subject: Social media optimization for today and tomorrow [print this page] Social media optimization for today and tomorrow
Social media optimization is a complex sphere of activity. Online firms who develop their own SMO strategy can come unstuck because they may lack the expertise and experience to design and implement it effectively. Independent action of this kind can be very difficult to get right. Outsourcing is often the best way forward because the skills necessary to do the job are often concentrated in specialist firms.
One of the common difficulties associated with SMO is assessing which new social media networks are likely to be the best positions on which to launch your campaign. Collaboration between an online firm and its team of specialists can work on this issue. The answer will vary from sector to sector. It may be that a campaign using Twitter to get attention for some blog updates would be sufficient, or a joint strategy using Twitter and Facebook may be appropriate. In other instances, the use of alternatives may be a positive way to make progress.
Another common problem linked with SMO is having knowledge which understands the ins and outs of using the various social networking sites to maximum effect. For example, a novice may be too blatant in their advertising. Similarly, it is all too easy for a newcomer to make a faux pas by ignoring any other aspect of social media etiquette. Such an error may be replicated and may then have an enduring impact on the fortunes of the firm. Unless you have a background in exploiting the new social media for commercial purposes, it is prudent to avoid trying to learn skills on the job. This is because the potential costs of a slip are too large to be taken lightly.
Even if you have the experience to get started on your own, independent oversight can be a considerable boon. It can help you if your errors are picked upon. At SearchEngineOptimization.co.uk we have an appreciation of many of the finer details of SMO, so we are ideally placed to offer high quality advice. The advice is worth taking because it is completely up-to-date with the latest trends and changes in the sector.
In the world of SMO, the only thing you can be sure of is change. Continual change affects the social media in a diversity of ways. Firstly, there is jostling between the social networking websites. This has to be watched if a firm is going to opt for the most appropriate opportunities. Secondly, the etiquette of a specific site may be altered. Unless vigilance is maintained, the chances are that such a change could be missed. Thirdly, new social media can burst onto the scene. Such a development should be met with rigorous research.
It is impossible to be effective with regard to SMO if the significant aspects of change are not understood. Few online firms can manage independent research and monitoring to the high standards required. Thus the logic of getting cost-effective experts to deal with some of these onerous tasks could not be clearer. There is little point in investing scarce resources in something if you will never catch up with the competition tomorrow.
