Why Being Social Counts

A recent article from the eMarketing Association highlighted 5 reasons to embrace social media. We’d like to focus here on the first item on that list, which is the role of social media as an SEO tool.

One of the most effective SEO strategies is link-building; simply having links on other sites that link back to your website. So, when you think about it, social media outlets are the perfect tool for link-building. Let’s look at 3 reasons why:

1.  More IS better. Each time your name (or, your site’s name) shows up on the Web, it’s one more opportunity to be noticed by search engine crawlers. However, those crawlers are programmed to be very discerning, so random name-dropping doesn’t count. Only legitimate, quality links count. Social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are credible sites with active populations, so a few short updates a week not only keeps you connected, but strengthens your SEO at the same time.

2.  Fresh content. One additional factor in link legitimacy is the “freshness factor.” If you went on a link-building frenzy back in ‘07, but have rested on your laurels since, search engines aren’t giving you a second look. To get noticed, it’s imperative that you make regular appearances. Social media sites are, by nature, quite dynamic, with content that changes by the minute. Simply being part of the discussion can only help you, not hurt.

3.  Fresh Faces. You can spend a lot of time and money identifying credible leads for your business. Rather than chasing down the unknown, capitalize on the community aspect of social media — take a few minutes to explore the friends of your friends, and the connections of your connections. You might be surprised at how quickly you can expand your target market, with new leads right at your fingertips.

Even if you’re not a social butterfly, strategic use of social media and networking sites can play a big role in building your business — without costing you a penny.