An Introduction to Social Media Optimization

Social media optimization, or SMO, is a form of marketing that focuses on generating traffic and buzz by participation in various social media Web sites, including Facebook, Digg, and YouTube. Social networks allow you to build large lists of contacts and supporters that can help to spread the word about your business and Web site. Social news services provide a platform for others to vote on your content and share your story with others. Finally, video sharing Web sites allow you to upload, view, and share video clips with millions of potential visitors.

This chapter outlines how you can use social media Web sites to generate traffic and buzz, and to build links to your Web site. Social media optimization is an extension of your search-engine-optimization (SEO) efforts, emphasizing the use of social media Web sites to build links that can get your Web site ranked well organically in search engines.

Network with Facebook

Network with MySpace

Facebook is a popular social networking Web site that allows you to build lists of friends and interact with people all over the world through profile pages, pictures, videos, message boards, and various technology applications. Facebook is one of the top ten most trafficked Web sites in the United States, boasting over 60 million active members and growing quickly. You can use Facebook to interact with current and prospective business associates while generating considerable traffic to your Web site and buzz about your business. Facebook is a service used by businesses of all sizes and people of all ages to network and communicate in real time.

MySpace is a leading social networking Web site that allows you to build lists of friends and interact with people all over the world through profile pages, pictures, videos, and blogs. The MySpace community has over 200 million members and is one of the most popular Web sites in the United States. Despite the common misconception that MySpace is only for young people, millions of adults and businesses use MySpace as a vehicle to manage reputation, build brand recognition, promote products, and generate buzz.

Maximize Exposure with StumbleUpon

StumbleUpon is a peer and social networking technology that includes a toolbar that you install in your Web browser. The StumbleUpon toolbar allows you to discover and rate Web pages, videos, photos, and news articles. Getting your Web pages, videos, photos, and news articles submitted to StumbleUpon is an effective way to generate buzz and traffic, and to build backlinks to your Web site.

StumbleUpon is a great resource to locate interesting Web sites and videos. Using StumbleUpon regularly provides countless examples of the kind of content that most users find interesting — interesting content that people like is what you want to produce to maximize your exposure on StumbleUpon and other social networks.

Increase Traffic with MyBlogLog

MyBlogLog is a popular social networking service that includes a popular Web widget that you can install on your blog or content Web site, and that shows your visitors the most recent MyBlogLog members who have visited your Web site, including each member's avatar and screen name. The MyBlogLog community represents an eclectic group of individuals that are interested in finding new Web sites and building friends through social networking. You can use the MyBlogLog widget and community to increase traffic to your Web site and build buzz around your Web site content. In addition, having a MyBlogLog profile page establishes you as a content provider and a resource for others who want to learn more about what you do and the Web sites you manage.

Micro-Blog with Twitter

Connect with LinkedIn

Twitter is a free social networking service that allows you to micro-blog by sending short "updates" of 140 characters or less to others via a text message from your mobile phone, by typing a message from the Twitter site or using instant messaging from Jabber or Google Talk. Twitter is the most widely used micro-blogging network in the world. Micro-blogging is a very powerful and increasingly popular way to communicate with friends and clients, build buzz, and generate prospective business leads. Many celebrities, as well as popular bloggers and writers, use Twitter to network with friends in real time.

LinkedIn is a popular business-oriented social networking site that allows you to network with business professionals and build a list of contacts. By building a database of contacts with people you know and trust in business, you have access to a large network of friends with whom you can conduct business, offer jobs, and promote your business. The people in your LinkedIn contact list are referred to as connections. You can invite anyone, regardless of whether he is a LinkedIn user or not, to become one of your connections.

Take Advantage of Digg Traffic

Take Advantage of Digg Traffic

Network with Sphinn

Sphinn is a social news Web site that allows you to read, submit, and vote on content; read and take part in online discussions; and network with others. The Sphinn Web site is an extension of the popular search-engine marketing Web site SearchEngineLand.com, and consists primarily of search-engine and interactive marketing professionals interested in a broad range of topics in the technology field.

Sphinn is a great place to generate interest in your business, especially if what you do is related in some way to online marketing or technology.

Continue reading here: Increase Traffic with MyBlog Log

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