Social Media Optimization(SMO)

Social media optimization is becoming an increasingly important factor in search engine optimization, as search engines are increasingly utilizing the recommendations of users of social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ to rank pages in the search engine result pages. The implication is that when a webpage is shared or “liked” by a user on a social network, it counts as a “vote” for that webpage’s quality. Thus, search engines can use such votes accordingly to properly rank websites in search engine results pages.

Driving Traffic From Facebook

increase overall exposure and awareness : This goal can be a bit difficult to measure, but could come in the form of new likes to your Page. Attach a specific and attainable figure to this goal (i.e., 500 new targeted likes in the next 3 months)

Create a loyal, engaged community : This goal will be measured through your engagement metrics such as the People Talking About This figure (PTAT). In order for people to do business with you, they usually want to get to know, like and trust you first. Creating an engaged community can help facilitate that trust.

Establish authority and showcase your knowledge : Facebook is a perfect place to showcase your past work, your in-depth knowledge of your subject matter and show your personality in how your company works.

Follow simple steps to promote your Website on facebook.

• Initially you should have your facebook profile to create facebook page.
• Create facebook page for your business.
• Complete you facebook page details with business images, logos, business description, phone no, website url and the other required information.
• Invite your friends to your facebook page.
• Like the pages relevant to your business.
• Actively participate in the conversation going on the other pages, ask questions, provide answers.
• Regularly post something about your business on your page, which you want your people to know about your business.
• Always stay active with the people on your page.
• It’s a widget that you can access through the administrator menu of your page (click the “edit page” link on the dashboard), and the option for it is under the “Promote your page” title.
• Facebook Like Boxes display 10 random fans from your page (all of them are represented by their icon and first name, and are click able, bringing you to their profile page).
• It lists the number of users who like your page, and also includes a back link going to the page itself. You can toggle the “Facebook” stripe on top of the box, the random icons, and a “news feed” of recent posts.
• Overall, these Like Boxes are widely recognizable as many major companies are putting them on their pages to boost their social networking campaigns.
• You can further tweak how the Like Box works, too.

One of the coolest ways to promote your Facebook Page is with a Facebook Like Box.

http://developers.facebook.com/docs/reference/plugins/like-box/.

Things to enhance Facebook page likes

• What’s in it for me? A lot of communities and businesses ask people to Like their page without providing a clear reason for WHY people should become fans. Let people know what’s in it for them and what they can expect from your Page. Will they get access to exclusive offers or discounts? Will they get updates on news and upcoming events? Will they have the chance to enter fun contests? Give people a clear value proposition and include that information in your Facebook marketing.
• Use a variety of online platforms to promote your Page. Include links to your Facebook page on your website and blog. Use Twitter and other social networks to encourage people to Like your Page. If you have an e-newsletter, include a link to your Facebook page and other social networks. Encourage staff members to include links to your Page in their e-mail signatures.
• Use offline marketing tactics to promote your Facebook page. Incorporate your Facebook address into your advertisements, business cards, brochures, flyers and welcome packets. In addition, create signs to promote your Facebook page and place these signs in high-traffic areas in and around your community. For example, if you are promoting an apartment community, you could post signs about your Facebook Page in your leasing office, elevators, mail areas, laundry facilities and model apartments.
• Post comments as your Facebook Page. Facebook allows Fan Pages to post comments on other Facebook Pages. In addition to posting content from your personal profile, you can also post as your Page. Sharing relevant content on other Pages can be a great way to connect with a wider audience on Facebook.

Remember: social media is not The Field of Dreams. In other words, if you build a Facebook Page, your audience will not magically come find you. It takes time, content and planning to attract an audience online.

Ways to Promote Your Facebook Fan Page.

#1: Put your fan page URL in your email signature

How many emails do you send per day? Now imagine each email you send is a chance for someone new to find out about your awesome fan page!

#2: Write a blog post about your new fan page

Give your readers five compelling reasons why they should join your fan page. Don’t beg; just give reasons they’ll benefit.

#3: Tag other, well-trafficked fan pages in your updates

Their fans might see your page and you may get some cross-traffic.

#4: Ask your Twitter followers to join your fan page

Give some compelling reasons why your Twitter base should join your Facebook community. If Twitter is the new water cooler, think of your fan page as an invite to come in and chat.

For example, tweet something like, “Wanting more conversation than 140 characters will allow? Join us on Facebook at http://fb.me/awesomefanpage.” A nice and simple ask that will get results.

#5: Invest in Facebook ads

They’re easier than you think and you can spend as little (or as much) as you’d like.

#6: Put a fan page widget on your blog or website

You’d be amazed at how many people simply don’t know about your fan page. Putting it on your website (i.e., your home base) will get it in front of all of your website visitors. My favorite example of this is from Klout. It got me to Like them!

#7: Customize your fan page URL

Vanity URLs are a fantastic way to make your fan page memorable. Check this awesome fan page http://facebook.com/awesomefanpage. Vanity, baby!

#8: Put your fan page URL on your business cards

Combine offline and online by letting the people you meet IRL know about your fan page.

#9: Put a link on your personal Facebook profile

Put this under the “links” section. This is a “soft sell” of sorts, letting your friends passively know about your page. You might have forgotten that people actually check that part of your profile!

#10: Harness the power of your team

Have everyone in your organization put your fan page link on their personal profile.

#11: Ask fans to post a link

Ask all of your current fans to post a link to the fan page on their personal profile. As long as you don’t ask this often, I’ve found that people love to help out. Leverage the power of your existing audience and get results!

For instance, at Monk Development, we simply asked everyone to post a link to our company fan page on the same day. We doubled our average daily Likes because of one simple step.

#12: Put a tag in your YouTube videos

If you make compelling videos as a part of your content marketing strategy, throw in a well-timed fan page link at the end of your YouTube videos.

The Gregory Brothers, the geniuses behind “Auto-tune the News,” are some of the best social marketers around. They always include a link to their fan page (and other social networks) at the end of every video and make it a welcome addition to their content.

#13: Put your fan page URL on your Twitter profile background

Lots of tweeters still use the web-based version and your profile background is a prime piece of web real estate. Cross-advertise and use one social network to promote another!

Century Link does a great job of this. If you go to their Twitter page, you can clearly see where their fan page is located. They don’t make you guess, which leads to conversions!

#14: QR codes for your page

I bought the furniture for our house mostly because the store used QR codes to get me to their fan page. Once I got to the fan page, I was welcomed with a custom landing page that welcomed me to the store. It wasn’t elaborate, but it was creative and it worked! They engaged me as a customer both online (QR code leading to fan page) and offline (sales agents in the store), making sure I knew I was welcome. Smart!

#15: Use your fan page

Use the “Tell Your Fans” feature. With the tools built in to the fan page, Facebook allows you to import a contact file or import your contacts from Hotmail, Yahoo, etc. Good for when you’re just starting out and want to tell people you already know.

#16: Add a Like box

Place this in your blog/website sidebar. This is a given. A must. But when you do this,make sure you set the options to include face pile. That way, you’re Like box will show your readers how many of their friends like the page as well. Genius.

#17: Use targeted keywords in a Google Ad Words

Use a keyword-based ad and direct people to your fan page. This is like Facebook ads on steroids. If you’ve never used Ad Words before, it’s fairly straightforward.

#18: Redirect your webinar guests to your fan page

If you use Go To Webinar, you can choose to send registrants to a URL of your choosing after they sign up. This is where you let them know of the awesomeness that is your fan page.

#19: Put your fan page URL in your Keynote/PowerPoint slides

When I present, the last slide I show is my contact info, complete with our organization’s fan page. Most people are already on Facebook, so it’s a no-brainer to give them an easy way to connect with you.

#20: Last, and certainly least, invite all of your friends (if you must)

This is at the end for a reason. Pester your friends only as the nuclear option. I’ve given you 19 other ways to let people know about your fan page. Give your friends a break!

Don’t let the list stop there. There are hundreds of different ways to let people know about what you and your online community are up to on Facebook. Why not get creative and start a list of your own?

What are some of the most interesting ways you’ve seen people or businesses promote their fan page? Let us know in the comments box below and share what you’ve found!