Thank you to Juan Perez from http://www.broadbandsearch.net for sharing this guest post on how to curate good content for your blog and other marketing efforts.

High-quality content and content marketing constitute key aspects of a great SEO strategy. Ideally, the pieces you write on your blog will last over time and continue to provide value for readers even years from now.

But what, exactly, constitutes high-quality content that lasts can be up for debate. Fortunately, there are a few qualities that this type of content has that can be replicated. Let’s discuss some tips on writing evergreen content.

1. Pick topics that are relevant & universal

The very first step that will ensure your posts’ longevity is the topic you choose to write on. Some articles will be very topical, and while they are momentarily highly relevant, they lose their value over time, as they become outdated.

Your best bet at creating evergreen content that will maintain its use and relevance is to stick to content that is universal and that meets a general need or answers a popular question. That will continue to provide value to readers, regardless of the point in time.

• How-to content is and will always be relevant because people are constantly looking to learn new skills or acquire knowledge. The specific topic will, of course, depend on the niche your business operates in.

From practical DIY videos to listicles for everyday tasks, or tips for improving ad revenue, if the content you are providing is valuable to your reader, it will stand the test of time.

• Search online to identify popular topics, frequently asked questions, and key needs within your targeted customer base. Certain questions get asked over and over, so it’s a good idea to do write-ups on tips for beginners, for example, or explanations for certain processes and concepts related to your business.

You may also want to check your competitors’ websites and existing content and create content that is better than what is already out there. The higher quality your content is, the better it will rank.

• Make sure your content is well-written

The other thing that’s going to ensure that your content will always be valuable to readers is creating content that is well-written. There are a few features that your writing should have:

• Well-researched

All the content you create, regardless of topic, must be properly researched. That means spending some time looking up topics, reading about them from a few different sources, searching for what other people have to say on the subject and different points that were raised, etc. Ensure sure that every word you write is accurate and well informed.

• Well-structured

Structure may be overlooked, but it’s extremely important. Structure improves readability and the overall quality of a text. Especially considering that more and more of your readers are accessing your blog on a mobile device, a clear structure that is mobile-friendly becomes non-negotiable.

A good structure features a well-defined introduction, main body, and conclusion. Your paragraphs should be short, and easy to read, with short sentences. The main body should include a few different paragraphs detailing the different points you want to make.

You can use numbers or bullet points to order your ideas, or use linking words to introduce new points, or compare and contrast them to previous ideas, etc. This will ensure clarity and readability.

• No typos or grammar mistakes

It should go without saying that a high-quality piece of content does not admit typos or grammar mistakes. They give your content a sloppy, unprofessional look and it will not stand the test of time.

Ideally, all content should be proofread and edited to make sure everything is perfect before publication. Your content should also be regularly revised and updated to ensure that it is always in tip-top shape, just in case any mistakes escaped you the first time.

• Create content that is legitimate & authoritative

The content that remains relevant over time is the one that is legitimate and authoritative. This quality is partly ensured by the tone of voice used in the piece, but more importantly, by the evidence and supporting data added to your claims and arguments.

A great way to lend legitimacy to your content is to always cite the sources you used in your research, and include numbers and statistics, where appropriate.

As you can see, if you keep in mind some simple tips, your content can improve in quality and readability. This way, it can continue to provide value for readers and contribute to your SEO efforts for years to come.