Which social media network offers you the best bang for your buck (or, rather, the best buck for your business)?
There were a couple of fun facts that came out of the 2012 Social Media Marketing Industry Report that showed that 85% of companies with a dedicated social media platform saw a spike in exposure in their respective markets, and that 58% of companies using social media regularly saw an increase in sales. That said, marketing in the wrong niche might result in missed opportunities. While there are plenty of social networks out there, not every one is apt for a particular type of business, and vice versa. So which social network is right for your business or industry? Here are a couple of insights that might help you figure it out.
Facebook
As one of the most popular sites on the web and the largest social network, it is easy for companies or brands to get lost in the mix. Those that stand out most are the ones that offer engaging, insightful content and try to stay away from too much self promotion. Constantly pushing sales on Facebook might lead people to ignore, or even dislike your brand, and that’s the exact opposite of what you’re trying to get out of your social media efforts. So if brand loyalty is what you’re after, then Facebook is great place to focus your efforts.
Twitter
Again, the concept of self-promotion is one any business should try and avoid when it comes to Twitter. But that is not to say that you shouldn’t be offering your services on the social network. Twitter is the optimal space for engagement, as it is a real-time conversation tool and allows brands and potential (or existing) customers to open up a dialogue. It is there that you can nurture your leads and eventually, turn those leads into conversions. There are also plenty of industry influencers in the Twitter, and as we noted in an earlier blog post, these influencers tend to be posting themselves, so it is a perfect place to engage with them as well. That might be a little harder when it comes to a network like Facebook.
Google+
Google+ might not be a giant compared to Twitter and Facebook, but it certainly should not be ignored. Especially when it comes to marketing efforts. There are certain backdoor search ranking benefits to Google+ that few are taking advantage of. Considering it has Google on its side, it makes sense that there would be that added search element that other networks aren’t necessarily as apt for.
LinkedIn
This is where self-promotion takes on a bigger role. Not in the boastful, obnoxious sense, but in the sense that this business social network allows businesses and individuals to establish themselves as experts, chime in on industry- and expertise-relevant conversation and get yourself out there as the best in the business. There will still always be the process of lead cultivation before they become customers, but at least here you won’t surprise anyone with a sales pitch now and then.
YouTube
People love videos. Search engines love videos. But at the end of the day, it is all about content. Having dozens of videos, be they entertaining, informative or sales-related might be nice to see, but if people aren’t watching them, a YouTube page might not be the best thing for you. So make sure video marketing is relevant to your business or industry before jumping into it.
Pinterest
Pinterest is all about images. And we mean all about images. So unless you’re business or industry is a visual one, Pinterest might not be the best place for you to be focusing your efforts. But if images are your thing, then you certainly cannot be ignoring Pinterest!
Foursquare
If you’re not local, then mobile and geo-targeted marketing isn’t for you. But if you are, working with a social network like Foursquare to target potential customers around your business is essential. Mobile marketing is on the rise, and if done correctly, it can be an incredibly successful social media strategy for your business.
Which social network is best for your business? Tell us in the comments below or on Twitter!
Top 10 Industries Spending on SEO
/by Corey PadveenIn which industry should your agency be focusing its efforts to find new SEO clients?
A recent article by Larry Kim on SEOmoz detailed some of his findings after conducting research on a billion dollars of paid advertising spend. The article is packed full of tons of great information on AdWords spend and the future of AdWords spending on Google, and he concluded with a breakdown of the top 10 industries spending money on paid advertising. This is a powerful list if you’re looking for the right industry in which to find your next SEO client, so have a look at the industry, some key players, and the average cost per click below.
The Importance of Social Media in SEO
/by Corey PadveenHow much weight is given to your social media efforts when it comes to improving SEO?
This has been a major point of debate in the world of online marketing. What value do search engines give to social signals, and how will your social media efforts affect your search rankings? Social media has been around for a few years, social media for business a little less, but search has dominated the web since (or close to) its inception. When social media began to pick up steam for companies a coupled of years ago, the focus when it came to improving search rankings was link building. However, right around the 2011 new year, Matt Cutts revealed that social signals do play somewhat of a role in search rankings. How much? Well, we’re not exactly sure, but whatever it is it should not be ignored.
So, how exactly do social signals factor into your search rankings to help you get found? There is no one answer to this question, as we do not have all the insight into how search engines rank these signals, but it would be sage to assume a few factors that play a role. Facebook Likes, Google+ circles and Twitter followers are one aspect, but the real driving force when it comes to social is your content being seen. Facebook ranks atop the social networks most closely watched by Google for increased rankings. And if your content is floating around Facebook with links, you are in a great position. Searchmetrics posted an article a few months ago that detailed some correlative data between search rankings and social signals. One of the graphs they put together can be found below:
Time and time again we stress that content is king, and this statistical analysis shows it. When your content is shared or retweeted (particularly if it contains links to your website) you stand to benefit greatly when it comes to search. Of course, there is still the issue of keywords and backlinks outside of social media, and top brands stand to benefit the most from this, but if you choose your keywords properly and get your content circulating on social media, you could end up seeing some incredible results with your search rankings skyrocketing.
Community review sites like Yelp! are also a major factor when it comes to search rankings. The number of reviews and the positivity of those reviews is something that search engines take into significant consideration. So in addition to getting your brand on social networks like Facebook and Twitter to increase your social rankings, get fans to post on review sites. This will help increase search rankings in the best way possible: happy customers touting your brand!
So, what should you be watching for when it comes to social signals in determining your ranking on search engines? Google is still working on their ever-evolving algorithms to optimize social signals in their search results, but within a few years, we can expect social signals to be the most dominant factor when it comes to Google rankings. While links are still the dominant factor, social is well on its way to surpassing it, and should certainly not be ignored by any company looking to get found.
Have you taken all the steps necessary to maximizing your social media efforts so as to increase your rankings potential on search engines? Tell us about your strategies below or on Twitter!
Great Halloween Campaigns Using Social Media
/by Corey PadveenWho used Halloween to their advantage with social media?
With Halloween having wrapped up, there is no shortage of sweets in everyone’s home. And for some brands, there is no shortage of the sweet use of social media over the course of the month. Below are a couple of great campaigns some brands executed this Halloween.
1. Angry Birds
Millions have played this gaming favorite, and those who haven’t have surely heard about it. Angry Birds is known for its themed versions, and their latest is a Halloween edition of the beloved game. While this is not a conventional campaign per se, we think it is safe to say that the attention this version has generated coupled with the ever-growing fan base of Angry Birds makes this one of the more notable efforts by a brand to use Halloween to their advantage. If you garner attention in some way that intrigues both new and existing customers, then your marketing efforts are paying off.
2. Mike’s Hard Lemonade
Zombies are the new vampires, and Mike’s Hard Lemonade knows it. That’s why they have created an app that allows visitors to their Facebook page to ‘zombify’ themselves by uploading a picture. Once you have been ‘zombified’, you are able to tweak every little detail to show the world your undead self. But that’s not all. In order to increase engagement among users, Mike’s Hard Lemonade allows visitors to see everyone’s pictures and vote for a top zombie. Halloween themes are generally enough to attract some new attention, but to offer people the opportunity to engage with both each other and your brand makes it all the more successful.
3. Progressive
Every loves Flo, the television spokesperson for Progressive insurance, and that was shown last year when people began dressing like her for Halloween. Progressive noted this and decided to capitalize on the success of the character by allowing people to download and use branded knickknacks for their Flo costume. When you can get people to advertise your product just because they want to, you have struck gold, and that is what Progressive saw with this year’s campaign.
Can you think of any other brands that used social media effectively this Halloween? Tell us in the comments below or on Twitter!
Who Should Run Social Media Strategies?
/by Corey PadveenWho is the right person to put in charge of your social media strategies?
Every since social media made its way into every day business, the issue of who is best suited to be put in charge of social media strategies has been a hot issue of debate. There are schools of thought that believe that young, socially-versed graduates should be heading up the department, while others believe that seasoned marketing veterans with a good understanding of social are best suited for the position. So, who is right?
The answer lies in your audience. Who are you trying to target? Are you looking to be an authoritative, educational voice in your industry, or are you trying to target a younger generation of consumers? Once you establish your audience, who you should have in charge of your social media strategies will be clear.
In the case of a B2B service, or even some B2C companies, you might find that a marketing veteran with a strong understanding of social media and all that it encompasses is the better choice. The most important element to a successful social media program is a proper strategy, and someone with the knowledge of putting together marketing programs and executing them properly is crucial if your social media program stands to be successful. But in the case of a business with a younger demographic, someone with an understanding of the market is vital. Tastes vary among demographics, and a social media program stand no chance of success if the wrong person is putting together the plan.
Who do you have in charge of your social media program? Tell us in the comments below or on Twitter!
What Are Small Businesses Spending on Social Media? [INFOGRAPHIC]
/by Corey PadveenWhere are small businesses investing in social media?
It’s not secret that social media has made its way into every aspect of the business world – from big to small. So how much are small businesses spending on social media? Have a look at this infographic and find out.
What Social Media Networks Are Right for Your Business?
/by Corey PadveenWhich social media network offers you the best bang for your buck (or, rather, the best buck for your business)?
There were a couple of fun facts that came out of the 2012 Social Media Marketing Industry Report that showed that 85% of companies with a dedicated social media platform saw a spike in exposure in their respective markets, and that 58% of companies using social media regularly saw an increase in sales. That said, marketing in the wrong niche might result in missed opportunities. While there are plenty of social networks out there, not every one is apt for a particular type of business, and vice versa. So which social network is right for your business or industry? Here are a couple of insights that might help you figure it out.
Facebook
As one of the most popular sites on the web and the largest social network, it is easy for companies or brands to get lost in the mix. Those that stand out most are the ones that offer engaging, insightful content and try to stay away from too much self promotion. Constantly pushing sales on Facebook might lead people to ignore, or even dislike your brand, and that’s the exact opposite of what you’re trying to get out of your social media efforts. So if brand loyalty is what you’re after, then Facebook is great place to focus your efforts.
Twitter
Again, the concept of self-promotion is one any business should try and avoid when it comes to Twitter. But that is not to say that you shouldn’t be offering your services on the social network. Twitter is the optimal space for engagement, as it is a real-time conversation tool and allows brands and potential (or existing) customers to open up a dialogue. It is there that you can nurture your leads and eventually, turn those leads into conversions. There are also plenty of industry influencers in the Twitter, and as we noted in an earlier blog post, these influencers tend to be posting themselves, so it is a perfect place to engage with them as well. That might be a little harder when it comes to a network like Facebook.
Google+
Google+ might not be a giant compared to Twitter and Facebook, but it certainly should not be ignored. Especially when it comes to marketing efforts. There are certain backdoor search ranking benefits to Google+ that few are taking advantage of. Considering it has Google on its side, it makes sense that there would be that added search element that other networks aren’t necessarily as apt for.
LinkedIn
This is where self-promotion takes on a bigger role. Not in the boastful, obnoxious sense, but in the sense that this business social network allows businesses and individuals to establish themselves as experts, chime in on industry- and expertise-relevant conversation and get yourself out there as the best in the business. There will still always be the process of lead cultivation before they become customers, but at least here you won’t surprise anyone with a sales pitch now and then.
YouTube
People love videos. Search engines love videos. But at the end of the day, it is all about content. Having dozens of videos, be they entertaining, informative or sales-related might be nice to see, but if people aren’t watching them, a YouTube page might not be the best thing for you. So make sure video marketing is relevant to your business or industry before jumping into it.
Pinterest
Pinterest is all about images. And we mean all about images. So unless you’re business or industry is a visual one, Pinterest might not be the best place for you to be focusing your efforts. But if images are your thing, then you certainly cannot be ignoring Pinterest!
Foursquare
If you’re not local, then mobile and geo-targeted marketing isn’t for you. But if you are, working with a social network like Foursquare to target potential customers around your business is essential. Mobile marketing is on the rise, and if done correctly, it can be an incredibly successful social media strategy for your business.
Which social network is best for your business? Tell us in the comments below or on Twitter!
What social media network is best for your business? [INFOGRAPHIC]
/by Corey PadveenEver wonder where your target demographic is chatting on social media? This infographic lays out the age distribution of user on different social media networks:
Top 5 Reasons to Have Social Media Strategies
/by Corey PadveenWhat are some of the best reasons to have social media strategies in place to grow your brand or business online?
There are plenty of reasons one can point to that would justify using social media strategies to help grow a brand or business online. Believe it or not, increasing sales is not the only reason why a collection of social media strategies might help a business. Of course, this is the end goal for any tactic in business, including a social media program, but what are some other reasons why social media strategies might benefit a company? Be low are the top 5 reasons why the implementation of social media strategies is important for any business.
1. What is going on with your competition?
Social media listening and monitoring offers certain benefits to increasing a competitive advantage that other strategies might not. With social media, the goings-on of your competition is made much more public than ever before, and this is an important edge when building your brand or business in a competitive market. Listen to what is being said by your competition and develop strategies that put you ahead in the market.
2. Establish your brand as an industry leader.
Using certain tactics in social media, such as involving yourself in the conversation and establishing yourself as an expert, will help you grow your brand faster than ever before. Lead generation and conversion is always easiest when you are the industry leader, and there is no better place to cement yourself as such than on social networks.
3. Engage not only with customers, but with competitors.
For any business, large or small, there will always be something to learn, and there will always be new avenues to explore. Social media offers an opportunity to connect with other leaders in your industry to both learn from them and grow with their help. Is that to say that your competitors will be rushing to increase your market share? No. But connecting with influencers will help you grow faster, and there is no better place yo showcase that than on social media.
4. Know more about your market.
When is the best time for you to be offering promotions? In which demographic do you stand to grow the most? These questions can all be answered using effective social media strategies for listening and engaging in markets you would have otherwise overlooked.
5. Convert leads into customers.
And of course, the most important goal is to increase your business and your revenue. Social media networks offer an untapped and vast, international pool of potential clients. With thoughtful social media strategies in place, you can benefit from these untapped markets in ways that had previously not been possible.
What other reasons do you think are important for employing social media strategies? Tell us in the comments section below or on Twitter!
5 Fun Facts About Social Media
/by Corey PadveenThe social media world continues to grow every day, and with every bit of expansion comes a few new fun facts that we as users can look at with amazement! Below are five fun facts about social media that we think might surprise you.
1. Facebook is still the reigning champ.
Though several networks are gaining momentum and popularity, Facebook is still the biggest and most addictive. Recent studies show that 23% of users check their Facebook accounts at least five times per day. That’s roughly a quarter of a billion people checking Facebook every couple of hours!
2. What do you do multiple times per day?
Nearly a quarter of people surveyed admitted that they are on different social networks multiple times per day. Can you think of another activity that you are doing multiple times a day, every day? Hard to believe something is that engaging!
3. Twitter words are authentic.
A recent study shows that 75% of tweets posted by users are their own words, and not those of a bot or proxy. Hard to find too many places where people are that open about what they’re thinking.
4. Mobile is gaining quite a bit of traction.
Of the billion or so members using Facebook, studies show that half of them have accessed the social network on a mobile device. This gives plenty of incentive for companies to get familiar with mobile marketing!
5. Twitter is a hot bed for politics.
As we noted in 3, people speak their authentic minds on Twitter, and almost half of those American minds are in favor of the Democrats.
Do you fit in with any of these fun facts about social media? Do you know of any other fun facts that you would like to share? We would love to hear about it! Share in the comments below or on Twitter.
Some Fun Social Media Statistics [INFOGRAPHIC]
/by Corey PadveenEver wonder just how big the social media world really is? The infographic below details just that. Hard to believe so many people are in one virtual place…