SEO Fast Start - Keyword research & Market Samurai

Been slowly going through Dan's excellent SEO book and was wondering? He suggests 'Keyword Discovery' and 'Wordtracker' to start off your research but I was thinking (again) is it possible to use my Market Samurai and would the sequence be the same? Or are they different tools altogether? I have used the Market Samurai software doing the 30day challenge but have only used it sparingly since then, so I do have minimal experience.
Hopefully someone can explain how and why?

Going through SEO Fast Start slow and steady since the absorption rate in my brain is a lot slower than it use to be. :D Must be age I guess and a bit too much partying in my younger days:cool:

Thanks everybody!
Phil

Hi Phil,

There are a variety of tools and methods, but my advice is to stick with what you're comfortable with. Market Samurai and WordTracker are both reputable tools. I often use http://freekeywords.wordtracker.com for a quick check - and I probably use it 5+ times a day - I keep it open in a new tab on my browser and use it for everything from blog post titles, new web pages, email subject lines, forum topics, etc.

If you're more comfortable or familiar with Market Samurai, that's fine too. Unless you're doing pay-per-click advertising, there's no sense turning basic keyword research into a mathematical or scientific nightmare. :)

Thanks Lynn -
I feel comfortable with Market Samurai but I will also give the others a try. I like the many features of Market which is the main reason I felt OK spending some money for it as a long term learning investment. The support is great also.

Still keeping busy with SEOFS and have already been able to put some of the points into action. In the long run I know it will help when I get ready to move on other niche ideas. I look at my present blog as mainly a hobby and learning tool for now. I do have a good presence on ETSY and although I'm not making a fortune it at least produces something.
The idea I am playing with is getting a plan in place to promote it a larger scale using social media ( Facebook and Twitter mainly). I just want to take it slow so I don't screw things up and hurt myself and look stupid.
This is where you, the forum and the people on here have helped in giving me the confidence and motivation to get busy, get organized and start building. Yeah I guess you can say I'm a big fan!

Thanks again,
Phil

I'm glad you joined us here, Phil :)

I like Market Samurai as well - great software. I just downloaded the newest version and I'm going to post a review for how I use it on my blog soon. I'll keep you posted. Or you can subscribe at http://www.clicknewz.com for updates too.

Hi Phil, and welcome. I use Market Samurai too. I would ditto Lynn's remarks. I use the free wordtracker for quick searches and MS for the more in depth stuff. I'm pretty new, so don't take what I say as gospel, but that's how I do it. Wordtracker is fast and easy. MS gives you lots of options! Use 'em both!

Hi Jane,

None of the results are exactly accurate, but instead give you an approximate view of the search volume. WordTracker has been the industry standard in keyword research tools for several years now, and is the one I use the most. It also comes very close to the actual results I see with top rankings using my informal guesstimation formula.

You'll find that on my blog at:
http://www.clicknewz.com/260/niche-potential/

Phil,

Because of you I found this forum and great people. Thanks for the tip and keep getting after it!! You will succeed.

Take care my friend, Chris

To all-
Thanks for the great input and kind words! It's great to hear and it's also comforting to know there is no question or problem that doesn't have an answer or solution when you are a member of this forum.
Someday I hope to be able to give back and answer a few questions for people like me who are just starting out.

much thanks!
Phil

Phil, judging from Chris's comment, looks like you have already started helping people!

I used Market Samurai to find the right keywords that i could actually get on the first page of google for. It worked very well for that, I stand behind Market Samurai for sure.