Writing for Your Audience

I was recently commissioned to write a travel article for a website (retrips.com).  This article is a sample of writing for a specific audience (in this instance travel), but also it was written to optimize the use of a search engine. S.E.O. is a good concept.  For the public relations practitioner attempting to gain more traction from a story, search engine optimization is for you.  If an article uses specific keywords (approximately 20% of the article) it should appear on the first page of a Google search.  In my instance I used the words "second home" and "Grand Lake".

Grand Lake- A Beautiful Place to Own a Second Home in Oklahoma

            The state of Oklahoma is a place that residents cherish.  From the friendly culture to the sincerity of the people, something about Oklahoma is very attractive.  With good economic conditions within the surrounding area, owning a second home in Oklahoma is becoming more common.  Americans are industrious and hardworking, and most deserve a second home where they can take a break from the rigors of every-day life.  If you think Oklahoma is all prairie… think again.  Grand Lake (shortened from Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees) is an Oklahoma gem.  Those who wish to build a second home away from the city will not find a better vacation spot for nearly 500 miles.  Grand Lake provides all the amenities of a city while providing residents with a refreshing new environment in which to build a second home (not to mention one of the top rated fishing spots in the United States).  The charm and amenities of the area are dwarfed by the fact that constructing a second home at Grand Lake is incredibly inexpensive.  A comparable lake or beach house in a Gulf Coast state would easily be three times as expensive.  The crystal clear waters of Grand Lake, Oklahoma offer a serene outdoors experience for a significantly lower price.  Grand Lake has nearly 50,000 acres of surface area and 1,300 miles of shoreline.  Your second home will feel like your hometown in Grand Lake, Oklahoma.  The local Oklahoma culture is incredibly hospitable and offers everything from scenic hiking, to nightlife, and more.  The recreational activities you will find on Grand Lake are second to none in the region.  The best Bass fishing in the state of Oklahoma is found at Grand Lake.  Boating and water sports are very popular as well.  Imagine the beautiful views of the rocky shore you will experience on Grand Lake from the porch of your second home.  You can watch the kids swim with your new neighbors during the day.  In the afternoon, you and your family can rent kayaks. Finally, at night you can take your spouse out for authentic line dancing and some of the best catfish in Oklahoma.  If this is not your ideal day in your second home, then imagine a different scenario.  You and your friends are vacationing at your second home in Grand Lake, Oklahoma.  You wakeup early and watch the sunrise on Grand Lake as you and your friends toss out your fishing lines.  The cool lake air and the fresh smell of water are all around you.  After the best day of fishing in your life, you take your boat back to your lake house to clean up.  There’s a party tonight on one of Grand Lake’s tour boats.  After hours of fun on the water, the night is not over yet!  Your friends make a trip to one of the lakes many resorts to watch a live concert on shore.  Who thought you could do this in a land locked state like Oklahoma?  Finally, the night is over and you are only a short walk from your second home.  You work too hard to be trapped in the stifling city environment every weekend.  Make your second home at Grand Lake, Oklahoma and enjoy the amenities of the city surrounded by the tranquility of nature.

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