1. SEO-Friendly Headline (Title)
- What to do: Create a clear, keyword-rich headline that reflects the folktale’s theme or main character.
- Why it matters: A strong title improves search rankings and helps readers instantly understand what the story is about.
- Example: Instead of “A Story of Trickster,” use “The Clever Jackal: A Bushman Folktale of Wit and Survival.”
2. Readable and Meaningful Story
- What to do: Write a complete story (850–900 words) in a natural, engaging storytelling tone. Ensure the plot is clear with a beginning, middle, and end.
- Why it matters: Quality storytelling keeps readers on the page longer and makes them return for more.
3. Alt Text (Image)
- What to do: Write descriptive text for each image, highlighting characters, setting, and cultural detail.
- Why it matters: Alt text boosts SEO, helps visually impaired readers, and makes images searchable on Google and Pinterest.
- Example: “A Bushman trickster jackal under the desert moon, hiding behind rocks.”
4. Image Title
- What to do: Add a short, keyword-rich title for every image.
- Why it matters: Titles improve indexing and show up in search results.
- Example: “Bushman Folktale – Trickster Jackal.”
5. Bold First Paragraph
- What to do: Always bold the opening paragraph of the story.
- Why it matters: A bold start grabs attention, improves readability, and signals importance to search engines.
6. Add Internal Link
- What to do: Naturally include at least one link to another folktale on the site.
- Why it matters: Internal links help SEO, guide readers to related content, and reduce bounce rates.
7. 6 Knowledge Check (Q&A)
- What to do: Add six short, SEO-optimized Q&A at the end of each story.
- Why it matters: Improves engagement, increases on-page time, and adds keyword-rich content for SEO.
- Example Question: “What is the main lesson of this Bushman folktale?”
8. Morals
- What to do: End every story with a clear moral or lesson in 1–2 short paragraphs.
- Why it matters: Adds educational value, makes stories shareable, and leaves readers with a takeaway.
9. Folktales Origin
- What to do: Always state the cultural or tribal origin at the end of the story, with source credit if possible.
- Why it matters: Shows respect for the culture, builds authority, and avoids generic content.
- Example: Origin: Bushman (San) People of Southern Africa.
Reminder for Staff: Follow this checklist for every single story. Doing so ensures our website content is:
- Search engine optimized (SEO)
- Reader-friendly and engaging
- Culturally accurate and respectful
- Consistent across all folktales