How Social Media Helps SEO

*Special Guest Blog post by Sachin of websudasa.com

Social media is one of the most popular marketing trends these days. Social media can easily help anyone to raise brand awareness as well as to generate more targeted visitors to your website. Have you ever thought how social media can help you in SEO? 

Let’s explore some of the most famous websites in social media like facebook, twitter, YouTube, digg and many more. Click here to find list social networking websites. Yes, there are hundreds of social networking & bookmarking websites available which can help you in SEO. 

Generate Quality Links with Social Media

There are so many SEO activities we do for link building but social media is in one of most effective ways to build genuine one way links. As you know one-way links are of utmost importance in search engine optimization. 

Here’s an example

You can do a search on knowem.com for your brand.

“Search over 575 popular social networks, over 150 domain names, and the entire USPTO Trademark Database to instantly secure your brand on the internet.”

Let’s talk about some of the most famous websites. How these websites can help us in SEO, see the image below for your reference

We actively started focusing on some of the most popular social media sites to generate some quality one-way links.

So let’s talk about some of the most famous social media sites.

How to use facebook for SEO

Some of the activities we follow to generate quality one-way links from facebook

1.       Submit website link in facebook business page

2.       Website link in facebook profile

3.       Write facebook notes to generate some targeted traffic and links

4.       Share one or two links or status update in profile or business page

How to use twitter for SEO

1.       Create your company/blog business profile & add your website link in profile

2.       Share your blog or website links on twitter. As soon as your tweets became popular or get a good number of retweets, they become good links.

How to use YouTube or other Video Sharing Websites for SEO

1.       Create a company profile or personal profile where you can easily add your website link.

2.       You can keep adding some of the videos related to your products or. Add your product or website link in descriptions.

How to use Social Bookmarking Websites

1.       Create your personal profile as well as company profile on most of the social bookmarking websites.

2.       Maintain your account by adding some friends to your network.

3.       As soon as you publish any post on your blog you can bookmark those articles on these websites.

4.       You can exchange articles with your friends to submit different articles from your account.

5.       You should get some votes for your articles to get permanent links from these websites or they will remove your link after sometime.

How to use Webmaster to Track Social Media Links

1.       Login to your Google webmaster account.

2.       You can check traffic -> links to your site - >more where you can see all domains that have links to pages on your site.

3.       Here you can easily find social networking and bookmarking websites.

4.       You can click those websites for more details & found what kind of content is getting maximum links. Write that type of content for your blog.

As many genuine and targeted one-way links as you can generate for your website will give you higher chances to get top ranking for your keywords in search engine.

Author Bio: - Sachin Bhutani, Internet marketing consultant and founder of SEO company in India. Writes articles related to SEO, PPC, blogging and making money online. Email info@websudasa.com if you’re interested in having Sachin write a guest article for your website.

How to Optimize a Website for 2012

It has been over two years since I answered the question, “Does my Small Business Need a Website?” if you still don’t have a website, stop reading this right now and call me at 715-584-6773. If you do have a website and want to get maximum results from it in 2012 and beyond, read on.

*Let me also tell you a little secret, it is NOT the job of a website developer to ensure that your site gets found, to write quality SEO content, or to use marketing techniques to make more conversions! Though some developers offer SEO services, most will simply create aesthetically pleasing webpages. You need someone like me, Terra L. Fletcher, to do the rest. I’ll be the first to tell you – I’m not the world’s best web developer. Sure I can do a simple site, but I rely on a strong network of really good developers if you want a really nice website. What makes Fletcher Freelance different is the combination of quality SEO content (with a no-typo guarantee) and the infusion of proven marketing techniques that will help your website do what it’s supposed to – SELL! (And you just thought you needed a site to look pretty and keep up with thejones.com.) So how do you take your attractive – but possibly not worth its hefty price tag website – to the next level? There are two key opportunities here, Search Engine Optimization and optimizing for conversions.

Search Engine Optimization

Search engine optimization or SEO basically means that your website will get found in search. There are several elements that will make search engines more likely to crawl, index, and rank your website. Sites are ranked based on relevance, authority, popularity, and legitimacy.

At my internet marketing classes I have a tendency to give away the two big secrets to SEO. First, content. Content needs to be relevant, unique, and of high-quality. The right words are imperative! Second, links. Quality inbound links are not easy to attain, but they are essential. Links need to be from relevant websites (gambling or adult sites, won’t help you for example).

In addition to the big two, your site needs to be user-friendly. Ask yourself if your site is well structured, clean, and easy to use. If you want an unbiased opinion email me today, terra(at)fletcherfreelance(dot)com; ask for a website review.

Optimizing for Conversions

When a visitor happens upon your website through search or even going directly to your site you need a site that is going to convert. By that I mean that a favorable percentage of viewers do more than just browse your site, they buy something. To get people to buy, you must have strong, clear calls to action. Don’t assume they will know where to click, how to buy, to call, or stop in your brick-and-mortar location. Ask them to! This ties in with usability as well. Make it easy. Design should not be overwhelming or detract from your message, either.

Provide visitors some assurance that you will do what you say. Online, your reputation is everything, especially if they have never encountered your business before. Prove why your company is the best choice. Include testimonials; provide guarantees; display credentials, industry affiliations, and awards.

The structure of your site is also important. Make it easy to get to your most popular products or services from the home page. Remember you only have 6-8 seconds for a visitor to decide to stay on your site.

Need some help? If you’re looking for SEO assistance, there are things to watch for. There are tons of questionable companies. Don’t trust anyone who says they can guarantee you a rank. No one can do that directly. Want to try it yourself? Take a class. Want to hire an expert? Give me a call at 715-584-6773.

What’s worked for your site? Share your SEO tips in the comments below.

Types of Links

Last week we discussed link building and quality inbound links. Even some lower quality links can help search engine ranking of your site. As a general rule of thumb, the higher authority of the site, the harder it is to get a link from them. These links take a lot of research, creativity, and negotiation to attain. These links are crucial for SEO, traffic, and branding. To see what is happening in your industry search for your top keyword phrases. Examine the top results. Find out who is linking to them.


The reverse is also true. Lower authority sites and links are easier to get. And we have to start somewhere. Directory listing is a good place to start. Listing will takes some time, but isn’t overly challenging. And it will help your SEO. One internet marketing blog recommends keeping directory links to 15% or fewer of your links.

Reciprocal links are link exchanges with other websites or blogs. These may require a little finesse and negotiation, but are only moderate level of difficulty. Reciprocals are especially helpful for getting new web pages crawled. Keep reciprocal links to 10% or less. Three-way links involve three websites that are similar (A links to B, B links to C, C links to A). Three-ways should be limited, but they do provide a moderate SEO value.

Sitewide links placed on every page of a site are not recommended. Text link brokers offer these, but Google frowns upon them.

Of very high value are one-way links. One-way links drive traffic and improve SEO. These coveted links pass on valuable link juice without a reciprocal link. Use your network of industry connections to build one-way links.

Not all sites have the same reputation, credibility, and authority. If you can get links from sites that end in .edu or .gov, these links will result in more SEO, traffic, and branding value. Links from these sites may be difficult to attain, but they are worth the effort. Start with your local colleges or governments and look for linking opportunities. Media links are also very desirable. If you can connect with a local radio, newspaper, or magazine – go for it. Again, look among your professional network. Can a journalist provide help?

Some links that are easier to attain include press release links, article links, and RSS links. You will drive traffic and gain some branding with online press release syndication. Articles of high quality will prove you to be a subject matter expert while improving traffic and branding. RSS links, when bloggers subscribe to your feed, may have some positive effect on traffic.

Get involved socially. In order to make your comments count. Get a globally recognized avatar at http://en.gravatar.com/. When you have a meaningful comment to add to another website or blog use your email address, which will then use your Gravatar, and include a link to your site. Note: some sites may not be set to “dofollow.” These won’t pass on any link juice.

Social media links are pretty easy to attain. When you get links from Facebook or other social media outlets you’re gaining SEO, traffic, and branding. Business is all about relationships. People like doing business with people they like. Leverage your connections to gain relevant links to your site.

By the way, find me on Facebook!
And link to FletcherFreelance.com (or anything on this blog you enjoy)!

Google+ Tips

If you’ve been following my blogs and articles and more on Google Plus, and have tried out the new social network, perhaps you’re wondering, “Now what?” Truth is, so am I. with all the changes to Facebook (many of which making Facebook more like Google Plus) and a slow start to the Google network how do you make the best use of Plus and Plus Pages for business? (If you haven’t started a business profile yet, read this.)

If you haven’t already done so, use the circles! Put clients in one, prospects in another, people you follow for marketing tips (ahem, Fletcher Freelance) in another. Then you decide how much business you share with family and how much of your personal life you share with business associates.

Think SEO. You’re Google profile should be visible to the public. Use SEO and copywriting principles when writing your profile and sharing in your stream. Include a keyword or two in your subtitle. Take advantage of the Introduction, Bragging Rights, and Occupation, but don’t get too carried away and make them strictly keyword lists. Include simple calls to action. Ask for input. Add headlines to links.

Let’s get visible. Customize your profile by creating information specific to your circles. If your Introduction is a compelling piece of copy that sells your services, have only prospects and clients see it. put your achievements in Bragging Rights and select who get to see them.

Apply text styles to your updates. Tag people. Get creative. Check out this Google+ Style Cheat Sheet. When your updates are more attractive and easier to read, more people will see them.

Consider a vanity URL. Although at this time Google Plus isn’t offering an easy way to change your mile-long address. Some have suggested altering your Google profile before signing up for Plus or using an app. You can also create a redirect from a page on your site to your profile.

Commit. As with any marketing, the biggest fault of those who try social media marketing is to stop too soon. If you expect results you need to be engaging and commit to posting regularly. Stay disciplined and track your results. Soon you’ll be getting business from Google Plus!

Fletcher Freelance names Jaemy Drengler as Marketing Assistant Intern

Terra L. Fletcher and Jaemy Drengler

Fletcher Freelance announced today that Jaemy Drengler has been named Marketing Assistant Intern. Drengler will be taking on responsibilities ranging from general administrative to apprenticeship in marketing and design. Jaemy studied Creative Writing, Psychology, Marketing and Graphics at Clintonville High School where she recently graduated, with honors.

“I’m very excited to have Jaemy on my team. She’s enthusiastic, great with people, and a natural on social media,” said Fletcher Freelance owner, Terra L. Fletcher.  

Before Drengler started with Fletcher Freelance she worked as a nanny, housekeeper, swim instructor, and lifeguard. She’s very involved in the community doing voluntary community education work. Drengler says, “I look forward to using my people skills and computer knowledge, but also learning more about the psychology behind marketing.” Drengler loves music, ice cream, and watersports.

Marketing consultant and business writer Terra L. Fletcher works with businesses to create and implement targeted marketing campaigns, improve advertising ROI, and increase sales. She offers extensive expertise in Search Engine Optimized (SEO) website content, social media marketing, and business writing. On January 24, 2013 she was named “Entrepreneur of the Year”by the Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce. Fletcher welcomes one-time, short-term and long-term writing, editing, and marketing projects. Visit FletcherFreelance.com to learn more.

For more information contact Terra L. Fletcher at 715-584-6773 or terra@fletcherfreelance.com.

DIY Web Copywriting Tips

There are things you can do yourself to improve your copy and increase your conversion rate – without hiring a professional web copywriter. Don’t be afraid to do it yourself. And don’t be afraid to be different.


Web Content vs. Web Copy

Web content is intended to inform, educate, or entertain the reader. Web copy is designed to influence or persuade readers. Any good writer with a little SEO knowledge can write content. It takes a little marketing forethought to create quality web copy. Web copy may be a hard sell, “Buy Now!” or it may be more subtle.

A blog is generally web content. Writing a company’s “About Us” page may appear to be simply a content assignment. This page is critical marketing or web copy, however. The primary reason for including this page on your website is to provide background information to build trust in a company and convince them to buy.

Article marketing is a good example of both. The article is the web content and the resource box is the web copy. That resource box should include a clear, simple call to action. Web marketing copy should help you convert website visitors into newsletter subscriptions, customers, members. Even an increase in your click-through rate, exposure, visibility, backlinks, and positive brand image – is a form of conversion.
Your Audience

In order to gain these benefits from your web copy it must appeal to your target audience. It’s not about what you like; it’s about what works for your target market. Knowing how purchasing decisions are made and who makes them will help you craft your message and decide the means to deliver it.

Once you have a clear demographic profile using psychographic information will allow you to determine which factors will influence your target market. Teenage males? Perhaps a bandwagon approach and sex appeal will work. Mothers in their mid-30s? I’d stick with a family-oriented benefit.

How do they use the web? Are they social networkers or information gatherers? Are they familiar with your company and product? Knowing these answers will allow you to determine where to place your message and if it should be more focused on educating in general or persuading them that your product is better.

Nuts and Bolts

So, now you’ve defined your copywriting strategy (who, where, what). But how? Remember to focus on benefits, not features. Show, don’t tell. Use vivid word pictures, case studies, examples. If possible use photographs and videos to demonstrate. Craft a catchy headline. Keep it simple. And include a call to action. Test and split test your copy.

You won’t become a web copywriting guru overnight, but use these simple tips to improve what you have right now. And don’t forget to spell check!

Please Don’t Flash

Both myself and most web developers will tell you to skip the flash. Of course flash has its place, but embedding flash into your website is asking for trouble. Flash isn’t supported by a lot of devices. You can create many of the same products with free web applications and technologies. Try JavaScript, HTML 5, CSS 3, or others.

Why Not?

Apple refuses to allow Adobe to create a Flash plug-in for its devices because Adobe has had problems making said plug-ins secure and high performing. Apple even removed the Flash plug-in from Macbook Air. Sites with Flash often take longer to load and we all know how impatient web surfers are. I once read that you only have six seconds before they click away. And with Google Instant, speed is crucial. When major search engines can bring up thousands of sites in an instant, who will wait for yours?

When is Flash Okay?

Well, it isn’t easy to otherwise embed a video into a website. A Flash plug-in is often the only way to play video on every browser (without headaches). And where would we be without sites like YouTube? Many game developers have become Silicon Valley sensations for creating addicting Flash games.

What’s the Future?

Adobe ceased development of mobile Flash in November. HTML 5 is the new route. Some predict that the desktop versions of Flash are not far behind. CSS and JavaScript are poised to take over.

Your Website?

It’s about that time when I do an annual update to my website. (I mean, really overhaul it.) I recommend a facelift at least once a year for most businesses. If you’re looking at your site, ask if your Flash animation is necessary or if it’s just some attention seeker? If your site really would benefit from a demo or video of some sort, that’s fine. Just make it the user’s choice. Add a button to your homepage that routes the viewer to the video.

Need your website reviewed? This is the perfect time. Let me use my SEO knowledge, marketing techniques, and eye for spelling and grammar to get your site ready for 2012. Email me now for a website review ($39). Terra@FletcherFreelance.com