DC business owner slams city leaders for out-of-control crime: 'Lack courage' to 'be more aggressive'

Business owners and community leaders in one Washington, D.C. neighborhood sounded off about violent crime “terrorizing” residents after a deadly shooting rocked their community last weekend.

“It’s just a continuous tragedy,” ANC (Advisory Neighborhood Commission) chairwoman for Shaw, Rachelle Nigro told The Washington Post. “Residents who have lived in that area have been terrorized for decades with violence… How much can this community take?”

Two people were killed and five people were injured in the deadly shooting in Shaw over the weekend and the suspect has yet to be identified. One business owner blamed city leaders for not being aggressive enough on crime.

“It’s sickening, and I’m tired,” Cedric Maupillier, owner of French bistro Convivial, told The Post. “The only people to blame are the people who run the city.”

LAWMAKERS PASS ‘SECURE DC’ ANTI-CRIME BILL AFTER BUSINESS GROUPS WARN OF ‘ALARMING’ TREND OF VIOLENCE

Maupillier said he is struggling to keep his business open because of violence in the neighborhood. Shootings in the area have driven customers away and prompted two of his employees to quit.

He blamed DC officials for not taking a tougher stance on crime.

“They lack courage to change and be more aggressive toward the people that create crimes,” he told The Post. “Police can’t do anything. We don’t do anything about petty crime anymore.”

Business leaders wrote a letter to Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser earlier this month warning about an “alarming increase in violent crime across our city.” Days later, lawmakers in the district passed a sweeping anti-crime bill intended to crack down on violent crime and theft.

MAYORS OF DC, OAKLAND CLAIM COMEBACK AMID PUBLIC BACKLASH FROM CRIME SURGE

The Secure DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2024 — which includes more than 100 proposals to fight crime, including ramping up gun violence penalties and adding punishments for organized retail theft, according to FOX 5 DC — was passed by the D.C. Council in a 12-1 vote on March 5.  

Mayor Bowser signed the crime bill into law on March 11.

Maupillier was skeptical the law would help bring down crime. “I don’t believe in politics. I want people to actually do the job they say they’re going to do,” he told The Post.

Sheena Berry, an advisory neighborhood commissioner in Shaw, also feared the new anti-crime bill would bring a “false illusion to safety,” saying that the problems with crime wouldn’t be solved with “one bill.”

Mayor Bowser defended the city’s reputation in a recent interview with Axios. Crime has been trending downward in DC this year, she said, citing a 17-percent drop in violent crime and 12-percent drop in overall crime according to police data.

Fox News’ Jeffrey Clark contributed to this report.

Week 17 playoff picture and clinching scenarios: Bucs win NFC South; Giants clinch wild card

ESPN takes a look at the NFL playoff scenarios for Week 17 and what teams in the AFC and NFC need to do to reach the postseason field.

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Video Schema Markup: Improve Your Video Visibility

Video marketing is the go-to method for most companies, and I’ve got the stats to prove it.

According to Wyzowl’s latest State of Video Marketing research, 86 percent of businesses use video marketing, and an incredible 92 percent say it’s an essential part of their marketing strategy.

However, posting videos only gets you so far. Once you’ve created your content, you want the maximum number of people to see it.

What’s the answer? Video schema.

Now you know what I’m talking about; let’s get to it.

What Is Video Schema Markup?

Video schema markup is a code you can add to your website. This code tells search engines how you have structured your video and helps the likes of Google to understand what it’s about.

The code appears as rich snippets in the SERPs and displays a video thumbnail/preview, along with other info, such as a title, description, date uploaded, length, etc.

Here’s an example:

The major search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo! all support video schema, and it comes in different types, including:

  • VideoObject (a markup that enables Google to understand your content and feature it as rich snippets).
  • EmbedUrl (a video schema markup for when you’ve embedded a video from another site, like YouTube, for example)
  • ContentUrl (which points to a video media file)

Why Is Video Schema Markup Important For SEO?

OK, so Google doesn’t consider video schema as a ranking factor, and Google’s John Mueller has previously confirmed this.

A tweet from John Mu about generic ranking.

Nevertheless, video schema markup does affect your SEO indirectly.

Providing video schema helps Google and the other search engines identify content that meets searcher intent and queries. This increases the chances of your content appearing in the rich results in SERPs.

Increased visibility often means more visitors and conversions; the more relevant your content is, the happier your visitors are.

Ultimately, this leads to an improved search engine position, boosting your SEO efforts. Some marketers report an increase in visibility of up to five percent when adding video schema.

How To Implement Video Schema

For the technophobes out there, adding video schema markup might seem daunting, but it’s not as difficult as it sounds.

Hold on while I talk you through it step by step.

Before you start, check if your chosen page supports rich results. Google has a free tool you can use.

Just enter your URL or HTML, and click ‘Test Url.’ You’ll then get a message saying it’s checking the URL.

Once the test is complete, you should see something like this:

A rich results test for the Neil Patel Blog.

If you’re testing for mobile, use the ‘Googlebot smartphone’ option. The tool also checks for schema validation errors.

If you want to add video schema manually:

  1. Start by generating your schema. To do this, go to Google’s Structured Data Helper.
Google's structured data markup helper.
  1. Next, copy in your URL or click on the ‘HTML’ option and enter your code into the box.
  2. Once you’ve done that, the page you’re adding schema to appears. At the top of the page, you’ll see a heading in red called ‘tag data.’ You’ll get a list of data items on the right-hand side of the page. Highlight any of the items that are listed in bold.
  3. Then, click on the ‘create HTML’ button, view the data, and download it.
  4. Once you’ve downloaded the data, you can add it to your content management system by following your host’s instructions.

You can also automate your video schema markup with plug-ins. Available tools include:

For YouTube rich snippets, there’s the free videoschema.com tool. Just enter your URL and hit ‘generate’:

Videoschema.com's rich snippet and card maker.

Then, click ‘validate markup’ to go to Google’s validation tool. Google suggests using its rich schema validation tool before accessing Schema.org to verify your code. Enter the URL and click the green ‘run test’ button to use it.

Schema.org's structured data tester.

Video Schema Best Practices

As you build your schema markup strategy and evaluate your site content, keep these best practices in mind:

  • Have a strong strategy in place. Decide which content you’d like to rank for and the videos you want to promote.
  • Include optimized keywords throughout your content, including descriptions, titles, and pages.
  • Keep your video schema updated as you change your website’s videos, such as changing the title, description, or thumbnail image.
  • Avoid schema stuffing (adding excessive keywords into a website’s schema markup to fool search engines into thinking the site’s relevant).
  • Keep your video schema up to date as you make changes to your website’s videos, such as changing the title, description, or thumbnail image.
  • The title, description, or thumbnail.
  • When choosing the video schema type, use the search engine’s preferred format. For instance, Google recommends JSON-LD. Alternatively, you can use Microdata or Resource Descriptive Framework in Attribute (RDFa, which is a standard for representing data on the web).
  • Use a validation tool to test your coding.
  • Include all the required fields. When adding video schema markup to your page, there are a few required fields that you’ll need to fill out, such as the name of the video, the URL, and a thumbnail image.
  • Make sure your videos are properly tagged and categorized. This will help search engines understand what your videos are about and make it easier for users to find them.
  • Consider using a tool to track your video schema results.
  • Use descriptive titles and descriptions for your videos. Again, this will help both users and search engines understand what your videos are about.
  • Include a thumbnail image for each video. Providing a preview of the video content helps users decide whether or not they want to watch it.

Google offers the following guidance:

  • Ensure your video schema is a clear representation of the page.
  • Include all specified properties (description, title, date, etc., or your content won’t appear in rich snippets.
  • If your page includes multiple forms of content, use different rich snippets for each content type to increase your chances of appearing in rich results. For instance, if your page includes videos, reviews, and articles, include the relevant schema for each content type.
  • Follow Google’s content quality guidelines.

FAQs

What Is Video Schema?

Video schema is a type of structured data that you can add to a website to help search engines better understand the content on the page. It provides information about videos, including the title, description, thumbnail image, and duration, which the web crawlers then use to generate results from online searches.

Where Do I Put Video Schema?

Technically, you can decide where you want the video schema markup to appear on your website, but there is a preferred method. Schema should ideally be loaded in before closing the </head> element. If there are other page-critical scripts in the <head> tag, those should be loaded first. Then, the schema can be loaded in last before closing out the <head> tag. 

Are Videos Structured Data?

Videos are unstructured data, meaning it is information that doesn’t have a predefined structure or format. In contrast, structured data has a predefined structure and comes in a standardized format. An example would be an e-mail or an Excel database.

Conclusion

Video schema markup is an important tool for improving your video visibility. Including key information about your video content in your website coding can help search engines deliver relevant content to searchers and improve your chances of appearing in rich snippets.

This extra visibility can reward you with fresh leads and increased reach and potentially assist your Google ranking by getting relevant content in front of searchers.

Including schema markup is easy, and you can use automation tools to install schema at a click.

To get the most from video schema, use other techniques like video SEO to further optimize your marketing efforts.

Do you use video schema? How does it help your marketing?

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SEEKING FREELANCER | NY | 100% Remote Forward is looking for a Python dev to help out an electrical and mechanical engineering firm that builds hardware devices. Their software needs revolve around aggregating and displaying data produced by their devices and, in the immediate term, they’re looking for someone to build out a tool that … Continue reading New comment by ma2780 in "Ask HN: Freelancer? Seeking freelancer? (October 2022)"

How to Create an In-Depth Content Hub

Competition for search engine ranking is fierce, with the top three search results owning 55% of all traffic.

And the first result? They take almost 29% of those clicks.

So how do you get your website to that coveted first spot? By understanding how Google works and how to give them exactly what they’re looking for.

A content hub is a great way to show search engines that your site is an authority on a certain topic. Hubs are a collection of all your content on a specific subject, and they’re designed to be a comprehensive resource on that topic.

In this post, I’ll provide answers to questions like “what is a content hub?’ showcase how important content hubs are for SEO, and discuss how to create a content hub for your blog information.

What is a Content Hub?

A content hub is a section of your website that contains all the information related to a specific topic.

The goal of a content hub is twofold:

1) To be an authoritative resource on the chosen topic.

2) To increase traffic and conversions by ranking highly in search engines.

A content hub is different from a blog in that the goal is not to produce new content regularly. Instead, the focus is on curating and organizing all your existing content on a topic in one place. Content hubs are also sometimes called “resource centers” or “information hubs.” In addition, when net new pieces come out after your content hub is created, they can also fall into that space.

What Are the Different Parts of a Content Hub?

When learning how to build a content hub, it’s important to understand that there are three different types of content that should be included in a content hub:

  • Blog Posts
  • Videos
  • Infographics

Blog posts are the bread and butter of a content hub. They provide in-depth information on the chosen topic and can be easily repurposed into other types of content, like infographics or videos.

Videos are a great way to break up long blocks of text and add some visual interest to a content hub. They can be used to introduce the topic, provide step-by-step instructions or give a behind-the-scenes look at your company.

Infographics are a great way to visualize data and complex concepts. They’re also easy to share on social media and are often repinned or shared by other blogs and websites.

Why Are Content Hubs Useful for SEO?

Content hubs are useful for SEO because they show search engines that your website is an authority on a certain topic. When you have a content hub, all of your content on that topic is in one place. This makes it easy for search engines to find and index your content.

Along with this, content hubs provide an easy way for people to navigate your website and find the information they’re looking for. When everything is organized in one place, users are less likely to get frustrated and leave your site.

They also help you prioritize your SEO efforts by giving you the opportunity to include more keywords and phrases related to your topic. This helps you rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for those keywords.

How to Create a Content Hub

Now that you know what a content hub is and how to use a content hub for SEO, let’s talk about how to build one.

There are two different ways you can build a content hub:

  1. You can create a new website or section on your existing website specifically for your content hub.
  2. You can create a content hub using an existing piece of content, like a blog post or video.

If you have an existing website, I recommend adjusting your website structure to create a new section for your content hub. This will make it easier for search engines to find and index your content.

Creating a new website or section on your existing website specifically for your content hub has a few benefits:

  • It keeps your content organized and easy to find.
  • It helps you rank for long-tail keywords related to your content hub topic.
  • It establishes you as an authority on that topic.

If you want to use an existing piece of content as your content hub, that’s fine, too. Just be sure to include links to other related content on your website so search engines can find it.

Follow these steps on how to create a content hub:

  1. Plan where your hub will sit on your site
  2. Choose a central topic
  3. Choose subtopics
  4. Audit your existing content
  5. Start ideating your content pieces and strategy
  6. Create and implement your content
  7. Implement a measurement strategy and track your success

Let’s take a closer look at these steps.

Plan Where Your Content Hub For SEO Will Sit on Your Site

Your content hub should be easy to find and navigate. I recommend putting it in the main navigation of your website. This will make it easy for both users and search engines to find.

If you have a lot of content on your website, you may want to create multiple content hubs. This is especially useful if you have different products or services that you want to promote.

For example, if you sell both men’s and women’s clothing, you could create a separate content hub for each. This would be a good way to target different keywords and appeal to different audiences.

Choose a Central Topic

Before you start creating content for your hub, you need to choose a central topic. This will be the main focus of your content hub.

To choose a central topic, start by brainstorming a list of potential topics. Then, narrow down your list by choosing a topic that:

  • Is relevant to your business
  • Has a lot of search volume
  • Is something you can write about in-depth

Choose Subtopics

Once you’ve chosen a central topic, it’s time to choose some subtopics. Subtopics are related to your central topic but are narrower in scope. For example, if your central topic is “SEO,” a subtopic could be “link building.”

Your subtopics should be relevant to your central topic, but they should also be something you can write about in-depth. This is important because you want your content hub to be a comprehensive resource on your chosen topic.

To choose subtopics, start by brainstorming a list of potential topics. Then, narrow down your list by choosing topics that:

  • Are relevant to your central topic
  • Have a lot of search volume
  • Are something you can add it naturally

If you’re struggling to get started with topic creation, my tool Ubersuggest is a great way to get a data-backed list of starter topics to start working with for your content hub.

Audit Your Existing Content

Before you start creating new content for your hub, take a look at the content you already have on your website. You may have some articles or blog posts that would be a good fit for your content hub and fit into your topics and overall strategy.

To audit your existing content, start by doing a search on your website for relevant keywords. Then, go through each piece of content and decide if it’s relevant to your content hub.

If it is, add it to your list of potential content for your hub. Even if the piece needs some editing, it will save you the time you would be spending on creating a net-new piece.

Start Ideating Your Content Pieces and Strategy

Once you’ve got a good idea of the content you already have, it’s time to start creating content for your content hub. When you’re planning your content, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Your content should be comprehensive and cover all aspects of your topic.
  • Your content should be well-researched and accurate.
  • Your content should be well-written and engaging.
  • Your content should be visually appealing and easy to read.
  • You should include calls-to-action (CTAs) throughout your content.

When you’re planning your content, it can be helpful to create a content strategy. This will help you map out what content you need to create and how it will all fit together.

To create a content strategy, start by making a list of all the content you want to include in your hub. Then, categorize your content by topic. This will help you see how everything fits together and what topics you need to write about. Keyword research, to an extent, can guide you on some topics to cover, but you want to be careful. Reusing the same keywords across multiple pages can lead to cannibalization, where they start competing with each other for SERP dominance.

Another important thing to consider when creating your content hub is internal linking. For SEO purposes, it’s key to make sure that your related content is interlinking with each other, using strong anchor text.

Create and Implement Your Content Hub For SEO

With your plan in place, it’s time to create the content to add to the hub. Once written, get ready to implement your plan. Your content hub will live on your website, but how you implement it will depend on your website’s structure. It could live on a separate page under a resources section, or it could be directly linked on your homepage.

Once you’ve decided how you want to implement your content hub, it’s time to start publishing your content. When publishing, it’s important to think about your cadence. How often would you like to publish your content and what’s your bandwidth to do so? Ideally, the more content you have, the better. Giving yourself a schedule — whether it’s every Thursday or once a month — will ensure you are growing your content hub and enhancing your website visibility within search pages.

As you add each piece of content, make sure to link to it from your landing page using relevant anchor text. This will help users navigate through your content and find what they’re looking for.

When you have all your content added, it’s time to start promoting it. Share your content on social media, in email newsletters and on other websites. The more people that see your content, the more traffic you’ll get to your site.

Implement a Measuring Strategy and Track Your Success

To measure the success of your content hub, track how much traffic it’s getting and how long users are spending on each page. You can also track how many people are subscribing to your email list or following you on social media.

By tracking these metrics, you’ll be able to see how successful your content hub is and how it’s impacting your business.

Some helpful metrics to track include:

  • Pageviews: Track how many people are viewing your content hub.
  • Average time on page: Track how long users are spending on each page of your content hub.
  • Bounce rate: Track how many people are leaving your site after viewing only one page.
  • Social media followers: Track how many people are following you on social media.
  • Email subscribers: Track how many people are subscribing to your email list.
  • Conversion rate: Track how many people are taking the desired action on your site, such as subscribing to your email list or buying a product—converting your blog readers to leads.

If you’re not seeing the results you want, you can make changes to your content or promotion strategy and track how those changes impact your metrics.

To measure your results, consider using an analytics tool like Google Analytics or HubSpot. These tools will help you track your traffic and understand how users are interacting with your content.

How To Create A Content Hub FAQs

How do I internally link in a content hub?

When you’re adding content to your hub, make sure to link to other articles and blog posts on your site. This will help users navigate through your content and find what they’re looking for.

Why should I invest in a content hub?

Content hubs are a great way to improve your SEO and drive traffic to your website. By creating a comprehensive resource, you’ll be able to rank for more keywords and attract more visitors. A content hub can also help you generate leads and build relationships with potential customers. By providing valuable information, you’ll be able to build trust with your audience and position yourself as an expert in your industry.

What are the different types of content hubs?

There are three types of content hubs:

  1. A collection of blog posts on a specific topic
  2. A library of resources such as ebooks, guides, and templates
  3. A directory of businesses or service providers

How often should I update my content hub?

You should aim to update your content hub at least once a month. This will help you keep your content fresh and relevant. If you have any breaking news or new product launches, be sure to update your content hub as soon as possible.

Do I need a content strategy for my content hub?

Yes, it’s important to have a content strategy when creating a content hub. This will help you map out what content you need to create and how it will all fit together. Without a plan, it will be difficult to create a comprehensive resource that covers all aspects of your chosen topic.

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How To Create A Content Hub Conclusion

Now that you understand how to create a content hub, it’s time to get started.

Remember those first result clicks I mentioned earlier? You want those clicks to be for your site. And a content hub will help you move up the rankings to do just that.

I don’t expect you to get this done immediately. SEO is a long-game strategy that yields big results.

But with a little effort, you can create a valuable resource, aka a content hub, to establish your brand and attract more visitors.

Continue experimenting with content ideas and adding new pieces to your content hub, and you’ll quickly establish an audience that values your content, helping you move up those search result pages.

Do you have any tips for creating a content hub? Share them in the comments below!

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