Social Media - Building the Hive

A social media presence should be an integral part of every Web marketer's SEO strategy. Activities such as building a company Profile on social networking sites like Facebook or MySpace, placing articles on WikiHow or Hubfinder, and contributing your expertise to various Discussion Forums and Community sites are the start of a more productive hive.

SearchWrite helps marketers enagage with their audience across the Web and truly become part of the Web's social fabric. Here are ten socially-motivated steps we take with many clients in that direction.

#1 - Connections. By adding contacts to your Social Network, we help you connect with people and get opportunities flowing.

#2 - Forum Mastery. We introduce your company to discussion forums so you can get involved. After making contributions, you can feel free to share your products or services with other members of the forum.

#3 - Blog Appeal. We will focus on a handfulof blogs in your industry that are viewed as the most influential. We generally recommend you comment at least once per month on each of those.

#4 - Meet a Digger a Day. We forge bonds with Digg influencers. This simple task will raise the ratio for success on Digg.

#5 - Get Universal. We'll help you take advantage of Google Universal with video and image optimization. Placing one video for your business on YouTube gets you started.

#6 - Thinking Globally. For each submission that you make to Digg or reddit - use the same exact title and description and translate it to Spanish or French. You'll be surprised at how much traffic and links they will generate (and you don't even have to translate your content).

#7 - Focus. We will idenitfy your niche networks. NOT the over-hyped, all-purpose social networks that don't drive traffic or influence people.

#8 - Answer. Let us prepare you to answer 2-3 questions per week in your niche on Yahoo! Answers.

#9 - Join the Conversation. Once a week, we'll use a tool such as Google Blog Search or Serph to search for your name and your company. You''ll see where people are talking about you and join in on the conversation.

#10 - Year in Reviews. If you own a business there's a good shot that user generated reviews can play a big part in your life. We'll discover the places that are featuring your company and create a review there. Whether it's Amazon, Epinions, Yelp, CitySearch or Google Local, they should all have reviews of your company from the people who know it best.

How sweet it is! By making a beeline to SearchWrite's cohesive approach to social media marketing, you will develop the right buzz for your social media success!

The "Top 40" Social Sites Every Business Needs to Hum Along With

1. Reddit: Got a compelling, human interest version of your latest press release? How fast can you spin one? Start uploading those feaurettes on reddit topped with a catchy headline and drum up traffic for your Website or blog. Become a regular contributor and you'll attract a loyal following. <http://reddit.com/>

2. Digg: Digg has been the big dog in social news for a while now offering an audience that is hungry for juicy stories. Submit and browse articles in categories like technology, business, entertainment, sports and more. Shout it out to your "friends" and fellow Diggers to give you a boost. Can you dig it? <http://digg.com/>

3. Del.icio.us: Social bookmark your way to the A-list with sites like del.icio.us, which invite users to store, organize and share interesting items through tagging and networking. Use del.icio.us to create dynamic link lists for subscribers and attach them to your press releases. <http://del.icio.us/>

4. StumbleUpon: Open up your online presence to "social discovery" by adding the StumbleUpon toolbar to your browser and "channel surf[ing] the Web. Arrange your bookmarks by category and "connect with others of similar interests." <http://www.stumbleupon.com/>

5. Technorati: Put your blog on the map by registering it with Technorati, a network of blogs and writers that lists top stories in categories like Business, Entertainment and Technology. <http://technorati.com/>

6. Ning: Ning lets users design free social networks that they can share with anyone. A do-it-yourself toolkit for social applications. <http://www.ning.com/>

7. Squidoo: "Everyone's an expert on something. Share your knowledge at Squidoo!" Design a profile page or Lens to stake your claim on a topic. <http://www.squidoo.com/>

8. Furl: Make Furl "your personal Web file" by bookmarking noteworthy sites and sharing them with other users by recommending links, commenting on articles and utilizing other fantastic features. <http://furl.net/>

9. Tubearoo: This video network works like other social-bookmarking sites, except that it focuses on uploaded videos. Businesses can create and upload tutorials, commentaries and interviews with industry insiders to promote their own services. <http://www.tubearoo.com/>

10. WikiHow: Create a how-to guide or tutorial on wikiHow to share your company's services with the public for free. <http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page>

11. YouTube: From the fashion industry to Capitol Hill, everyone has a video floating around on YouTube. Shoot a behind-the-scenes video from your company's latest commercial or event to give customers and clients an idea of what you do each day. <http://youtube.com/>

12. Ma.gnolia: Share your favorite sites with friends, colleagues and clients by organizing your bookmarks with Ma.gnolia. Clients will appreciate both your Internet-savviness and your ability to stay current and organized. <http://ma.gnolia.com/>

Professional-Networking Sites

Sign up with these online networking communities as a company or as an individual to take advantage of recruiting opportunities, cross-promotional events and more.

13. LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a popular networking site where alumni, business associates, recent graduates and other professionals connect online. <http://www.linkedin.com/>

14. Ecademy: Ecademy prides itself on "connecting business people" through its online network, blog and message-board chats, as well as its premier BlackStar membership program, which awards exclusive benefits. <http://www.ecademy.com/>

15. Ryze: Ryze lets members organize contacts and friends; upcoming events; and even job, real-estate and roommate classifieds. <http://www.ryze.com/>

16. YorZ: This networking site doubles as a job site. Members can post openings for free to attract quality candidates. <http://www.yorz.com/login.htm;jsessionid=877D3E2794AB5DB2E5676AAC46DF2AE5>

17. Xing: An account with networking site Xing can "open doors to thousands of companies." Use the professional contact manager to organize your new friends and colleagues, and take advantage of the Business Accelerator application to "find experts at the click of a button, market yourself in a professional context [and] open up new sales channels." <http://www.xing.com/>

18. Facebook: Facebook is no longer just for college kids who want to post their party pics. Businesses vie for advertising opportunities, event promotion and more on this social-networking site. <http://www.facebook.com/>

19. Care2: Care2 isn't just a networking community for professionals: It's touted as "the global network for organizations and people who Care2 make a difference." If your business is making efforts to go green, let others know by becoming a presence on this site. <http://www.care2.com/>

20. Gather: This networking community is made up of members who think. Browse categories concerning books, health, money, news and more to ignite discussions on politics, business and entertainment. This will help your company tap into its target audience and find out what they want. <http://www.gather.com/>

21. MEETin.org: Once you've acquired a group of contacts in your city by networking on MEETin.org, organize an event so that you can meet face-to-face. <http://www.meetin.org/>

22. Tribe: Cities like Philadelphia, Boston, San Francisco, New York and Chicago have unique online communities on tribe. Users can search for favorite restaurants, events, clubs and more. <http://sanfrancisco.tribe.net/welcome>

23. Ziggs: Ziggs is "organizing and connecting people in a professional way." Join groups and make contacts through your Ziggs account to increase your company's presence online and further your own personal career. <http://www.ziggs.com/>

24. Plaxo: Join Plaxo to organize your contacts and stay updated with feeds from Digg, Amazon.com, del.icio.us and more. <http://www.plaxo.com/info>

25. NetParty: If you want to attract young professionals in cities like Boston, Dallas, Phoenix, Las Vegas and Orlando Fla., create an account with the networking site NetParty. You'll be able to connect with qualified professionals online, then meet them at a real-life happy-hour event where you can pass out business cards, pitch new job openings and more. <http://www.netparty.com/>

26. Networking For Professionals: Networking For Professionals is another online community that combines the Internet with special events in the real world. Post photos, videos, résumés and clips on your online profile while you meet new business contacts. <http://www.networkingforprofessionals.com/>

Niche Social-Media Sites

Consider linking up with one of these social-media sites to narrow down your business's target audience. You'll find other professionals, enthusiasts and consumers who are most likely already interested in what your company has to offer.

27. Pixel Groovy: Web workers will love Pixel Groovy, an open-source site that lets members submit and rate tutorials for Web 2.0, email and online-marketing issues. <http://www.pixelgroovy.com/>

28. Mixx: Mixx prides itself on being "your link to the Web content that really matters." Submit and rate stories, photos and news to drive traffic to your own site. You'll also meet others with similar interests. <http://www.mixx.com/>

29. Tweako: Gadget-minded computer geeks can network with each other on Tweako, a site that promotes information sharing for the technologically savvy. <http://tweako.com/>

30. Small Business Brief: When members post entrepreneur-related articles, a photo and a link to their profile appear, gaining you valuable exposure and legitimacy online. <http://www.smallbusinessbrief.com/index.php>

31. Sphinn: Sphinn is an online forum and networking site for the Internet marketing crowd. Upload articles and guides from your blog to create interest in your own company or connect with other professionals for form new contacts. <http://sphinn.com/>

32. BuzzFlash.net: This one-stop news resource is great for businesses that want to contribute articles on a variety of subjects, from the environment to politics to health. <http://www.buzzflash.net/>

33. HubSpot: HubSpot is another news site aimed at connecting business professionals. <http://links.hubspot.com/>

34. SEO TAGG: Stay on top of news from the Web marketing and SEO (search-engine optimization) industries by becoming an active member of this online community. <http://www.seotagg.com/>

General Social-Media Sites

The following social-media sites provide excellent opportunities for businesses to advertise; promote specials, events or services; and feature published, knowledgeable employees.

35. Wikipedia: Besides linking with or creating your own business reference page on Wikipedia, you can connect with other users on Wikipedia's Community Portal and at the village pump, where you'll find conscientious professionals enthusiastic about news, business, research and more. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page>

36. Newsvine: Become a citizen journalist by uploading your articles, studies or other news-related items to this site. A free account will also get you your own column and access to the Newsvine community. <http://www.newsvine.com/>

37. 43 Things: This site bills itself as "the world's most popular online goal setting community." By publicizing your company's goals and ambitions, you'll gain a following of customers, investors and promoters who cheer you on as you achieve success. <http://www.43things.com/>

38. Wetpaint: If you're ready to step outside the box of blogs and Web sites, Wetpaint makes it easy to create your own wiki, a unique collaborative document for multi-user publishing. Organize articles, photos and other information to promote your business. <http://www.wetpaint.com/>

39. Frappr: Embed a Frappr map on your company's Web page and pinpoint exactly how users find your site, discover in real-time what they have to say about your company profile and services, and create an "interactive, fun and engaging" spot for visitors.

40. Yahoo! Answers: Start fielding Yahoo! users' questions with this social-media Q&A service. Search for questions in your particular areas of expertise by clicking categories like Business & Finance, Health, News & Events and more. Furnish useful advice and link your answer to your company's Web page, you'll quickly gain a new following as a solution-finder. <http://answers.yahoo.com/>

Connect with SearchWrite via Email for a free initial consultation.
Call (206) 842-5420.