Tag Archives: Social Media

This is the archive tag for the social media category on The Internet Marketeer website. It is for information only.

All I have to do for SEO is use Social Media!!!

“I have been told by one of the ““new wave”” social media gurus in our area that now that Google use social media activity as part of its ranking formula (algorithm) then using social media is a no-brainer. After all you can get a post on Page 1 of Google using social media. So no more SEO for me. You really must listen to Gemma (not her real name) she is a real wow”

This is the quote from a website owner, at a recent meeting I attended. She convinced me to go and listen to the ““great guru”” at a local networking meeting. The guru logic was that it is easy to get a post on page 1 of Google and she proceeded to show us how to do that. Her next statement was that now you could ““guarantee”” getting these articles onto Page 1 of Google you didn’’t need SEO as this was, and I quote, ““ going to sprinkle fairy dust on your website” and help it gain credibility and ranking.

Do not be confused, Google surely does use social media signals as part of its ranking algorithm, Eric Schmidt CEO of Google, has confirmed this. But just pumping out social media posts is not the answer.

Now we know social media is necessary to help SEO for your website what have we got to do?

There is more to social media than just Facebook or Twitter; there are many different forms and platforms for social media. Wikipedia shows 194 social media platforms and highlights what their focus is. It is worth noting that social media covers a variety of Internet based platforms that facilitate a variety of forms of communication. You probably think and you’’re right. For business people these are the places that are now important to you.

So what social media do I need to use?

Facebook is the answer!!

Well not really for optimisation. It has the potential to bring large numbers of visitors to your site and its great place to engage your fans and customers but it’’s not a reliable or steady traffic source. More importantly, the majority of Facebook content cannot be indexed by Google so all that hard work getting likes will not count as links.

If SEO is going to be coordinated successfully with social media then you need to understand what your expertise is and then target the social media sites that are suitable for you.

The first point, is that if you want to use social media for SEO, then they have got to be those sites/platforms that are indexed by. Guess what, one of the social media platforms that Google place great store in is Google+. Yes it is new but it’s in the core of Google’’s sight; so where else might work:

1. Small business owner who are interested in local trade may wish to consider Ipatter, Qype, Yelp and Foursquare.

2. A recruitment agency will sensibly focus on LinkedIn, Xing and possibly Ecademy.

3. Photographers will want to use Flickr, YouTube, Pinterest and Tumblr

4. A journalist will certainly need to focus on Twitter and developing a following and actually following those people who might see something of interest in your area of interest. You may also want to keep an eye on YouTube.

5. Anyone associated with the musical industry like bands, vocalists and other musician should look at MySpace, BandCamp and SoundCloud.

6. Tradesmen may want to consider Freeindex

There is not one social platform that works for all industries, when seeking SEO success. It is not just the usual suspects -– you need a blog! In the ideal world the blog will be part of your website, but if this is not possible then consider Blogger or WordPress.com

A blog means your website is producing new content -– Mr Google likes that. More importantly you are an active member of the social media community rather than someone sitting on the side-lines. More importantly, you are providing content on your site, rather than making comments on other people’’s original work -– that is on their blogs.

A blog can turn your website from a static site to a place that people want to visit to read and participate in. These are the social signals that Google is looking for. Site visitors and blog readers want to read informative funny, mind stretching original content. They also want the opportunity to engage with and comment on your site. It is also a great way to demonstrate your expertise and show people why they need your services or products.

What a great chance to tell them about me me me!

Aargh no, do not bore them with why they should use your services or buy your products. Tell them something that is useful to them, the punch line comes at the end, where you let them know that you have a solution to the problem they are reading about.

In order to stop others stealing your identity on various social media platforms, and possibly broadcasting against you, you should secure your branded profiles on most social sites. However, you are likely to only focus on a small number of social media platforms that you contribute to.

Social media sites should help you connect with others who may be interested in your industry but they are not places to put your prime content on. They are places to lay bait to look at your best content so that others tweet about it -– digg it etc.

So you are seeking to build relationships with people who then re-tweet or share it as well. Now you have reached the point where social media and SEO have come together. Someone sharing links to your content on social media sites scores well for Mr Google.

Your aim to establish yourself as an expert so that you generate an audience.

Great here I go, I will create hundreds of social media profiles

Nope, sorry that will not work -– especially with Mr Google. No not about getting hundreds of links from loads of submission, or automated article posting. Not about loads of social book marking.

O dear that sounds terrible, what do I do then? Set yourself up as an authority in your industry via your blog. Begin to convince people who do not know you to become a client because they can trust you. If you do that they will do the link building for you -– so just getting a post or article on page 1 of Google is not the answer, it may become a symptom of success -– but it is not the answer.

So Mrs ““New Age Social Media Guru”” social media after Google Penguin and Google Panda is about building relationships that are transparent to Google, not contrived, not SPAM and producing good quality content that others will share because they find it so useful. Content has been re-crowned King.

So if you need to know how use social media to get search ranking or SEO give us a call on 01572 495007 or contact us by email.

Social Media for Business in Rutland

Social Media Business Rutland

RUTLAND businesses should get to grips with their online activity in 2011 or risk losing valuable business, according to a digital marketing consultant.

Gordon Diffey, who runs Oakham-based internet marketing services company The Internet Marketeer, says that firms in the region can significantly improve their sales and boost business in 2011 by exploiting online opportunities.

The majority fail to consider adding social media such as Facebook, Twitter and blogging to their marketing mix.  This is not sensible if especially if it helps bring in business.

“Everyone is looking for opportunities to add value as the recession bites and people tighten their belts.  But it doesn’t have to be all gloom and doom,” says Gordon.

Simply getting online and embracing the technologies and opportunities that are out there can give any business a boost.  But it has to be done correctly and there is no one size fits all.

“It is surprising how many companies do not realise the impact the web can have on their business.   This is especially true when it comes to using social media sites or blogging.”

Most companies have some sort of website, but few have any real digital marketing strategy. Most online companies use outdated knowledge of online marketing.  The online market space is constantly changing.  Sales teams, marketing budgets will be managed and measured, but their website stays static year on year.

Gordon speaks regularly at conferences and seminars on the benefits of effective internet marketing, social media and the search ranking.

A presence on social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn can benefit any business providing firms use them correctly. But there are other social media sites that will be more effective in some industries that most companies fail to exploit

Many companies dismiss social networking sites as being irrelevant for business. But used correctly they are a simple, cost effective and successful way of promoting businesses

I often hear that social networking is just for kids, but most Facebook users are over 25. Businesses are convinced that THEIR target market doesn’t use social media or blogs.  Well I have got bad news for you statistics prove otherwise and are incredibly successful when used effectively.

Many businesses discount Twitter because they think it’s all about people broadcasting trivia about themselves like “I am going to the toilet” or “I am going for a walk”. But Twitter can be a good way of enhancing search ranking, getting quick messages out to certain types of customer or developing new ways of engaging with their customers. Company blogs can be used to provide company news, product reviews and so much more. It’s a great way for firms to boost their internet ranking and attract new customers and clients.

The Internet Marketeer has worked with companies ranging from Triumph Motorcycles to small businesses. Many have found that clever use of social media can lead to increased sales conversion rates.

Companies should think how easy it is for their customers’ to use their website.  Is it easy to use and does it bring in results.

“If you have a sales team you would want them to keep a record of what they are selling, who has been buying, how many calls or visits they have made to customers. You can get this same information for your online marketing like your website or social media. Many companies talk of ““ROI or Return on Investment””, but more often than not online ROI means “Return on Ignorance”

If your competitor started to squeeze your market share you would study what was causing you to lose out. You would appraise your own strengths and weaknesses.  So why don’t companies do this online?

Manufacturers are a particular industrial sector that really does do badly online.

Many manufacturers are convinced that they don’’t need to worry about marketing online because they get work from referrals.  But consider this, if your company had a lot of scruffy old brochures in reception or being handed out by your sales force you would replace them as an embarrassment.  But go and look at the company website.  You find a worn and tired marketing offering that is visible to anyone and everyone who cares to look at the site.

RUTLAND businesses should get to grips with their online activity in 2011 or risk losing valuable business, according to a digital marketing consultant.

Gordon Diffey, who runs Oakham-based internet marketing services company The Internet Marketeer, says that firms in the region can significantly improve their sales and boost business in 2011 by exploiting online opportunities.

The majority fail to consider adding social media such as Facebook, Twitter and blogging to their marketing mix, especially if it helps bring in business.

Everyone is looking for opportunities to add value as the recession bites and people tighten their belts, but it doesn’t have to be all gloom and doom, says Gordon.

Simply getting online and embracing the technologies and opportunities that are out there can give any business a boost but it has to be done correctly and there is no one size fits all.

“It is surprising how many companies do not realise the impact the web can have on their business, especially when it comes to using social media sites or blogging.

Most companies have some sort of website, but few have any real digital marketing strategy. Most online companies use outdated knowledge of online marketing the online market space is constantly changing.Sales teams, marketing budgets will be managed and measured, but their website stays static year on year.

Gordon speaks regularly at conferences and seminars on the benefits of effective internet marketing, social media and the search ranking.

A presence on social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn can benefit any business providing firms use them correctly.But there are other social media sites that will be more effective in some industries that most companies fail to exploit

Many companies dismiss social networking sites as being irrelevant for business.But used correctly they are a simple, cost effective and successful way of promoting businesses

I often hear that social networking is just for kids, but most Facebook users are over 25. Businesses are convinced that THEIR target market doesn’t use social media or blogs well I have got bad news for you statistics prove otherwise and are incredibly successful when used effectively.

Many businesses discount Twitter because they think it’s all about people broadcasting trivia about themselves like “I am going to the toilet” or I am going for a walk.But Twitter can be a good way of enhancing search ranking, getting quick messages out to certain types of customer or developing new ways of engaging with their customers. Company blogs can be used to provide company news, product reviews and so much more. It’s a great way for firms to boost their internet ranking and attract new customers and clients.

The Internet Marketeer has worked with companies ranging from Triumph Motorcycles to small businesses.Many have found that clever use of social media can lead to increased sales conversion rates.

Companies should think how easy it is for their customers’ to use their website- is it easy to use and does it bring in results.

“If you have a sales team you would want them to keep a record of what they are selling, who has been buying, how many calls or visits they have made to customers. You can get this same information for your online marketing like your website or social media.Many companies talk of “ROI or Return on Investment”, but more often than not online ROI means “Return on Ignorance”

If your competitor started to squeeze your market share you would study what it was that was causing you to lose out.You would appraise your own strengths and weaknesses, so what do companies not do this online?

Manufacturers are a particular industrial sector that really does do badly online.

Many manufacturers are convinced that they don’t need to worry about marketing online because they get work from referrals.But consider this, if your company had a lot of scruffy old brochures in reception or being handed out by your sales force you would replace them as an embarrassment.But go and look at the company website and you find a worn and tired marketing offering that is visible to anyone and everyone who cares to look at the site.