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How to publish a blog post on FLS WEBSITE

The FLS blog is supposed to display additional valuable content about topics that have a certain connection to FLS. With this content, we aim to attract new visitors to our websites with interest in the articles on our blog, share valuable information with existing visitors of our website, make them stay on our site a bit longer and of course improve our search engine results.

We are very happy if you help us generating new content by creating new blog posts. Please note, that every foreign subsidiary is solely responsible for filling their local blog. The more local the content is, the more relevant it will become for users. FLS Germany will not translate German blog posts into other languages.

Please use this guide and tips as knowledge base and the blog post template to create new posts and save them as draft.

If you want to publish an article only for SEO reasons, which does not have additional valuable content please view the document “FLS WEBSITE How to publish articles (UK only)”. Of course, blog posts with valuable content are to be preferred.

The process of publishing a blog post can be divided into the following steps:

1. Search for a good idea suited for a blog post. 2. Write the content (consider our tips on how to create a good article). 3. Let someone else read it and check grammar and spelling. 4. If your content was approved, create a new post in wordpress using the blog article

template. 5. Fill in your content and save it as draft. 6. Inform FLS Marketing about your draft and name the essential keywords for the post. 7. FLS Marketing will review your draft and publish it.

Tips on how to create a good blog article

Headline

• Use the right keywords • Keep it short – Most search engines cut out headline after 60 characters • Add meta title

Content

• Don’t write fewer than 300 words • Use keywords and integrate focus keyword • Add sub-headlines using H2 formatting to increase readability • Use visuals like images and graphics • Add internal and external links • Use specials like quotes, tables etc. • Remember that only blog posts that are written in the native language of the local website

can be published on it e.g. on the German website only German posts can be published.

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How to create a new post in wordpress

Step 1: Click "Posts" in wordpress backend (https://www.fastleansmart.com/wp-admin/).

Step 2: Click "Add new" and a new blank page opens.

Step 3: First make two urgent setting adjustments:

WORDPRESS SETTING 1: Section "Layout" – Toggle on "Hide the Content" because we use the builder for creating the content.

WORDPRESS SETTING 2: Section "Options" – Toggle on "Subheader | Hide", "Content | Remove Padding", “Featured Image I Hide”.

Ignore other input fields at the bottom.

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Step 4: Enter a headline and URL.

It should contain a focus keyword and reflect the topic. Make sure to use max. 80 characters, perfectly 60.

The URL will be created based on headline and can be customized afterwards. (Please be careful: Don´t change URL after publishing!)

RIGHT SIDEBAR:

Step 5: Choose categories and tags on the right.

Mark a desired category (Choosing "BLOG" is required, if the post should appear in blog post list!) – Use existing categories or add new by consulting › Timm

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Add some tags / keywords (prefer to use existing ones) for the internal search.

Step 6: Choose a featured image.

Click “Set featured image” on the right sidebar.

Choose an image from the folder POSTS > POST ARTICLES > OVERALL POST IMAGES.

Of each image, you will find one version with size 334x334px and one in doubled size 668x668px with data name addition …@2x.jpg. Please always choose the smaller file (512x512).

If you are not satisfied with the existing choice of images, you can upload new images or ask › Timm.

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It is necessary to upload two versions: one with size 334x334px and one with 668x668px and with data name addition …@2x.jpg. The bigger version will be displayed for users with a high resolution / retina display and remains in the library. Wordpress will exchange the image automatically. Therefore, make sure to choose the smaller image.

For SEO reasons, you are able to add an Alt text and description on the right.

Then click “set featured image”.

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TEMPLATE:

Step 7: Choose and load the template by clicking "Templates" in the main menu.

Press "Use Template" and the post will be published.

Step 8: NOW IMPORTANT - Switch post status from "Published" to "Draft"!

Next click update in order to activate the draft.

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BUILDER:

Step 9: Modify template with your content.

Step 9a: Edit green header section.

Choose a background color or image. Remember to pick the smaller file size version when selecting an image. Again, you can add an alt text and description for the image. This will help you in SEO.

Save changes. You can preview your changes by clicking on the corresponding button on the right in the publish bar.

If you are not satisfied with the existing choice add new hero images with the size 2550x 626px AND one in doubled sized 5120x1252px and with data name addition …@2x.jpg or ask › Timm (cf. Step 6).

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Step 9b: Edit blue column header.

Replace Category text and Headline placeholder with your content. Then save changes.

Step 9c: Edit blue column article text.

Replace Content placeholder with your content.

On our blog the first letter of the article will be displayed in a square. In order to stick to this formatting, you have to replace the first letter in the existing html code.

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After “/dropcap]” fill in the rest of the content. The first passage will be displayed in bold letters. Therefore, make sure that this passage ends with the command </b>. Divide the content into passages by using the break sign . Add links by clicking the chain sign .

Depending on the length of your post it is recommended to add several items e.g. images, blogquotes and adjust the size of it.

Step 9d: Edit sidebar widget.

Choose sidebar widget (Standard, author etc.) or use default of your country. If the author you wished to choose is not on the list, please contact Timm.

YOAST SEO:

Step 10: Open info screen FLS-BLOG-yoast-SEO, define a proper focus keyword and add a meta description.

The focus keyword ideally should appear in the URL, too.

To add a meta description click “Edit snippet”.

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The meta description is the text which will be displayed in google search results. In the meta description the focus keyword should be used. Please optimize the length (using ca. 60 characters). The color of the bar underneath the text box will show you how good you are doing.

Step 11: Go back to the editor window on the top and click "Builder >> SEO".

A pop-up window will appear. Confirm the advice by clicking “OK”.

Step 12: Put in a short resume text on top of the editor text.

Please use the following structure:

date CATEGORY / author – summary

The text is used for our internal search system and will be displayed on the blog main page in the list of the latest blog posts.

(ATTENTION: Pressing again "Builder >> SEO" will delete text!)

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Step 13: FINALIZING

Press "Save Draft" to save your post. You can preview your post by clicking the “Preview” button. Then inform FLS Marketing (Merle or Timm) about your new post and name our essential keywords. We will review content and layout and publish it on our website.