Independent Fashion Bloggers challenged its members to create a “2012 greatest hits” post for this week’s IFB Project. I could have looked through my archives and chosen my favorite posts from 2012 but I thought I’d let the stats do the talking and show you why using keywords and participating in link-ups gives you top posts!
Top Post of All Time
Since Loop Looks started in February 2012 I’ve published 256 posts (to date). The post that has generated the most visits?
The very first reader-submitted You Pick Wednesday: 5 Fun Ways to Wear a Striped Blazer! How did keywords put this post at the top? The title and the body of the post both very clearly say “striped blazer” several times. “Striped Blazer” is one of the most popular search terms that leads people to Loop Looks. So, while it may seem silly and uncreative to have very literal post titles or to repeat yourself in your post this is how you get people to find your content. And why do you write if it isn’t to share your posts with others?
Why Yoast is the Most
Have you heard of the WordPress plug-in Yoast? No? If not you should definitely take a look at it. I installed the plug-in after attending a search engine optimization class (SEO) and while I only use it occasionally the first time I really put it to the test I got great results with the post that is nipping at the heals of 5 Fun Ways to Wear a Striped Blazer.
Zanaflex medication is the second most viewed post on Loop Looks. Why? Because I made Yoast work for me. I made sure I followed all the suggestions regarding keywords. I made sure to title all my photos with keyword search terms. And now people looking for riding boot ideas? They end up at Loop Looks.
Link-Ups are Lovely
Finally, the third most viewed post on Loop Looks is one I did back in April as part of my very first link-up. What’s a link-up? Typically another blogger has a theme, you do a post on that theme, and then you add your URL to the list of URLs on the original blogger’s post. In this case, it was a “1 Piece, Three Days, Three Ways” challenge via Bramblewood Fashion.
Day 1, my green pants with a black top and zebra print scarf is the third most viewed post of 2012. Why? Most likely because of that link-up. That post has been shared across at least three blogs and that link is always there for people to find on any of those three posts. In addition, I’ve learned that the more incoming links you have to a post the more likely you are to come up in search results. So link-ups are not only fun, they are beneficial for getting your content to the people who want to find it!
So, there you go. Why I think keywords and link-ups are the key to making a top post, whether in 2012 or beyond.
What were your favorite Loop Looks posts of 2012?
I’m terrible when it comes keywords, I never really think about them. (I hadn’t heard of Yoast before either!) I’m also really awful about joining in linkups, I always forget but I love finding new blogs through them. (So in general, I’m really bad about promoting my blog, hah!)
I really like this, it’s always fun to how it works behind the face of the blog, it’s also really cool to see which posts were successful and why. (I can see why the striped blazers post is viewed so often, they can be tricky to style.)
You have such a good group of readers and commenters, though, so you must be doing something right!
Really great post — informative, fun, and interesting. And I’m so pleased that my question about striped blazers for your first “You Pick Wednesday” feature has turned out to be your most popular post!! 😀
Thanks! And I love that your striped blazer question seems to be helping so many other people!
Absolutely! Also, I’ve got this post bookmarked so I can return to it whenever I want to wear my striped blazer 🙂
This post is so educational! I’m definitely not very SEO-savvy, so I really appreciate the tips.
Far and away my favorite post you’ve done thus far was the one about mixing patterns. That color wheel you posted has been a fashion lifesaver for me. I’ve never, ever been good at getting a lot of mileage out pieces in my wardrobe–I always wear every piece the exact same way with the exact same accessories every. single. time. That color wheel has helped me A LOT with branching out of my usual “this scarf goes with this outfit” rut.
I have a WHOLE slew of SEO tips that I learned if you would like me to share 🙂
And thanks for letting me know what your favorite post was! I really like getting that kind of feedback so I know what’s helpful for people.
Yay! I actually bought a black/blue striped blazer a few weeks ago, so it was great to read your post about striped blazers. I think my favorite post in recent memory was the one about how to wear riding boots!
I’m glad both of them were helpful. And tomorrow? Striped tights are coming up!
I definitely see your point on literal titles. 😉 And I think I need more info on Yoast!
Hmm… my favorite posts… I think I like the one you did for me about how to not dress like a slob on the weekends (now, whether or not I am following it… ;)).
Do you want to do more with SEO and your blog? I don’t totally understand Yoast but I could show you what I do know!
And do you mean the post on how to wear shorts without looking like you’re going to wash the car?
Hmm. I am not sure if I do or not. But I would love to hear more about what you learned 😉
Yeah, I think that is the one! 😉