to use keywords for search engine optimization (SEO).
For my non-blogging friends, those are fancy words for figuring out the word or phrase people put in Google to find information on a topic.
It didn’t take long for the smarmy side of marketing to invent keyword stuffing. They took a keyword and used it over and over and over again in their post in the hopes of driving more visitors to their site so they could sell them something else they didn’t need.
The great Google gods figured that one out pretty quickly. They developed their own complicated algorithm (Lord, I hate math!) that punished abusers – begone spammy marketers!
But, there is an even more deadly sin associated with this disease – one that fools even the Google gods –
Keyword stuffing’s deadliest sin – overuse of the word “I.”
A Keyboard Calamity
You don’t need a blog to relate to this problem. It’s the ad, the conversation, the posts that all center on the word “I.” When you read it online, you find yourself screaming –
Is your keyboard stuck on the letter I?
“I” is a very nice word, but like anything in life, too much of a good thing is bad for you. And, in this case, it’s especially painful for your readers.
The I’s Have It
Another SEO “best practice” is using keywords in headlines. Don’t you just love headlines that scream “I, I, I?”
- 10 Reasons Why I Won’t Write for Cheap Blogs (Get over yourself)
- I Can Tell You How to Improve Your Blog (And I can say no)
- How I Made $5,000 in One Month Writing Blogs (And I should care because???)
You don’t need a marketing degree to know the overuse of the word “I” turns people off. If the idea is to sell something or simply receive more visitors to your blog, why would you use a tactic that turns people off?
It’s true that sharing experiences is a great way for connecting to people. But, when “I” gets to be a bully and blocks out “You,” it’s time to call in the authorities.
Here’s the thing –
“You” are the authorities.
You have the power to –
- Cancel your subscription
- Click off the site
- Say no to what they’re selling
Until “I” learns that giving up a part of “I” to make room for “You” is true sharing –
Why don’t we allow them to wallow in their I’s?
And I thank You for allowing this little rant – feel free to share yours.
You did a wonderful job on this post, Cathy.
It is humorous. Also, it has a curiosity grabbing title, but also has a bit of an unexpected twist to help people hear you better.
“I” hear you. LOL
Thanks!
Thanks, Donna – high praise, indeed. 🙂 “I” appreciate you stopping by and hope to see you again. I see by your latest post, you are one on my most admired people – WAHMs. I salute you. 🙂
Fun post! I hadn’t realized that “I” could be misused like that!
Hi Evie-consider this my Public Service Announcement. 🙂 So glad you dropped by and shared your thoughts. “I” do appreciate it. Of course, a post like this makes me real paranoid about using the word “I.” 🙂
Wow, Cathy – you’re so funny. I love your writing style – fun and straight talk (to the point).
Now “I” know how “I” should not write headlines again.
Thanks, Stella. You have to have fun. This is my personal blog where I let a bit more “hang out.” It was pretty much in limbo and I found I wanted to have a blog away from my business writing.
After this comment, however, people may click away because of my overuse of the word “I.” 🙂
Thanks for stopping by, Stella. I am happy to get to know you through the blogtribe. It’s a lot of fun.
You rock, Cathy! This is great! Proof that the “I’s” do not always have it! 🙂
I’m with you there, Girlfriend! 😉 Thanks for stopping by my personal blog, Lori, and sharing a laugh.
Makes good sense to me… and let’s not forget the “me-me’s” 😉
♫ Me-me-me ♫ Thanks, Kim, for the reminder. 🙂
I have to admit than when I first started it was like I would type my keyword 20 times and find a way to make sentences around it. Not literally, but that’s the way it turned out.
Also, I often have a time of whether to write you or I or people or what I need to put in there.
Thanks
TAM
Hi, Tammy. I think as we get more comfortable blogging, SEO becomes the tool it was supposed to be and not one that forces us into a writing style that is not natural.
As long as we put ourselves in the shoes of our readers, and not focus on just our needs, I think it shows. One thing about this post – as I mentioned, it’s making me paranoid about using the word “I.” LOL! 😀
Thanks for stopping by, Tammy, and sharing your thoughts.
Great post! Though I also think that storytelling can be very powerful in a blog post and if the story is about the blogger, it can help people feel connected and begin to feel like they know, like and trust her.
Hi Jeanine: I agree with you and love storytelling. It is a great way of communicating. However, I believe there is a difference between sharing a story and crossing over into preaching.
Take for example, the above heading of How I Made $5,000 in One Month Writing Blogs. If you change the “I” to “You,” it becomes more inviting, How You Can Make $5,000 in One Month Writing Blogs. Now, when you talk about how “I did it and maybe this will work for you, too,” the reader appreciates that you’re sharing.
And you are so right about the trust. If I know you and trust you, I may not react the same way to that headline.
Thanks for stopping by, Jeanine, and sharing a really good tip about storytelling.
Ok. Confession. Done it loads of times and feel it a bit uncomfortable when “one” dies it! . people like to know about us so we like to talk about us sometimes…… often……. frequently…..most of the time……. all the time.
Gonna focus on the “eyes” instead!
Hi Marty: Thanks for stopping by. Of course, a lot of this post was tongue-in-cheek, but I think it’s like Jeanine said, storytelling, when done right, is very effective.
From the one post I read of yours, I would say you do a very nice job of that. Because you are sharing and what the reader receives is an uplifting, feel-good message. The intent has a lot to do with the message.
Thanks again, Marty, for stopping by, and keep on sharing those beautiful posts.