Tag Archive for copywriting

23 Jul 2012
business tips • small business

Creative Commons License – Should You Use It?


Today I received a call from a client who said that the content on her website was being “stolen” and used on other websites. She wanted to know what could she do to protect her website.  She knew that Google had a “report this site” for plagiarism so I helped her through the process.

Thought it would make for a good article as well.

What is Creative Commons License and What To Do If Your Content or Images are Stolen

For webmasters and website owners, Creative Commons Licenses are licenses that…”allow creators to communicate which rights they reserve, and which rights they waive for the benefit of recipients or other creators.”  It’s free of charge and simply requires you to fill out a form and place the link on your website.

Basically, the Creative Commons license tells the world what can and can’t be used and in what manner from your website.  Here’s a video that can help you to understand it.

To register for a Creative Commons license simply go to their website and fill out the form. Have your webmaster add the code to your website pages.

Has My Content Been Plagiarized?

There’s a great website called Copyscape.  Enter in the URL of each page of your website to find out if there are copies of it somewhere else besides your website.   They allow a limited number of scans per month but if you’re so inclined you can purchase their Premium program for unlimited scans.  Price is .05 per scan.

What About Plagiarized Graphics and Photos?

Copyscape is great for content but does nothing about seeking stolen graphics and photos. So, how do you search for these? Use your Firefox browser for an easy solution. (If you haven’t yet downloaded Firefox I have no idea what you’re waiting for – it’s a great browser!)

Anyway, download the extension called “Who Stole My Pictures” and install it on Firefox. After it’s installed go to your website, and over a photo or graphic, right click your mouse. You’ll se an option to choose “Who Stole My Pictures?” You’ll be given several search engines that will search for you and you’ll see which websites your images are on.

Now mind you, if you have stock photos and graphics on your website there is a very strong possibility that you’ll see those same images on other websites. That’s NOT plagiarism. But if your graphics are unique, you should not find them anywhere else.

How To Report Plagiarism To Google

Some of you may know that the Google Algorithim called Panda which was released February 2011 and the Penguin Algorithim which was released April 2012 both were created for the purpose of weeding out websites that have duplicate content or use spam or violate Google’s Webmaster Guidelines. Basically, Google is working hard to provide their customers with quality content and relevant content based on their searches.

For webmasters and website owners, this means that we can participate in helping Google with this “policing of the Internet”.   You can use their Copyright Removal page – make sure to read it and understand it before you fill out the form.

So, that’s it – alot of information I know but that’s what it takes to cover your valuable content and let’s face it, our websites can bring in quite a bit of revenue so they are valuable content!


Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported.

eckweb | No comments | Tags: , ,
29 Sep 2008
internet marketing • seo • small business

Writing For Websites


As an SEO webmaster, I am continuously “scolded” by copywriters. I don’t mean Internet copywriters, I mean copywriters, those who write for print. “Writing for websites”, I tell them, “is not the same as writing for print.”

What’s their usual response?

I’m not writing for SEO, I’m writing for the readers! I’m not manipulating my words just to meet some SEO rules.

That’s the usual response I get, something like that. And I have to tell you, I just smile and think back on all the copywriters who have told me that over so many years. How tried writing for their clients’ websites only to come back several months later saying that they are having trouble getting the websites on the search engines.

I know it’s not easy to change, but I have to tell you (copywriters I mean) you’re not giving up your artistry, if anything, you’re being challenged to be even more artistic with your writing. Writing for websites is not just about writing for SEO, it IS about writing for the reader AND the search engines. It takes a very crafty, smart writer to be able to combine the two.

Writing for websites can be rewarding in so many ways. Not only are you (the copywriter) writing something that potentially millions of people will see, you are also providing your client with a means of gaining revenue. The ROI (Return On Investment) on the writing you do for a website will be much greater than the ROI for a brochure, or a sales ad. Why? Because that ONE article that you wrote can be translated into many different languages, placed in many different directories, press releases, websites, blogs, ezines and more. The viral effect of the Internet is amazing. And it’s long lasting. I continue to receive new visitors to my websites because of the articles that I’ve written as much as 2 years ago!!

So, just take a deep breath and think about it. Writing for websites can be a wonderful skill. Here’s how I do it.

1) I’ve got the keyword phrase that I’m going to use. This is usually provided by the SEO firm.
2) Let’s say the keyword phrase is “custom name tags“.
3) The copywriter is going to write an article about “custom name tags”.
4) The title includes the phrase, the phrase is placed in the body 2-3 times, the phrase should be at the bottom of the title, and you want to try and bold the phrase at least once.

That’ it. Your writing style remains fairly intact. Your creativity is challenged by the mere fact that you are writing ABOUT a certain keyword phrase. Your techniques and skills are also challenged as you integrate your artistic side with your technical side!

It’s a Win Win situation! For you and the client. Believe me, the first time you get a phone call from a client saying that he just made “x” number of dollars or “x” number of sales because of what you wrote, you’ll be hooked. It’s an amazing feeling when you’ve helped a business owner achieve a goal – all because of what you wrote!

Writing for websites is NOT giving up of yourself and your personal style. Integrate these new skills and both you and your clients will be better off!


eckweb | No comments | Tags: , , , ,
29 Sep 2008
article writing • internet marketing • seo • small business

Writing For Websites


As an SEO webmaster, I am continuously “scolded” by copywriters. I don’t mean Internet copywriters, I mean copywriters, those who write for print. “Writing for websites”, I tell them, “is not the same as writing for print.”

What’s their usual response?

I’m not writing for SEO, I’m writing for the readers! I’m not manipulating my words just to meet some SEO rules.

That’s the usual response I get, something like that. And I have to tell you, I just smile and think back on all the copywriters who have told me that over so many years. How tried writing for their clients’ websites only to come back several months later saying that they are having trouble getting the websites on the search engines.

I know it’s not easy to change, but I have to tell you (copywriters I mean) you’re not giving up your artistry, if anything, you’re being challenged to be even more artistic with your writing. Writing for websites is not just about writing for SEO, it IS about writing for the reader AND the search engines. It takes a very crafty, smart writer to be able to combine the two.

Writing for websites can be rewarding in so many ways. Not only are you (the copywriter) writing something that potentially millions of people will see, you are also providing your client with a means of gaining revenue. The ROI (Return On Investment) on the writing you do for a website will be much greater than the ROI for a brochure, or a sales ad. Why? Because that ONE article that you wrote can be translated into many different languages, placed in many different directories, press releases, websites, blogs, ezines and more. The viral effect of the Internet is amazing. And it’s long lasting. I continue to receive new visitors to my websites because of the articles that I’ve written as much as 2 years ago!!

So, just take a deep breath and think about it. Writing for websites can be a wonderful skill. Here’s how I do it.

1) I’ve got the keyword phrase that I’m going to use. This is usually provided by the SEO firm.
2) Let’s say the keyword phrase is “custom name tags“.
3) The copywriter is going to write an article about “custom name tags”.
4) The title includes the phrase, the phrase is placed in the body 2-3 times, the phrase should be at the bottom of the title, and you want to try and bold the phrase at least once.

That’ it. Your writing style remains fairly intact. Your creativity is challenged by the mere fact that you are writing ABOUT a certain keyword phrase. Your techniques and skills are also challenged as you integrate your artistic side with your technical side!

It’s a Win Win situation! For you and the client. Believe me, the first time you get a phone call from a client saying that he just made “x” number of dollars or “x” number of sales because of what you wrote, you’ll be hooked. It’s an amazing feeling when you’ve helped a business owner achieve a goal – all because of what you wrote!

Writing for websites is NOT giving up of yourself and your personal style. Integrate these new skills and both you and your clients will be better off!


eckweb | No comments | Tags: , , , , , ,
 

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