How to Balance Your SEO Blog Content: Writing for Beginners vs. Your Target Audience
As an SEO professional, I've often encountered this question, and the answer isn't as straightforward as you might think. Let's break down why this matters and what approach you should take.
The ideal solution is actually to target both beginners and your target audience, but in different ways. Here's why and how to do it effectively.
Start with Your Target Audience
Your primary content should always focus on your target audience. These are the people who are most likely to convert into customers or clients. They need specific, advanced content that addresses their pain points and provides solutions they can implement immediately.
For example, if you're targeting small business owners who need SEO services, create content that speaks directly to their challenges, like "How to Improve Local SEO Rankings While Running a Business" rather than "What is SEO?"
Why You Shouldn't Ignore Beginners
Creating beginner-friendly content serves several important purposes:
1. It builds a foundation for your more advanced content 2. It helps with internal linking opportunities 3. It captures a wider range of search intent 4. It establishes your authority in the field 5. It creates a natural progression for readers
The Smart Way to Target Both
Here's my recommended approach:
- Create a content hierarchy with clear categories - Use internal linking to guide readers from basic to advanced topics - Label content difficulty levels clearly (e.g., "Beginner," "Intermediate," "Advanced") - Focus 70% of content on your target audience and 30% on beginner topics
Content Distribution Strategy
I recommend organizing your content like this:
- Core pages: Target audience focused - Blog posts: Mix of beginner and advanced content - Resource section: Beginner-friendly materials - Newsletter: Advanced insights for your target audience
The Bottom Line
The most effective approach is to maintain a strategic balance. Your main focus should be your target audience, but including beginner content creates a complete resource that attracts, educates, and converts readers at various stages of their journey.
Remember to use clear navigation and internal linking to help readers find the right content for their skill level. This approach ensures you're not just attracting traffic, but building a sustainable audience that grows with your content.
By implementing this strategy, you'll create a comprehensive resource that serves both beginners and your target audience while maintaining your site's authority and relevance in your niche.