New to digital, here are some comments on where to start with social media from our group of social media experts and questions from our community.
Comments on Zintro site
I just got this request for comment, so I’m throwing it out to the group. Zintro is a platform like Ask a Marketing Expert, only continuous, more like Quora. they have 22 k experts in the network. Comments?
Cherie Tripp Lejeune Interesting. They seem to be searching for experts in a number of disciplines, not sure how they vet, which as we know is easier when you actually have a real connection to the “experts”. Should keep an eye on it as they say!
Where to Start as a Social Media Novice
Another question coming from LinkedIn: What do you think is the best way to start in social media, as a novice?
Frankly, the reason why I love SEO and just search is because you can learn so easily. I hope I don’t make this person feel bad, but frankly, just search for phrases that you might think might teach you this.
The unfortunate thing though is that there are a lot of spammy results and a lot of people who will probably try to “sell you”, but if you can see beyond all that, you can find some gems on the internet. I think Angela “liked” Seth Godin. Well, he’s known as a big wig in the marketing world. I don’t read him and haven’t had the time and one of my dearest friends says he’s a goof when he visited their campus at NYU while she was at Stern, but he’s doing something right. The point is that there are experts like him I’m sure talking about social media.
I would simply type in social media and then start learning from there.
The biggest problem is figuring out what advice/information to trust. I think this is where you find the greatest people in the world and trust them. Use Linkedin to find some decent experts who truthfully get a bit of support including testimonials that aren’t from their best friends.
The field is REALLY BRAND NEW and so I’d argue also to be very suspicious. I talk about how not to jump on the bandwagon quite yet with FB, but to keep paying attention to it & taking your time. There’s plenty of time and business to do it right. Never hurry, but be smart about what you do learn. Here’s the post (but I’m not that proud of it b/c I, unfortunately, “hurried” to get it done & haven’t had time to edit it): http://seattleorganicseo.com/blog/facebook-is-the-new-seo-but
Adjusting to Changes in the Google Algorithm
Great question:
Basically, my best advice is rehashing literally what one of the best guys in the field said and he was quoting Matt Cutts, the head of Google’s spam team. Matt is the public figurehead of Google and frankly, one of the few who says as much as he does b/c google is VERY careful about letting you know about exactly how they rank everything.
Rand said something like this (and I’m really bad at retelling stories, btw ;)): Don’t worry about all the (200+) algorithm factors and changes as much as think through what you truly think is “relevant.” Ultimately, Google is trying to simply give users relevant results. They have supposedly some 10,000 actual people (I think volunteers) who do manual ranking or suggestions at least which helps it from being a totally robotic solution to giving results.
The 10k are like you in that they think through relevance via common sense. So, if you think about what should come up for “marketing expert”…well, you might consider a) actual professionals in the field b) definitions or reference material on the concept of marketing expert c) may be a list of marketing experts (but maybe this would be for the search “marketing expertS” ;)) Anyway, they want you to be more focused on the overall picture.
With that said, what is the overall picture? Let me post another answer to clarify.
I believe the overall theme in which google is wanting your websites to rank are my 2 c’s: content and credibility.
Content: basically, your website has many levers and items on it that define “what it is.” You have to define your website frankly to match up with what people are searching for. When a business is starting, very few people know the store/business’ name. So, people aren’t searching for “Brandon’s Fried Chicken”, but they are searching for “fried chicken in Seattle” for example, or similar. As a result, it’s best to title your website not your brand name initially, but rather the topic you wished to be found with. Your title tag in your website is the biggest lever that actually defines who you are and you need to be doing that first. I’ve seen many clients come to me and that’s the first thing I find that is literally failing them.
I had one photography client who moved up from 200+ in terms of rankings to the 3rd page of results (top 30) by simply making the title page adjustment. Even though this is quite a move though, let me just footnote though that most people search on the first page. It was great to see the movement, but you need even more than that, unfortunately (or fortunately b/c honestly, that keeps on the savvy ranking and not the ones who just want to spam the world even though it seems like spam is getting to the top here and there).
Credibility: Your website needs a stamp from others on the web to basically prove it’s a legitimate resource. What’s the best way to get that stamp? “Links” in one word is it. People linking to you is their form of approval to build up your credibility on the web. You know this works in more arenas than just ranking websites and frankly, any “pat on the back” publicly truly gives other people the impression that you are supported and legitimate.
There are other forms of credibility boosters, but again, I don’t know if I”ll go beyond the character limits here 😉
SEO Training for Job Seekers
How to start with social media questions from our community.
Is there any type of SEO special training or classes I can take to enhance my knowledge and that I can put on my resume? I am currently job seeking for a Marketing Manager position in Atlanta. I appreciate the input.
Brandon Na How much would you like to know Lorene? Would you like to be able to actually implement SEO campaigns or be able to simply advise on them?
Lorene Joynson I would like to be able to advise on them and have some basic knowledge of how to implement SEO campaigns. An overview would be great!
Lorene Joynson I have some knowledge, just need to go a bit deeper.
I can provide you with the knowledge frankly & I do this with many friends and clients. I’ll also be doing a radio show starting next month: http://toginet.com/shows/seoradio This will give you most of the knowledge you need.
However, in terms of formal training, there’s a lot of programs from traditional media to somewhat less refined and definitely not accredited by academic institutions. The most reputable, I believe is probably by the SEMPO Institute.http://www.sempoinstitute.com/ At the same time, I’m finding this organization gaining a bit of traction due to past publishing and other “right marketing”:http://www.marketmotive.com/
And frankly, there’s a ton more, but the field is in flux…so it’s hard to say which ones are the best. Frankly, I’m also tempted to create my own SEO university of sorts b/c very few people teach it from these 3 perspectives: a) technical sense b) business sense and c) common sense.
:) Thanks, Lorene.
How about this? After March 22nd or so, ping me and I’ll give you a free hour of consulting? I do it for most of my co-hosts on Toginet. Well, John Martin, the station manager pays me via credit, but rather I have no problems sharing as much as possible in an hour b/c we could be doing other things wasting that time away and you seem friendly enough. I like helping “good people.” Everyone I’ve met from Atlanta has been great, btw. 😉
Not going to be late twice – hi everyone!
Intro
Steve Wiideman, myopic search engine optimization addict specializing in creative search strategies that make company’s J.C. Penny wish they would have met me first. 10+ years in Internet marketing, 3 eBooks, 2 SEO products, a teacher in online workshops, speaker at technology events, husband and father of 2 black-winged angels.
Ask me your toughest SEO question, don’t be afraid to get technical.
Hi Angela,
Any chance you’ll have a conference call set up? I’ll be happy to answer any ?’s on SEO.
More in the next post…
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Similar to Steve, Internet Marketing & Engineering experience dots my resume from 1998 when I joined Doubleclick (now Google). After DCLK, Amazon, Expedia was my corporate homes and I did my own thing after the dotcoms. So, I relate a bit w/ small business owners who have used SEO for my own biz. My firm jumped to the 2nd highest agency in our Keller Williams office in Bellevue, WA…next door to Bill Gates. I’ve also helped a small set of schools in S. Korea leverage SEO to build their 5 schools into 16 schools & from 800 students to close to 7000.
Sorry for the extra details, but just trying to help people know what I “can” tell them and what I can’t. 🙂
Seattle Organic SEO keeps me busy. My current client list includes 2 larger e-commerce sites, a parent co. that manages other small co.’s incl. bug pest control, a wedding photographer, a radio station, 3 banks, plastic surgeons, a well-known health club & a local commercial painter. I’ve helped optometrists, realtors, divorce attorneys, and others. So, if you are any of these types, I may have a few tips to share.
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