Not Forgetting Forums for Social Media Optimisation

Social Media Optimisation (SMO) is the new buzz topic in the Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) field and companies considering a campaign utilising this shouldn’t stop at just using Twitter and Facebook.

With the advent of Google Search incorporating micro-blogging content from Twitter and the huge user base of Facebook – 300 million users worldwide – these are the natural two places to start a Social Media Optimisation campaign. MySpace and YouTube are the two other sites that immediately spring to mind.

However, simply focussing on these online sites could limit the potential of a campaign. Taking your SMO into specific forums could reap considerable dividends.

Target Forums To Supplement Social Media Optimisation

A recent study by Hitwise pinpointed the top ten social networking sites, which listed sites like Tagged, Yahoo! Profiles and Yahoo! Groups prominently amongst the popular places such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

The graph by Marketingcharts.com compiles data from Hitwise  based on US market share of visits as defined by the IAB, which is the percentage of online traffic to the domain or category, from the Hitwise sample of 10 million US internet users.

Just like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace they allow you to create a profile and interact with a wide variety of like-minded people. Moving even further away from these established sites, targeting niche forums is likely to harness additional channels to broadcast your message(s).

Forums existed before the popular sites of Facebook, Twitter et al arrived and were the quintessential means to communicate and share material. They still exist today but are often over-looked during Social Media Optimisation. The initial and obvious benefit of using niche forums applicable to your market is the ready-made audience keen to interact and engage within that field.

Forums Keep You Fresh and Relevant

They could also prove useful for generating new ideas and approaches as a direct consequence of engaging in regular conversation. It will also keep you relevant, by following the trends. This will ensure your message and material stays fresh as well as opening up potential new avenues, after all the majority of forum discussion centres around recommendations and links to new sites.

Taking your Social Media Optimisation into the detailed and specific world of niche forums is perfect for supplementing your broader approach using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube etc.

To speak with a home james campaign manager to understand how we could help implement an effective social marketing strategy for your company, please get in touch with us.