SEO Tips you need to start using right now

Google’s searchbots have long relied on humans to endorse relevant and useful links. Recently, however, Google upped the human ante by introducing Google Social Search.

Google recognizes that one personal endorsement from someone we know easily outranks endorsements from 10,000 strangers. The same applies for a trusted authority: a blogging link shared by Darren Rowse or Brian Clark carries more weight than something a casual user shares.

So as a result, we have Google Social Search: meaning a site can jump from #30 to #3 in the SERPs just because someone in your Google+ circles shared the link. Getting an RT from The Huffington Post can jump your blog post from #8 to #1. It’s a brave new world of social SEO – and it’s one that no SEO can afford to ignore.

Leveling The Playing Field

Under traditional SEO practices, a modern startup would have no chance at ranking for highly competitive keywords. The other sites have been down in the trenches too long; it’d be nearly impossible to knock them off their SERP pedestal without years of campaigning.

Social SEO makes it easier for smaller fish to compete with the big guys. A tweet that receives a viral-size number of retweets can mean as much as a link from a top-ranking site; a +1 from a friend can send your site to the top of the social SERPs for that friend’s entire network.

Social media should already be a part of your business strategy. Now it’s time to harness the power of those social media accounts for your SEO strategy – or risk falling behind while your competitors cash in on their social chips.

Social Strategies To Start Employing Today

1. Ramp Up Your Google+ Presence

It’s the most obvious one on the list, but it still needs to be said. Like it or not, Google has made it clear that G+ is here to stay – and it’s become too useful for an SEO not to take advantage it.

Though the network is still a lightweight compared to sites like Twitter and Facebook, Google+ is emerging as a champion heavyweight in search results.

As seen in the screenshot below, casual G+ posts are even showing up in search results:

Think Google+ search results are just limited to social search? Think again. Related Google+ users and pages show up in standard Web search, too:

From authorship to +1s to shares to circle numbers, Google is injecting social G+ results into nearly every Google Social search. Jumping to a first-page ranking solely because someone put you in a G+ circle? That’s a benefit no site can afford to ignore.

2. Put A New Emphasis On Building Relationships & Increasing Followers

Everything you write or share can pop up in your followers’ search results – even if they’re not a member of the social site you shared the link on. The relationships we forge online now have a huge impact on our search results.

Every new follower you get may see your brand’s site in his or her SERPs in the future, so it’s in your best interest to ramp up your follower count. Host a giveaway (entrants must follow you on G+, for example), increase your outreach efforts, or give away an eBook exclusively for your followers.

3. Start Posting Your Articles Immediately On Social Media

As Mitch Monsen of White Fire SEO pointed out, tweeting your content actually helps your content get indexed faster (especially vital if you’re posting time-sensitive material). Set your articles to automatically post on Google+, LinkedIn, etc. and you’ll get indexed even quicker.

4. Focus On Shareable Content

Social shares have always worked in a SEO’s favor by granting us endorsements similar to direct inbound links. Now, shares have another benefit: if someone (even someone that doesn’t follow you on any social media sites) shares your content, the sharer’s entire network may see the post by searching for relevant material in Google Social Search.

Getting someone like, say, Newsweek to share your material? In addition to getting a nice boost in your rankings, you’ll also have access to that power user’s network.

5. Add +1 Buttons To Anything & Everything

Have you noticed that Google’s even added +1 buttons to their ads? The +1 has turned into an Internet-wide Facebook like button.Don’t turn down the easy endorsement: slap the +1 button on your site wherever you can.

6. Use “Rel=author” & “Rel=me” Tags To Link Your Work To Your Name

Searchers can now see thumbnails of the person who authored the article they’re about to read. If they liked what they read, they can simply return to the SERP and click “More by ________” to see the author’s entire catalogued body of work.

To clue Google in that you’re the author, you’ll need to use “rel=author” tags in your posts. Not sure how? Joost de Valk’s already written a comprehensive guide on the subject – and so has Google.

7. Get On Pinterest

I know it’s rapidly becoming a cliché to write about Pinterest, but the newest social site on the block has well-earned its praise due to its sheer SEO power.

This simple graphic from The Wall Street Journal nabbed the website nearly 1500 shares on Pinterest (and countless more traffic):

You probably already know Pinterest sends nearly as much referral traffic as Twitter (and more than YouTube, G+, and LinkedIn combined), but did you know Google now crawls pins and boards?

Optimize your pins for relevant search keywords; further optimize for Pinterest searches by hashtagging relevant keywords on each pin.

8. Add A “Pin It” & A StumbleUpon Button To Your Site

Take the shares anywhere you can get them. The aforementioned Pinterest has killer link traction, while the social bookmarking powerhouse StumbleUpon is second only to Facebook in terms of referral traffic.

Slap both “Pin It” and StumbleUpon buttons on your content right next to the Facebook, Twitter, and +1 buttons.

A Brief Word To The SEO Traditionalists

Am I suggesting social SEO practices are rapidly replacing traditional SEO methods?

Absolutely not.

Am I suggesting social SEO is better than traditional SEO?

Absolutely not.

Traditional SEO isn’t going anywhere any time soon. However, as social becomes increasingly integrated with search, it’s time to add social media as a permanent tool in our SEO arsenal.

Opinions expressed in the article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land.

Online Video Marketing Survey and Video Email Trends Report

Web Video Marketing Council and Flimp Media Release Results of Q4-2011 Online Video Marketing Survey and Video Email Trends Report 81 Percent of Marketers Already Using Online Video; 52 Percent are Using with Email; 67 Percent Have Posted to Websites and 61 Percent Have Posted to Social Media Sites

Hopkinton, MA, March 19, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The Web Video Marketing Council and Flimp Media have just released the results of the Q4-2011 Video Marketing Survey of more than 270 interactive marketing professionals. The white paper report reveals that most marketers are already using video for online marketing and that 64 percent of marketers plan to increase their video marketing budget in 2012. According to the recent survey, online video use increased to 81 percent of marketers during 2011 and 52 percent of marketers said they were using video with email marketing programs in 2011.

In general, surveyed marketers were very optimistic about the performance of video with email, as 88 percent indicated that integrating video with email marketing has had a positive effect on their email marketing efforts. In addition, 72 percent believed that buyers were more likely to purchase or convert after viewing an email campaign that incorporated video. Only one percent of marketers surveyed indicated that video had a negative effect on their email marketing efforts. In light of these results it was surprising that 35 percent of marketers said their email service provider did not offer a video marketing solution and 44 percent did not know if their email provider offered a video marketing solution.

The survey was conducted by the Web Video Marketing Council in conjunction with Flimp Media in Q4 of 2011. The study queried more than 270 interactive marketing professionals who “have marketing oversight responsibilities in their role” in order to gain insights into current marketing practices and perceptions regarding video-based email marketing. The survey results and 2011 Video Email Marketing Trends Report are available for download here: http://www.webvideomarketing.org/pdf/Q4-2011 Online Video Marketing Survey.pdf

Speaking about the survey, Paul Ritter, Director of Strategic Programs for the Web Video Marketing Council commented: "We knew that there was strong interest among marketers in online video marketing, and specifically email marketing, but were surprised by the current adoption levels over 80 percent and the overwhelming sentiment that video email increases click thru rates and purchases. This is definitely a strong online marketing trend to watch.”

The survey also asked marketers what they think are the most effective ways to deploy video with email and what they believe are the primary barriers to using video with email marketing. “At the top of the list of barriers cited by marketers for using video in email marketing was not having readily available video assets to use in their campaigns,” reports Ritter. “We fully expect this number to drop over the course of the year with the increasing availability of high megapixel cameras that are becoming more available on devices such as iPads and Smartphones that can produce high quality video content. There will always be a need for high production value videos involving a camera crew and professional editors.”

Wayne Wall, CEO of Flimp Media, a co-producer of the survey said “There seems to be a consensus of belief among marketers that video produces higher email engagement and response rates. Since 2008 we have conducted well over a thousand video marketing campaigns for clients using trackable video email postcards for lead generation and communications. Our aggregate marketing data shows an average viewer engagement time of 1.3 minutes, response rates averaging 23 percent and email click thru rates well over 30 percent when deploying video with email marketing.”

Download the 2011 Video Email Marketing Survey Data and Industry Trends Report
Access the survey results and download the 2011 Video Email Trends Report from this link: http://www.webvideomarketing.org/pdf/Q4-2011 Online Video Marketing Survey.pdf

About the Web Video Marketing Council
The Web Video Marketing Council (WVMC) is a professional association established to provide timely, relevant information about online video marketing topics and technologies to professional marketers and communicators through its website, newsletter, reports and webinars. For more information please visit our website, www.webvideomarketing.org.

About Flimp Media
Flimp Media is a video lead generation and communications solutions provider located in Boston, MA. FLIMP® which stands for Flexible Interactive Marketing Platform is a SAAS solution used to create, distribute and track interactive video postcards for email lead generation and corporate video communications. Flimp Media also provides video production, Video SEO and creative services for a diverse and rapidly expanding collection of clients. For more information, please visit www.flimp.net and www.flimpagency.com.

Contact Information:
Web Video Marketing Council
Jennifer O'Meara
508-435-5220
Contact via Email
webvideomarketing.org/

Click here to read the full story: Online Video Marketing Survey and Video Email Trends Report

What Does Apple's New iPad Mean for Marketing?

Apple's iPad has dazzled consumers. And the latest model, unveiled today, includes features that marketers will need to consider in the coming year.

In fact, Apple CEO Tim Rose said Apple sold 15.4 million iPads last quarter, which is more than the sales at any individual PC company during the same period, BusinessInsider reported.

Three marketers, in email interviews with ClickZ, shared how they anticipate the tablet will affect marketing in the coming year.

Better Display

"Certainly the retina display makes a big difference. At 264 pixels per inch, the new iPad has twice the resolution of iPad2 (in fact, it's got more memory and a better screen resolution than an Xbox 360 or PS3), and that translates into a bigger canvas on which to create more powerful digital experiences," said Andrew Solmssen, a managing director at Possible Worldwide.

Improved Camera for Video, Still Images

"Marketers should definitely be excited about the much improved video camera and camera, which will enable more sophisticated apps with functionality such as facial recognition," Solmssen said. "The boost in video camera performance will also improve consumers' ability to capture videos to contribute to campaigns."

Faster Download Speeds

"With 4G LTE, the new iPad is capable of download speeds up to 73 Mbps, and more bandwidth opens the door for more immersive, interactive marketing and ad work," Solmssen added.

Robert Weber, a founder of W3i, concurred. "The biggest impact for marketers will be LTE support. This will dramatically increase internet speeds and result in the ability to create much more engaging app experiences," he said.

High-Quality Device Deserves High-Quality Content

"The new iPad delivers more of everything to the consumer, and marketers need to do the same," said Melissa Krueger, senior marketing consultant, ExactTarget. The new iPad offers a higher resolution display than the iPad 2 and promises a faster processor.

She pointed out that primary uses of the device are "entertainment, exploration, and self-expression in a low effort, 'lean back' environment." And as a result, she said, marketers must consider how their offerings coincide with these uses and mindset. "It's really all about high quality content that is pleasurable to consume and easy to manipulate and share," she said.

And What's Missing…

"These new features also highlight what iPad is still missing - specifically, an exciting, standardized ad model. iAd has been anemic at best on iPad and is due for a serious refresh. Advertisers also need a library of actions that they can use to quickly and easily make creative that, as described above, takes advantage of the tablet for what it does best," Solmssen said.