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{"id":444,"date":"2024-04-15T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-15T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cherylroll.com\/writing-people-first-content-process-template-439636\/"},"modified":"2024-04-15T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-04-15T12:00:00","slug":"writing-people-first-content-process-template-439636","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cherylroll.com\/writing-people-first-content-process-template-439636\/","title":{"rendered":"Writing people-first content: A process and template"},"content":{"rendered":"

Want to rank highly in 2024 and beyond? Then, you must create what Google calls “helpful, reliable, people-first content<\/a>.” <\/p>\n

In this article, I will outline a process that shows you exactly how to do that and provide a simple template you can fill out to take your content to the next level. <\/p>\n

Spambusters <\/h2>\n
At the time of writing, Google is doing some major spring cleaning to tackle some of the spammy, low-quality content littering the search results<\/a>. <\/p>\n
Unsurprisingly, much content is developed from an SEO<\/a> perspective. Google’s latest update is designed to help push down some of this SEO-first content and surface people-first content. <\/p>\n
Our goal here should be to create well-optimized, people-first content. Any savvy marketer knows you build trust with your prospects by being helpful and sharing.<\/p>\n

A people-first content process<\/h2>\n
Google has a help page<\/a> that provides several questions you can use to review your existing content to ensure it is helpful, reliable and people-first. Unfortunately (and ironically), this page is not helpful when creating new content. <\/p>\n
In addition, I have created a simple process we use at my agency for planning, writing and reviewing new content that is people-first and ticks all of Google’s qualitative boxes.<\/p>\n
To simplify following the steps, here’s a simple template you can fill out as you work through the article. Grab a copy of this first. <\/p>\n
\n
People-first content template (Make a copy)<\/em><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nPeople-first content: A writing process<\/h2>\n
What follows is a six-step process for creating SEO-friendly content that is people first. <\/p>\n
As a side note, while Google is at war with low-quality generic content, don’t feel like you can’t use AI tools to help. Just ensure you use these generative AI tools as an SEO assistant<\/a> rather than create the whole article for you. <\/p>\n
Step 1: Goals<\/h2>\n
What is your goal for this content? How does this fit into your overall SEO strategy<\/a> and SEO planning<\/a>? <\/p>\n
Creating a well-considered goal is essential. The goal is what you are aiming at. If you are off the mark here, you will miss the target despite your efforts. <\/p>\n
To strengthen goals, follow a simple process called “The Five Whys.” State your initial goal, then ask “why” up to five times until you have strengthened and clearly articulated your goals. <\/p>\n
Example<\/h3>\n
\n
Initial goal:<\/strong> Write a blog post about our eco-friendly kitchen products.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n
Why? <\/strong>To improve our website’s ranking on Google.\n
\n
First analysis: <\/strong>I want to improve our website’s ranking on Google.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n
Why? <\/strong>Because a higher ranking will lead to more organic traffic to our site.\n
\n
Second analysis:<\/strong> I want more organic traffic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n
Why?<\/strong> Because increased traffic can lead to more customer engagement and brand recognition.\n
\n
Third analysis: <\/strong>I want increased customer engagement and brand recognition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n
Why? <\/strong>This engagement will likely lead to higher sales and customer loyalty.\n
\n
Fourth analysis: <\/strong>I want higher sales and customer loyalty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n
Why? <\/strong>With increased sales and a loyal customer base, we can further our mission to promote sustainable living and make a larger positive environmental impact.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n
Revised goal: <\/strong>Our objective is to create an informative blog post about eco-friendly kitchen products that educate users about kitchen sustainability. This will help us drive organic traffic to the site, increasing engagement and leads. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Action item<\/h3>\n
Outline your goals and refine them using The Five Whys technique. Incorporate SMART SEO goals<\/a> to refine and articulate the objectives.<\/p>\n
Step 2: Reframing for your audience<\/h2>\n
You know what you want, but Google does not care about your goals, only the satisfaction of its users. You must align your objectives with helping users while connecting them to your business and marketing mission.<\/p>\n
To do this, you can employ “reframing.” Based on Ann Handley’s book “Everybody Writes,” it’s a tool for shifting perspectives and better serving our audience in marketing.<\/p>\n
First, you should be clear on who your audience is. Google spells this out:<\/p>\n
Take your initial goal and look at this from your audience’s perspective. Ask, “So what?” and answer with “Because…” Do this exercise up to five times.<\/p>\n
Example<\/h3>\n
Your goal: <\/strong>Our objective is to create an informative blog post about eco-friendly kitchen products to help generate leads for our sustainable kitchen products. <\/p>\n
\n
So what? <\/strong>We all need to learn how to be sustainable in all areas of our lives to help prevent global warming and ensure the planet’s safety for future generations. <\/li>\n
So what? <\/strong>Learning about sustainability in the kitchen can help you reduce your environmental footprint, lead to healthier living and save money – good for you and good for your children. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Final goal: <\/strong>The article will provide a detailed look at how choosing eco-friendly kitchen products leads to a healthier lifestyle, cost savings and benefits for the planet. It encourages readers to make sustainable choices in their daily lives and shows them how to do that with our products. <\/p>\n
Action item<\/h3>\n
Define your audience, query your goal, reframe it from the customer’s perspective and explain how it helps them. Fill it out in the supplied template. Ensure you can succinctly answer how this helps the reader. <\/p>\n
Get the daily newsletter search marketers rely on.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBusiness email address<\/label><\/p>\n
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People-first content: A writing process<\/h2>\nWhat follows is a six-step process for creating SEO-friendly content that is people first. <\/p>\n

Action item<\/h3>\nOutline your goals and refine them using The Five Whys technique. Incorporate SMART SEO goals<\/a> to refine and articulate the objectives.<\/p>\n

Action item<\/h3>\n
Outline your goals and refine them using The Five Whys technique. Incorporate SMART SEO goals<\/a> to refine and articulate the objectives.<\/p>\n