The Silent Killer of SEO Success in 2024: Understanding the #1 Reason for SEO Failures
Updated: Dec 8, 2023
Why do marketers and SEO managers fail at SEO?
In this blog article, I’ll be talking about the biggest mistake SEO managers or businesses make. And this very reason is exactly why I hate the SEO game right now even as a search engine and content optimization specialist.
I think the biggest cause of failures in SEO is caused by 'SEO tools'.
Other reasons could include tricking Google by over-optimizing content and using black hat SEO tricks which ends up messing up rankings.
Businesses and SEOs now use use AI SEO tools, and AI writing tools to generate content and blog articles.
That could help you create content faster but will hurt your SEO in the long run and I'll explain why.
The 'quick' search for Organic or search traffic causes SEOs and businesses to FOCUS on creating content "for GOOGLE" rather than creating content "for its customers" by using SEO tools and black-hate tricks.
For example. Most content creators would:
- Switch blog headlines to suit search engines and please Google rather than entice their target customers to click.
- Stuff keywords into content pieces rather than using words their target audience easily relates with.
- Publish content solely based on keyword research by SEO tools rather than answering questions your target customers are asking online.
- Buy backlinks or pay for super cheap blog posts.
Why Do People Fail at SEO? The #1 Reason for SEO Failures!
Over the past 5 years, I’ve worked with over 20 businesses as an SEO manager, blog manager, and content creator. Here’s what I’ve noticed;
You see, there are 2 mistakes almost every business or agency makes with SEO and content marketing.
1) Strongly believe the startup wouldn’t grow without SEO tools.
2) Doing exactly what their competitors do.
Relying on SEO tools and black hat tricks could make you miss out on what I call the 3 E’s of Creating High Converting Content (Blog Posts, Video Content, Podcasts) for your business or brand.
Before you publish, each piece must:
1. Entice your target clients or customers to consume (watch, read, listen...).
2. Educate and enlighten them on a specific topic or problem your business solves.
3. Excite them to try or pay for your product(s) or service.
Here’s the truth:
SEO plugins or SEO tools like Yoast SEO, and KWfinder hinder content creators from hitting these key fundamentals for each content you publish.
How?
Writing content strictly based on exact keywords that Google keyword planner or KWfinder reveals.
Come to think of it; 100 other SEOs and businesses are using the same tools.
What sets your content apart?
How about real, organic questions your target customers are asking in group chats, forums, and communities?
Real problems they are currently facing!
During the early stages of working with 2 businesses, we’ve had great successes and failures as well. Here’s one thing I noticed with these;
Most blog content we publish fails (convert) to perform whenever we focus too much on results from SEO tools.
SEO and content marketing have changed mightily over the years, especially with the rise of AI and SEO tools and I see a continuous trend that isn't too good for businesses.
Some companies like social media examiners are starting to see a decline in Google traffic and had to switch strategies.
Mike Stelzner, the founder of socialmediaexaminer.com, said
“Google is no longer in the business of delivering lots of answers. Instead, it’s in the business of delivering a single answer—without the need to click” - Mike Stelzner
The SEO and content marketing game is fast-growing and constantly evolving. A good percentage of startups surveyed reported that they’re willing to invest up to 25% of their budget into effective content marketing.
This has led to a high increase in the number of content put out by businesses and startups yearly.
Here’s the thing:
If your competitors fight over Google rankings using the same tools, why is your plan not so different?
Your website is using the same SEO plugins and tools your competitors are using.
Same number of keywords, headline length, and similar SEO hacks to rank high.
You optimize all your content pieces with the same keywords your competitors are optimizing for.
My Secret to Designing an Effective SEO Plan for Your Startup
To create an effective content marketing plan for your startup blog, you need to think outside the box.
Think of this:
- What are your goals for your b2b startup and how can you devise a unique strategy to reach these goals?
Here are the five unique steps I believe should walk you through building (or rebuilding) a better content distribution plan for your B2B startup that your competitors aren’t aware of.
Content marketing plan:
Stop writing content for search engines and begin writing content for your customers. All content pieces you publish should follow the 3 Es of writing useful content for your customers.
Document 3-5 main, organic content distribution channels that every new piece you publish must go through. To help guide you in creating the perfect distribution plan for your startup, start by answering these 3 questions;
Ask questions like...
Where do my customers gather to discuss?
Is it easy to reach them through these channels?
Are these forums? Facebook groups? Or other blogs and websites?
Answering these questions left us with content marketing strategies and channels like:
- Proper and rigorous email outreach to industry influencers (not easy because no one wants to do cold reach outs)
- Podcast interviews and mentions (there’s a growing need in the audio content space).
- Facebook Ads to promote your blog posts (most times, SaaS startups run ads that lead directly to free trials or sales. You can stand out by promoting content that educates and adds value to your customers.
- Facebook groups reach out (also not easy because it involves reachouts).
Document all your plans, schedule (and outsource) all tasks for the next 30-60 days.
Begin implementation:
After putting down a powerful content distribution plan for your business, implementation is the next step.
Ideas or strategies without implementation are as good as not having made a plan at all.
A good number of startups surveyed said their content marketing strategy is not implemented or followed as planned - this is one of the reasons you should outsource your content marketing efforts to someone with sufficient knowledge and experience (you can contact me for your blog writing, management, SEO and marketing tasks).
See that the designated employee(s) implements these and get all the possible help they can get from other departments - working collectively will save you more time and energy.
Frequently, revisit your content marketing strategy.
After the first 30-40 days, revisit the content marketing plan to check what has been implemented, what worked, what failed, and what needs improvement.
There’s no ‘one plan fits all’.
Before I close this week’s blog post, here’s one thing…
After the first 30 to 60 days of implementing our unique blog content marketing plan and avoiding the common mistakes by B2B companies, you shouldn’t expect to see tens of thousands of targeted people consuming your content.
When carried out effectively, your blog content marketing can be the base for your entire marketing strategy.
What do you sincerely think about content marketing and search engine optimization?
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Have a productive day,
Best,
Simon Taki ZAKU
Owner: Simonzaku.com
