Put Your URL On Online Profiles

Put Your URL On Online Profiles

If you are a savvy Internet user, I am sure that you have a bunch of online profiles spread all over the place. Facebook, StumbleUpon, LinkedIn, Twitter and so on. Sometimes we just create an account on those places because friends encourage us to, or out of sheer curiosity. Regardless of the motive, it would be cool if you could put those many profiles to work and gain some traffic out of it right?

The concept: The idea is pretty simple. List your website URL in as many online profiles as possible. Usually most social networks already offer a place where you can list your website. Even if they don’t, try to find a field where you can stick it in.

StumbleUpon for instance does not have a specific field for you to insert your website URL and share it with other users. They do have an “About Me” section though, and it accepts HTML, so just stick your link there.

Does it work?: Do not expect to crash your server with this technique. If you have many online accounts, however, combined they could end up sending you a good amount of monthly visitors. Obviously if your website is large already the effect would be hard to notice, but for new websites every small bit helps.

Secondly, the traffic that you will get from the links place on those online profiles will depend on your activity on the respective social networks. If you are very active on Digg, for example, more people will end up checking your profile, and more people will be likely to click on the link to your website.

How to get started: I would not recommend creating online profiles only to be able to place your link there afterward. This technique is fruitful if you already have dozens of profiles online and can edit them easily to include a link to your website.

Tips for Marketing Your Blog

With so many blogs being created every day, it’s a mystery to many bloggers how to make their blog stand out. There are many types of blogs or purposes for blogs and a certain number of tactics are applicable to just about all of them. Some companies choose to hire a blog consultant, but others like to try things internally. For those “DIY” companies and individuals interested in practical tips for marketing and optimizing a business blog, try out the following list of blog marketing and optimization tips:

1. Decide on a stand alone domain name. Sub domain is also an option. Avoid hosted services that do not allow you to use your own domain name!
2. Obtain and install customizable blog software - WordPress and Moveable Type are my favorites.
3. Customize blog look and feel templates - aka design.
4. Research keywords and develop a glossary - Keyword Discovery, WordTracker, SitePoint, SEOBook Keyword Research.
5. Optimize the blog:
* Template optimization - RSS subscription options, social bookmark links, HTML code, Unique title tags, URLs, Sitemap
* Add helper plugins specific to WordPress or MT
* Create keyword rich categories (reference your keyword glossary)
6. Enable automatic trackback and ping functionality.
7. Create Feedburner Pro account and enable feed tracking.
8. Setup a Google account for Sitemap, validate and prep for future submission.
9. Identify authoritative blogs, web sites and hubs for outbound resource links and blogroll.
10. Format archived posts, related posts.
11. Enable statistics for tracking - Google Analytics, ClickTracks.
12. Submit RSS feed and Blog URL to prominent RSS and Blog directories / search engines.
13. Engage in an ongoing link building campaign.
14. If podcast or video content are available, submit to Podcast and Vlog directories.
15. Submit blog url to paid directories with categories for blogs - Yahoo, BOTW, bCentral, WOW, JoeAnt.
16. Optimize and distribute a press release announcing blog.
17. Request feedback or reviews of your blog in relevant forums, discussion threads. If you have a resourceful post that will help others, point to it.
18. Research and comment on relevant industry related blogs and blogs with significant centers of influence.
19. Post regularly. If it’s a news oriented blog, 3-5 times per day. If it’s an authoritative blog, 3-5 times per week, but each post must be unique and high value.
20. Monitor inbound links, traffic, comments and mentions of your blog - Google Alerts, Technorati, Blogpulse, Yahoo News, Ask Blogs and Feeds.
21. Always respond to comments on your blog and when you detect a mention of your blog on another blog, thank that blogger in the comments of the post.
22. Make contact with related bloggers on AND offline if possible.
23. When making blog posts always cite the source with a link and don’t be afraid to mention popular bloggers by name. Use keywords in the blog post title, in the body of the post and use anchor text when you link to previous posts you’ve made.
24. Use social networking services, forums and discussion threads to connect with other bloggers. If they like your stuff, they will link to you.
25. Remember when web sites were a new concept and the sage advice to print your web address everywhere you print your phone number? The same advice applies for your blog.