Archive for category Social Media Marketing
Twitter Gets Commercial with Promoted Tweets
Posted by in Social Media Marketing, The Future of Twitter on May 26, 2010
Despite its extreme popularity and estimated site value of a jaw-dropping figure of one billion dollars, Twitter has never really attempted to advertise through its site since its launch -- until now. Twitter apparently hopes to grow its bottom line with a new approach to advertising. The use of promoted tweets will mark Twitter's first attempt at traditional advertising.
Promoted tweets are essentially tweets that will have priority within the site. Large corporations such as Starbucks (SBUX), Sony Pictures, Best Buy (BBY), and Red Bull will use these special tweets in an attempt to expand their reach to the public. Users can expect to see sponsored tweets in a manner similar to Google top search-results that would appear highlighted. One tweak to Twitter's method is that the promoted tweets would need to prove some relevance to the user, such that if a user did not re-tweet it or reply to it, the promoted tweet would vanish.
The relevance model does provide users with some peace of mind that the site will hopefully not be overrun with irrelevant advertising. However, there has been some criticism of Twitter's move towards profit-mindedness. Some believe that adding advertising to the site could irritate many users, and that many visit Twitter for social interaction that is not in the name of consumerism. On the other hand, one cannot blame Twitter for trying to capitalize off its immense popularity, as they do have costs to maintain the site.
Why Twitter Matters for Business
Posted by in B2B Twitter, Social Media, Social Media Marketing on May 18, 2010
Many laugh off Twitter as a waste of time, thinking it is purely for social updates amongst friends. However, it is far more than just simple, 140-character messages. Although the size of the actual messages is limited, most tweets include a website link. To include a link in a tweet and not exceed 140 characters, the URL can be shortened using websites like bit.ly and tinyurl.
Businesses should use Twitter for a number of reasons:
1. To Drive Website Traffic. Twitter messages tease readers into wanting to click on a web address. Twitter is not just a communication tool; tweets come up on search engines, like Google.
2. To Add a Tool for Free. There is no cost to create an account; the only expense is the time involved in creating and reading messages.
3. To Stay Up-to-Date. Breaking news can reach you faster, and there is no need to look for news online or in print. Almost every major news organization disperses information using Twitter.
4. To Stay Informed. Following thought leaders in a certain area of expertise is a great way to learn valuable, real-time, industry information and stay in touch with the latest trends. Following clients, competitors, and strategic alliances is an excellent venue to find out what they are saying.
5. To Reinforce a Brand. Showcasing tweets that contain ideas, opinions, and expertise will provide another communication vehicle to promote the brand. Many of those using Twitter regularly look for the right people to follow. By making a great first impression, loyal followers will be gained.
6. To Stay in Touch. It is a simple way to stay in touch with prospects and clients on a regular basis. Since others can retweet (or, forward) messages, it allows for viral marketing to occur.
7. To Share Others’ Information. It is very easy to retweet a message of something that followers would appreciate. This also allows for sending out valuable information without having to do much work.
Another advantage is the ability to increase business intelligence. Monitoring what the competition is tweeting about is a great way to get ideas on how to improve own communications. These are just a few of the advantages that having a presence of Twitter can offer a company.
Twitter: the Future of Search Engines
Posted by in Social Media Marketing, The Future of Search Engines on May 12, 2010
Twitter has announced that it is going to incorporate search functionality into its site. This means that users can easily obtain trending data for popular keywords, take a deeper look at the topics people are discussing in real time, and find answers to questions that others have already posed in spite of which side of the fence one stands. Twitter has set its eyes on the search market.
Yahoo has also announced its partnership with Twitter, which means that the search engine can make the most of the social channel’s search engine, including incorporating good SEO practices. Google and Bing have also formed partnerships with Twitter, and the search engines will be including Tweets in their respective searches (both keyword-oriented as well as branded).
But the algorithms of the main search engines tend to work in mysterious ways, which is a challenge to make the most of both Twitter’s maximum 140 characters and SEO. For starters, an organization or entrepreneur must choose a Twitter username that incorporates the name of the business. It must be unambiguous in defining the exact nature of the (online) business as well as using primary keywords in Tweets.
Google will rank results based on the relevance and quality of Twitter followers as well as the number of followers accrued itself. Therefore, it is the quality rather than the quantity of followers on Twitter that counts. So be choosy who to follow. Google has figured out that although hashtags are a good way for Twitter users to find a particular topic, they’re often irrelevant. Companies must be careful, and use hashtags judiciously on Twitter.
Now, Twitter can easily tie content to a location by using user profile settings or GPS since technology is advancing on mobile phones as well. This will result in more relevant information and ads on Twitter. Since Twitter provides in 140 characters or less, it’s a great resource for quick information searches.
Twitter local allows users to see tweets from other Twitter users based on location. This also allows for users to see breaking-news events in a certain location (unlike Google).
How to Maximize Social-Media Marketing
Posted by in Social Media Marketing on May 11, 2010
Writers want to use tactics that will catapult them to recognition, popularity, and respect in their specific arenas. Here are some tips how to do this efficiently.
- Test monthly with Google Analytics to see how our Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn audiences are coming and staying at the writer’s website. This is the best way to make sure that the bounce rate stays low. It is also a good way to find out if visitors are just staying to read the blog, if they click any links, and if they want to opt-in or buy. If the bounce rate is low, it means that the longer the target audience is on the site, the better chance for book and business sales.
- Make sure to educate by going online and putting up a website along with writing and using article marketing and social-media promotion. Follow how-to discussions, read a how-to book, listening to a how-to teleseminar.
- Use online marketing, especially regular blog and LinkedIn updates, as a way to go from unknown to known-and-respected. Focus on the goals that should be achieved: a promotion of a book in progress, a professional blog, or certain webpages targeted at drumming up business.
- The author himself is the ultimate expert for promoting the offerings. Writers need to spread the news about themselves -- and with LinkedIn and social media, it’s almost free.
- Writers need to invest in their books and businesses. Social-media marketing guarantees financial success (if done correctly). However, many mistakes are made unknowingly, so hire an expert for some good advice and SEO.