Matt Cutts (Google's anti webspam head) was recently asked - what would he include in his SEO strategy list for 2011? He replied creation of great content (bait) spread via social media. This wouldn't just help in getting quality natural back links , which could result in better rankings, this would also help in acquiring new visitors and customers. Experts think, the reason why this strategy would succeed is this - in the world of social media, even now, the creators of original and quality content are less and those who link or spread it further are more.
As per one of the latest research report " 23 percent of social users are “creators” and almost one in 10 are “megaphones.” who generate web content, surrounding brand info found on social sites, and they're likely to link to valuable resources."
The three pillars of social media marketing are facebook, twitter and linked in. Social media pundits say that, three of them should be used in a different manner, with different content, however, with the same goal in mind which is acquiring new customers and spreading the message to the right kind of targeted audience.
Another big question which is being discussed at length is : Has article marketing finally lost its sheen? Experts believe, Yes if it not done in the right way. This essentially means if the article isn't well researched, just a mashed up piece of rephrased words of an already written text, it wouldn't help a site and could instead harm it as well.
B2b marketers should write well researched original articles (length of the article would also matter), then (preferably ) upload it on to their site and spread it via social media sites.
B2B companies have often struggled to succeed with social media sites and so far have had less than desired results.
According to another survey report " both B2B and B2C brands are seeing success with social marketing. Linked In was especially useful for B2B companies in terms of driving leads, with 61 percent of B2B firms gaining new customers "
Many b2b marketers often wonder what should they use social media for? Experts say that social media should be use for
* Acquiring New customers
* Attracting relevant search traffic
* Improving ranking
* Creating positive buzz about your brand and your product
So that brings us as to another important question i.e. what exactly are the requisites for a successful social media campaign?
* Grabbing your brands names on all the major social media sites
* Setting up of impressive profile page, with interesting information
* Creation of original, exclusive, interesting and fresh content, delivered within the right frequency i.e. either daily or every two days or weekly
* Keep fuelling social conversion around your content
What b2b companies can do is, use slide share or you tube to upload power point presentation or videos about their products and services. Then, share those links on FB + fuel conversation though exciting contests or interaction. They can use twitter for promoting occasional and exclusive promotional offers or attractive deals.
One of the main reason why b2b companies social marketing campaigns fail is because there isn't enough engaging fresh content. Industry analysts point out that compelling content is the most basic requirement for a successful SMO campaign. On an average half of the journalists turn to social media to find leads or see the pulse of the masses.
Sooner or later the line between social and search marketing will get blurred. The idea behind making early inroads into the social media segment is simple - to be on top of the game before the serious battle lines are drawn. In short, social media is getting bigger with each passing day and one can ignore it only at its peril.
PS: Attention Indian exporters suppliers or manufacturers, get your online catalog today and make profits by tapping the business queries being generated 24/7 globally on the net.
Article first published as B2B Marketers and Social Media - The Catch 22 Situation on Technorati.
Wall Street Journal(WSJ) reported that alibaba.com CEO has resigned after an internal investigation found that more than 2,300 sellers registered on their site committed fraud, sometimes with the help of Alibaba sales staff.
B2B portals especially those who offer a marketplace to the buyers and sellers have always been susceptible to such malpractices, however, for the first time the internal staff of such a reputed portal has ever been caught involved.
Reports says that the company insists that the CEOs were not involved though they resigned in the wake of moral responsibility however the rumours of a different nature are going around the corners amidst the storm.
As more and more buyers and sellers are using b2b marketplace as their preferred way to carry out their business, the possibility of a repeat of such an instance can't be ruled out. Industry analysts say as the number of transaction increases it becomes virtually impossible to track each and every of them, which leaves a certain room for error. However, what is pertinent for any company is that none of their employees should ever be involved in such a set-up, otherwise, their entire credibility goes for a toss.
B2B portal offer a wide array of services to the buyers and extra efforts are made to instil their confidence into dealing with the sellers listed. However, when the holy grail of trust is broken that's when things begin to go helter-skelter within the industry.
Analysts insist that the volume of the fraud occurred was insignificant, however, the counter action taken to rectify it was huge. Skeptics wonder if the CEOs resigned to show that company will go to any length to bring back the confidence of the buyers or if there was something more to it. Something we will never ever be able to know, something which hints towards the beginning of the end of the alibaba's bubble! Could it be another satyam in the making ...? The questions are endless with no answer in sight.
Understandably, most of the b2b portals are tight lipped about the sudden developments and are concerned about the next update. Only time will tell if we have heard the last in the ongoing fiasco, or if there are more skeletons which could stumble out the closet !
PS: If you are an Indian supplier or manufacturer, get your online catalog today and make profits by tapping the business queries being generated across the globe on the web 24/7. To know more, click on online business catalogs
As 2010 is about to sign off, I decided to step back a little , introspect and analyse a few things from a client's point of view. The main concern which came to my mind was - What is it that exporters, manufacturers and suppliers really expect from a SEO campaign. I thought of it as a compelling reason to write because of the industry wide rising mismatch between a client's expectation and a SEO' deliverability . Below are the few points, which i could thought of, from a client's perspective, feel free to add yours in the comments.
Lower CPC and a Higher ROI
Getting a client ranked for his set of keywords organically, is getting tougher with each passing day. The next most exercised option is using adwords or other cpc campaigns . The problem area remains the constant struggle to set the price right and give a client, the best possible ROI . Easier said than done ! Industry insiders say - To combat high cost of advertising, marketers will have to double down on match type and negative keyword management, resort to campaign structure optimization to lower costs and increase conversion rates.
More Effective Usage of Social Media
A hush hush dictum among b2b portals is that - social media isn't for them. But, what they also agree to is - Social media is the future. Google is going social (full throttle with google.me), facebook is acquiring more serious users and Linkedin gives a great chance for informal business networking. What a B2B Client really want is -
- Result oriented Serious Networking
- Measurable ROI for SMO campaigns and
- A better product positioning/ branding.
Honest Reporting. Action Oriented Measurable Insights
Statistics hide more than they reveal. Clients don't just wish to see what is good, they also wants to know what is going wrong with their site. Clients needs to be told about their conversion rate, conversion path and the conversion funnel. As avinsh kaushik puts it - reports should reveal the - “Golden Insights” which in turn should lead to actionable data and course correction steps.
Genuine Queries/ Qualified sales
It's a gospel truth that - most of the clients really don't care about the visits, visitors or goals achieved. What they care about most is genuine queries or actual sales! The big question is - How many B2B Portals are able to generate qualified sales or genuine leads? The client isn't spending his hard earned money for just an increased set of visitors or a better keyword ranking. The client means business. SEO companies should have a long term focus and take individual ownership for generating more business opportunities for their clients.
The After Thought
B2B industry is unique and has its fair share of challenges, opportunities and many areas of concern. It is really up to the SEO companies to rise up to the occasion and start delivering as per their client's expectations or else they will get rolled over by their better competitors in this rapidly changing scenario.
PS: Attention Indian exporters suppliers or manufacturers, get your online catalog today and make profits by tapping the business queries being generated 24/7 globally on the net. To know more , click on b2bportal
Jokes apart, The first big info war is on. Freedom of speech is fighting with government's veil of confidentiality.
No matter whose side you are on, that (the) matter of fact is you have been drawn into the first virtual world war. The hacktivists says, freedom of speech is a birthright and what they are doing is a peaceful protest – as putting down a site doesn't involve any bloodshed though the US Government begs to differ. Their counter point is the repercussion of these leaks endangers many lives and holds the potential to change the entire political atmosphere across the globe.
If you look at the anatomy of this warfare, the battle field is the internet hot properties - social media sites, blogs, articles, forums and the troops are individuals like you and me. If social media could help an underdog like Obama, win the US presidential elections, it holds the potential to alter the geographies by flaring up emotions at the ground level. Look at the common thread, social media holds the most important virtue - it can influence the perceptions, it can tell you the pulse of a common man, it can give you invaluable insights into what people think and feel about on all the possible topics.
Just step back for a while and decide for yourself, if internet is on the verge of becoming a dominating mainstream media, where no one can remain a mute spectator, everyone can participate, raise their voice and make themselves count.
Facebook has more than 500 million members, Linkedin claims to have 85 million members- all voicing out what they want, what are they interested in and what are they looking for. Companies can use this tonnes of free information to drive up their profits.
HOW? When in Rome, do what Romans do! When your customers are going online, you need to have your online presence too, when the business communication is becoming a bit casual, stop using age old business jargons, show a friendly human face to the end users, engage them, talk to them and create a goodwill for your company.
Buyers don't trust TV or radio commercials, (its a hyped up pitching of one's product), they don't rely on yellow pages, it just gives them a company's name and number, the net gives a buyer a non partial review, real time user's experience and helps them, make better judgement about their purchase.
What about the B2B segment? Indian exporters, manufacturers use b2b portals, online marketplaces to promote their products and services, apart from participating in trade shows. As the number of such users is increasing phenomenally, it further confirms the fact that b2b industry too is using the net to drive up its profits. Remember, if you are not on the net you are incurring losses by losing a big chunk of your potential customers.
PS: Attention Indian exporters supplier or manufacturer, get your online catalog today and make profits by tapping the business queries being generated across the globe on the web 24/7 . To know more , click on b2bportal
I am not sure how many of you have watched recently released “The Social Network” a sort of fictional biopic on Mark Zuckerberg , Facebook's founder. Adapted from Ben Mezrich 's novel - The Accidental Billionaires, it delivers a strange but intense experience as it makes you watch your present as a phased out piece of history. The Social Network, has all the thrills, excitement and wow moments, which you would expect from any A grade hollywood movie and undoubtedly it is one of the finest movies made this year.
Facebook has changed the way world used to communicate. Google treats it as its most formidable competitor and Bing sees them as their partner in success (notice, Bing powered Facebook search). Like a pied piper Facebook is leading the wave of social media making it one of the most exciting communication platform of our times.
There was early scepticism about social media that it wouldn't work for businesses and can not be used specially for b2b segment. Now it has been proved through numerous case studies that, this is one stereotype which has outlived its validity. No matter which business you are in, you have to use social media as it is one of the fastest growing medium of all times across the globe.
As more and more folks are getting on the net , corporates too have joined the bandwagon. Most of the IT companies have got their branding right specially in the big three sites viz. facebook, twitter and linkedin. Corporate news, videos, images etc. all adds up to their online reputation enhancement and management. Having said that, there are still many of those, who are all dressed up, standing in the middle, confused and clueless about where to go. This applies to most of the non IT companies.
The non IT corporates are in fix on how to maximise ROI out of their social media efforts. If companies like Dell can makes millions through Twitter, then there must be something which Dell is doing right and others are not. Below are the few probable reasons.
Corporates often fail to identify four key issues
1.Who their target audience is (age group, demographics, income levels etc.)?
2.Where they are (business sites, personal sites, news sites , forums etc.)?
3.What do they click most (their click behavioral pattern)?
4.Identify their own end goal ( sales, queries or something else...)
It is not necessary to hit the bull's eye in the first go. Multiple attempts are required to dust off what doesn't works and to discover what actually works. Continuous testing and evaluation is the key to succeed in B2B marketplace
All that one needs to take care of is that, you aren't dealing with the bots here, you are dealing with real time human beings.So, your blatant sales pitch wouldn't work, constructive and consistent communication will. Remember, SMO is a slow but immensely rewarding strategy !
PS: If you are an Indian exporter supplier or manufacturer, get your online catalog today and make profits by tapping the business queries being generated across the globe on the web 24/7 . To know more , click on b2bportal
The report attributed this positive change to the big increase of 273 per cent in the value of UAE non-oil exports that went up from Dh2.2 billion during the first quarter of 2009 to Dh8.4 billion this year. In addition, the value of India-bound re-exported UAE commodities rose by 162 per cent, going up from Dh4.4 billion to Dh11.5 billion during the same comparison period.
The report also revealed that there is a 83 per cent increase in the value of non-oil foreign trade between the two countries, going up from Dh20.5 billion to Dh37.5 billion. It is also expected that the value of commercial exchange between both countries will increase from Dh108 billion in 2009 to Dh120 billion in 2010.
In the report, it is also indicated that India is the UAE's largest trade partner, while the UAE is the number one trade partner for Indian exports, and second with regards to Indian imports, coming in second after China.
The figures in the report suggests that it's time for the Indian SMEs, already exporting to UAE to rejoice and celebrate the growing bilateral trade between India and UAE. Those SMEs which are still lagging behind and have not explored other potential markets should take a cue from the recent figures and try to find buyers and importers for their products in the UAE market.
Indian SMEs can make use of the online marketing tools, b2b portals as a medium to market their products, give maximum exposure & visibility at the global level and find prospective buyers and importers from other countries as well. This will not only cut advertising costs but also ensures maximum reach to the buyers.
The areas in which India’s exports to the UAE are well diversified include gems and jewellery, engineering goods, tea, vegetables, fruit, spices, meat and its preparations, rice, textiles and apparel and chemicals, besides RMG cotton including accessories, man-made yarn, manufacture of metals, fabrics and made-ups, marine products, machinery and instrument and plastic products.
The report also said that mot only in trade with India but in FDI also, UAE is considered the number one Arab country, and the 10th globally in terms of the overall value of Foreign Direct Investment inflows into India, preceded by Mauritius, Singapore, the USA, the UK, Holland, Japan, Turkey, Germany, and France.
The report predicted that the value of UAE investments in India will reach Dh6.9 billion by the year 2011. This was based on a survey of UAE investments abroad conducted by the foreign trade ministry that showed investments by UAE firms in India reached 5.7 billion dirhams.
It also said that the value of UAE investments in India, in light of the continuous development of economic and commercial ties between India and the UAE, will reach 6.9 billion dirhams by the year 2011.
The report also indicated that UAE investments in India have witnessed a steady increase over the past 10 years, from $1.6 million in 2000 to $257 million in 2008, reaching $629 million in 2009.
UAE investments in India were concentrated in five main economic sectors that took a 48.6 per cent share ($705 million) of the total value of these investments.
The energy sector received 19.1 per cent share of UAE investments in India (worth $264 million), followed by the services sector at 9.3 per cent ($143 million), programming and construction at 7.8 per cent ($115 million) and 6.8 per cent ($99.2 million) respectively, while tourism and hotels came in 5th place at 5.6 per cent ($84 million).
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