How to Do Keyword Research

Are You Sick of Your Content Getting Lost?

Let’s talk about how to find keywords. You think you’ve written a great article, hit publish, and then… nothing. It’s like throwing a rock into a quiet ocean.

Why Keyword Research Matters

If that sounds familiar, chances are the problem started before you wrote the first word. Keyword research isn’t boring or technical—it’s simply knowing what people are actually typing into Google. Without it, you’re just guessing.

Step 1: Forget About Tools First — Make Friends with Your People

This is the step most people skip. Grab a notebook and write down:

• Who is my best customer or reader?
  
  
• What’s their biggest frustration?
  
  
• How would they explain it to a friend?
  
  

Step 2: Start with “Seed” Keywords

Think of simple words that describe what you do. If you sell handmade candles, your seeds might be “scented candles,” “soy candles,” or “long-lasting candles.” These obvious terms give you a foundation.

Step 3: Time to Go Down the Rabbit Hole (With Tools)

Now it’s safe to open tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush. Put your seed keywords in and expand them into long-tail variations, like “best fall scented candles” or “soy candles for anxiety.”

Step 4: The Secret Sauce — Search Intent

Knowing why someone is searching is just as important as the keyword itself:

• The Researcher: “What are soy candles made of?”
  
  
• The Window Shopper: “best Yankee Candle dupes”
  
  
• The Ready-to-Buy: “buy lavender candle next day delivery”
  
  

If your content doesn’t match the intent, it won’t rank.

Step 5: Be the Biggest Fish in a Small Pond

Trying to rank for “candles” is impossible. Instead, choose long-tail keywords like “vegan soy candles for birthdays.” Less search volume, but far more achievable.