Social Media Equals Conversation Plus Value

I have recently started to get back into social media. As an online marketing agency it is not just a choice, but now a requirement that has came with the changes that have taken place across the web. The busy life of a marketing and web design have caused me to neglect not only my blogging, but my social media presence which is NO GOOD!

I figure that I will start my day today fresh with both some GREAT CONTENT and some SOCIAL MEDIA! So where do we begin? Well let’s talk about what is going on in the Social Media and Search Engine Optimization World!

What Is Happening With Social Media and Search Engine Optimization?

Google has made many changes in it’s search algorithm and the effects of the feared Panda and Penguin are being felt across the web. With these changes Google has launched it’s own social media platform Google Plus. Google (and all search engines for that matter) are now taking into affect social media in it’s search algorithm. The more buzz you are getting in social media then the more likely you are to rank for keywords. Social Media Optimization and Search Engine Optimization have collided.

If you have been logged into Google lately you will notice a lot of the search results have items that have been Plus One’d in Google’s social platform. If you log out (or change your search settings) you will find that the search results are altered. With many people using Google’s email platform GMail you must take this into effect. Although you can’t see it right on the search pages im the background Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and the new player Pinterest are playing a large role in positioning in the search engines.

Why am I telling you this? If you aren’t using social media optimization properly then your search engine optimization efforts will be less effective! Why spend hours doing your research and using the correct search engine optimization practices to get ranked when you will lose out by NOT using social media optimization?

Where Do I Begin in Social Media?

I have found myself asking the same question this morning as I begin this quest to reconquer a beast that I once loved! What is the beast? Social Media! My conclusion after some reading and long hours of thinking is Facebook!

Facebook currently as of April 23, 2012 hit 901 Million Users, according to Mashable.com. So the best place to get started is where the people are! The next question that many will ask is WHERE do I start on Facebook?

I have a very simple answer that I give to anybody (funny thing is I have been so busy that I haven’t been taking my own advice!) and that is to start a conversation. I am writing this from a local coffee shop. Pretend that somebody just sat across from you with their favorite beverage. Your eyes meet and they smile at you. You already have something in common because you are drinking coffee at the same place. What would you do? What would you say?

Simply just start a conversation! Start with a “Hello, how is your day?” or whatever you would normally say!

Now let us go back to Facebook. It works the same way. Your probably have a Facebook account and you probably have friends on your Facebook account. Simply look at the chat bar on your right and pick somebody you haven’t talked to in a while and ask how they are doing and see what happens! To put my money where my mouth is I am going to do it now and give you a report on what happens!

6:22 Me: Good Morning. How is your day going?
6:22 Friend: good
6:22 Me: Great to hear! I was just doing some work and figured I would reach out and say hello to you and see if there was anything I could do for you today?
Typing…
6:23 Friend: Response Omitted for Privacy Reasons

The thing is you get the point. In a matter of 60 seconds or less I started up a conversation and am still engaged with the person! So what I showed you does work! I proved it right here while doing this post!

Social Media Equals Conversation Plus Value

So let’s analyze the conversation I just had. I started with a simple, “Good Morning. How is your day?” and from there I started a conversation that is still going on. I provided value by asking if there was anything I could do for them today. And it is moving from there. The conversation is still going!

The point is that you just be you and have a natural conversation. People get lost when they see the cursor blinking in front of them and the feeds scrolling across the screen. I will admit I have been there and still get there. With in 5 minutes and a blog post I have turned my social media around!

Call To Action!

So now that you have seen how simple it is I am going to ask you to do something. Well I am actually going to ask you to do 2 things! Can you do 2 things? I promise it will help you out!

• Reach Out to Somebody on Facebook! Start a conversation and provide value in your own way! Then see what happens! If the first person doesn’t respond keep in mind they may have stepped away! Try another friend!
• Leave me a comment and let me know what happens! I want to share in your success! If you get stuck leave me a question and I will try to help out! (You can always follow me on Facebook! ===> Click Here!)

  I look forward to your response and also updating you on some more social media tips soon!

  Also…

  I am a full service marketing/web design agency located in the Hollywood are of Southern California. If you need help with social media optimization in the Hollywood are please feel free to contact me!

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