3 Tips on How to Get Traffic from Social Networks
Apr 24
I’ve been putting a lot of thought on how bloggers and marketers can both tap Social Media (Networks, Microblogging, etc.) to drive more readers to their sites. Initially, I was able to list more than 15 ways on how to do this but for now I’ll zero in on 3 methods otherwise I’ll end up writing a book. This is based from my learnings in promoting New Media Philippines through Facebook. I still have a lot to learn with the other tools so feel free to jump in, leave a comment, and share more tips.
The basic formula is to make sure you promote your blog on the social networks through all the tools available to you. This might take time and effort but it’s rewarding. New Media Philippines has thrived mostly on Facebook marketing.
1. Be Present in All of Them
Viral content will not be viral if it’s not posted. Sure you’ve uploaded it your blog… but it won’t reach the tipping point unless you give it some push. As much as possible, have profile pages in the popular Social Networks. Here in the Philippines, that would be: Friendster, Multiply, Facebook, Plurk, and maybe Twitter. Like what I also said in my other post, don’t just make a profile page for the sake of having one. Invest some time and effort into it and make it an embassy for your blog or brand.
Another reason why you should do this is that not all of your contacts are in your network in just one SNS. I’m sure there are a lot of people who decided to stick with just one. If you just focus on one platform, you might be missing out on more potential traffic.
On a personal note, I’m actually working on this point. I only religiously update my Facebook and I always forget fixing the content on my Friendster and Multiply accounts. In fact, my Multiply account is literally… empty. Haha. I’ll work on it this weekend so I practice what I preach 
From experience though, I’ve only been tapping Facebook, and it has provided great results. I’m really excited to apply my learnings on Facebook to all the other social networks. Don’t be surprised if I’m suddenly active in Multiply and Friendster this weekend.
2. Use the Tools in Your SNS to Promote Your Blog/Website
In the 2nd Social Networking and eBusiness Conference, Janette Toral explained that she was able to build the membership of Digital Filipino by aggressively marketing in Friendster. She used the Bulletin Board system and each time she would broadcast, she would get at least 1-2 new members. For New Media Philippines, I’ve relied heavily on the Share Link, Notes, and Private Messaging features to promote the content of the blog.
It’s effective and it’s free. What more can you ask? Anyway, here’s a quick rundown of features per SNS that will help you promote your website.
Share Link, Share Notes, Mass Private Messaging, Status Updates, Photo Albums. I’ll write a detailed article on Facebook Marketing in another post. I’ve had so many hits and misses with FB but so far it’s been fruitful.Multiply
Here’s what I love about Multiply, each time you do something, it’s automatically fed to your contacts. I’m seriously thinking of investing more time and effort into this. I’ll write more about Multiply in the coming days.Friendster
Bulletin Board, Status Update
3. Inform Key People through Private Messaging
I find this to be a very effective yet under utilized tool. Sending messages with a brief explanation on your post with the link to key people can be one of the strongest forms of promotion. If those people decide to write about your article or forward it to their contacts, then that would mean more traffic for you. If ever this does happen, don’t forget to thank them for doing so.
PROMOTING IS DIFFERENT FROM SPAMMING
Lastly, let me just say that “effective promoting” is totally different from “spamming”. Don’t just flood your SNS updates with promotions for every single post you do. Suggest you concentrate on the good content that you’ve churned out. The ones that have potential to spread around.
Don’t forget that in Social Media, you are not just promoting, you are building relationships. Relationships aren’t built overnight, and they certainly aren’t built by calling a person every single minute of the day.
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
Another round of a cool post from Carlo! Personally, I maintain Facebook, LinkedIN and Twitter. The scary thing about opening channels is that the more you have, the more you should listen and maintain it. Every once in awhile, I try to monitor conversations and see where my target audience is and follow where it leads me.
Lastly, I made an almost similar post and want to share it with you http://socialmediaphilippines.com/tips-to-increase-your-audience/
Keep up the good job Carlo and have a wonderful weekend!
This works best for me.
My blog and SNS compliment each other in referring traffic. I Post photos in my Multiply account and link the blog post. Those who viewed the photos and would like to know the story behind the images visits the blog itself.
On the other hand, those who read the blog but decides they want to see more of the pictures, visits my Multiply account.
I would say “synergy in action”
Great tips! For me I integrate all my updates via ping.fm
http://www.ping.fm
Thx
thanks Wauks for another great post… I was creating an article then boom! When I search in mr google… your post came up! ^_^
I made some article
All about Blog How to earn in Blog, Why, Where,How, When (Why create a blog,Where to create blog, How to create blog, When to create blog)
It is still 70% done have to edit it later
http://technophobia1.blogspot.com/2009/07/all-about-blog-why-wherehow-when-why.html
and Oh…. I linked this post to my article
Thanks ^_^
Sometimes, I find some of these as spam but if the content posted was really interesting, the one sending the spam turns into a profile that I will “Like” or follow.
thanks for reminding us this.
Thanks Chino!