Step 1: Strategize what topics you want a presence in, and will bring you value in the long run.
Step 2: Using industry tools, develop lists of meaningful keywords for each of those topics
Step 3: Have a balance between short-tail and long-tail keywords
Step 4: Create keyword groupings to ensure you have as many angles covered for a given topic as you can.
Step 5: Perform competitive audits to see where your competition is positioned for these keywords and fill any gaps you may have missed
Step 6: Develop a content marketing strategy using SEO best practices