drive traffic to website using social networking
DESCRIPTION
Learn how to drive traffic to your website using popular free social networking tools like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.TRANSCRIPT
Using Social Networking To Drive Traffic To Your Website
Marc MajersDirector of Leading Hands
http://www.leadinghands.org
February 21, 2009
Using Social Networking To Drive Traffic To Your Website
1. What is Social Networking, Really?2. Where is it!3. Why do I use it?4. How do I use it? 5. Questions & Answers
Who Am I?
Marc Majers is…
Avid Blogger Award winning web professional Eagle Scout and outdoorsman Intrigued by online human interaction Problem solver Helping others through learning Always creating something new
Who Are You?
1. How many people have Twitter accounts?2. How many people have Facebook accounts?3. How many people Blog on a regular basis?4. Who uses photo sharing sites like Flickr?5. Who used to logon to BBSs back in the day?
What is Social Networking?
Iterations of the Web• Web 1.0 - Experts control
content/conversations (people just getting on web)
• Web 2.0 - Users control content /conversations (optimizing user experience)
• Web 3.0 - Users need experts to control content/conversations (information control)
– Microsoft CEO, Steve Ballmer, at the mix 2008 stated that Microsoft wants to turn the web from a destination into the hub.
What is Social Networking?
Drop in Screenshot • Recent Data about users– The Online Publishers Association (OPA) found that
social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook have changed how users spend time online. OPA released their Internet Activity Index (IAI) , which breaks online destinations into five categories: search, content, commerce, communication and community. "Community" included social networking sites starting in January 2008.
– Results showed users spend the majority of their time online with content (42.2 percent) and community sites (29.9 percent).
– Although less time is spent on community sites, 56.9 percent of users use community sites, compared to 92.0 percent with content sites.
http://www.online-publishers.org/page.php/prmID/421.
What is Social Networking?
Spend more time online than other media
Use of messaging modes
Email on the decline?
What is Social Networking?
Microblogging = Twitter, Facebook, etc…
• Twitter is a free social networking service that allows users to post and receive messages. It asks the simple question or "What are you doing now?" Updates appear on Twitter and other sites connected to Twitter accounts.
Messages under 140 characters in length A Twitterer/Tweeter is a user of Twitter Tweets are your posts. You can follow other Tweeters. Free, Easy and Instant Information overload?
Where is Social Networking?
Everywhere you look on the Internet
PC Worlds Top Sites for 20091. Tweetag - search Twitter2. Hi5 – the next MySpace 3. Tripit - keep track of your trip4. Loopt - detect location of user5. Blip.fm - What are you listening to?6. Power.com - update all sites7. Tv.com – Hulu meets TV OnDemand8. Qik.com - share live video from phone9. Boxee - gathers video around web10. Blackberry Apps
Stats on Twitter
Demographic Information
Stats on Facebook
33% users are college 18-21 Majority of users are female 83% of users are under 30 years
*Based on whitepaper by Matt Dickman
Why Should I Use It?
Why Twitter? Expand network Drive traffic to Blog / Websites It’s Fun Message colleagues Monitor buzz Keep up with local Track activity at conference Promote event or seminar Daily learning Opinion Polls Learn events Exclusive deals Study critics Build a community
Why Should I Use It?
Think Twitter has no business value?
Dell made $1 million in revenue through sales alerts in 2008.
It’s a tool and a way to get discreet bits of info in front of people.
Why Should I Use It?
Talk the talk
“The new generation of customers are already talking to each other all the time and expect business to act the same way.”
– Rohit Bhargava - Personality Not Included: Why Companies Lose Their Authenticity and Why Great Brands Get It Back
How should you Microblog?Start Conversations Be helpful - jetblue gives travel tips Share links in your community - wholefoods does this well Promote employers outside of work stories – thehomedepot Mix it up and rotate different people
What to Microblog about? What are you doing? or What has your attention? Ask questions Follow interesting people that will trigger questions Share pictures
Tweet etiquette Reply or retweet to others, this is good conversation Don't try to read everyone or reply to everyone Send direct message to person if personal
How Do I Use It Effectively?
Tips on How To Be Effective Be Consistent Dedicate Resources Stay Interesting Connect with People Give It Your Own Spin Understand your audience Optimize user experience Multi-variant testing Be authentic voice
How is it being used?
Examples: Direct2Dell - Dell Lead Blogger to
answer questions Dell - Twitter Alerts Primetime TV – iCarly, Trivial Pursuit
and MTV Afternoons Cleveland Institute of Art –
Announce events, build community Presidential Election 2008
How do I personally use it?
Use Free ToolsHard work and discipline
Seven entries a week Two hours a day Use Ping.fm, Power.com or Hello.txt Direct majority of your tweets to your website or blog Create dialogue audience Search.Twitter.com or Tweetag
Hellotxt Network
Example Screen
Hellotxt Status
Example Screen
Hellotxt Results
Example Screen
Free Tools
Microblogging Accessories Twit Pic – takes picture sends to Twitter TwitVision – See messages in real time Twitbacks – make nice background TinyURL – shrinks long URL (stats will not track in Hellotxt) Google Analytics – track effectiveness of web referrals YouTube Insight – track where video being watched
Technology Resources of Social Media http://www.web-strategist.com/blog http://www.compete.com/blog http://technomarketer.typepad.com/ http://www.leadinghands.org/blog
How do I use it?
We Are The First “Fully Connected” Society In History (so take advantage of it)
Key takeaways
Setup a microblogging account Start talking to your clients/friends online Dedicate time and resources
“As a business, you just need to get into the conversation. It may be a few, but that's
where you start.” - Rohit Bhargava