So, you’re doing it! You’ve started your blog, and you’re in an exciting whirlwind of writing, selling, communicating, and building your business. You’re definitely out there, and you’re going to people! But…where are all of the people who should be coming to you? You know? The ones who come directly from your attraction marketing campaign?
Pick me! Pick me!
Social media is one of the easiest and fastest ways to drive traffic to your site. It is first and foremost about giving VALUABLE information! If you already have a social media presence, GOOD FOR YOU! If you don’t, that’s okay too. I am going to give you the 8 best ways to include social media in your attraction marketing. HOWEVER, if you don’t already have a social media presence, or have never created a Facebook or Twitter account, please…by all means…start with those two, and focus on those two only! Once you build your presence there you can move into the other 6 areas of social media. It is important to stay focused and not spread yourself too thin. Facebook and Twitter are the biggest in the biz, and the easiest place to start. (We will, in a few days, talk about ways to manage it all from one site.)
The 9 Tips to Social Media
1. Blog Comments
Obviously by this point, you have already found your niche, and are blogging away. You are the expert at finding the most valuable information in your field, and everyone wants your content. The cool thing about your content is that it doesn’t all have to come from you. Like we have talked about in previous posts, a great way to get quality content AND SEO is to include links to other websites and writers in which you find value. From there, why not inform the writer that you are including their post on your blog by commenting on their blog? “Hey, I loved your article, and I know it will help my readers. I have posted it on my blog at www.tiashaw.com. Please feel free to check out my site. I see we have a lot of the same ideas.” I have found that it also helps to send them a private message and brainstorming ways to partner up. You’d be surprised how receptive other people within your niche are to this idea!!
2. Forums
Okay. Here’s the deal with Forums. On your hierarchy of time, forums should take the least. Maybe. The idea of the forum, and any post really, is to add value! Don’t jump onto a forum and start posting your website all over the place. I can assure you that the last thing people want is for you to start promoting yourself right off the bat. Find forums in your niche, and contribute VALUABLE information. Statistically, you should comment at least 9 times with valuable information before you ever mention your site or add a link. From there, add your link when you know you have an article on your site that relates to a topic at hand. That is really all you need to do. If you are adding enough value, people will find you and your site on their own, and you won’t look like “Joe Spammer”! Keep it short and sweet, and move on.
3. S.E.O.
Keywords are, well…key! You should be writing every blog post with keywords in mind. Keywords based on ‘what works in the industry’ and also based on human emotion. What will people type into search engines when they want to find articles related to your business? Are you a Home Staging Expert? Then you should include words in your article like ‘interior design, real estate, home staging expert, redecorating, suit to sell, sell now, design, remodel, etc…’ Your titles are HUGE when it comes to SEO. Make sure you are letting your audience know that you are a ‘how-to’ for your niche. Always be thinking about SEO. Always.
4. Twitter
My old boss, and all around HILARIOUS guy Joel Comm, who I consider the first person to make this whole internet marketing thing click for me, SWEARS by Twitter. Twitter is the fastest way to get to a large audience. Even faster than Facebook. If you don’t understand Twitter, LEARN IT! Joel wrote the New York Times Bestseller “Twitter Power” and invented one of the most talked about iPhone apps on the market. If anyone is on the forefront of Twitter (and iFart applications, flying monkeys, interviews from the crew of The Daily Show, cha-ching buttons. WHAT, I told you he’s hilarious!) it’s Joel Comm! Learn it. Love it. Know it. Name an ice cream after it. Wait. What? Hint: To find people in your niche on Twitter, go to search.twitter.com.
5. Facebook
I love Facebook! Some people do…some people don’t. As a blogger, you had better! And I really wish they would stop it already on the format changes. That aside, Facebook (as much as we love it or hate it) has become the place to check in. If you don’t have a Facebook account, what are you waiting for? I’m not saying you’re behind the game, but..you’re so far behind the game! Like I said before, these two (Facebook and Twitter) are the first and foremost when it comes to social media. The thing with both is to BE INTERESTING! Or, funny or… just, please don’t make every post about the weather, or YOURSELF! An industry term that keeps coming across my research is to not use Facebook or Twitter to Pimp and Promote yourself. Give interesting and FUN content!
6. Linkedin
Here’s the thing about Linkedin. A lot of people ignore it. DON’T! These are quality and professional people. Like Twitter and Facebook, find your niche, and give great content.
7. Pinterest
Did you know that the average household income of Pinterest users is $50,000? And that 80% are women? Face it. Us gals make the buying decisions! I always think of the sign on the boat shop by the highway that reads “Your wife called. Twice. She said it’s okay to buy a boat!” Sorry fellas, but you know it as well as we do. If you have a woman in your life, she is helping you make the buying decisions. AND, she’s making those decisions for the children in most cases. Think about it. Women are about to take over the world, er..I mean. Women have a lot of buying power. (The first rule of WTOTW is to not talk about WTOTW.)
8. mybloglog.com and friendfeed.com
Etc… use sites like these to connect to your friends, and your friend’s friends. And. Your friend’s friend’s friends. And…I’m never sure if I’m using punctuation correctly. Anyhoo, you get the point. Connect on these sites and more.
9. Youtube
This one can be scary, but if you’re serious about becoming an expert in your field, why not become an expert? You’re already writing it! Why don’t you put it in words on video? If you hate being in front of the camera, FINE! Take your expertise, and show it on screen without showing your face. For instance Check out Ty Tribble’s MLM Blog Secrets. He shows you step by step how to set up an effective blog. All while just filming his screen on each step. Trust me. There is ALWAYS a market for your niche!! Always. People love videos, and quite frankly. you are making it easier for your reader. Check out this video of your “Average Guy” teaching you how to make a living online. He is talking about his passion, so he’s fluid in his speech. Like he’s talking to a friend! You can tell this guy loves what he does, and he’s clearly great at it! YOU can do the same! All it takes is a camera, and your knowledge!
So, just remember to add value wherever you go, and genuinely engage with your social media customer. BUT, remember also, to do these types of things (forums, blog updates, etc.) while your customer is sleeping. Facebook, Twitter, and actual customer engagement by phone, face to face visits, leads groups and the like should all happen during business hours.
These are the very first steps to driving traffic to your blog. I am so excited to get to the nitty gritty of other traffic-driving methods as we move forward.
Happy blogging!
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