Using Search Engine Optimization Eyes to Prioritize Social Media Time Spend
October 6, 2007
Ok, we’ll get back to the online newspaper thing in a minute. Something else has been bugging me and a friend in the search engine optimization field pointed it out to me. Thanks Disco. (And by the way, there’s a reason he’s on my blogroll. He knows his stuff). Inspired by his thoughts and having a few minutes on hand, I thought I’d share with you my SEO view of how to prioritize your social media time spend. (Whether your objective is Search Engine Optimization of another site or Online Reputation Management will determine which social networking platform to target.
Here are my top principles when it comes to which platforms I use for what.
For SEOing another site:
1. Does the site rank WELL in Google for the terms I am after?
2. Are they policing SPAM better than their industry competitors?
3. Do the TOS allow me to link to my site easily and on many pages? No follows? When and how soon do I get some link love?
4. Are there opportunities for me to interlink (forum to blog, blog to profile, etc) so that I can add strength to my links over time by participating in the community?
5. Can I create an HONEST and long lasting relationship with the owner of the site? Do I share their views? Are they in it for the long haul?
By answering these principles directly and honestly, I can spend my online branding time most effectively. I don’t comment on or participate on sites that I have nothing in common with. I also don’t participate without some (eventual) link love coming back. I take a long term view.
Typically, I want to make sure that they are not short term players or are allowing SPAM to run rampant on their site, Why? Because that means they will not protect the value of the links I have created.
I like my online “thank you’s” to have a longer shelf life than the milk in my fridge.
How do you prioritize where you spend your online time networking with others?
Eric
Great points, Eric. A couple additional ones: Relevancy to your topic & staying out of bad neighborhoods.
If you are trying to rank for the keyword “chainsaws”, spending all your time on the poker and porn sites isn’t likely to do a lot for increasing the organic search ranking for your keyword.
Find relevant persons to create relationships with.
Who uses your product? (target that specific audience) Where do they hang out? (what professional associations do they belong to, what magazines do they read, etc)
That will get you pointed in the right direction for finding wheres a good place to spend your time.
Nice post Eric, it would be interesting to see your top 5 social networking sites.
We all know about Digg, Technoroti…
Eric,
Great post — the other criteria that I would suggest is “Do my prospects frequent the site”
If we can get solid traffic and no link love – I still think it is worth it.
Absolutely–a good point that I forgot to include. How are things Dave? I hope well.
Best
Eric