some good stuff for all of us that do some blogging ;-)
Don't read this post until you're ready to have some fun.
The advice to use keywords when you write is everywhere. Using a few phrases consistently is great for search engine optimization and it can focus your writing. On the other hand, it's easy to start sounding stale if you don't add some variety to your word choice.
Google's team developed a search and keyword tool called Wonder Wheel that generates a graphical mind map (look up Tony Buzan) of keywords and related links. It only takes a few steps to get started. I want to warn you that this tool is so interesting and fun to work with that you are going to seriously burn some time off the clock once you begin.
Start by doing a Google search for a keyword term that you want to use on your web site or blog. I used the word "bungalow" for my example. Near the top of the page under the Google icon and just in from the left side of the page is a "show options" command with a big PLUS sign to click on. Go ahead and click the "Show options" link.
You will get a new menu running down the left side of the page. Near the bottom, circled in blue on the folowing screen shot, is the term "Wonder Wheel". Click on that.
Check out the completely new graphical display of information.
There's no doubt that Google knows more about keywords and related search terms than anyone else on the planet This tool lets them share that information with you in a new and mind-stimulating fashion.
Working with Wonder Wheel is easy.
If you're following along in a separate window, you should now have a circle with your initial search term in the middle and a bunch of spokes reaching out to new, but related terms. In my case I'm searching for "bungalow" and we can see what related search terms pop up.
On this screen shot I have drawn the blue circle around the term "Craftsman bungalow" a clickable link, but you will be able to choose whichever term most interests you after you do your own search for keywords. Even at this first level of the tool, the extra terms at the end of each spoke should trigger ideas for you about keywords you can add. I find entirely new post ideas from many of the terms that are suggested. So far, a lot of fun, but once you start clicking on the links at the end of each spoke, the circle of keyword and post ideas keeps expanding.
So, I have a final screen shot that shows a second circle created by clicking a link from around the first circle. This second circle extends the the process of finding new keyword and links all over again, but the origin with your initial keyword is still intact and you can go back and click on a link from the first circle or keep adding new circles by clicking on new links.
Remember, you can always switch back to the regular web interface to see what all these links have uncovered by going back to the top left of the page and clicking on "Web".
Don't say I didn't warn you how much fun this would be.
Please enjoy visiting any of my sites
