Social media, with a specific focus on social networking sites, is fast becoming the staple form of content online – user-generated content is also one of the most valuable, as it is the honest voice of the public.
Social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube are among the most popular and profitable social networks. They are freely available for anyone to use and defy traditional media convention. Social media optimization, or SMO, involves using this new form of media to increase your web presence and overall credibility.
smart content
Optimize your keywords, but always try to use new content instead of replicating old copy on the internet. Include the appropriate keywords, but not so much that the reader finds them repetitive.
blog above all
Blogging is the best way to create content on an ongoing basis, as there is always a new angle to take or industry news to relate to; It’s not like setting a copy in stone on your formal website; it has the potential to be much more personal and interactive than that.
Microblog!
Even more simple, personal and interactive, microblogging platforms like Twitter are great ways to increase search engine visibility through the user community.
Create profiles on social networks
Search the Internet for areas where you can create a presence. You don’t necessarily have to be an active member, but by creating profiles with your chosen keywords, you can claim the address online before someone else and increase your search engine visibility while you’re at it.
in equal parts
Everything you do online should be easy for users to share. Chicklets are the little buttons that are inserted into blogs and websites that make social bookmarking possible with the click of a button. Use them in your content and bookmark your new blog posts. We’ll be looking at how to use social bookmarking sites to increase your web presence in the future, so remember to keep an eye on this blog.
Interact and be part of the gang
Possibly the most important aspect of SMO is social discussion and feedback. It’s not good to be silent or stuck online: the Internet is too interactive for that. Comment on blogs, ask questions, provide answers, and generally use your pulpit wisely.
Manage your online reputation
If you don’t have any online reputation management services, it might be a good idea to invest in, or at least set up, some simple reputation management tools like Google Alerts, Yahoo! Alerts and notifications from Twitter to notify you of any content that contains your keywords.
With ORM you can not only monitor your online presence, but also serve it efficiently in times of good and bad publicity.
