5 Great Internet Marketing Strategy Resolutions for 2012
Posted by Jody Raines
Internet strategy for 2012 has some interesting new twists over 2011. For one thing, the introduction of Google+ has changed the landscape of social media and creating some new Internet marketing opportunities.
I've spent some time thinking about what will be important in the year ahead, and consequently have come up with my list of top social media marketing and internet marketing strategy resolutions for the New Year:
1. Explore Google+. If you haven't discovered Google plus yet, you are missing a terrific tool to interact, engage and share. The Hangout feature is one of my favorite ways to connect on the Internet. In Google+, you find people that you know, or want to know, or just want to follow and you add them to a circle. As your network grows, you'll find more interesting people to circle. I'd suggest starting with a personal account, and then adding a business page. We'll explore Google plus and the rich relationships and opportunities further in a later blog. The resolution for Google+ for 2012 is to use it more and hangout more. Stay tuned for info on Hangouts in Real Life!
2. More interaction on Facebook Pages. With so many people on Facebook, it's a must to have a Facebook business page. Don't make the mistake of creating a personal page for your business - a true Facebook business page has "likes" not "friends". Facebook pages are great and they work well when you offer incentives to visit often. Using random giveaways, we were able to boost the participation and interest in a client's Facebook page by 30% in just two weeks. Of course, you want to be sure to understand the terms of service for offering contests or incentives on Facebook. The resolution for 2012 is better engagement and incentives for Facebook business pages.
3. Create more Twitter interaction. Having a Twitter account is a great way to have your information captured by Google. Believe it or not, using keywords in a Tweet can help your website. By creating good content then sharing with your Twitter feed with a link back to your site, some companies have been able to boost their position to #1 on Google for certain keywords for a short duration. But Twitter is best used to engage and interact with others. Using Twitter as a broadcast tool is a bad idea and will wind up having others stop following you. The best way to build a following is through engaging with others. The resolution for 2012 is more Twitter interaction.
4. Create more and better content. Having a blog associated with a website has become a must have. If you are not adding dynamic content on a consistent basis, you will lose the game of search engine optimization. It's a fact that more and more content is added to the Internet on an ongoing basis. Please don't misconstrue this to read that you should add content for content's sake - you really should add content that is something that people want to read, or that is helpful or insightful or useful. To add content that is keyword rich but that doesn't say anything will ultimately not work well and can actually work against your website. I caution you about blog services and ghost blogging that is ineffective. Be sure that your ghost blog is written by someone who can competently write about your business and share information that is pertinent and compelling. Resolution to blog more often, and a minimum of once a week.
5. Do more Network IRL. Going to the Chamber of Commerce, local business association, software user group meetings and other real life events is always a great way to make new connections. That's why it's also listed as one of the New Years Internet Marketing Strategy resolutions. Connecting with real life contacts through social media creates a different perspective. I have to admit that many of my business connections have evolved into true friendships because of social media and Facebook... and also I've made close new business friends who initially were social media connections. Resolution for 2012 to get out to more real life meetings and re-affirm those relationships.
Creating an effective Internet marketing strategy for 2012 begins with taking a look at where your business is and then planning where you want to be. Internet marketing is very effective when done correctly.
What are your Internet marketing strategy resolutions for 2012? Do you agree? Have additional tips?
WebMarCom is an Internet strategy and Web Marketing Communications Agency based in South Jersey and Philadelphia.