How to Create Search Engine Friendly Title Tags

One of the most frustrating things about SEO is getting everything to work together as it should.

If you’ve done SEO, you know exactly what I’m talking about. There are so many little elements in SEO that sometimes it seems impossible for everything to work out perfectly.

Even today! I know I talk a lot about how “smart” the search algorithms are and how it’s virtually impossible to game the system.

However, there are still a lot of elements you need to pay attention to for your SEO to succeed.

Case in point: Page title tags.

Before you yawn and find some more sexy SEO topic to jam on, hear me out.

Title tags are one of the cornerstones of SEO. They always have been, and as far as we can tell, they always will be.

Moz explains, “Title tags are the second most important on-page factor for SEO, after content.”

When it comes to low effort/big results, title tags take the cake. It’s such a small element, but has such a massive impact!

You know it’s important to create eye-catching headlines, but optimizing your titles also matters for SEO.

That’s where page title tags come in. They’re how your titles are relayed to search engines, and they’re an important part of any SEO strategy.

This is one of the few times when you need to write for both people and search engines, and that can be tricky. (Especially with headlines.)

In short, you have to create a clickable headline that also makes search engines happy.

Here’s the challenge: People have to like it. Search engines have to like it. Yikes!

Does that sound difficult?

Yes, it can be if you don’t know what to do. That’s why I’m going to break down my process step-by-step.

We’ll go through that process, but first, let’s look at why title tags are important for SEO.

What are Page Title Tags?

If you’ve ever used a search engine before (and I’m guessing you have), you’ve seen a page title tag whether you’ve realized it or not.

It’s simply the headline on the SERP (search engine results page).

For example, if you Google “kitchen appliances,” you’ll see that one of the top results is from IKEA.

In this case, the page title tag is “Kitchen Appliances – IKEA.”

This is what both people and search engines will see as the title of your page. Often, this is the first thing they’ll see, and that’s a big reason why it’s so crucial to put time and effort into your title tags.

The point you need to remember is this: real people are reading your title tag.

They are going to respond to it. They will judge it. They will be compelled by it. They will be put off by it. They will learn from it.

Basically, the title tag is your page’s message to the world!

Title tags work with the meta description (the text below the title). In the case of the IKEA search result above, this is the meta description — a sentence or phrase that adds more information about the page.

I’ve written about meta descriptions before, but title tags are even more important.

Both the title and the meta description together give a brief idea of what your content is about, but the title tag stands out more.

There are two big reasons why page title tags are so important.

First, if you have a clear title that’s relevant to your page, both humans and search engines will see that as a sign of a good page.

If your title tag isn’t optimized, then people could skip right over your content, and search engines may determine that your page isn’t as good as it could be.

A second reason why title tags are important is they show up in browser tabs:

title tags guide show up in search bars

So when someone wants to find your page out of all their browser tabs, they’ll look for your title tag.

Title tags are often what people will see if your page is shared on social media. For example, here’s an example of a title tag on Facebook:

example of a title tag

Can you see why title tags are so important? A good title tag means maximum visibility, while a bad title tag can sink your page.

There are three important steps to take to optimize your title tags.

  1. make sure your headlines make for good title tags
  2. create the title tag
  3. make sure the title tag is optimized for SEO

Let’s dive into all three.

Step 1: Write Your Title Tag

You might be wondering how writing a title tag is any different from writing a headline.

In some cases, your headline and title tag will be the same exact title. But there are some cases where they won’t be.

Check out this SERP result from Copyblogger:

copyblogger example of a title tag

It seems like the title for the page would be “How Content Marketing Builds Your Business,” right?

But when you go to the page, you’ll see a different title:

copyblogger title tag example

The title shown on the page is longer and more descriptive.

So why would Copyblogger do this? It’s most likely because the shorter title tag looks better on the SERP, and it takes less time to read.

The actual title that you see on the page goes into more detail, and that’s probably why they used it. They get the benefits of having both a streamlined title tag and a descriptive page title.

It’s a sneaky and useful tactic that’s the sort of SEO stuff I love.

With that in mind, here’s how to write a great title tag.

There are a few elements of title tags:

Title Tags Should Be Short

Shorter titles are easier for people to read and for search engines to crawl.

But there’s a better reason for shorter title tags.

If your title tag is too long, search engines will cut off your title with an ellipsis (…):

title tag example

Ideally, your readers and search engines should be able to see the entire title tag so they get the best idea of what the content is about.

Google typically shows no more than 60 characters of the title tag. So if your title tag is 60 characters or less, you can generally expect that the entire title will show.

If you want to make sure, Moz has a handy preview tool:

title tag tool moz

This is a great feature that I recommend you use. Remember, keep it short if possible.

Title Tags Should Contain Your Main Keyword

You probably expected to see something about keywords in an article about SEO.

For best results, try to put your focus keyword as close to the beginning of your title as possible. That’s so search engines (and people) will see the keyword early on.

Here’s a title tag with the keyword right up front:

title tag example

Contrast that with this result that has the keyword closer to the end of the title tag:

title tag example

One tip: Make sure the keyword placement is organic. It’s preferable that the keyword is close to the beginning, but it’s not necessary for great SEO.

Title Tags Should Describe a Benefit

Much like a headline, a title tag needs to communicate a benefit to stand out.

This is one of many reasons Google warns against keyword stuffing and boilerplate titles.

Your title tags are representatives of your pages, and you want people and search engines to know that your pages have unique, valuable content.

Make sure your title tag is related to your content. It should read naturally and grab the reader’s attention.

Keep in mind, you’re not trying to trick people. All you need to do is clearly explain the benefit of clicking on the page.

Often, the “benefit” is nothing more than telling them what the page is about! At this point, you’re not trying to sell anything. You’re simply giving them information.

Here’s an example that clearly expresses a benefit (ignore the jargon-filled, not-so-great meta description).

title tag example laptops

On the other hand, this title tag is plain and doesn’t explicitly state a benefit (they did a nice job with the meta description, though).

title tag for seo example amazon

(Sure, Amazon probably doesn’t need to state a benefit, but your site probably does.)

Stating a benefit probably won’t do anything for search engines, but it goes a long way for human users who come across your site with a search.

Step 2: Create Your Title Tag

Once you have your page title tag written, you need to set it as the title for your page.

The way you’ll do this will depend on what powers your website.

If you have a custom site, you’ll need to edit the HTML directly. (And it’s super easy to do.)

If you use WordPress, it’s also super easy.

If you use another CMS or host, it might look a little bit different for you.

Let’s take a look at each of these three different cases and how to create a title tag for each scenario.

Case 1: You Have a Custom Site Not Hosted on a CMS

If your site isn’t hosted on a CMS, you can edit your HTML to add titles.

First, you access the HTML for your specific page. I recommend checking with your hosting service on how to do this.

Once you’ve found the editable HTML, make sure you’re between the <head> tags.

how to add title tag to custom site example

(Note: This is an example code using Editpad.org. Your code will probably look different, and there might be extra code here. That’s okay––just make sure you’re only between the <head> tags and not any others.)

To create the title, use <title> tags. For example:

how to add title tag to custom site example HTML

That’s it! Save your code, and your title will now show up correctly.

Case 2: You Use WordPress

If you use WordPress, you’ll be happy to know there’s a super simple solution — it’s actually way easier than editing the HTML.

In fact, this method uses something you’re probably already using: the well-loved Yoast SEO plugin.

This is a powerful plugin that you can get a lot out of. And it’s great for editing your title tags.

First, if you don’t have Yoast installed, go to Plugins > Add New.

add yoast plugin for title tags

Type “Yoast” into the plugin search bar.

type yoast title tag guide

Look for “Yoast SEO.”

add yoast SEO to WordPress - title tag guide

Click “Install Now.”

Next, click “Activate.”

Now the plugin is up and running.

To edit the title tag for a page or post, navigate to that content and open the editor.

Scroll down to the bottom of your post or page, and you’ll see the Yoast box, where you can edit the title tag and meta description.

It’ll also give you a nice preview of both your title and meta description:

where to add title tag in Yoast

If your title tag (or meta description) turns out to display differently on the actual SERPs, you can always go back and edit it in this section.

Case 3: You Don’t Have a Custom Site or a WordPress Site

I know not all of you fall under these categories.

You might use a completely different kind of CMS, or your web host might have a different setup.

In those cases, I recommend contacting your CMS company or web host to find out how to access your HTML to edit your page title tags.

This is really a case-by-case scenario, so it will probably look different for a lot of you. However, you should be able to get an answer with a quick email to your web host’s support email.

So far, you’re two-thirds of the way done! Now you just need to make sure your title tag is the most SEO-friendly it can be.

Step 3: How to Optimize Your Title Tag for SEO

We’ve talked a little bit about this already, but there are a few more steps you can take to make sure your title tag is optimized.

This is the step that most people miss entirely!

They think, “Yay. I’m done with my title tag!” But they forget that one of the primary methods of marketing and promotion is through social sharing!

Here are my best tips for optimizing your title tags for social.

Use Your Brand Wisely

The title tag can be a great place to include your brand, but if you overdo it, you could face some consequences.

Google suggests using your homepage title tag to include the most branding. Their example: “ExampleSocialSite, a place for people to meet and mingle.”

For most of your pages, adding your brand to the end of the title tag will suffice (if there’s room, that is).

Here’s how I do that:

title tag example neil patel

Prevent Search Engines from Rewriting Your Title Tags

You read that right: Sometimes Google will rewrite your title tags.

It’s crazy, I know! But why the heck would this happen?

According to Silkstream, “Google will automatically change how your title is displayed in the SERPs if their algorithm is under the impression that the page title doesn’t accurately represent the content on that page.”

So if your title tags don’t look good to Google, they’ll consider other factors, including:

Take a look at this title tag:

title tag example rewrite

If you go to the homepage and view the source code (right-click and select “View Source” or “View Page Source”), you’ll see the company set the title to be something else:

title tag example source code

Google rewrote it because they felt their revised title tag would help people more than the original.

The good news: If you follow the steps outlined in this article, Google should keep your title tags as they are.

If you do see your title tags showing up differently, revisit them and try to identify how you can further optimize them.

Consider Making Your H1 Page Heading Different From the Title Tag

This is exactly like the Copyblogger example from earlier.

You can use two different sets of keywords in your title tag and H1, which organically enhances your SEO. Search engines will count the title tag as the “heading.” (Just make sure it’s optimized.)

Avoid Duplicate Title Tags

Google explicitly says that “it’s important to have distinct, descriptive titles for each page on your site.” So don’t copy and paste your title tags.

If you’ve done everything so far, you should now have an optimized title tag! Finalize it and send it out into the world.

Title Tag Frequently Asked Questions

What are title tags and why do they matter for SEO?

Title tags are the title of a page users see in the search results. They serve as a first impression and can encourage — or deter– people from clicking on your pages.

What’s the difference between title tags and meta descriptions?

Title tags are shorter and appear first in the SERPs.

How do you write a good title tag?

Pay attention to the length, use the main keyword the page targets, and explain what benefit the user will get by clicking.

How long should title tags be?

Between 50 and 50 characters. Any longer than that and Google may truncate your title.

How many keywords should be in my title tags?

Generally just one. You can add a second if it is closely related and makes sense. Don’t keyword stuff; the goal of the title tag is to explain what users can expect if they click.

Title Tag Conclusion

I know first-hand that SEO can be a headache., but it doesn’t have to be.

I’m all about demystifying SEO because I know it’s something anyone can do. Even if you’re a technophobe, you can do this!

It doesn’t take years of experience in digital marketing to get SEO right. You just have to learn the ropes and get used to it.

For example, creating page title tags is pretty simple. It might seem complicated at first, but once you take a peek behind the scenes, you see how easy it is.

If you’re not currently leveraging the power of optimized title tags, use this article to start doing that. It can be a game-changer and help your visibility on the SERPs.

Best of all, it only takes a few minutes.

What tips do you have for using title tags for maximum SEO power?

Service Credit Card

Service Credit Card

The majority of local business owner comprehend that it is a lot easier and also more secure to make deals with bank card. Debt cards provide you benefits, benefits as well as price cuts for the cash you invest with your plastic. Large companies utilize business bank card and also local business proprietors obtain small company bank card deals.
You have actually made a decision to begin an organization and also you require a credit score card. What are the actions you require to require to obtain a charge card that will aid your arising organization?
A lot of credit history cards for tiny company call for excellent or superb credit history rating. If there are no disparities in your credit score record and also your rating is high sufficient you can continue to the following action– picking a credit scores card.
Use for debt cards that do not need excellent credit scores standing– shop cards, safeguarded cards or negative credit report card offers. Of training course, you will not obtain the wanted credit report rating over night however if you stick to your strategy you will definitely enhance the circumstance.
Action number 2 is choosing the best credit report card offer. Of program, the last choice concerning your debt line will certainly be made by the financial institution. You can still obtain a basic understanding of exactly how much you can obtain since the majority of credit scores card providers will certainly emphasize that a particular card offers an up to $25,000 or up to $50,000 credit report restriction.
If the primary factor for obtaining a debt card is benefits look at the incentives area. Discover responses to the complying with inquiries: How several factors or miles will you obtain for every buck invested? Do you obtain unique perks for acquiring particular things?
Do not ignore unique solutions such as regular monthly or yearly account recap or resort reservation help. These tiny advantages could end up being extremely convenient.
You never ever recognize for certain what your APR will certainly be (it is likewise based on your credit rating rating) utilize the numbers the financial institution offers. It is occasionally much better to use for a card with taken care of reduced APR than to a deal with 0%APR throughout the initial duration yet high APR after that.
Charge card bargains are a remarkable device of economic monitoring! Do not think twice to make use of them as well as you will certainly be awarded.

Large companies utilize business debt cards and also tiny service proprietors use for little service credit score card deals.
A lot of credit score cards for tiny service call for great or superb credit scores rating. If there are no disparities in your credit scores record and also your rating is high sufficient you can continue to the following action– picking a credit rating card.
Use for credit score cards that do not need excellent debt standing– shop cards, protected cards or negative debt card bargains. You can still obtain a basic understanding of exactly how much you can obtain since many debt card companies will certainly emphasize that a particular card provides an up to $25,000 or up to $50,000 credit rating restriction.

New comment by srikarkomanduri in "Ask HN: Who is hiring? (July 2021)"

Ryze | Senior Product Engineer (React Native, Typescript) | Atlanta/Remote

At Ryze, we are building a global neobank that merges Bitcoin, Dollars, and Stablecoins into one account. Our goal is to enable the billions of people around the world that have been left out of existing financial systems, to attain financial freedom through open monetary networks.

We are a well funded seed-stage comopany, backed by great investors, founders, and executives who have funded and built companies like Coinbase, Public, Figma, Flexport, Pipe, Cameo, and many more.

Our product is mobile-first and built with React Native, Typescript, and Expo on the frontend. We use MobX for state management. Postgres for storage. Java and Go backend. Our infrastructure is built on AWS, Docker, and Terraform.

We are looking for great engineers and the following:
– You are highly experienced in building beautiful mobile applications and keep up with the cutting-edge technologies for all things mobile.
– You love writing and documenting high-quality code and enjoy bringing products to life, end to end.
– You have an eye for subtle detail and great design.
– You enjoy working with users to improve the product.

As one of our earliest team members, you will help set the foundation for our product and engineering culture, and help prioritize our roadmap.

If this sounds interesting to you, please email us at jobs at joinryze dot com or apply here: https://angel.co/company/joinryze/jobs/1454507-senior-softwa…

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3 Surprising Reasons Why It’s So Important to Get Business Permits and Licenses

Business Licenses and Permits – Are They Really Necessary?

While not every company needs to have business licenses and permits, it’s still vitally important to check. Make sure because there are consequences to not having licensing.

Check out why business licenses and permits matter. And along the way, get specifics on licensure in North Carolina, Massachusetts, Florida, and Washington State.

Reason #1: Why Does a Business Need Licensing?

According to LegalZoom, “A business license is a government document that certifies a business is safe for the public. Exactly which kinds of licenses you require depends upon the kind of business you operate and where you operate it.”

Licensing is also a form of revenue for states, cities, and counties. But no matter how much profit a jurisdiction may get from providing licenses, licensure is still rooted in public safety.

Reason #2: Why Does a Business Need Permits?

According to Chron, “Business permits regulate safety, structure and appearance of the business community. They act as proof that your business follows certain laws and ordinances. Requirements vary by jurisdiction, and failure to comply often results in fines or even having your business shut down.”

Permits can be related to tax collections. They can also be related to zoning laws, which can be for public safety. For example, you probably can’t open a cattle feedlot or a chemical processing plant in a residential area

Applying for Variances

If you cannot, or do not want to, comply with a local ordinance, you can petition for a special permit called a variance. A variance essentially gives you permission to violate an ordinance. These are rarely granted and can be expensive due to legal fees. So make sure you need one before you request it.

Reason #3: Check Out What Happens if you Operate Without Business Licenses and Permits

So if a license is required, then get one. If you don’t, you could be forced to close. You may have to pay a fine. Your business could have to go through a probationary period before being allowed to reopen. The licensing authority (city, state, etc.) could refuse to grant you a license. Or your business could experience any combination of these.

If you don’t have a license, you could be sued for fraud. This is because it’s a misrepresentation if you open your doors without a license. After all, the public is reasonably expected to believe you have all necessary permits and licenses.

Your business reputation could take a tumble. Because customers may feel if you won’t follow the law, you won’t follow their directions, either. You could scare off prospects. As they might see your business as being fly by night.

So is it really worth it to not have licenses and permits? You should already know the answer to that.

Consider This: Licenses, Leases, Permits, and Registrations Are All on a Calendar

These all need renewal on a regular basis, so keep track of those dates. Keep a copy of all applications and forms in your business records. Make sure you follow all rules for displaying licenses and permits.

Most places require you to display the license prominently for your customers. Check to see if you need additional licenses before expanding your building, launching a new product, or offering a new service.

Consider This: Recordkeeping

When we talk about fundability, one of the areas we stress is keeping consistent records. Hence in addition to keeping track of renewal dates, you should also make sure all licenses, permits, etc. have the exact same business name, address, phone number, etc. And if any of these basics change, be sure to update all of these documents.

Learn more here and get started with building business credit with your company’s EIN and not your SSN.

Which Types of Federal Business Licenses Do You Need?

If a federal agency regulates your business activities, you will need a federal license. According to the Small Business Administration, businesses in the following industries will need a federal license:

  1. Agriculture
  2. Alcoholic beverages
  3. Aviation
  4. Firearms, ammunition, and explosives
  5. Fish and wildlife
  6. Commercial fisheries

These industries are also included on the list of industries that must have federal licenses:

  1. Maritime transportation
  2. Mining and drilling
  3. Nuclear energy
  4. Radio and television broadcasting
  5. Transportation and logistics

Which Types of Local Business Licenses Do You Need?

Local business licenses come from your state or city. They are determined by local laws. Federal licenses pertain to certain kinds of business activities. But a local business license means adhering to your state’s specific business regulations. To set up your business license, you often have to have a commercial address that must be a licensed business as well. You increase your chances of rejection if you use a non-licensed business as your address.

Which Types of State Business Licenses Do You Need?

States have various requirements. As a result, the rules for one will not necessarily apply to another. Here are a few example states to give you an idea of what’s needed, and where to get licensing.

Business Licenses and Permits in North Carolina

North Carolina does not have a generalized license to cover all bases. You’ll need to check your specific industry. The North Carolina Department of Commerce keeps the North Carolina Business & Occupational License Database. There are hundreds of business, occupational, and privilege licenses issued in North Carolina.

Some sample occupations that require licensing include:

  1. Truck Driver School Recruiter
  2. Asbestos Accreditation
  3. Certified General Real Estate Appraiser
  4. Kerosene Supplier

Business Licenses and Permits in North Carolina Cities Like Charlotte

Cities have their own licensing requirements. For example, in Charlotte, you will need to visit Charlotte Business Resources. The Licensing and Permitting page has a wealth of information on getting licenses not just in Charlotte, but also Mecklenburg County. The page answers basic questions on taxes and other topics of interests to business owners.

Learn more here and get started with building business credit with your company’s EIN and not your SSN.

Business Licenses and Permits in Massachusetts

In the Bay State, the Division of Professional Licensure (“DPL”) is an agency within the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.

Collectively, DPL boards and offices license and regulate over 150 trades and professions in Massachusetts.

From the Massachusetts government website page on the DPL, you’ll need to click on the board governing the appropriate industry to get more information on the licensing you’ll need.

Get a Business License in Mass.

There is also a topic page on the Massachusetts government website all about professional licenses and permits. From that page, you can learn about licensing requirements and laws governing basic professional categories such as:

  1. Health care
  2. The building trades
  3. Cosmetology

Getting a Business License in Massachusetts Cities Like Boston

In the city of Boston, the city’s website has a section on small business development. The Licensing Board issues and regulates licenses for alcohol, food, and lodging in Boston. The Consumer Affairs and Licensing Division licenses entertainment for restaurants and nightclubs. When it comes to liquor licenses, in some instances you will have to meet with the Neighborhood Association before a Board can proceed.

Business Licenses and Permits in Florida

On the My Florida License website, you can click on the names of several industries to learn all about their licensing requirements. These industries include:

  1. Electrical contractors
  2. Harbor pilots
  3. Certified public accountants (CPAs)

Get a Business License in Florida Cities

Many Florida cities have licensing requirements. For a list of Florida cities that links directly to their official websites, go to the Cities page at the State of Florida website. That website also has a Permits and Licenses page.

Business Licensing in Florida Cities Like Tampa

For example, the Tampa government website shows how to get construction permits in the city. Permits are required for, among other activities:

  1. Tree removal
  2. Adding or repairing/upgrading a pool or a spa
  3. The interior finishing of new construction

Business Licenses and Permits in Florida Counties Like Hillsborough

Florida counties have their own licensing requirements. For a list of Florida counties that links directly to their official websites, go to the Counties page at the State of Florida website. On that page, you can choose a county by name.

For example, for licensing information in Hillsborough County, go to the county website’s Apply page, then choose the Businesses tab. There you will find links to permits for activities such as:

  1. Fireworks displays
  2. Special events
  3. Doing construction, development, or utility work in the County’s Right-of-Way

Learn more here and get started with building business credit with your company’s EIN and not your SSN.

Business Licenses and Permits in Washington State

On the Washington State government website, go to the Department of Revenue page, and then to Open a Business, then to Apply for a Business License. You will need to register with the Department of Revenue and get a business license if you meet any of the following conditions:

  1. Your business requires city and state endorsements
  2. You are doing business using a name other than your full name legal name
  3. Or you plan to hire employees within the next 90 days
  4. You sell a product or provide a service that requires the collection of sales tax

You will also need to register with the Department of Revenue and get a business license if you meet any of the following conditions:

  1. Your gross income is $12,000 per year or more
  2. Your business is required to pay taxes or fees to the Department of Revenue
  3. Or you are a buyer or processor of specialty wood products
  4. Your business meets Nexus threshold reporting requirement

Business License in Washington Cities

For city licensing, go to the Washington State government website and look under Manage a Business, then City License Endorsements. There is a list of many of the cities and larger towns in Washington. However, it does not include all cities and towns.

To be thorough, Google the name of the appropriate city or town if it isn’t listed. Check their government website directly, just to be sure.

Business License in WA State Cities Like Seattle-Tacoma (SeaTac)

For example, if you click on the SeaTac link, there is information on a general business license. The City of SeaTac requires a license for all businesses located within city limits or conducting business within city limits.

If you are not sure if you will do business within the city limits, contact the city directly before you apply. Costs depend on the total number of full-time equivalent employees at your business.

Business Licenses and Permits: Takeaways

Business licenses and permits can be easy to overlook in your initial excitement at getting your business off the ground. But don’t ignore them! Failing to properly license a business can result in fines and other penalties. It can also cost you in business from customers and prospects.

Always check state, county, and city/town websites when it comes to licensing. Or call the appropriate government offices to be sure your business is fully and properly licensed.

For more help with setting up a business and making it the best it can be, make sure to contact us. And find out just what our Business Credit Builder has to offer.

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How to Add Your Podcast to Facebook

Facebook is moving forward into the world of podcasting. With the new Facebook podcast feature, creators can link their iTunes RSS feed with Facebook so episodes are automatically aggregated on your Facebook news feed. Does this have some perks? You bet it does.

In this quick guide, I want to show you the simple steps necessary to get your podcast onto Facebook while also explaining how you can take advantage of this big change by the social media giant.

Why Should You Add Your Podcast to Your Facebook Page?

There are many reasons why having your podcast on Facebook is a great idea. First of all, it’s a new opportunity to reach your audience without having to do anything at all. Once it’s set up, you can let it run and your Facebook followers that might not have iTunes will be able to enjoy your podcast as well. 

Here are some of the other reasons to create a Facebook podcast page:

Reach a Wider Audience

You can never be in too many places, as long as you can manage it while you’re there. The more people you can reach, the more money you’ll make. While this is generally true, the new Facebook podcast features provide more than just a wider audience. 

Having your podcast on Facebook allows you to take it beyond an audio experience. You can engage with your audience, talk with them, ask them questions, and piggyback off the success of your podcast to create new content in new places. Facebook is simply one more place you can go to reach your target audience. 

Try Out New Features

Facebook is also rolling out a new suite of audio creation tools for its podcast feature. They’ve invested in technology like text-to-speech, voice morphing, and a backend audio creation tool to make it more enjoyable for creators. You can do all of this directly from the Facebook app without the need for a third-party provider.

The platform also offers a sound collection feature that allows you to optimize and make changes to the audio so you can mix different tracks together, create voice effects, and add filters. I think the goal of Facebook might be to eventually have creators doing everything from front to back on Facebook. They see where the niche is going, and that there is a growing demand for it.

Twenty-eight percent of listeners prefer podcasts over any other type of audio content, and around 18 percent say they listen to podcasts more now than they did seven years ago. 

add your podcast to facebook - facebook podcast data

The chart above shows the percentage of people who have ever listened to a podcast year after year. It continues to grow and as the younger generation grows up, they’ll be more in tune with this type of technology and expect Facebook podcasts to be readily available everywhere they go. They’re not listening to radio and TV as much as the previous generations.

To sweeten the deal even more, Facebook added a “soundbites” feature which allows you to create short audio clips featuring your favorite parts of all your podcasts. You can cut out funny quotes, inspirational moments, or important pieces of history that you want to cherish and compile into a piece of content.

Live Audio Rooms

As I mentioned, one of the main reasons Facebook podcasts could be a powerful feature is the engagement factor. That’s the one area where podcasting lacks; you don’t usually engage with people unless it’s on another platform, using a different medium. When your podcast is on Facebook, you have a variety of ways to engage with your audience. One way is through the creation of Live Rooms in groups.

For example, let’s say you have a football podcast discussing the upcoming season. You can create a group to engage alongside your podcast. After the podcast, you can jump into the group, answer questions, talk, and engage with the community about your thoughts and comments.

Monetization Opportunities

Like everything else on Facebook, it’s a vessel for advertisers and an income stream for creators. There are multiple ways for creators to make money from their podcast, including donations, entry fees, audio creator funds, and subscriptions.

There is the potential to turn this into something similar to Patreon, which requires subscribers to pay a monthly fee to maintain access to a private community. Facebook podcasts appear to be much more than a feature, but rather an attempt to create a whole new experience on the platform for audio lovers. 

Steps to Add Your Podcast to Facebook

Now let’s talk about some of the actionable steps you can take to get your podcast on Facebook. If you already have a successful podcast, you might not need to take all of these steps, but for those of you without a big presence on Facebook, here’s what you’ll want to do. 

  1. Set Up Your Facebook Business Page

    The first thing you’ll do is set up a Facebook Business Page. It’s free and simple to do. You’ll log into Facebook, click the “create a page” button and go through the following steps: 

    1. Enter your desired page name
    2. Pick a category based on what type of content you create
    3. Fill out a description
    4. Click create pageadd your podcast to facebook - business page creation

  2. Complete Your Facebook Profile 

    Once you’ve filled out all the necessary information, you’ll want to do things like upload a banner photo, profile picture, and fill out the small details about what people can expect to learn or hear in your podcast. Make sure to optimize your business page so people can find you. 

    Remember that people can find you by searching on Facebook, so the basic principles of social media keyword research apply here. add your podcast to facebook podcast - your profile

  3. Link Your Podcast to Facebook 

    You’ll need to use an RSS feed to add your podcast to Facebook. Once you’ve recorded episodes, use a podcast hosting service like BuzzSprout, PodBean, or others to host your podcast. They will give you an RSS feed to share across podcast directories, including Facebook.

    This allows other platforms to play the podcast such as Spotify or Facebook. It also allows you to share the podcast to other places such as a website or other social media accounts. The best part about this is that you only have to do it once. When you have everything set up, your new podcast episodes will automatically post to Facebook each time you upload a new one on iTunes. Follow these directions to link your podcast to Facebook.
    add your podcast to facebook podcast example

Adding Your Podcast to Facebook Frequently Asked Questions

Which podcast channels can connect to Facebook? 

Currently only iTunes can connect with Facebook, but like I mentioned above, that’s okay as long as you’re using RSS feed because people on any platform will still be able to listen to your podcast. You’ll just have to use iTunes to connect it to Facebook. 

How do I know if I’m getting more views because my podcast is on Facebook? 

Facebook offers a complete suite of analytics with new features to help you identify how well your podcast is performing. You also have a variety of options to take your followers off the podcast and entertain them elsewhere, like in Facebook groups and messenger groups as well. 

Do you have to pay to put your podcast on Facebook? 

Not only is it free to put your podcast on Facebook, but they also provide a creator fund and new monetization options that make it profitable to add your podcast to Facebook. You’ll be able to collect a share of ad revenue while generating new income streams and providing content to your audience in a new and exciting location. 

Does having your podcast linked to your Facebook page make it easier to promote it on the platform as well? 

Only time will tell because this feature is still in the infancy stages. Long term, I think it will. Promoting yourself on social media is all about being consistent and creating content that provides value in some way to the audience, so even now it’s a great way to promote your podcast. 

Can you use Facebook Ads to promote your podcast? 

Facebook ads for podcasts aren’t something Facebook is discussing at this time, but I imagine they will provide a way for you to create an individualized ad that specifically targets podcast listeners in your niche. You can, however, use ads to promote your podcast’s Facebook page./ This is a really new feature that hasn’t even reached most smaller creators at this point. We’ll have to wait and see! 

Facebook Podcast Conclusion

Creating a Facebook podcast is much simpler than you thought, right? It’s clear that Facebook is striving to become the only place you need to go for content, networking, business, and more. If you need help figuring out how you can make the most of your podcasting efforts, we can help. 

If you’re already a seasoned veteran in the realm of audio entertainment, perhaps migrating to Facebook might help you reach even more listeners? Podcasting continues to gain in popularity, especially as the younger generations age. It’s time to get on board or get left behind. 

Do you think Facebook podcasts are a powerful income stream moving forward?

The Marketer’s Guide to Reddit

Reddit is a social media and news aggregation website that ranks content based on a voting system. People worldwide post content (usually links, but also original content), and other users can “upvote” or “downvote” posts, pushing the most interesting content to the top. 

It’s a place where you can find groups of like-minded people. Reddit calls these groups subreddits, and they cover different topics, including niche interests, politics, hobbies, and thousands of other topics people want to talk about.

Since its launch in 2005, the site has become one of the most popular social media sites with millions of monthly active users. 

Its engaged, passionate community is just one of the reasons you should consider marketing on Reddit. However, the site has a tough stance on self-promotion, which makes marketing tricky, and it’s easy to fall foul of Reddit’s strict guidelines (including the unwritten rules.

That means you need to take a more strategic approach that focuses on conversations and providing helpful or interesting content. 

Before we cover how to create ads, let’s talk about Reddit marketing etiquette so you can get it right.

Reddit Marketing Etiquette

Start with the basics by reading Reddit’s page about self-promotion and what’s allowed and what isn’t. Once you’ve read that, look at the “Reddiquette” page so you can see Reddit’s main rules. 

The list includes:

  • using original sources when sharing stories
  • looking out for duplicate content before posting
  • being considerate in the way you speak to other users
  • reading the full guidelines for a community before contributing

You also need to be clear about why people use Reddit. According to Signity Solutions, Reddit users are looking for answers or entertainment. If you can offer either, then it’s worth contributing to the conversation. Just don’t try and sell anyone anything.

If you need ideas, there are plenty of ways you can avoid falling into overly promotional material, like:

  • posting survey results
  • creating subreddits around your brand
  • adding relevant content
  • being active in the Reddit community

Reddit is a massive site with thousands of subreddits. Each of those subreddits has its own rules, moderators, and culture. Whichever subreddit you join, take the time to familiarize yourself with the sub’s etiquette and what’s acceptable.

Above all, if you’re not sure, ask before posting something. Redditors are there to help and guide users.

Reddit Advertising Policies

Reddit’s advertising policies cover quality, style, URLs, and landing pages. Below are the basics you need to know for each section.

Video Advertising

Video advertisements must be high quality. That applies to the audio, visuals, and text. Make sure content is relevant and suitable for a wider audience. Also, the spoken language should be targeted for where you’re advertising.

Reddit allows mature-rated media. However, it needs to comply with the relevant rating laws for each country, and videos containing “shocking, graphic, or profane content” should be labeled as such.

Additionally, Reddit doesn’t permit videos that include strobing or flashing.

Reddit Ad Style Policies

Reddit stresses the importance of professional-looking ads that are concise and detailed. The main takeaways are:

  • Check ads for any typos and use correct grammar throughout.
  • Limit the use of emojis and symbols.
  • Unless mandated by law or a regulatory body, don’t include personal details in your ads.
  • Limit capitalization to 50 percent or less.
  • Use quality images.
  • Target non-English ads to the appropriate regions/countries.

Reddit Ad Quality

Quality primarily relates to accuracy and clarity about the products/services you’re advertising. That means:

  • not misrepresenting the product, service, or brand
  • ads should avoid clickbait
  • advertisements mustn’t promote individual Reddit content; the only exception is if you’re using managed ads

URL and Landing Policies

As with all of Reddit’s advertising policies, the main emphasis is on quality and consistency. Make sure your:

  • product shows on the landing page
  • landing page content complies with Reddit’s content and advertising policies
  • language on the landing page is the same as in the adverts
  • the landing page doesn’t spam users or use other questionable marketing tactics
  • URL is consistent with the landing page
  • not making limited/prohibited products readily available or linking them on your landing page

For more details, read Reddit’s full advertising policy. 

Non-Paid/Organic Reddit Marketing Strategies

Perhaps you’re not quite ready to commit to paid advertising. That’s OK. You can use some strategies to start marketing on Reddit without paid ads, like those listed below.

Use a Personal Account

Rather than using a business account, you could set up a personal account. From there, you can begin engaging with the community by answering questions and posting content related to your niche. This is a way of showing your expertise and gaining traction on the site while avoiding self-promotion.

It’s the preferred way of Beardbrand’s Eric Banholtz, who has attracted more than 600 members into his subreddit.

Beardbrand tends to post YouTube content like:

  • The Top Ten Best Beard Transformational Trims
  • The Best Way to Fade Your Beard at Home
  • Wild Beard Gets Shaped to Perfection

You get the idea.

In keeping with Reddit guidelines, there’s no promotional content. The account is just a way of sharing relevant news and touching base with subreddit members.

Ask Me Anything

There’s a subreddit called “Ask Me Anything.”

Members of the community post a huge variety of posts on just about every topic you can imagine. For example, one post is from a female gamer, while AMA is a person who had the same lunch every day for the last 16 years.

Basically, you post a topic and invite others to ask you anything.

Although regular members heavily use the community, you needn’t think you don’t have a place there as a business owner or marketer. The subreddit also attracts members from the business world.

One heavy hitter who makes the occasional appearance is Microsoft’s Bill Gates. Although it’s been some time since Gates contributed, there was huge interest when he did, including plenty of upvotes and lots of interaction.

Start a Subreddit

A popular way for businesses to stay on the right side of Reddit’s rules is to start a subreddit for their brand. Here, you can engage with your customers, answer any questions about your company, and share industry news.

This is a good approach if you aim to encourage engagement and build relationships with prospects.

Paid Advertising on Reddit

Reddit is often overlooked by marketers, but with 52 million daily active users, and high levels of engagement, marketers shouldn’t ignore the site.

Additionally, Reddit attracts 430 million monthly active users and it boasts 100,000 communities. 

Year on year, Reddit’s active users continue to grow. It looks like Reddit’s here to stay, and the potential is enormous for those that get their marketing right.

It’s also popular among younger age groups, so it’s a brilliant way to reach out to younger prospects.

What Are the Different Types of Reddit Ads?

There are two main types of ads on Reddit. The first is promoted ads, which you’ll see most often. Reddit displays these at the top of subreddits.

The other type is display ads. Reddit offers other types of advertising, like video and carousel, which we detail below.

1. Display Ads

These are the most common forms of advertisement on the site. With display ads, you’re not just limited to sharing your posts. For example, you can post a customer story that relates to your brand. 

You can choose from CPM, CPC, or CPV ads, and these are all made available as auctions via the Reddit Ads Dashboard.

2. Display Ads

Reddit aims to display ads at bigger companies with larger budgets. Unlike promoted ads, these aren’t self-serve, and you need to speak to Reddit’s sales team first. You need a minimum budget of $30,000.

3. Promoted Video

These are available as CPM and CPV bids. Features include an auto-play video and an optional call to action button.

4. Promoted Carousel Ads

Promoted Carousel ads allow up to six images/gifs, and the bid types are CPM and CPC. Reddit shows these ads in users’ feeds.

For greater visibility, Reddit also offers takeover products. You can view the complete requirements for each type of ad and the features provided on Reddit.

Examples of Great Reddit Ads

Before diving and creating your own Reddit ad, let’s look at a few examples.

Nordstrom Reddit Ad

Examples of Great Reddit Ads - Nordstrom

Department store Nordstrom uses Reddit in a way that just about everyone can adopt. It stays on the right side of Reddit’s robust guidelines by using subreddit groups to talk to customers and discuss products, overall service, and typical customer experiences.

It’s clear Nordstrom is playing the long game with its Reddit advertising approach. Its method isn’t likely to garner overnight results. However, it’s a strategy that works for the brand, and it has got hundreds of Reddit users keen to interact with them.

If customer engagement is crucial to you and you’re using it as a building block for your business, the Nordstrom method could be the way to go.

Ally Bank

Examples of Great Reddit Ads - Ally Bank

Ally Bank dared to be different with its advertising. Rather than posting in a financial subreddit, it reached out to Reddit’s vast audience of video game lovers. 

How did it connect the dots between the two topics? With a simple one-liner that demanded attention:

“You wouldn’t settle for a 1-star controller, so why settle for a 1-star bank?”

Ally Bank stayed away from the traditional banking advert because it was appealing to a non-traditional audience.

You can easily use this approach. Rather than limiting your marketing to your typical market, think about how you could reach different groups and win over consumers that you mightn’t usually market to.

Maker’s Mark

Examples of Great Reddit Ads - Maker's Mark

Maker’s Mark took a more direct way of targeting the Reddit community through the r/ads subreddit.

Its “Let it Snoo” tagline was a play on words around Reddit’s mascot, Snoo, and it aimed to make the audience laugh rather than despair at the sight of an advert.

Maker’s Mark was careful to tailor the nature of its advert to the typical Reddit user and talked to them in a style the Reddit audience would welcome.

That’s the key: Always target your audience in the language and the style they’re most comfortable with.

How to Build Your Reddit Advertising Campaign

Setting up your first Reddit campaign may take some time, but with plenty of detailed step-by-step instructions, you should find it easy enough. Here are the basic steps for getting started, but always check Reddit if there’s any part you’re not sure about.

  1. Identify Your Target Audience

    If you’re not sure how to narrow down your niche, here are a few pointers:

    -Create a customer avatar or profile of your typical customer. You can use the data you already have to do this. 

    -List any of the characteristics and demographics that you feel represent them. For ideas, you can find out the basics online to get started.

    -Understand your demographics’ pain points and how your products/services can help. 
    Keep your customer profile in mind whenever you create new marketing materials and market to your typical customer. 

  2. Gather Supplies

    Before you start crafting your ads, have everything organized. In addition to being clear about your goals, and how you’ll measure results, you need:
    -visuals
    -copy
    -destination links
    -target keywords
    -ad trackers
    -credit/debit card 
    -registration details
    -other creative content

    Now let’s get started building your campaign!

  3. Create Your Campaign

    1. Sign in with your usual Reddit details at ads.reddit.com, which will take you to the “Create Campaign” page.
    2. Give your campaign a name in the “name” box.
    3. Choose your payment options. Reddit accepts credit cards for self-serve advertisers. 
    Select your objective from the list. There are several you can pick from. For instance, building awareness, conversions, video views, or app installs.How to Build Your Reddit Advertising Campaign - Create Your Campaign

  4. Create Your Ad Group

    Creating your ad group requires a few steps. First:

    Segment your campaigns: Begin by segmenting your campaigns to make it easier to track performance. Reddit suggests experimenting with bidding for the different campaigns because of its second-price auction model. Consider segmenting based on device or location. Reddit suggests each ad group should have a $50 daily budget.

    Give your ad group a name: Ad group names make it clear what the ad is targeting. 

    Select your ad placement: Next, decide if you want your promoted posts appearing in feeds or conversations. When advertising in feeds, your ads appear in the home, popular, and community feeds. Conversation ads appear when users are discussing specific Reddit posts.

    Define your audience: This is your targeting criteria. You can target ads in several ways, including by location, communities, and devices.

    Set your schedule and budget: Reddit offers a daily or a lifetime budget, which allows you to specify a specific date range. Now select your bid. Reddit uses a second-price auction model for bidding and doesn’t guarantee impressions. Reddit states impressions are dependent on targeting, your bid, and Reddit traffic.

  5. Create Your Reddit Ad

    1. Enter the name of your ad in the “Ad Name” box.
    2. Add third-party trackers. Reddit has a list of approved ones, including Comscore, Appsflyer, and Adjust.
    3. Add impressions and click trackers, followed by the macros. 
    4. Include some creatives. For instance, you could write a new blog post or promote an older one.
    5. Create a call-to-action button.
    6. Preview your ad. 
    7. Now, you should see a review button. Click on this and check your ads, making any edits if needed.

    For fuller information, read Reddit’s pages.

Frequently Asked Questions About Marketing on Reddit

Can you self-promote on Reddit?

Like most other online communities, Reddit takes a dim view of self-promotion. Anyone who uses Reddit purely for promotional purposes should view the Reddiquette pages and FAQs to understand what’s allowed.

It’s also worth reading the FAQ page on spam.

How do I market on Reddit without getting banned?

Start by reading the FAQs and Reddiquette. If you want to include links to a blog, for example, then the content you’re sharing should be helpful and in context with the general topic.

This discussion details a suitable way to share links. Also, ask the admins of subreddits if sharing a link is OK, and build a good reputation or “karma” on the site before thinking about how you can use Reddit for marketing.

How much do Reddit ads cost?

Reddit bases its advertising costs on auctions. It sets its rates at $5 a day minimum, and costs vary dramatically from 20 cents per 1000 impressions to $100.

Marketer’s Guide to Reddit Conclusion

Reddit is a unique platform with millions of active users. It might seem like the ideal place to promote your business, you could get banned (or ridiculed) if you aren’t careful. 

Although Reddit is tougher on self-promotion on other platforms, that doesn’t mean marketers should steer clear of it altogether. Provided you stick to the rules and don’t stray into spamming or being “salesy,” you have the opportunity to grow a keen, engaged following. 

With hundreds and thousands of subreddits, there’s bound to be one that suits your brand, whatever niche you’re in, regardless of whether your business is new or established.

Reddit is also a fantastic way to get feedback and suggestions from your customers and get to know them better.

Do you advertise on Reddit? What tips do you have to share?

How to Create Your Personal Brand’s Visual Identity

Visual branding is the most effective way to create a powerful online presence. If you don’t believe me, check out this article on why visuals are important in marketing: When half of the human brain …

The post How to Create Your Personal Brand’s Visual Identity appeared first on Paper.li blog.

New comment by minopile in "Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (July 2021)"

Location: United States

Remote: Yes

Willing to relocate: Yes

Technologies: Python, R, Docker, Git, MongoDB, NoSQL, NoSQL, Tensorflow, NLP

Resume: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1URt9iSzTi2SeBqewCWx35eL0J_I…

Email: gskr.1468@gmail.com

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New comment by abhishek_raturi in "Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (July 2021)"

  Location: Toronto, ON, Canada

  Remote: Open to both in person and remote

  Willing to relocate: Yes (Ontario)

  Technologies: React.js, Javascript, Node.js (Express.js), MongoDB

  Résumé/CV:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KiCaYKzHGpf2031EwCWgMrJRjFkIiRUh/view?usp=sharing

  Email: raturiabhi1000@gmail.com

Recent graduate from Centennial college with software engineering advanced diploma (3 years). You can visit my portfolio @ https://araturi.me to get to know more about me including projects.

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New comment by hans_abc in "Ask HN: Who is hiring? (July 2021)"

A Better Consultancy | Software Engineer | Full Time / Part Time | Singapore

We are a small technology advisory and consultancy firm who are highly selective on our client projects. We work with clients who have interesting software projects – from either business perspective or tech perspective – and that try to make the world a better place.

We also have a backlog of our own projects that we’re looking to bring to market to ensure that our workload is interesting, varied as well as technically and commercially exciting.

We are very open to flexible working arrangements – and are able to work with you to accommodate your own projects or hobbies – though we do need you to be based in Singapore already.

We work in small and close-knit teams of product manager, UX designer and developers. In terms of development, we use programming languages that are suitable for the project and the client’s needs. As long as you can code and are willing to learn new language or technologies, you are welcome – and we enjoy a learning focused, highly positive work environment.

If you are interested, email hans[at]abetterconsultancy.co and let’s have a chat.