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SEO moves faster than a speeding bullet - what works one month may hurt you the next. And with Google's never-ending updates to their algorithm and ranking factors, you can't afford to not keep up with the times. Did you miss out on the top news stories this week? Don't you worry...Flair's got your back. Read on for the top five SEO news articles we thought were worth pointing out from this last week. 

1. Best ways to improve your SEO and why you need to do it (Forbes)
   Forbes regularly posts on the most current and updated SEO news, and this article (coupled with the noteworthy contributors) doesn't disappoint. Get tips and thoughts from 15 members of the Young Entrepreneur Council - they're some of the brightest minds in biz. And they make some quick-hit-win suggestions that reinforce what we say all the time (like create authoritative content, post consistently and flesh out your meta data).
2. Supercharging your SEO with AI: Insights, automation and personalization (Marketing Land)
   AI is here, and it's not going away any time soon. So whether you think it's creepy or cool, check out Marketing Land's exposé on how tech companies are fully embracing AI to become power-houses with their automated robotic SEO strategies. Side note: if you're in the "it's creepy" camp, this article is definitely worth the read, as it has some pretty interesting (not to mention calming) stats and thoughts on the subject. You listen to Pandora? Watch Netflix? You're already deep in the throws of AI.
   

The wealth of knowledge available to internet users is nothing short of dumbfounding. You can literally, for better or worse, learn how to do anything online. It really is amazing.

But even with the plethora of information out there, finding valid and thorough content that’s actually useful and has purpose often seems overwhelming. I find I have my handful of “go-tos” who don’t let me down. Time after time, I trust I can search my good ol' standbys.

Say I have a question about content marketing – HubSpot has always got my back.

If I wonder “what time should I promote my blog across social channels?”…Social Media Examiner to the rescue.

Wonder what Google’s up to these days, or what all that hype about “Mobile-First” really means? Hey, Search Engine Land! 'Sup, Moz?!    

My point? Unless you have your own trusted go-tos, it can be a long, lonely trail of uncertainty. And in the abundant dark abyss of the web, we don’t always have the time to seek out our answer (let alone TRUST what we find).

You could spend hours looking at page after page of search results, and not really be sure about the advice you’re getting. It can be frustrating.

At Flair, we pride ourselves on the content we put out there – you know that if it has the Flair stamp of approval, you can trust it.

Our marketing library is chock full of resources intended to help you become better.

• Better at digital marketing
• Better at social media
• Better at designing (or redesigning) your website
• Better at SEO
• Better at lead gen
• Better at analyzing your metrics to see what’s working (and what’s not!)

Content marketing is a commitment, not a campaign. 

How totally (and for some, dauntingly) true is this?! So often (too often, really), we get the same push back when it comes to content marketing.

“We tried. It didn’t work.”

My response, every. single. time. I hear this?

“OK…I understand. I really do. Would you mind sharing a bit more about how or what you tried? What did you do?”

And, it never fails. I get the same answer, time after time.

"We blogged for [insert any length of time…a month, a quarter, a year] and nothing happened."

And there it is. I’ve said it before, and I’ll probably say it a thousand more times – content marketing is NOT a set it and forget it project. It’s a commitment. A dedicated, consistent, concerted commitment to so much more than just writing and posting a blog. To successfully create and implement a content marketing strategy (that WORKS), you must be willing to do it all.

Infographics are an engaging, easy way to spread your wealth of knowledge and cement your place as a thought leader in your industry. They're bright, visual, eye-catching...everything you've been looking for when it comes to a fresh way to share content. Frankly, we love them. Check out our faves from the month of May 2018. 

1. Six Important Points About the State of B2B Content Marketing [Infographic] (MarketingProfs)
   Most B2B companies are finally on board in terms of knowing they need to use content marketing as a strategic, warranted part of their marketing efforts, but many still aren’t quite sure what works best in the world of content. This infographic breaks it down plain and simple – everything from the roles different content formats play, to the impact on lead generation, to planning for success - if you’re a B2B with questions, this infographic’s got you covered.
   
   

2. How to Enhance Your Content by Building Infographics with These 12 Tools (QuickSprout)
   Love the idea of infographics, but aren’t sure where to start? Feel like the cat’s got your design tongue? With any one of these 12 tools, you'll run out of excuses on why you aren’t creating infographics faster than you can say…well…infographic. A dozen cool (and even some free) easy-to-use tools that will let you say “adios, designer” and start making award-worthy graphics any time the inspiration strikes. 

They say it takes a village. And nowhere does that apply more than when it comes to your content. Anyone who has managed their own digital presence will agree…just doing it at all is no small feat. Doing it well takes grit and diligence.

So whether you have a dedicated marketing team, or if you’re fighting the good fight alone, most of us can agree that any help is welcome help.

Luckily, in today’s digital age, help is out there and readily available. So don’t reinvent the wheel…take advantage of what’s there for you.

What's that? You say you don’t have time to weed through the hundreds of pages of sites claiming to make your content the best it can be?

Don’t you worry…we’ve got you covered.

Check out our current list of top five resources we can’t blog without.

There's no denying that in today's digital age, brand marketing and content go hand in hand. After all, content is king...

But remember, content can include all of the following:

• pages on your website
• blog posts
• social media posts
• premium downloadables
• apps
• games
• videos
• much, much more

Check out these not-to-be-missed marketing events in June. 

What? SearchLove: Boston

When? June 7-8, 2018

Where? Boston, MA

Focused on current data/research for analytics, content, search, site optimization and more, SearchLove Boston is two full and inspiring days with leaders in the industry.

What? SMX Advanced

When? June 11-13, 2018

Where? Seattle, WA

An exclusive gathering just for experienced search marketers, SMX Advanced is chock-full of fast-paced, informative sessions that will up your search marketing game.

For this week's #throwbackthursday post, we're looking back at a 2013 blog from SEMRush on silly mistakes marketers make when it comes to pay per click campaigns. Curious to know what those are? You can check out the original article, but if you don't have time to read the whole thing...no worries...here are the down-and-dirty mistakes you want to avoid in your campaign:

1. Don't bid on lame keywords 
2. Don't bid on your own name
3. Don't send people to a landing page that doesn't relate
4. Don't repeat your ad copy
5. Don't forget to diversify 

All great tips - even five years later, these "don'ts" still largely apply. But we think there are a few "do's" worth mentioning, too...so read on to learn four (more) things you should do to ensure you have a successful pay per click campaign.

With the much-anticipated Royal Wedding having finally graced us all with its presence, we thought this quote uniquely apropos. So in the spirit of all-things-Royal, let’s break down this idea from social media guru-ess Mari Smith –

“Content is King but engagement is Queen, and the lady rules the house!”

Think about this: Engagement is Queen…

Honestly? This just could not ring truer. Because the truth is, you could post a blog every day, tweet multiple times a week, pin every gorgeous board you can imagine and Instagram the heck out of your insightful thoughts and nuggets of experienced, useful wisdom, but if your audience isn’t engaging with any of it…

...really, what is the point?

You can't just Ronco your content marketing - it simply isn't a set-it-and-forget it deal. You have to think about it, research it, plan it, craft it, edit it, revise it, post it...and that’s all just the background work.

THEN, you have to make sure it’s reaching your audience.

How? It’s exasperatingly very simple yet remarkably complicated, all at the same time.

The tricky part about engagement is it's about more than just what content you put out there…it’s also about how you put it out there.

Your goal is to give users what they want and need (even if they don't know it yet), which in turn fosters engagement. Your content marketing stategy should be developing content that's relatable, convenient and, ultimately, that solves a problem.

THIS is what nurtures engagement. And brands that engage, rule the house.