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The 17 Rules of Social Media Optimization

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 9 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

Ranked #6605 in Tech & Geek, #144464 overall

Rated G. (Control what you see)

 

Social media optimization (SMO) is a meme unleashed by Rohit Bhargava and has spread rapidly around the globe.

It's about changes to implement on a site that might make it more easily linked to, talked about, and shared on social media networks - search engines, social bookmarking sites, blogs, podcasts, vlogs and more.

A set of 'rules' were written - and built upon by others.  We're currently at 17 - but who knows how many more SMO rules will appear? 

The Social Media SUPERSTAR 

Where do you go to find stuff, or to share your stuff with others

With the explosion of new services, this list will likely get obsolete soon. But let's do a 'state of art' poll to see which one's the popular favorite

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SMO At A Glance 

The 17 Rules of Social Media Optimization

  • 1. Increase your linkability
    2. Make tagging and bookmarking easy
    3. Reward inbound links
    4. Help your content travel
    5. Encourage the mashup
    6. Be a User Resource, even if it doesn't help you
    7. Reward helpful and valuable users
    8. Participate
    9. Know how to target your audience
    10. Create content
    11. Be real
    12. Don't forget your roots, be humble
    13. Don't be afraid to try new things, stay fresh
    14. Develop a SMO strategy
    15. Choose your SMO tactics wisely
    16. Make SMO part of your process and best practices
    17. It's a surprise - read on

1. Increase your linkability 

Make it worthwhile, and folks will do it

Can you blog on your topic? Create unique, interesting, useful content on it? Or just aggregate the 'best of the Net'?

2. Make tagging and bookmarking easy 

I mean 'Click - type - tag' easy

Yes, you could use multiple button graphics, one for each service. Or a script like Socializer makes it easier.

3. Reward inbound links 

People hunger for recognition

If you think about it, it's only natural to thank someone for helping you. And sites that link to you drive traffic to your content. Say 'Thank you' - in a special way

4. Help your content travel 

Viruses spread when carriers sneeze

Think viral. Package your content in a format that meets everyone's needs. Make it easy to tell a friend, share a post, email a file, bookmark a page, ping a blog.

5. Encourage the mashup 

Tweakers love to twiddle

Unless your target audience is parrots, your readers won't enjoy echoing your words exactly. Egg them on to add their unique 'spin' on things.

SMO Break #1 

Timeout to research SMO

So you'd like to take a breather, to think about what you've just read? While you do, here are a few more links to SMO lenses you should check out
Social Media Optimization
Short primer about the concept, and the benefits of embracing it in your marketing.
Interactive Recruitment Marketing & SMO
From bloggers specializing in interactive marketing, social networks, online recruitment advertising, and SMO

6. Be a User Resource 

Be Selfish - In a selfless way!

Tempted to imprison your readers? Resist. Set them free - and focus instead on adding enormous value. I guarantee they'll be back - and bring their friends along.

7. Reward helpful and valuable users 

Treasure your prized assets

Beat the impersonal nature of the Web - by acknowledging your readership. Treat them special. Give them exclusive 'gifts'. Keep them engaged.

8. Participate 

Give - to get

It's the 'connected' Web, remember? Go on out and CONNECT. Talk, type, chat - on blogs, forums, social networking sites.

9. Know how to target your audience 

You can't please all the folks all the time

People like to meet, interact and do business with others they like. You can't hope everyone will like you. Focus on the ones who do.

10. Create content 

The right kind - in the right dose

No, you don't have to be Shakespeare - or J.K.Rowling. You have to be BETTER. Because you're so much closer to your reader. Watch out!

SMO Break #2 

Another timeout to research SMO

Yep, it's that time again - Pause, think, browse.
Social Media Optimization
"The future of Internet marketing is in the bringing together of the SEO/SEM world, and the social networking world (blogs, MySpace, etc)"
Social Media Optimization
Using SMO for active online campaigns (Social Media Marketing - SMM) that usually strive for a viral marketing goal, and reputation management.

11. Be real 

Fakes fool no one - but themselves

In a way, it's easier to spot a fake on the Web than even in real life! Don't get caught out. Better still, don't even try. Just be yourself.

12. Don't forget your roots 

Sure, you're a superstar, but...

Be humble. Easy to say, not so easy to accept. But at least, keep your feet on the ground - even when your head's in the clouds. Others will be able to relate.

13. Don't be afraid to try new things 

Do YOU zoom?

Stay fresh. Be different. Go to the edges. Safe is no longer safe. It's far more dangerous to be average than it is to try and be remarkable.

14. Develop a SMO strategy 

Yikes! That 'S' word again

Think. What do you hope to achieve with your social media optimization? Set goals and plan your approach to maximize your impact and results.

15. Choose your SMO tactics wisely 

Your watchword - Cautious aggression

Powerful tools carry serious consequences for abuse. Social tools multiply this effect. Be aggressively innovative. But don't cross the line.

16. Make SMO part of your process 

And best practices too

Divided we fall - United we stand. And integrating SMO with other Internet marketing tactics will give you the biggest bang for buck.

17. Don't be afraid to let go of a message or idea 

Let others own it. Yes, seriously

In a 'global whole' that's now the blogosphere, ownership of anything as ephemeral as an idea, concept or meme condemns it to an untimely demise. Let it go.

Does that thought scare you?

Good. Welcome to the scary, unique, exciting world of social marketing - where the daring, different and deserving only can succeed.

So, What's SMO Rule #18 ? 

Your chance to WRITE the rule book!

Got a suggestion that could become the next golden rule? Share it with our readers.

Lensmaster

smmarketeer wrote...

Track your results! Not to sound too boring, but if you are not tracking your results and tying them to communications objectives be it brand messaging or actual leads and sales (revenue); then it is like running an advertisement somewhere and then not bothering to find out if it worked.

ReplyPosted July 11, 2007

Lensmaster

sacredmpp wrote...

Great information on SMO, do you or could help me! I am trying to master this skill and testing several different things and I am looking for some help.

Thanks

ReplyPosted July 03, 2007

Lensmaster

Anita @ Reviewlicious.com wrote

Love what you do - if you don't it shows in your content. SMO is based on user experience, and how well an idea travels, depends at large on how the idea is accepted by the community. If you love what you do - people get your passion and will be much more likely to get involved.

Reply Posted June 27, 2007

Lensmaster

TrustedHealthSolutions wrote...

hi drmani, awesome tips. Learned a few new things here. Thanks and visit us Online health and beauty store.

ReplyPosted June 24, 2007

Lensmaster

Steve wrote

Great post man !

I found two more new rules coined by a guy from India at http://seo-kolkata.blogspot.com/2007/01/social-media-optimization-two-more.html

i found Lee Odden from Top rank has vetoed him too..

Reply Posted January 17, 2007

Related topics: social media optimization,  impressmegan,  internet marketing,  Computers, Gadgets & Tech,  more

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drmani

About drmani

Stay on the leading edge of Web 2.0 and social networking - with social media optimization rules that boost your website ranking and drive targeted website traffic to your site for free! Dr.Mani shows you how to tap into the power of Squidoo, Digg, MySpace, Reddit and more - with the 17 rules of social media optimization

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