Would you like people to find your website?
Search engine optimization is a good way to attract visitors that are looking for you … without knowing they are looking for you in particular. Most likely, these people will be current or potential fans … but they could be someone who could offer you work, as well.
There is a lot to optimizing your website for search engines, but here are three simple ways that you can do yourself or ask your webmaster to do for you.
H Tags
When a search engine is evaluating your webpage, it takes a look a the text the lies between heading tags (“H” tags) and weighs those more heavily than text that lies outside of them. Therefore, words that are put between the H1 through H6 tags carry more defining weight than other words. For example, the subtitle “H Tags” above is between “h3″ tags.
So, you should be using these tags for all your key word phrase headings… not the “b” or “strong” tags. Many website owners miss out of this little bit of search engine optimization (SEO) by using bold tags instead.
Of course, text in between bold tags carry more weight than plain text, so that tag still can help your SEO efforts.
The “alt” Attribute
This little trick is especially useful for actors because people are more often than not looking for an image of you rather than text-based information.
The alt attribute is an attribute of the “img” tag for images and was created as an alternative for non-visual browsers when they come across images. In other words, the text is meant to be used when the image is not visible on the page. Instead, what is displayed (or read) is the alternative text.
But now that people can search for images on search engines, this attribute can contribute to your SEO, as well. So, include a key-word rich, but simple description of the image in your “alt” attribute and your site will show up on image searches, as well. This, in turn, can improve your overall ranking.
For example, lets say you’ve posted a image of you walking down the red carpet at a premiere event. A good alt tag might say “Actress Joan Thespian at Gala Event Name January 2010.” This alt tag is a good description, so if read it makes sense. But it also uses key words such as “actress,” your name, the name of the event and the date … all phrases someone might use to find such a picture.
Do this right and the images on your website will show up when people search for images with your key words and phrases. When the image is clicked, they go to your website and just might discover they like what they find!
Title Tag
The words you use in the title tag are what appear in the clickable text on the search engine results page. Therefore you want to make sure that this includes not only the name of your website, but also the key benefit (using key words, of course) you have to offer. If you don’t know how to add or modify your website’s title tag, make sure your webmaster does it for you.
For example, the title tag for this website says “ActorGuru.com – I Know Everything About Actors”. If you look up at the top of your browser window, you should see that statement across the top.
Carma Spence has more than 20 years marketing and communications experience. She helps creative professionals nurture a thriving online presence that supports their career and business goals. For more information, visit www.DragonWyze.com. For information about her services for entertainers, visit www.AskCarma.com/entertainer.
