SMM/SEO/SEM Strategy
Recently I have been running on the treadmill, and watching videos on SMM/SEO/SEM, and trying to understand what is driving the new algorithms, and search habits of consumers. Basic economic theory tells us that it is very easy to change algorithms, and very difficult to change consumer habits. However, once consumers change, it becomes just as difficult to change them back.
We know consumers are using social media, not always as retail consumers, but as users. BuzzFeed is banking on social subjecting their readers to suggestive advertising with earned media, social distribution, SuperSharing, Social sharing, are a few of the terms from BuzzFeeds advertising page.
What social media strategy works?
Certainly having a social media strategy is going to provide better results in the long run. However, I remember collecting baseball cards with my paper route money in the 80's. I asked the card store owner what cards had value, and he said they all have some value and it's always changing. As an eleven year old kid, I did not understand what he was telling me.
It's a pretty compatible comparison to SEM, and SEO. Algorithms are always changing, and what is valuable today might be less valuable tomorrow. However, all SEM/SEO efforts provide some value, as long as there not black hat.
Is content still king in Search Engine Marketing?
I think content is probably still king. However, I suppose any site can achieve top SERP ranking by excelling in any of the top three strategies Social, Links, or Content. I believe this because they are all related. Great content generates links, and Social generates links. Additionally, other metrics are considered for SERP ranking, and a balance of all three would likely achieve the best SERP rankings.
What is great content?
Holy Cow, if you don't know what great content is, you might be in the wrong segment! Great content should not be written for search engines. Great content should be written for readers. Readers who read your content and feel inspired to share with others. Or at a minimum feel compelled to consider the call to action which should always accompany great content. Remember great content can come in many forms, Video, Audio, Pictures, and or Written content.
What is a call to action?
A call to action is where you ask for something. In the past I have had highly successful websites hi in SERPS, but lacked call to action. Over time I got a little better at asking, recently I have gotten very good at the process of asking. A call to action should only be made where value has been demonstrated, then consumers feel comfortable with the exchange, their action for the value provided. The call to action could be an email sign up, sharing on social media, visiting advertisers, or a purchase. To me it was very surprising to learn how loyal consumers become once they consider something valuable.
I started out by talking about running on a treadmill. With my highly successful websites in the past, I was running on a treadmill. Every day I would post between 50, and 100 times per day. The posts would always contain key words, and links. The practice still works, however I don't want to run on the SEO treadmill any longer. I feel a balanced approach of great content linked by social media is the best approach to SEO/SEM/SMM right now.
We know consumers are using social media, not always as retail consumers, but as users. BuzzFeed is banking on social subjecting their readers to suggestive advertising with earned media, social distribution, SuperSharing, Social sharing, are a few of the terms from BuzzFeeds advertising page.
What social media strategy works?
Certainly having a social media strategy is going to provide better results in the long run. However, I remember collecting baseball cards with my paper route money in the 80's. I asked the card store owner what cards had value, and he said they all have some value and it's always changing. As an eleven year old kid, I did not understand what he was telling me.
It's a pretty compatible comparison to SEM, and SEO. Algorithms are always changing, and what is valuable today might be less valuable tomorrow. However, all SEM/SEO efforts provide some value, as long as there not black hat.
Is content still king in Search Engine Marketing?
I think content is probably still king. However, I suppose any site can achieve top SERP ranking by excelling in any of the top three strategies Social, Links, or Content. I believe this because they are all related. Great content generates links, and Social generates links. Additionally, other metrics are considered for SERP ranking, and a balance of all three would likely achieve the best SERP rankings.
What is great content?
Holy Cow, if you don't know what great content is, you might be in the wrong segment! Great content should not be written for search engines. Great content should be written for readers. Readers who read your content and feel inspired to share with others. Or at a minimum feel compelled to consider the call to action which should always accompany great content. Remember great content can come in many forms, Video, Audio, Pictures, and or Written content.
What is a call to action?
A call to action is where you ask for something. In the past I have had highly successful websites hi in SERPS, but lacked call to action. Over time I got a little better at asking, recently I have gotten very good at the process of asking. A call to action should only be made where value has been demonstrated, then consumers feel comfortable with the exchange, their action for the value provided. The call to action could be an email sign up, sharing on social media, visiting advertisers, or a purchase. To me it was very surprising to learn how loyal consumers become once they consider something valuable.
I started out by talking about running on a treadmill. With my highly successful websites in the past, I was running on a treadmill. Every day I would post between 50, and 100 times per day. The posts would always contain key words, and links. The practice still works, however I don't want to run on the SEO treadmill any longer. I feel a balanced approach of great content linked by social media is the best approach to SEO/SEM/SMM right now.
