If you are posting video, where should you put it? This is a list of the top 10 video sites from April 2009. Note that Facebook is #10. Always make sure to add video to your Facebook business page. And what is #1? Google, of course! Don’t forget to get SEO (search engine optimization) done with your videos and web pages.

Top 10 Video Sites

Has your company asked you to show ROI (return on investment) for Social Media? Most companies are looking for quick and simple reports,  that can be viewed in a graph, that will prove if they should add Social Media to their equation. Unfortunately, there is not a simple answer in Social Media or Search Engine Optimization.

There are a number of combined metrics to track ROI from Social Media. To calculate the ROI, you need to include the following factors:

1. Traffic - (unique page views and regular page views)
2. Stickiness - (RSS as well as direct return visitors)
3. Visibility - (links and search ranking in search engines)
4. Viralness - (brand awareness)
5. Engagement - (comments, polls and surveys )
6. Income - (advertising, sales, and conversions)

The answer is not simple nor is it a quick ROI that a company prefers to invest in. Ultimately, a company who acquires the skills to build relationships and develop trust and credibility will result in customers who will support your company and share their reviews with family and friends!!

There are three reasons for implementing social media into any business.

1. Build relationships – Here is an opportunity to interact with persons who might not otherwise support your business. These persons like the business, but are typically not purchasing your products. Interacting with these people builds trust and creditability.

2. Internet marketing – Include a backlink to our own website to take advantage of search engines and internet marketing. It should be deeper linking to help build the importance of individual web pages.

3. Branding - Your business name or whatever is easy-to-grasp from your business should always be in the title and incorporated with each video and channel.

Frequently, I’ve been asked this question, “What is the definition of social media?”  This week I saw a great video that answers that question.  Social Media Optimization (SMO) is a variable that enhances search engine marketing. Social Media should be implemented into your business.  Is your business represented in Social Media? After viewing this video, take a look at some of the other search engine marketing posts and feel free to ask me a question!

This last week I dealt with a lot of questions about social media. So here I am, thinking and writing about it!  Social Media (such as Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace) is growing and a booming way to network with friends and business.  I’m sure you have seen websites with graphics from social networking sites . Right?

Is social media and search engine optimization the same? No, they are different, but they definitely work together! Social media can be a marketing tool used so your business face is seen in public. The objective is to build relationships and develop trust with your clients.

How does SEO  compliment social media? There are a number of factors which allow you to market and build traffic to your site through social media. Make sure to join a network that is right for your business.  Social media sites typically have a niche group they attract.  Joining the wrong site will get zero response. Here are some factors of SEO that should be implemented into social media:

1. Add backlinks in your profile.
2. If possible, add anchor text to the hyperlinks.
3. Add videos and descriptions pertaining to your business.
4. Add a blog.
5. Add promotionals for your new (fill in the blank).

The key to developing your presence in social media is to strengthen relationships.  Post something every day or every couple of days.  Building the relationship and helping people know there is a person behind your company! Go out and invite people to be your friend who might have the same common interests. Make it personal!

The objective is to build relationships and develop trust with your clients.

That, in turn,  impacts people to realize you have some credibility! Reports reveal people buy from companies that are creditable and trustworthy.

Social media should take 15 minutes (or less) every day. Getting the foundation done correctly is the hardest part!  Once that’s done, you can enjoy the conversations and be encouraged by the comments and links you see spread from friend to friend.

Implementing SEO into Social Media also gets your business profile in search results. So make sure you add good keyword phrases! Social media sites usually have good page rank so results tend to rank better from the social media web pages.  If you search Google for your name, (and you have a profile in social media) what do you see on the first page of results? Your profile from a social media site!

So I have to ask you…

Do you have a business profile in social media? If not, what are you waiting for?!?