Is your traffic stuck in a rut? Are you trying to find a way to send your website traffic soaring to new heights? Maybe you just want to reach a wider audience?
Have you tried social media?
It is no secret that our readers are all hanging out on social media! They are viewing social media at work, from their computers, from their tablets and phones, everywhere they go! To grab their attention, guess what? We need to be on social media too!
There are SO many forms of social media nowadays. In addition to the BIG 4 (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram), there is also Snapchat, Google +, Tumblr, Reddit, Stumbleupon, etc… The list is seriously endless! You most likely know where YOUR readers hang out (because it is probably where you enjoy hanging out too!), so be sure your brand/website has a strong presence there!
Here are some of the best ways to utilize the big 4 social media platforms to most effectively gain traffic and exposure via social media.
Utalizing Facebook
Facebook can be a frustrating platform nowadays. Facebook has incredibly complex and secretive algorithms that can make it seem like you are shouting in a crowded room, but you are in an invisible closet…so they can’t hear you!
The best way to do well on Facebook is to do exactly what Facebook wants you to do. Be visual! Great graphics, Facebook uploaded video or live streaming, utilize their ads…just go with it.
After you set up your page, watch your analytics closely. What times of day are you readers most likely to interact with your posts? What do they engage with the most? Are they picture driven? Do they click your links when you use a lot of text? Do status updates with a link attached get more clicks then pictures? This is going to be page/readership dependant. Utilize the data your analytics gives you and go from there.
Don’t be afraid to set aside a budget for Facebook advertising. As much as it frustrates veteran Facebook users to admit (because paid advertising was NOT necessary before Facebook upended their algorithm), Facebook advertising can be a very effective and cost reasonable way to reach a bigger audience right where they are.
Utalizing Twitter
If your audience hangs out on Twitter, that is where you should be! Twitter is the universe of brevity and wit. Don’t try to sell on Twitter. Instead, engage your followers and pick up new ones by sharing great content, providing value to conversations and by utilizing hashtags as a way to both find new readers and to engage with your community.
Use your profile to drive readers to your site. If you are engaging enough to have them visit you profile, they will click your website link! Try to set up a funnel that brings them deeper into your content and encourages them to subscribe.
Utalizing Pinterest
Pinterest is another newly frustrating platform. Once a beautiful stage where anybody could showcase their content and be seen, it now has frustrating analytics and algorithms to navigate. Don’t give up though! Content IS king. Visual Content reigns supreme.
While Pinterest is ALL about the visual, don’t waste the opportunity to engage via your caption. True, many don’t read what is in your caption at all. However, those that do are the ones that are engaged and most likely to be YOUR people.
Pinterest readers want engaging, beautiful content and they want it well organized. Set up your account with good clear boards with accurate descriptions. Pin a good mix of your own personal content, other content within your niche and popular content based on the “Popular” category on Pinterest itself.
Pin things YOU love. You will gain a following of Pinners who identify with you and who want to buy what you are selling (whether that is a physical product, or your words of wisdom, DIY’s and/or recipes!)
Utalizing Instagram
Newest social media platform included in our Big 4…it’s also the most fresh and fun (and free!). Hashtags are huge on Instagram. Instagram has not yet made the overuse of hashtags taboo…so have fun with it!
Utilize Instagram hashtags to find and follow your community and so that they can find and follow you. Make your account beautiful and try to create a “branded” look. This could be always using a certain filter or always included something branded into your content. Once again…don’t try to sell here! Put your website link into your profile and if your content is compelling enough, they will click it!
Bottom line, the most important part of social media is…BE SOCIAL! Sell when they come to your website, but on social media…engage and socialize. That is the key to ANY social media page/account/tactic that your brand/website engages in/on. Enjoy being a part of your community and set yourself apart as a trendsetter. If you build it (on social media), they will come! (to your website)