Over a year ago, I wrote about cheap search engine optimization and some easy ways to start on the path to getting ranked for some long-tail keywords. Those are my favorite, tried and true, classic methods for on-page SEO. But maybe you’re ready to move beyond your own site to bring in the traffic. If so, here’s how social media works with regard to search engine optimization.
- You create a fabulous post with quality content
- You share the post on various social sites
- Other people recognize your amazing content and share with others
- Repeat steps 2–4
Remember the old shampoo commercial showing the exponential growth of on person sharing the fabulosity of her hair care products with two people who share it with two peeople, and so on and so on and so on? OK, so I’m ancient and this was way before your time. Here you go:
Favorite Social Media Sites
The great thing is, you can tap into these social service as well. With no out-of-pocket cost, you can expose your blog or business to thousands (or even millions) of other people. Here are the services I find easiest to use when combining search engine optimization and social media:
Once upon a time, Facebook was just for college kids. Sometimes my three college kids still think it should be, especially when I stalk them. But they got used to me being around and now post on my wall regularly.
Other than annoying your teen and adult children, Facebook is a great way to connect with customers and readers. New posts can be linked to and will show up in the feed of all subscribed. Contest notification can be spread from one reader to another and new readers attracted.
Watch what other businesses do and see which will work for your company.
LinkIn is another way to connect, but it’s much more buttoned up and business like. If you’re looking for serious business contact, this is the place to be. You can form groups based on employment, education, interest, and find new clients, customers, or even employers.
I’ll say it right here: I don’t really get Twitter. I’ve been on for a couple of years, have over 2,000 followers, and do have my new posts auto-tweeted there, but the point rather escapes me. Everyone throwing about one-liners, jabs, rants, and meaningless status updates. People hashtagging fabricated subject matter.
So, I use it, but I’m of no use. Others use it to great business advantage, so check out a positive resource for more info.
YouTube
What an interesting phenomenon. People can waste away every waking hour of the day watching other people do really dumb stuff. And they can create their own stardom from within the comfort of their bedrooms.
Having the most talented kids on planet earth, I’ve posted a few of their performances and my daughter answered her proposed prom date through a posted video in high school. But what about business or serious attempts to make money online?
Some of the best videos are not only shared with millions, but build name recognition and trust. I’ve been a long time Vitamix user, but when it dies, I swear I’ve been converted to K-Tech by their “Will It Blend” series of videos. I mean, if you can blend an iPad, it can probably handle my morning smoothie. (Yup, they convinced me!)
Google+
Google is trying to take over the world. I’m not sure I love that, but as long as they have the best search and one of the most innovative companies in the world, they need to have a bit of your attention.
Google+ is the company’s challenge to Facebook. I have an account and a few friends (or connections or whatever they call them). It’s easy to set up (if you can get past Google’s stupid login jam). If it takes off, be ready to learn all about it and take advantage of the service.
Social Advantage
Having a presence on various social media sites is a great way to get traffic, build credibility, and gain exposure. Find the services that best suit your needs and make the most of those new contacts.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Honestly speaking, It was just this 2012 when I started doing what you called Social SEO. I’m not really keen in using them and neither I am good in making videos for YouTube.
But it was really exciting to learn these things. Is there anymore reputable social media sites other that what are listed above?
Hi Alison, finally I read someone who shares my thoughts on twitter! I never could understand this thing – I just started using it, but I noticed that some people who “follow” me, also follow a few thousand other people. What’s the point? No one has time to follow this many people. But I am tweeting nevertheless, and will be until everybody realizes it’s pointless! But I hope Facebook and Linkedin are here to stay.
Svetlana´s last [type] ..Feb 21, Discount Travel Canada February 2012 – Last Minute Travel Deals From Canada – Up to 90% Off
To be on Social Media Sites need time and work, but it is very important if you to be seen on SERPS.
A very worthwhile post, Alison ! I activated a Google+ account when it was made public but I have still yet to see much activity. I agree with you about Google taking over the world, lol, but still I would prefer to use Google+ than facebook simply for it’s cleanliness and lighter code. Google+ runs so much better on my computer and I love that. Thanks for sharing !
Anthony @Tulsa Injury Lawyer´s last [type] ..Tulsa Car Accident -$155,000.00
Nice example of the viral marketing concept!
Nowadays almost every complany is present is the social media. Social media marketing is affordable, easy and effective!
I’m really hoping Google+ takes off, because so far it hasn’t. I’m waiting for Google to really give it a big push as at the moment it’s pretty quiet on there. I really want something to catch up with the likes of Facebook and it would be great for it to come from Google.
Mel@SEO Manchester´s last [type] ..5 Reasons why your current SEO might not be working for you.
Mel, I’m rather of the opposite opinion. In my mind, Google has way too much power. And they don’t always wield it fairly. I’ve heard far too many horror stories of people having AdSense shut down when they were click bombed or Checkout being shut down when they were suspected of some unknown offense. These are decisions that have serious business/financial impact on people, yet Google’s CUSTOMERS are sent a form letter and given no real contact to deal with.
As an innovative company, Google is great. As a trusted business partner, not a chance.
I love the Heather Lockyear video as an example of going viral with social media. I am actually old enough to remember this one – Yikes! But you are right when you say that keeping up with social media is a necessity for getting word out. People really like to see what their friends are interested in – I also think too that in our fast paced information age, stumbling onto some cool info through social media is a way to keep pace. No longer do we go and seek info as much as we consume it when it comes our way.
Cheryl@Coconut Oil For Hair´s last [type] ..Coconut Oil Hair
Haha I remember the ‘will it blend’ video for the iphone. It’s a perfect example of what works in modern marketing, the kind of thing that people will talk about. I wonder how many people have actually tried to blend a mobile electronic device. I saw the fumes coming out after the iphone one…. that can’t be good for you.
Great article! I think that SEO and social media go hand in hand. Using a combination of SEO and social media makes the results look natural.
We’re on the same boat, I don’t get Twitter, either. Maybe because I can’t be concise enough and I hate to express myself in such a limited amount of space. But there’s power in retweeting, a lot of my blogger friends tell me. So, what? There’s a lot of power in boxing and I don’t practice it, either.
Tom Wilder@SSD Tweaker´s last [type] ..Install and handle iOS applications without iTunes with iAppMaster 1.1
Social SEO is great, but the main thing is you may want to communicate to your followers / customers via social networks. It create a relationship and than your followers will keep on coming back for more.
Youtube is my favorite social site. Videos are more engaging and many people will readily post and share a video they like. I find it to easier to rank for videos as well.
Henry Seo´s last [type] ..Choosing a Web Design- 7 Reasons To Engage a Web Designer
We promote our website in facebook, twitter, linkedin. But it looks like google+ is getting more popular, so i think its time to start promotion via google+, however i don’t know any person who is a big fan of google+
Kate@Multichannel eCommerce´s last [type] ..March news report
We stayed away from Google+ when it first launched because we thought it was going to be a bit of a ‘flash in the pan,’ type arrangement. Since news sites and such have included a +1 button at the bottom of their posts now though, it’s obvious that Google+ is gaining momentum and anyone whom is serious about SEO – social or otherwise – would be best advised to have this upcoming new medium as a part of their link campaigns.
Anita. xx