Blogging is the most in-demand cyber tool today which anyone can have an easy access. With the presence of Web 2.0 platforms such as WordPress, Weebly, Typepad, Blogger and many others, blogs can be created without any problems of coding or too much web designing. But the biggest road block in any types of online business is the marketing part. Without proper Internet marketing regimens, your blog won't survive the hefty blogging competition.
Social Media can save your business
Like blogging, social media sites are today's trending tool for communication. It is an easy and quick portal to share content, connect with other people and create a “network” or community. In recent months, we saw another social media platform that is now making waves worldwide – Google+.
The rise of social networking has transformed the way people use the Internet. It has become a necessary part of our lifestyle. Different business industries are positioning themselves well to get a fair share of the social media exposure. With social media, your business can gain better marketing leverage plus, adding some value to your brand.
Social media and blogging as one!
Blogging and social media are the perfect combination for your online business. You just have to know the proper way of marketing your blog posts to your favorite social media network like Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and many others (including Pinterest). Below are the 5 effective ways you can promote your blog through social media networking.
Link your posts on your social media profiles
The number one rule is to post your individual blog posts into your Facebook page or group. It is required that you create your own blog Facebook page to keep a good followers of your blog through Facebook. If you wish, you can also build your own Group page to better expand interactions between you and your readers. You can do the same with other social media networking sites.
In Twitter, it is better that you tweet your post with different messages each time. Make sure that you take enough time gap as Twitter never allows repetitive tweets of the same content. Make use of URL shortening tools to shorten your blog post URL. This is very much essential especially if you want to add an enticing description to your tweet.
Use enticing descriptions for your posts
A research reveals that a question heading better attracts readers rather than just title of your blog post. You have distinctively write the best description to make your readers curious about your post, and hopefully visit your link. This is a type of link bait similarly used by expert Internet marketers in email marketing and other viral marketing regimens. So if you don't know what to post or tweet, ask a question to make your readers respond by clicking your link.
Re-post other people's content
It is essential that you share valuable and useful content from other people's site to your social circles. This is the essence of “networking” in the first place. By sharing other people's content, you are also exposing your own wall or profile to your network which will have a bigger probability of reaching your website or blog. Any people that were satisfied with the content you shared on your wall or pages, they will surely go to your own profile to look for more informational content.
Re-posting or tweeting other people's content makes your social media interaction more natural. It means that you are not only caring about your own site or product, but you are open for discussion and friendship. Just look at people who are not Internet marketers, how do they use social media sites? Yes, they share valuable contents coming from different Internet sites. Similarly if you are a blogger, you should do what normal people are doing in the social media networks.
Don't force yourself to acquire more followers
Forcing your way to gain more people on your network is not a good idea for your business. You should not apply “You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours” type of ideology. This means that you don't have to follow more people just to urge them to follow you back. That is not proper marketing using social media sites. Networks are created naturally primarily because people likes your stuff, ideas and your personality. If you are using social media networks just to expand a large number of friends, then you are accumulating non-targeted people on your network.
So how can you gain more people on your social circles? The answer is Trust! You have to build a more reputable persona online through the presence of your blog. People will follow you naturally if they love your work and your site as a whole. Every post you publish is guaranteed to be viewed by people in your circles because they are targeted individuals who have interests with your work. So give your social networking endeavor a time to grow and nourish because in the long run, the wait is priceless.
Install share buttons
Readers will more likely share your blog content if you offer plugins or social media share buttons at the end of each of your posts. This will make it easier for them to share your blog posts on their own social media profiles, giving your site a big boost of exposure. Every blogging platform has its own way of inserting this type of widgets so I suggest that you instal social media buttons in your blog as soon as possible.
These are the 5 effective methods on how you can use social media and social networking properly to promote your blog. If I missed something here and you have other great idea about social media marketing that you wish to share with us, then I welcome your opinion and comments below.