An intellectual team of tweeps I know have been helping formulate an idea rapid fire to launch a forum for SMBs that allows small and medium businesses to opine about topics relating to business operations, national issues affecting business owners, education about topics we specialize in, and so much more.
This week has been the jazziest for me. With incredible brainstorming done via Twitter and on this blog (you can see Wednesday’s post “Planning to SMB Facebook” with its amazing comments) and an even more solidifying conversation with Neicole Crepeau (with whom this nugget originated), this is a final follow-up to evolution of this idea.
The fast unfolding of this concept (resulting in a decision to make this blog home to #SMBChat) was stymied by discussion around the consequence of switching blog focus and key words that would inevitably harm search engine rankings. Befuddled in my PR mind, I could not understand what the big dang hooha is about rankings and search marketing for this blog.
Several expert comments by Neicole, Michelle Quillin and Gregg Morris suggested not to turn this blog into something that diminishes traffic and rankings for public relations and social media (themes I write about) or to write half about these themes and half about SMBs.
I remained baffled, and here’s why:
This blog ain’t got no traffic(!), and, if it does, it’s sure hidden from me. Soulati-TUDE! is 100 posts old; has perhaps four subscribers from maybe an all-time high of 12; targets SMB topics a goodly amount of time with an educational bent; is written by a PR agency practitioner of 26 years (that’s me) who pings on a plethora of topics to position and brand as a thought leader.
I understand why Gregg Morris who themes on storytelling could not diminish his rankings with something like this; he’s all over that key word and works hard to maintain his presence and position.
I understand why Neicole Crepeau at Coherent Interactive needs to keep her key words focused on Web sites, design, digital interaction, and social media. That’s where her niche is.
But, guys, I’m in PR!! Public relations is ubiquitous. My world spans every industry and business sector. I deliver strategy, critical thinking, problem solving and solutions. I ping across verticals like a ball on a rubber band attached to a paddle. I offer business counsel for SMBs, large corporations and non-profits. I develop content and allow the experts to optimize it. After 26 years in this field, I can take the risk of a few ranking points while creating a mash up of public relations, social media, SMBs, health care, education, immigration, financial reform and whatever the mood strikes.
Everyone I meet on Twitter is a SMB; we are not engaging and creating community with corporate biggies and Fortune companies, are we? Look at your stream; who among them are global corporate execs?
The goal for #SMBChat Forum is to create community of like-minded folks frustrated with issues that affect our businesses so we can share opinions, perspectives, solutions, and support. Perhaps along the way we can tackle tough issues, stake a claim on our own plat of the Internet and foster harmony at the same time. With guest posts from a variety of folks with differing views and businesses from all corners of the globe, we can do just that.
Perhaps I can rename the blog with a tagline to be Soulati-TUDE! Home of #SMBChat Forum (or the Big Whopper).
If I find a consistent voice oriented to the issues that plague us, isn’t that the most critical component?
I think it’s a good move, particularly since you are interested in how social and new media impact small to medium businesses. Instead of your blog pushing your specific business, I’ve always seen it as more of a mashup as you say. No harm done with formulating the #SMBChat (though to me “forum” feels a bit 2008), and in fact #SMBChat hashtag can be utilized on Twitter for a weekly chat discussion, where key points discussed can be brought to the blog. Even though SEO may not turn for your primary biz, it’s true that social and new media info across many platforms and blogs is still desired content for newbies and experienced alike.
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I believe you’re using a translation device to share your expertise? At any rate, thank you for taking the time to add so many tips here. It’s appreciated!
Without looking at your analytics it’s hard to really comment on this; however, Jayme, I would look at what keywords you’ve been targeting, the kind of traffic you’re getting for them and how you’re converting that traffic.
It may well be that although there is some great stuff on your site (I subscribe to the RSS!!!!) there’s not enough call-outs to convert. And maybe your small traffic could be increased by guest posting elsewhere (come and write on my site!).
Releasing a kick-ass ebook on Scribd, Slideshare, and through your site (and shared across all your friends sites) might also increase traffic big time.
I personally found these were the best steps to increasing traffic (by 2000% for one customer in 12 months:
– post everyday
– use mixed media (text, video, audio)
– cross promote via Facebook Page, Twitter,
– cross promote on newswire services (in this case MyNewsdesk)
– use the Scribe plugin
– target the top 3 keyword phrases that convert best for your site and really go after them with Google Sponsored links.
Jon, you’re a gem. All of these are relevant and must be done. Per the post flying around today originating with Chris Brogan via Trey Pennington via Mark Schaefer, there’s so much to do with a blog; content is the easiest first step. Thanks.
Oh, I never meant to imply that you shouldn’t change your focus to SMB topics! I was simply speaking to your statement that SEO isn’t important to you. 🙂 It’s very important to many who comment on blogs, and the greater your visibility, the more likely other bloggers-for-biz will be to comment on your posts, link back to them, and write blog posts of their own in reply to yours.
Your SEO and traffic should increase exponentially with a blog focus on SMB topics, especially if you make your blog a hub, as you’re being led to do! How exciting to have found a passion, a focus, and people who want to be a part of it! You’re going to see a big change in traffic, I believe.
Jon is offering great advice re: increasing traffic, and conversions. What are you selling, anyway? Services? Products? I don’t see anything for sale! ;o)
This is exciting, being on the ground level of a new project, having a front row seat to something that really has potential. Thanks so much for thinking of me, Jayme!
Michelle for New England Multimedia
Twitter @NEMultimedia
OK, so I totally misconstrued everyone this last week and I so apologize! Thanks for the input and support and push to get this moving. It looks like we have consensus on a good idea blossoming.
I honestly believe the topics we can tackle straight up are going to be SMB blogging and all that it entails. So many hidden aspects i.e. tech, SEO, analytics, the ask, and more. If you have a post you’ve already developed, Michelle, or one you’d like to tweak, perhaps it has another home here? You have some keen insight on the analytics/SEO side; I’d like to tap that for the greater collective.
Wow, is that the new name? #SMBChat Collective? Someone mentioned “Forum” is too archaic. What’s your view?
Thanks, Michelle!! This IS very exciting to me. 🙂
I should digg your article so other people can see it, very useful, I had a hard time finding the results searching on the web, thanks.
– Norman
excellent points and the details are more precise than elsewhere, thanks.
– Murk
Thanks for sharing the link, but unfortunately it seems to be offline… Does anybody have a mirror or another source? Please answer to my post if you do!
I would appreciate if a staff member here at soulati.com could post it.
Thanks,
Charlie
Hi, Charlie…we’ve not launched this yet! The blog is being built and it will be awhile. I’m posting SMB Collective topics #SMBChat on Twitter bit by bit right here. If you’re on Twitter, look for the trending topic I just shared, and all the topics that pertain will be visible.
Hope this makes sense…?
Thanks,
Jayme