Step Away from the Self-Help Steps for Better SEO
Conveyor Belt of Generic Lists vs. Stories for Personal Growth
Step Away from the Self-Help Steps
Ever notice how every Google search spits out a new set of “steps” like a conveyor belt of generic advice? Because, of course, “10 steps to better sleep” will work exactly the same for everyone, right? lol It’s as if the self-help industry assumes we’re all cookie-cutter humans with identical problems.
We know the routine: 7 ways to declutter your life, 5 steps to overcome burnout, 12 tips for better productivity. It’s like the self-help industry is serving up an endless buffet of the same bland casserole—no one asked for it, but there it is, at every potluck of personal improvement.
But what if, instead of another list of “5 ways to feel better,” we embraced storytelling? Picture a whimsical land where sleep issues are tackled not by dreary, stand-alone steps but through an enchanting adventure. Imagine our hero navigating a magical realm. Wise, sleepy old owls guiding them through bedtime tales that subtly weave in each step to a restful slumber—transforming a mundane list into a captivating quest.
Stories have a fantastic ability to captivate our imaginations and make complex ideas not just understandable but enjoyable. They allow us to explore solutions in ways a dry list never could. So, why not swap out those step-by-step manuals for a dash of narrative magic for personal growth?
SEO Benefits of Lists vs. Stories for Personal Growth
Lists, steps, and bullet points can be great for SEO when they:
Enhance Clarity and Readability: Making content easy to scan and digest quickly, which benefits both user experience and SEO.
Optimize Keywords: Integrating relevant keywords in a structured format for better search engine indexing.
Boost Engagement: Providing clear, actionable information can reduce bounce rates and improve rankings.
However, storytelling also has significant SEO advantages:
Increase Engagement: Well-crafted stories keep readers on the page longer, which can positively impact SEO.
Enhance Shareability: Engaging stories are more likely to be shared on social media and linked from other sites, improving backlinks and domain authority.
Match Search Intent: Stories can address complex questions and provide depth, which can match well with user search intent and lead to higher rankings for specific keywords.
Read more about SEO from my previous post:
Finding the Balance
Combining storytelling with clear, structured content (like bullet points when appropriate) offers a comprehensive approach to SEO. For optimal results, blend narrative elements with well-organized content to cater to diverse reader preferences and enhance overall SEO performance.
Conveyor Belt of Generic Lists
So, could we bid farewell to tiresome lists and welcome a bit of whimsy? After all, who needs a 10-step guide when we can dive into a delightful tale?
Share your thoughts—will storytelling offer a more engaging path to personal growth? Could it be the key to making self-help more captivating and less cookie-cutter? Or is it just an alternative to the endless parade of steps?
P.S. I’m going to test this on my next post.
Lori K Today is a lifestyle publication. Reflecting on life w/ GenX humor. Sharing relatable mostly short stories, recipes, reviews, and Human Design.
Thanks for outlining both concepts. I would say I like having lists for the steps, then being able to dig down deeper on topics I find useful.
Lori, I've never loved stories! I skip through all the descriptive parts of stories to get to the meat. I've gotten better at writing stories since they trend on some platforms. But I get your point about lists! I'm good with both, but list probably needs a more intriguing sub-title to get me interested.