When blogging, every person, company or entity wants to establish and preserve it’s own “voice”.  There are obviously many blog writing, blog marketing and branding strategies for a myriad of reasons personal & business reasons.  When it comes to writing posts that hit the heart of a topic and may be critically important for increased exposure and SE friendliness, bloggers rarely think about keyword research and search engines.

Well, Wordtracker put its hat in the firefox plug ins game — and it’s fantastic!  You can quickly build a keyword list of important terms to include in your post.  It’s simply a blog writing “insurance policy” and valuable tool for those posts you really want to optimize for search engines.  Based on the topic you want to cover, simply enter some important keywords and start “adding” chosen keywords to your line-up of keywords.  This can become a great tool in a bloggers aresenal and regular daily practices.  If you have any thoughts or early experiences to share, please feel free to! Hat-tip to SEOBook.

Then just start blogging.  When you’re finished with your post, then go back and spot check the # of times you’ve used these keywords.  To show this in action, I’ve screenshot how this tool is tracking this current blog post as I type.  Here comes a Before & After.

BEFORE

Now just start adding keywords into your blog post once it’s finished — here’s a simple bullet point list to show the tool in action:

• keyword research
• seo services
• free wordtracker tool, free wordtracker tool
• keyword reserach
• seo services

AFTER screenshot on keyword mentions is below.  We’re not suggesting you just bullet point keywords to get them in a post, but for the sake of this example, you can see the increase real-time as you add important keywords (that get search traffic) into your blog posts (and at your own discretion).

AFTER

More women than ever before are spending their time online, rather than reading the newspaper, magazines, listening to the radio and engaging in other traditional media activities. The 2009 Women in Social Media Study by BlogHer, IVillage and Compass Partners, show that over fifty percent of women online today are between the ages of 27-62. So what is causing the sudden shift?

Social media is now attracting over 42 million women, 75% of which participate in social networks such as Facebook or MySpace. When it comes to advice and recommendations, 55% of these women are turning to blogs to seek out information. The survey showed that 45% of respondents purchased an item after reading about it in a blog post. Whether it be women on the lookout for the best deal on shoes or moms posting tips on raising children, women have become the most actively engaged participants in the realm of social media networks. The trust in like-minded consumers and peer groups supports the trend reported by MarketingVox in 2007 that “91% of moms prefer brands that other moms have recommended.”

Blogs are becoming the new medium of communication for women when it comes to finding the best places for deals, getting coupons, giving recommendations for products, or even receiving guidance for the daily struggles in a woman’s life. Through blogs, search engines, and other social media marketing vehicles, businesses can focus on reaching out to and engaging these key, household decision makers.

There continues to be a groundswell of attention towards Social Media in mainstream media and other circles, but let’s examine Social Media’s relevance to SEO. The majority of industry experts, including those in-house here at TDM, would argue that a well crafted, well executed social media marketing strategy WILL have positive benefit on a brand’s natural search rankings. An in-depth discussion is currently taking place at the popular UK-based site eConsultancy on just how much social media influences rank order (positively, neutrally, and negatively).

Below are a couple of key reasons why we at Triangle Direct Media believe social media can and will continue to impact the organic rankings of a website:

• Search engines, like Google, examine the quality & diversity of backlinks along with the “buzz” of a brand through Trust & Authority variables. Social Media is becoming mainstream so a brand’s participation in these channels helps it become an even stronger “subject matter expert” and informational resource.
• Social Media reaches a very large and diverse audience of content creators, discussion participants and sideline observers. Social Media “content creators” serve as a very likely source for natural link building should a brand’s content or network participation move these content creators to post on their own sites or blogs about the brand.
• While most major social networks allow for back links, such links almost always include the nofollow attribute which do not count in most search engine algorithms. In contrast, a number of social media outlets do provide brands the ability to secure and create “follow” links as part of the content creation life cycle. These pages get indexed and cached, serving as a credible link building channel. It’s important that brands actively participate to boost in-network visibility or the strength of a given set of social profiles or social content pages.
• Blogs have proven to be a very strong platform for ranking well in major search engines through the practice of developing solid, unique content on a consistent basis while participating in a ecosystem of industry-related and/or peer blog publishers. Not only do blog posts rank well, they also serve as a strong source for link building particularly when posts go viral and secure active comment discussions.
• Universal search has opened new ranking opportunities for online brands that effectively create content through video, images, news, blogs and other Social Media oriented vehicles. Many community sites provide great opportunities for instructional or informational content creation that incorporates text, video, images and discussions — these typically rank pretty well and can be a good source for ‘followed’ back links.

For anyone that has been an active member of SEO community for the past 5-10 years, determining the most productive and cost-effective ways to help clients rank on the first page is how we’re measured. Leveraging social media is a positive and the next evolutionary step in organic search. The above reasons are what standout as an argument to brand advertisers to engage social media from a natural search ranking perspective. There are obviously many other benefits social media marketing can deliver brands such as consumer-engagement, product testing, brand discussions, contests, etc.

Do you have any other primary reasons why companies interested in organic rankings in Google, Yahoo & MSN/Live should leverage Social Media Marketing?

News from a just released Forrester Research report, led by Jeremiah K. Owyang, indicates that Social Media Marketing is poised for top-of-the-class growth in Interactive Marketing in 2009!  The study which surveyed more than 100 mid-market sized companies (with 250+ employees or more), found that 95% of companies plan to keep or increase spending in 2009:

While many marketing budgets are being cinched, more than 50% of interactive marketers say they will increase their spending on social marketing. Why? These inexpensive tools can quickly get marketing messages out through interactive discussion and rapid word of mouth and, properly managed, can deliver measurable results.

If your business has considered social media (w/out action taken) or if you are an in-house marketer trying to champion the cause for your company to invest into new media marketing strategies such as social media, organic search, blogging, etc — then use independent, 3rd party studies like these to your advantage!  Today’s “traditional business owners” can still use some educating.

For more statistics, verifiable results and information on how your company can take its efforts to the next level, please contact TDM to speak with an Account Exec.

Check out the Today Show’s bit on digital mom’s and the value they can deliver to trusted brands.  Wal-Mart, Dell and K-Mart leverage mom bloggers effectively, while the likes of Motrin have seen these efforts backfire.  An Avenue A Razorfish director along with an established mom blogger are interviewed and cover many key topics from brand-consumer opportunity engagements, how to leverage social media, influencers, sponsored conversations, product reviews, etc.

For brand advertisers considering word-of-mouth online, this is a great video.  For moms considering connecting to social networks, voicing their passions and earning legitimate income, this video is of value.

Triangle Direct Media is participating as a Gold Level Sponsor in the WakeMed Cary 2009 Distance Festival.  In it’s 16th year, this annual event fundraiser in Raleigh-Durham, NC brings together hundreds of athletes, hundreds of community members, and graciously giving businesses to raise money for The Cary Rotary Club and its various community service projects.

In the past, this fundraiser has lacked a presence on the Internet.  This year, interested participants, sponsors and volunteers can get more information on the web at www.runwalkfestival.org, which was created & launched by Triangle Direct Media, a new media marketing company.  This website will be used for future events and hopes to increase participation, exposure and fundraiser contributions.  All event proceeds go towards the “service-above-self” projects spearheaded and managed by The Cary Rotary Club.

Other participating Gold Level Sponsors that accompany TDM include WRAL, Biscuitville, WholeFoods, Inside Out Sports, Atlantic Tire, Zaytoun & Associates, Cary Oil, Alphagraphics, Great Harvest Bread Co. and Piedmont Foot & Ankle.  For more information or interests, please visit www.runwalkfestival.org.

A recent InternetRetailer survey gathered information from more than 90 online retailers, in an effort to identify their primary objectives going into 2009.  The surveys focus was on web design, site content and rich media.  An overwhelming majority of respondents (73%) indicated that the top priority with website design was better search engine optimization.  This can be attributed to not only the reach, but cost effectiveness and ROI associated with strong SEO efforts, especially during an economic downturn when consumer spending is down and marketing budgets trimmed.

Below is a recap of the primary goals associated with online retailer website design & the percentage of respondents:

• 73% – Better SEO
• 62% – Better organized & updated home, category & product pages
• 49% – Clear site navigation
• 47% – Speedier and more intuitive website

What’s interesting with these findings is that most of these goals can be accomplished when an effective and thorought SEO Audit is conducted on a web business.  Such a process can be conducted internally or with the help of experienced professionals and is often one of the most cost-effective options available to retailers.  A SEO Audit should not only examine, critique and solve key SEO challenges but also prioritize most important factors for a website which can lead to a custom road map for client-side or agency execution.

Other key findings in the IR survey found:

• 43% of retailers plan to add Video or Streaming Media to their websites
• 40% will add Personalized Product Recommendations
• 37% will add Customer Reviews & Ratings
• 32% will add a Blog or Forum

For more information about New Media Marketing services and how you can better SEO, leverage online video and effectively incorporate product reviews (both on-site and off site), please contact Triangle Direct Media for a free consultation!

A Deloitte media usage survey has found that 70% of American consumers, in all age groups, are watching user-generated video on the Internet.  The suvey titled “State of the Media Democracy” polled more than 2,000 Americans, of which 40% said they would download even more user videos if broadband connections were faster.  Here are a couple of key highlights:

• 14-25 year olds (Millenials) are the least interested in TV and traditional print media, with the majority of their time on multi-media devices including computers and cell phones
• 26-42 year olds (Gen X) is the most connected age group to computers, spending the most time online.  They are receptive online marketing.
• 43-61 year olds (Baby Boomers) are the most influential consumer spenders and are pushing the adoption of new media, computers and cell phones to their own peers and parents (Matures)
• “Since 2007, consumers have been spending more than a third of their time online at sites consisting of mostly user-generated content.”

This trend should continue especially with the ongoing adoption of Baby Boomers to Internet Media, online video and consequently User Generated Video.  This spells tremendous opportunity for online retailers!  Not only do your customers want to watch user video, but search engines like Google want to promote them as well (aka Universal Search) within their search results.  Online Marketers who can effectively leverage video, product reviews, and other engagement marketing vehicles will better capture market share, gain competitive advantages and boost consumer loyalty.  A holistic approach to new media marketing is a must for today’s online marketer and their ability to leverage user generated video reviews through their own customer base can spell big success for 2009 and in the future.

According to a recent study released by Neilsen, more than 80% of online shoppers read a product or retailer review BEFORE making a purchase decision!  Additionally, more than 70% felt more comfortable making their purchase decision after reading consumer product reviews.

Retailers who can garner product reviews both on-site and off-site will be ahead of the pack during the 2009 shopping season.  The consumer’s desire for product reviews is not just isolated to holiday shopping but is now a common place practice before buying products online (throughout the calendar year).  Not only will they look for customer feedback on a retailers site, but they will put more weight in product reviews that are outside of the retailers domain and control.  Independent consumer reviews are more trusted, unbiased and perceived to be more credible by like-minded consumers.  A 2007 MarketingVOX study found that 91% of moms prefer brands that other moms have recommended.

Now more than ever, with social networks and Web 2.0 channels/applications popping up all over the web and becoming popular destinations, online retailers need to get their products into the hands of active online participants who can openly discuss their experience with a product/service, thus influencing purchase decisions of like-minded consumers.  It’s important to note that less than 10% of your customers are active participants & influencers while the majority of your customers sit on the sidelines & observe (making them influenced readers).  Examples of popular consumer review outlets include:

• Destination sites like epinions.com, consumersearch.com, and amazon.com
• Independent bloggers and website publishers
• Video channels like YouTube
• Peer networks like Facebook & MySpace

Finally, 26% of search results are user generated content (Neilsen BuzzMetrics) which is commonly in the form of product reviews.  Has your company stepped up its game with consumer product reviews?  Do you have a strategy to get your product in the right hands that will contribute online?  Contact a TDM Account Executive to learn more about a customized product review campaign.

On November 19th, TDM will be participating in the Internet Summit Event in Chapel Hill, NC.  This is the first event of its kind in the Raleigh-Durham market and a sellout crowd of more than 600 attendees is expected for this one-day event.  The speaker roster is loaded with industry experts from all walks of Internet Marketing and Web 2.0 technologies.  Seating is very limited, but visit the event site for registration details.

Scott Gardner, TDM’s VP Search, will be moderating a panel on Blogging & New Media.  The speakers on this panel include Brad Hill (Weblogsinc), Henry Copeland (Blogads), Tim Schigel (ShareThis) and Andy Beal (MarketingPilgrim).  This promises to be a panel full of great tips on how companies can effectively execute on a corporate blogging initiative, engage influential bloggers for marketing & advertising initiatives, and tap into other New Media Marketing channels.

We’ll try to put together some insightful video snippets from the event.