One of my clients was desperate to generate more leads and turn them quickly into customers when they hired me to develop SEO and SMO (social media optimization) strategies for their Web presence. I was happy to oblige, but with the clear cavet that this is the order in which results are speedy:
- Google AdWords (paid search)
- SEO (organic search results - getting on page 1)
- Social media channels
I am not alone in warning that social media - in particular, social networking site participation, Twittering, even blogging - takes time… lots of time and most of all, EFFORT. Consistently reading other blogs, forums, Twitter posts, Facebook entries, etc…. and then responding appropriately.
The blog, mediaPlucK, recently included in its post, “7 Social Media (Must) Not Do” the following advice:
Social media is about making and sustaining connections. The only way you can grow your influence is long term. Stop crying - if you do not like the fact that it takes time, don’t do it at all.
At the Search Engine Strategies conference in Toronto I attended a few months ago, one of the presenters quipped, “If you want immediate results from social media… you’ve started too late.”
I urge clients to get going EARLY on your social media strategies - with clear objectives that are aligned with which social media channels you join. Know why, how, when to use social media… then sit back - no wait, LEAN FORWARD - at your computer and let the conversations begin!
2 comments ↓
Yes, you’re 100% right, Heather.
But the good thing about investing time in social media strategies is that that they pay off for years to come. Unlike one-hit advertising, you are building equity in the marketplace.
Thats right, you can’t ever start SEO of any kind to early. Social Media submission should be on of the building blocks for any site, why someone would wait is beyond me!
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