Why You Need To Spend More Time On Social Networking
What if you could spend less time writing content and still drive web traffic and generate leads?
Oh. Wait. You can….and I do!
Social Networking: Lead Generation Without Content
I spend the majority of my time actively networking, not posting and sitting on my ass hoping my content is seen. I follow specific people and pages. I interact, support and add value. That simply activity, which is easy and honestly, fun, is what YOU should be doing and what I have found to be the BEST way to leverage my time on social media.
One of those I follow is my friend (and one of my influencers) Debra Jason. We met on social media through a mutual friend. While we have yet to meet in person, we have spent a good deal of time networking together and supporting each other.
I am always reading her content (it is that good). She recently shared a post from her website, The Write Direction. As a standard practice I commented on the post itself and to further support her, also took the time to add a comment directly on the blog post itself.
The result of networking and interacting with Debra:
- I saw her social share of the post.
- I added a valuable comment on social and the blog post itself
- One of her blog readers saw my comment.
Apparently, the comment made an impression. Not only did they track back to my post (Want Results From Facebook? Stop Sitting On Your Ass!), they filled out my lead capture form to sign up to receive my content in their inbox!
A perfect example of driving web traffic and lead generation WITHOUT content.
I’ll add this is not an isolated example of driving web traffic from social networking. There is this one:
And this one:
Social networking is how I have been able to leverage social media effectively to build my brands since 2007, and it’s proven to remain highly effective through all of the algorithm changes.
A single value-added comment might just be worth far more than any piece of content you post.
Consider spending less time on your content and more on being active, visible and engaged.Click To Tweet
Robert Nissenbaum, TSO Media
Robert Nissenbaum, TSO Media
Robert Nissenbaum, TSO Media
You are welcome!
Good advice Robert! I can say that it is more about engaging with others by sharing and commenting than just posting your own content!
Thank you Justine.
Glad to hear someone say this, Robert. I have actually gotten work from leaving thoughtful comments on someone else’s blog before. This is a form of content in itself.
To make this work for you, it has to add something to the discussion, but your comments help articulate who you are, and your opinions on digital marketing (or whatever else the subject matter is).
Comments also help you be seen by other people that are reading industry blogs. When they see your name enough times, it will become familiar to them, and they will associate you with that particular community.
All of this is a very long game, but it pays dividends in the end.
It’s very interesting John. Better bloggers know the tactic well and it’s exactly as you state – a very long game that requires value-added comments (content) helping get you noticed and showcasing your expertise.
I teach the same tactic for commenting on social media posts (as yourself and your brand depending on the circumstance) There’s an article somewhere here on it! It works the same way and helps drive traffic back your pages and profiles the way blog comments do to your website.
The end result is the same – business.
Robert
I think there’s a core of truth here in your post — posting constantly is simple and easy, but interacting and being social takes work. It’s so, SO easy to just go around shitposting and assume everyone will just flock to you — and it’s just as easy to build up a bit of an audience and get lazy. Following other people, commenting, and helping them out is tough — posting your own crap all day is the easy way out (and it doesn’t work!)
Interesting and we need to discuss this more! Shit posting is easier and takes less time but is totally worthless. Writing quality content take plenty of time and isn’t always easy. I’ve found, while it can take longer, the social aspect of commenting (which serves the same role as traditional content when done right) more fun and easier.
I agree, it can be a lot easier in certain situations — and it’s certainly less time consuming. However, sometimes you’re just throwing a comment on there and not really adding any value (though maybe you’re helping the person get more traction on their post).
You may be helping others get a little traction but at the same time you can be making yourself look foolish. It’s sort of like your saying I have nothing important to say but I want to be part of the conversation. I think social networking when done right takes more time than posting BUT it also pays bigger dividends.
This is awesome. It proves that being a polite human being, encouraging people, and adding value is never a bad thing.
So true. We forget comments can work the same way posts do – comments are still a form of content.
Exactly — and this is such a tough thing to do sometimes! I’ve been caught in the “Post Content Go Home” mentality for a month or two now — trying to get back on the horse and talk to my friends (instead of talking at them!)
But you know to do it. Most don’t. They’ve always been told to post, post, post. How, when, where…..
Yep, they just have their experience from personal FB accounts or Twitter accounts — the social side probably hasn’t factored in yet.
That’s cool Robert. Thanks for the shout out. I’m not surprised that some of my peeps would find value in your content. You rock
Thank you Debra. Always happy to give you a shout out. There is always value in your content and one place I learn constantly.
Thanks for sharing this mini case study Robert. It’s a great demonstration of the power of social networking done well. I’ve certainly noticed you being active, visible and engaged around the web. I definitely should get out more (digitally).
Clement, the best way to be seen is to get ‘out’ and be social. Content matters, but it needs to be seen and relying on it being found isn’t a smart strategy.