The Five Pillars of Social Media Marketing

So, in the late, late nights that I’ve spent making sense of and organizing Social Media Marketing, I’ve been able to find nothing that outlines strategies or fundamentals of Social Media Marketing. “5 Rules of Social Media Optimization (SMO).” After 20 days and much buzz in the blogosphere, it was expanded into 17 rules, with additions from all over the online marketing and business community’s thought leaders. And yet, while it’s an absolute must-read, there’s still no strategy outlining the fundamental strategies or tactics of Social Media Marketing.

That’s what I’ve racked my brain to figure out and this is what I define as the Five Pillars of Social Media Marketing.

The Five Pillars of Social Media Marketing

Any and all forms of Social Media Marketing tactics fall under at least one of these five forms of action. Often the same channel will incorporate two or more of these:

1. Declaration of Identity
2. Identity through Association
3. User-initiated Conversation
4. Provider-initiated Conversation
5. In-Person Interaction

Identity-based Interaction is your declaration of your value, who you are, and where you can be found. Your customer happens upon your online identity that you, as a provider, define and declare. This is anything from your About Us pages on your blog or website, to your MySpace profile, to your Naymz profile. Here, there is very little interaction outside of your own declaration, but this becomes critical in defining how you can benefit your marketplace.

There has been a recent outcrop of websites created purely for this function. An expanded business card, if you will. Most also include the opportunity to link to your other forms of presence online, bringing together your presence in one place…well, kind-of. They include:

• Naymz
• Ziki
• ClaimID
• SuprGlu
• LinkedIn

Association-based Interaction is your customers’ opportunity to associate themselves with you and you with your customers. Most obviously, this is accomplished through things like becoming “Friends” on MySpace, you and your customers’ BlogRoll, or through their social bookmarking. This is your customer wearing your company’s logo proudly – Like Andy wears his Beatles shirts.

The most explicit form of allowing for this ability is through social bookmarking sites. I say this, and not social networking sites, because this is the sole function of these sites. Make it easy for your customers to bookmark your site, blog posts, etc with their favorite tool.

• del.icio.us
• Furl
• blummy
• Ma.gnolia
• StumbleUpon
• BlinkList

User-initiated Conversation is your users’ opportunity to create their own declarations or questions, and your opportunity to respond. This is your opportunity to be there and cater to them. Here, you serve your customers.

Perhaps the most cut-and-dry examples of this lie in messageboards, forums and “groups” sites such as Google Groups, Yahoo! Groups, community sites, etc. So, how do you find these conversations? Andy Beal’s Online Reputation Monitoring Beginner’s Guide. Here, he walks you through, step-by-step, how to find out what conversations are being initiated by others online.

In order to get directly involved with your customers, the most well-known example of this is “GoogleGuy” on the WebmasterWorld forums, is through your users’ forums, and sites such as:

• Yahoo Groups
• Google Groups
• AOL Groups
• MSN Groups
• Topica EMail Lists
• Kaboodle Groups
• Eurekster
• tribe.net
• Ning

Provider-initiated Conversation is your chance to find out what your customers think, feel, love and hate about your product. Ask them. Challenge them. Present yourself to them, but do so respectfully. As much as it’s an opportunity for them to tell you what they love and hate about your product, it’s also their choice whether to do so or not. Be kind. Be respectful. Appreciate their time.

Although it’s not a primarily online company, there is one company that has made this their culture. Seeking feedback and input from its customers 24/7/265. And it is: Current.tv. There’s little-to-no format, except for about half of the content is contributed by its users. If you haven’t seen it or don’t have digital cable, find someone who does and watch it. Do that this week, you won’t regret it.

Social networking strategies for connecting with your customers can certainly be complex, tricky and cumbersome, so I’ll be writing up strategies in the very near future to hopefully assist on those fronts. In the meantime, find your customers and interact with them here:

• Myspace
• Bebo
• Friendster
• Consumating

In-Person Interaction is the pinnacle form of interaction with your customers. You’re interacting with them online, why not in person? Does it get better than that? This is where relationships are built and authentic conversation is had with so much more input, feedback, collaboration and communication. I had a seven hour conversation with a good friend last night. It was one of the best conversations I’ve ever had about so many things, and I could have never had that quality of a conversation online. Nothing beats face-to-face.

Get out there. Meet your customers. Let them interact with other customers. Build your community. Go to conferences…better yet, organize your own gatherings.

To help this along, coordinating, managing attendee status, etc, there have been several sites that can help in either finding local events or coordinating your own:

• Meetup
• BarCamp
• Evite
• Upcoming
• Eventful

Final Thoughts

One thing about social media marketing: It’s complicated for two reasons: no one has created a structure to work from, and there’s so much overlap in functionality of different sites, that it can be quite confusing as to a site’s single purpose because…well…there usually isn’t a single purpose.

Don’t let this hold you back. Get out there. Spend time with these sites. Sign up, Use them, meet your customers, talk to your customers, and LOVE THEM.

Revenue Generation Models of Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is an internet based marketing practice marketing practice in which a business rewards one or more affiliates for each visitor or customer brought about by the affiliate's own marketing efforts. It is one of the different kinds of internet based marketing practices. Affiliate marketing is a win-win situation where the manufacturer will be able to receive as many website visitors because there are many affiliates that will lead customers to his website. On the other hand, the affiliate is going to receive handsome commission by leading customers to the manufacturers website.

Affiliate marketing is often advantageous over other Internet marketing methods to some degree, because affiliates often use regular advertising methods which helps to constantly remind the customers about the products and services offered. Those methods include organic search engine optimization, paid search engine marketing, e-mail marketing, and in some sense display advertising. On the other hand, affiliates sometimes use less orthodox techniques, such as publishing reviews of products or services offered by a partner

Types of Revenue Generation Models:-

1. Pay Per Click

2. Pay Per Lead

3. Pay Per Sale

Pay per click

Pay per click is an affiliate marketing program where the manufacturer of a product will post a banner on the affiliate website. A click will be counted once an internet browser clicks on the banner advertisement, and accordingly the affiliate is going to earn a certain percentage commission.

Pay per lead

Pay per lead and pay per click are similar in nature. The only difference is that you are able to send a lead or an internet browser who will not only clicks on the link but also checks out the manufacturers website. This means that the customer is interests or is a potential customer; he may take advantage of freebies that may help him understand the product more. He is a potential customer and thus a good lead. By ensuring that the visitor is a good lead, the affiliate will receive a certain commission.

Pay per sale

While the affiliate is not going to receive any commission until the customer purchases the product being advertised, it is still worthy to enter this type of affiliate marketing program. This is because under the pay per sale scheme, the affiliate has the potential of earning between 20-70% of the total purchase price. It is always better to enter affiliate programs under the pay per sale commission scheme because every sale will earn you good. You may also create articles that will excite the customer and giving them the benefits they can get from the product.

Advantages of Affiliate Marketing:-

In Affiliate Marketing we sell affiliate products as they are our own products but we do not have to bear the cost of creating a product.

We do not have to buy any physical stock and store the products.

We will not have to keep track of the inventory.

We will not have to handle any credit card transactions, it will be the merchant who will settle it.

Google's Top Ranking Factors

In the world of SEO, it is imperative to track any changes in the Google machine, and to respond to them quickly and efficiently. By developing and maintaining one's knowledge of the search engine algorithms, there is a far greater chance of positive performance within the rankings.


It is not absolutely clear which factors Google prizes the most, but we have a good idea. The search giant certainly awards relevancy, accreditation and honesty, but how does this translate into web design and SEO strategies?

The first thing to note and to keep in mind, is the fact that sites should be tailored for human eyes, not search engine crawlers. Any hidden keyphrases or underhand techniques such as keyword stuffing will be discovered and penalties will be issued.


So, what can we do to drive traffic and rise within the rankings without resorting to black hat methods? Keywords are a hugely important part of any SEO campaign strategy, whether used in anchor text, in title tags, or in other meta information on the page. By ensuring that you have made the best use of your relevant keyphrases across your site, you stand yourself in good stead.


Of course, a period of keyphrase research will go a long way, and will provide you with crucial information regarding the popularity and potential of certain keywords over others. By comparing sets of keywords it is possible to determine which ones will work for a particular site based on the number of global and local monthly searches they generate, as well as the competition which exists for the terms.


In addition to keyphrase research and correct implementation, internal and external linking makes up 60% of any SEO mix, and is invaluable if you are to perform successfully within search engine results. Linkbuilding in the form of article writing and press release submissions are a great way to drive traffic to your site via the embedding of links complete with anchor text made up of relevant keywords.


These are just a couple of handy points to keep in mind when thinking of SEO web design. By adhering to the principles of relevancy and honesty, and by creating a valuable backlink profile, your site will benefit greatly, as will your bottom line.

source:  http://www.ArticleBlast.com

Today why we Use Social Media Marketing?

I am always questioned at workshops or at sales pitch “Why Should We Invest in Social Media Marketing?” I thought of answering this on my blog to address the inquisitive mind globally. The world today is getting more and more dependent on the internet. More and more studies indicate that a lot of people make important decisions researching them first online. Research also indicates that people depend on other people’s experiences to make decisions on products and services. With the advent of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other such social media, information travels around the world much faster. Therefore, today social media has become an important medium for many brands. 

When we look at social media, it is important to understand why social media has become a crucial necessity, for most entrepreneurs and businesses.

• Credibility to the Visibility: Using social media as a medium, products and services get better visibility and credibility. This, however, is tricky because it is not just important to appear online, one must ensure to be included as a positive option in front of sites. Search Engines definitely give you good visibility but connecting your website to social media channels builds credibility. The more popularity and information is available online, the more the chances are for sales and business. For example: If someone lands up to your site via Google and the person happens to see your well managed facebook, twitter, blog and other social media account integrated with your site with quality information and conversation the person might either connect you there or can request you for service on the basis of the credibility he/she builds. 

• Search enhancement: This is an important part of using social media. When a user is searching for any information online, let’s say using search options like Google, it is very important that he/she get to your page as quickly as possible. This is because as much as the user searches for information, he/she is usually looking for top results and positive opinions. Today, people just do not search on Google or other popular search engines. Their search is extended to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Slideshare, Youtube and Flickr search. People would want to read the humanized aspects of the brand and not the promotional materials. The search on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn is extensively known to be “Social Search” where people search other people by defining their qualities. Also, Bing and Google have recently confirmed that links shared through Twitter and Facebook have a direct impact on search engine rankings of your website or blog. 

• Customer service: Gone are the days when there are little or no communication exchanges between sellers and buyers. In today’s world people want to contribute to the growth of a product or service. Today, the customer wants to be a part of the developing process and also ensure that their voice is heard regardless of positive or negative. Social Media is extensively used for Customer Service. For example: Comcast (TV Service Providers in US) listens to customers concern on twitter and offers a support system via the same. Similarly, Airtel, FlyKingfisher, Cafe Coffee Day in India immensely use Twitter to address customer queries and avail them quick feedback. Remember, calling or writing emails is a tedious process for many in comparison with just tweeting with 140 characters and get the problem solved. 

• Instant dissemination: As much as your product may be great or useful, with all the inventions that are taking place and the competition that prevails in today’s world, it is up to you to ensure that your information reaches its appropriate or probable user; and more importantly reaches him/her as fast as possible. With an advent of Social Networking sites you can make your information reach to your target audience with few seconds. Whereas, Search Engine Optimizing your website may require a lot of time to obtain visibility. Today, popular brands such as Subway, Coke, Dell, Ford etc. use Social Media in order to generate awareness in fraction of seconds. The content disseminated via Social Media just does not create awareness, but also makes it conversable and go viral. 

• Cheaper, yet effective: Creating a brand using social media is a inexpensive option because most of the services that are used by perspective buyers are either free or come at a marginal rate. If the brand has some goodwill there is every chance that the information will spread like wild fire. Moreover, the reach of this medium is cheaper only after a complete Social Media practise for year. It is essential for people to understand, Social Media definitely needs investment to build community, build interesting contents, for a conversational and engaging model. The ROI of this medium is yet not well defined but people who have been practising Social Media Marketing have been satisfied with the positive impact on brand equity. 

There are no ifs and buts on why social media is important. However, it is important to realize that social media is not a quick game, it is certainly not as easy as setting up a Facebook account and hoping it will receive hits. Social Media Marketing is a strategic process. To leverage the Social Media and its potential before using it at large level you can personally use Social Media for a month or two to interact with your target audience. Remember, Social Media can Make or Break a brand. So, whether you are there or not, customers will still talk about you! It is better to be there, listen to them and get the feedbacks sorted. 


Resource: http://www.google.co.in/#q=digital+marketing&hl=en&prmdo=1&tbs=blg:1,qdr:h&source=lnt&sa=X&ei=Zi4QTca6L8eIrAeRsL3_Cw&ved=0CA4QpwU&fp=f3b7b9b22debfb13.

Earning Through Google AdSense

In the e-generation that we are living today, who doesn't have a website? Promotional, business, personal, thoughtful, pictorial and the category for such are endless. Its almost like, if you have something to share, its up on the internet! The ease of sharing is a click away!

Another enhancement that is coming with the ever increasing avalanche of this net craze is making money. Everyone wants to set up a website and get monthly returns from it. But is it possible?

Yes it is!

Set a blog for free and sign up for Google AdSense and see the results!

Google has its own policies and earning is as easy as eating a pie, but then its not very hard either. For beginners it might take time to receive your first cheque, but once you're on with experimenting and promoting your website, it won't be a long wait until you start getting regular fat cheques in your mailbox every month.

And after that? After that you go on a holiday, come back and see that you have a cheque waiting for you to spend it!! Doesn't it sound so cool? Does to me!

The trick remains in the website design, your content and placement of your ads. All these come with experience. Until you try and fail, you will not earn.

Another option that you can try is, you can learn from others' experience. There are many people online who readily share their experience about the same. You can extract max info from them and implement it. But, such people do charge a good amount of money. They might give you best-selling e-books but paying hundreds of dollars isn't worth it!!

Today, there are many sites that offer not only FREE website designing, but also complete step-by-step guide about how to earn through your website.

Do not fall in any trap and buy e-books, rather try these free programs!

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