Increased web site traffic is now, more than ever, about relationships. Web traffic strategies today are personal and I think this is very exciting news. Those internet relationships you cultivate through blogging, social media networking, great web design and compelling web site content have an enormous impact on the number of people who visit and peruse your site.Most business owners don’t have time to keep up with the online marketing strategies I discuss here. oz 2 designs LLC specializes in blogging for businesses saving you time and bringing you maximum return. Let me explain how oz 2 designs LLC uses blogging, social media networking, web site content and web site design to bring you outstanding digital exposure.
Why blog? Blogging is a great way to market who you are and why you are passionate about your work. When you hire Oz2 to blog for your business (cl@oz2designs.com) or take time every week to blog yourself, people know you feel strongly about what you have to offer. The best bloggers understand and use current SEO practices getting their blogs listed on natural search, often the day a post is written. Bloggers get to know one another and interact with each other based on feelings of mutual respect and admiration. They check out each others’ blogs and help each other out by adding one another to their blogrolls and by leaving comments. All of this sends traffic to their web sites. If you end up listed on someone else’s blogroll, then you have established yet another entranceway to your site. When you leave comments on blogs, you also leave your web site address on the blog – creating a backlink to your site – something the search engines notice.
Why participate in social media networking? It seems like a lot of trouble because it is – and it’s worth it. Oz2 represents businesses on social media platforms like Facebook, Linkedin, and twitter. It’s best to participate in more then one social media networking venue. I will use Linkedin as my social media networking example here. Linkedin requires you to create a profile. This is just the beginning. Next, you need to add your contacts to your contact list. And, don’t stop there. Join groups, start discussions, and answer questions. Here is the great part: If you have a blog then Linkedin offers you many great opportunities to increase your web site traffic because you can publish your blog on your profile as well as view the blogs of others in your network. Even better, you can put your blog up for discussion in your groups. Do you see how your blog and your social media networking participation work together to drive traffic to your site? People become curious about you and want to know more about what you do so they visit your web site from Linkedin.
What about content and design? As you regularly post on your blog and participate in social media networking, people will take a moment to visit your web site. The key words here are “a moment.” Your site has maybe three seconds to make a great first impression or click your new visitors are gone. What every site needs is great web design because great web design speaks to the hearts and minds of its demographic. In order to be great, your design should not blend in with all the other designs on the net. If it does, how do you expect to get the attention of your new visitors? Instead, your web site design needs to joyfully shout, “This is exactly what you have been looking for!” Once you have their attention, compelling content is what inspires your new visitors to learn more about you and your business. The words you use are a powerful motivator. Think about your demographic and what it is they want. Write for them. Connect with them – because this is personal.
As I mentioned earlier, most businesses do not have the time to manage these web traffic strategies alone. If you need help, find a professional who knows how to write and design with heart…someone who not only knows how to connect with your demographic but also knows how to express what it is which makes your business unique and valuable through your web design, web content, social networking interactions, and your blog. Once you get this ball rolling, you will enjoy watching it pick up speed.
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Great article. Not everyone has realized the potential of social networking sites as a tool for marketing.
Hey Catherine, this is a great article. Indeed, social networking is extremely time-consuming, however what many people fail to realize is that it saves time in the long-run.
Building valuable relationships online is the key for any successful blogger or small business person. One must add value to the conversation first, and not simply push their own content. Also, people should cultivate these relationships at offline events such as tweetups which are popping up everywhere.
Keep up the goodwork!
http://twitter.com/JoeStampone1
Thanks for the insightful commentary on the benefits of social networking via Facebook, etc…Makes me more determined than ever to get involved with this type of media.
Excellent comments and insights, Catherine. As a business owner and Business & Career Coach the majority of my work is done virtually via telephone and email. The same quality relationships and results are achievable whether my services are delivered to clients in Central PA, across the country, or in London. Likewise, virtual marketing and networking can be extremely effective in attracting potential clients. What a world of opportunity for business owners and clients to connect and work together regardless of locale!
Julie Lichty
http://www.focusdiscoverachieve.com
Great post. Another good reminder that we need to be doing a little of a lot of things. Blogging and website is a great way to get another touch to someone you don’t know…aka, a prospect.
Thank you for sharing your insight!
Tony
Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
[...] As I mentioned earlier, every social networking arena has its own culture. The blogosphere is definitely true to form here. So where do you start? Contact me through my web site and oz 2 designs llc will set up your blog the right way from the beginning. Along with a fully functioning, attractive looking blog, we also give you a list of do’s and don’ts created to help you join and become part of the blogging community. The best blog posts come from the heart, are easy to understand, and offer up useful information. They can even be controversial in order to get attention. Like LinkedIn, blogging gives your business internet street cred. Even better, every time you write a new post, you can notify all of your LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook followers who may choose to backlink to your site. ( Do you see how social and SEO are intertwined here?) [...]
[...] to join you on LinkedIn. If this new connection is a potential customer, now is the time to share your website URL and note you are always available to help them if needed. After you send your “nice to meet [...]
Great article. Since this was written there has been a whole revolution in people/companies using social networking as a marketing tool. Facebook and LinkedIn are just two examples of sites where it’s being used.
Eventually the definitions of both Marketing and PR will include social networking and SEO – they’ll no longer be perceived as separate entities.
[...] to join you on LinkedIn. If this new connection is a potential customer, now is the time to share your website URL and note you are always available to help them if needed. After you send your “nice to meet you [...]
[...] an Account Go to Twitter.com and create an account. This is a great way to backlink your website (good SEO) so list your web site and some interesting information about yourself. You can even design your own [...]
[...] The heart and soul of social media and the foundation for influential business marketing is blogging. Don’t have a blog yet? Then you’re missing out on your chance to leave your indelible footprint in digital space. A blog is your company’s media channel where your brand is created, expanded upon and recreated. Every other form of social media points to a blog post somewhere. Here’s what you need to do to launch a blog that inspires conversations, comments, and followers: [...]
[...] The heart and soul of social media and the foundation for influential business marketing is blogging. Don’t have a blog yet? Then you’re missing out on your chance to leave your indelible footprint in digital space. A blog is your company’s media channel where your brand is created, expanded upon and recreated. Every other form of social media points to a blog post somewhere. Here’s what you need to do to launch a blog that inspires conversations, comments, and followers: [...]
[...] 8. You need to participate in social media to drive potential customers to your calls of action. Your qualified marketing company will set up your Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter accounts in a manner which effectively conveys your brand and best positions you with your demographic. Each social media platform has it’s own culture and etiquette and it’s most effective to act within these cultural norms to attract others to your business. A qualified marketing company can show you your social media sphere of influence and traffic stats. More important, they can monitor and respond to social media conversations about your business or teach you how to do this giving your business the opportunity to provide exemplary online customer service and bolster your reputation. [...]
[...] 8. You need to participate in social media to drive potential customers to your calls of action. Your qualified marketing company will set up your Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter accounts in a manner which effectively conveys your brand and best positions you with your demographic. Each social media platform has it’s own culture and etiquette and it’s most effective to act within these cultural norms to attract others to your business. A qualified marketing company can show you your social media sphere of influence and traffic stats. More important, they can monitor and respond to social media conversations about your business or teach you how to do this giving your business the opportunity to provide exemplary online customer service and bolster your reputation. [...]