What is SMO?

Posted on 17. Nov, 2010

SMO (Social Media Optimization) is an integral component of online marketing. With ever-growing popularity of sites like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, SMO is as important to your online marketing strategy as SEO (Search Engine Optimization). SEO and SMO are the Yin and Yang of your internet existence.

Where do you begin?

The first step is to pick the social media site(s) that works best for you.

• Facebook is good for almost everyone. No matter what your online venture is, there is a category for creating a Facebook fan page for it. Managing a Facebook page is very similar to maintaining a blog.  You need to post interesting content at least a couple times a week to build up fans and you should always respond to comments left on your page.

• Twitter is popular because tweets are limited to 140 characters so follows get updates in quick bursts. Another advantage of Twitter is that it is very easy to pick up followers. The more you tweet, the more people will start following you.

• LinkedIn is more of a professional networking site. LinkedIn is good for experts in a particular field and service providers who want to network with others in their field. Linked now offers company pages which allows users to find companies they would like to do business with.

SMO experts often refer to these three sites as the “pillars of social media.” Most people use at least one, if not all three of the sites for SMO.

How to Get Started

• No matter which social media site(s) you use, present yourself professionally and provide information people can use. Avoid spamming people or inundating them with links.

• Start with your profile and make it interesting without trying to sell yourself. Always include a link to your website on every social media profile you create. Profile links have a lot of SEO value.

• While you should be professional, don’t be impersonal. Break up your updates with content other than your own. Share a blog post or video you find interesting, post pictures, start discussions.

Social media sites are like an online cocktail party. The best form of social media optimization comes naturally from networking with other people. SMO should not be a chore or a task, it is an enjoyable way to find new contacts to help you achieve your goals.

Chris Darling works with service based business owners who struggle with getting their websites found and effectively using local search SEO and Social Media for their business. You get Pain Relief for Your Social Media SEO Aches setting the stage for you to earn more online revenue from new contacts, clicks, and phone calls.  If this speaks to you and your online business goals secure a free website analysis now.  Call 302-894-7412.