Useful Social Networks
Interested in more web hits? Who isn't? One free and easy way to
improve your company web site's search engine optimization is to create
online profiles on the many social networking sites, such as LinkedIn,
Facebook, and Twitter. 
These online resources are great ways to disseminate information about your organization. You can publish event listings, conference and workshop announcements, podcasts, videos, photographs, press releases, and more.
The best reason to take this effort is that these profiles provide a
link to your web site, which will increase your search engine rankings. |
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Getting Started: A Powerful and Personal Profile
Here are some quality features you should have on your online profile:
- A detailed but concise description of your company, or your
personal or professional biography. Think about what people would like
to know.
- A link to your website (spell out the link) or blog.
- A high-quality photograph of yourself, or an image of your company's logo, in appropriate resolution.
- Additional links or uploadable content, such as short videos about
your company, podcasts, photos of you, photos of your work, blog posts,
newsletters, white papers, etc.
If you post content that you didn't create (such as a third party
application, popular video upload, or link to an article, blog, or
website), strive for relevancy.
You should
also post a way to contact you by email. However, a word of warning:
DON'T spell out your email address on web sites and online profiles!
Only post "anchor text," such as the words "contact me," with a
hyperlink to your email address. If you post your email address online
(even addresses such as info@company.com), malicious users will
"scrape" your email address from the website and send you lots of SPAM. |
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Facebook and Business
The 52 million-plus-member Facebook agreed to a $240
million deal with Microsoft, who will own 1.6% of the social network
and will feature banner ads.
Facebook is a social networking utility-like MySpace, Friendster, and
LinkedIn-which helps people connect and share content with their online
"friends." The free utility, which registers 100,000 new users a day,
was recently valued at $15 billion and is owned by a 23-year-old Mark
Zuckerberg, who has opened up the Face Book membership so that anyone
can join (it used to be just for students).
Although at least 30% of Facebook users are college students, Facebook
is marketing to the business community through a strategic partnership
with Blackberry, in an effort to allow users to participate in Facebook
away from their desktops and laptops (there are also cell phone
applications).
Companies can promote themselves on Facebook in a number
of ways. In addition to banner and flyer advertising, developers can
launch interactive applications to connect with the Facebook community.
For example, NPR features a podcast player application which allows you
to play recent radio programs on your Facebook profile page. Facebook
even offers market research polling for as low as $26!
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