Because being discoverable shouldn’t require a digital marketing degree.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) can feel overwhelming, especially for small communications teams juggling newsletters, events, and donor updates. But great content is only effective if people can find it.
The good news? You don’t need to be an expert. Just a few well-placed tweaks can dramatically boost your visibility, especially in niche, mission-driven sectors.
Small teams have an edge: they’re nimble, close to their audiences, and often deeply mission-driven. That means your content already has heart; SEO just helps it reach further. Instead of chasing trends or stuffing keywords, think of SEO as a way to amplify what you’re already doing well. With a few intentional practices, your blog posts, resource pages, and event listings can start working harder for you, attracting the right people at the right time, without burning out your team.
Focus on These 5 SEO Basics
1. Title Tags & Meta Descriptions
Every page should have a clear, keyword-focused headline and a one-sentence description that shows up on search engines (well, Google – does anyone actually use anything else?).
2. Keywords with Intent
Skip the jargon. Use the language your audience searches for, like “how to engage members” or “student support programs in Canada.”
3. Header Hierarchy (H1, H2, H3)
Structure your content like an outline. It helps Google, and your readers, navigate your ideas.
4. Alt Text for Images
This not only supports screen readers for accessibility, it also makes your images indexable for search.
5. Internal Linking
Point people from one page to another, like a blog post linking to a relevant service page or upcoming event.
SEO isn’t about tricking the algorithm. It’s about showing up when people search for solutions you actually offer.
If you’ve got great content, don’t let it get buried.
Optimize what you already have — no tech degree required.
Chris
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