Top 10 Tips for Social Media Optimization

Social media optimization has become the new buzzword in internet marketing these days. Also referred to as SMO or social SEO, the focus of this marketing strategy is to optimize your social media profiles in order to increase traffic.

While many of the techniques are the same as traditional SEO, there are a number of important differences that you need to know. Below are our top 10 tips for social media optimization.

1. Be Social

This would seem quite obvious, given that we are dealing with "social" media. But it is so critical, it must be highlighted at the top of the list. Every time you create a new social profile, you should begin by spending some time taking a look at other users' profiles, making new friends, and commenting on their posts. Social media is all about networking. Follow people, engage them first, and they will usually follow you back.

2. Share Pictures and Videos

When you think about things going viral on Social media, you rarely think of a text-based post. Photos and videos have proven to be the most engaging type of content on Social media. Sharing photos on sites like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and sharing videos on sites like YouTube, Vimeo, etc, is a very effective way to drive engagement and traffic.

3. Make Sharing Easy

Always make it easy for users to share your content - whether it's from your website or blog, you need to include easily accessible "share" buttons. These buttons include the "Tweet This" button from Twitter, and the "Pin It" button from Pinterest. Integrate your content as much as possible, in order to get traffic going to/from your website to these various social platforms.

4. Keep Your Content Fresh

Deliver what your audience is looking for on a consistent basis. If you have a website or blog about improving your golf game, you need provide your audience with fresh content on a weekly basis. This is even more critical with social media. The expectation for fresh content is even greater. If you're not providing your audience with daily updates, you're doing things the wrong way. Develop a content strategy to post on a regular basis, but make sure that you're offering real value or something interesting. Otherwise you'll lose credibility.

5. Optimize Your Keywords

Just as on your website, you need to include targeted keywords when building your social media profiles. This will make it easy for your audience to find you. Remember to avoid stuffing keywords.

6. Set Up A Complete Profile

Make sure you set up a complete profile that is consistent with your branding and messaging on your website and other profiles. This will help your search engine rankings, and present a more professional image.

7. Use Analytics To Optimize Your Content

Using the many social media marketing tools available to evaluate your social strategy is critical. You must pay attention to what gets your audience moving. Discover what type of content is working and what's not, and make necessary adjustments.

8. Share Everything

Create content that's helpful, fresh and thought-provoking. Ask your audience to share it with their friends and it just may go viral.

9. Timing Is Everything

Use your analytics tools to learn the best days/times to post your content. You'll want to identify and schedule your posts during the days/times your audience is most active and responsive.

10. It's Not All About You

Don't only talk about yourself and your products. Focus on topics that are helpful to your readers and the problems that your products or services can solve for them.

Social media marketing is a powerful strategy to extend your brand. On social media sites, it's all about being real. If you consistently provide good content and increase user activity on your profile, the search engines will love you. Your social media optimized profile will brand your business and drive new fans to your site.

About the author: Joshua A. Johnson - Mindstream Marketing is a leading social media management company that helps local businesses and non-profits leverage the power of social media to engage with their audiences and create top of mind awareness for their brands. Visit us online at mindstreammarketing.net.

Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/smo-articles/top-10-tips-for-social-media-optimization-6347563.html

BlackSky offers professional and top quality products and services for very low prices. We understand that you, as small business owner are very careful when investing your money. That’s why we believe you should not spend thousands of dollars on a website when you can get one for a fraction of that price with us…find out more

Social Media is listed The Number 1 online activity in the world today! So why does this matter to you…Simple, you must become part of this now, as no doubt most of your customers are already there.

BlackSky can establish your presence on the main social networks that will provide the most benefit to your business. Options include Facebook, Google+, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, and FourSquare…find out more

Despite the great notoriety of online marketing nowadays, traditional marketing methods still have a high success rate and are proven.

With traditional marketing, anyone with a newspaper, mail service, television or radio can learn about your business or service, therefore bringing your product and service directly to potential customers.

We at BlackSky believe, that when Traditional Marketing is combined with Digital Marketing it will raise campaign response rates significantly…find out more

Email marketing is among the most cost-effective marketing tactics available to promote your business. Research shows that 71% of people check their email as the first online activity of their day and 47% as their last. It is very convenient for both parties and offer great variety of designs and customisation. With an Email Campaign you can: Increase traffic to your website; Keep customer in the loop with news about your services and products; It’s generally more affordable than other types of campaigns; It’s fast to set-up & build and fostering relationships…find out more