Twitter has been a big part of getting this site of the ground, but as I was using my other social networks to promote the site (StumbleUpon, Digg, FaceBook, etc) I started to think how screwed I would be if I only used Twitter to get my site out there.
- Fail Whale
Anyone who uses Twitter as much as I do knows the ‘whale’. It’s basically a fail page when Twitter is experiencing problems, usually when it’s so busy, now if you’re using Twitter as your only media outlet then this can hurt you in a big way! Twitter is a great marketing site, most of your followers are pre-sold visitors, in that they’re already interested in what you have to say, but it’s flawed. Most people get a fair amount of tweets constantly, and I personally only read the first page of tweets and ones that mention me, so if your readers don’t read your tweet within 5 minutes it’s probably never going to be read. Add that to the fact if Twitter goes down completely for a few hours or even a day, your website will be in the dark with no new visitors!
- Too Thin
That said though, don’t spend too little time on all the social networks. If you do, you stand the risk of not making an impact on any of the social sites and it will not result in the type of traffic you need. You need the right mixture of not spending too much time, all you’re doing is talking about being a success rather than actually being one, and spending enough time that it makes it worth while in terms of traffic and new readers.
- Self Raising Flour
The best way I can describe how you need to market your website needs to be is like self raising flour. Get the mixture right, use enough to make your website rise through the rankings, but use too much and the cake will split and spoil.
Chances are you are using Twitter already but if you only use it or overuse it, you need to click on my profile links at the start of this profile, and start using other means to get people here.
What Does everyone think?
Please Comment
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I’ve often wondered that, too. I do an awful lot of promotion through Twitter, but I hope that I could do it through other media outlets, too. I really need to get on and make myself a Facebook fan page while I have the time, but it scares me since I don’t yet have a banner image/logo to work with.
.-= Professor Beej´s last blog ..Bibliofreakblog’s Great Kindle Giveaway =-.
To be honest I don’t think you need a fancy banner or logo to create a fan page, use your twitter image or an updated one.
It’s an interesting subject this one, thanks for taking the time to comment
Good morning, Monday!
This post is another reminder why I subscribe to, and read your blog on a daily basis–great job, man! After all, “Information is your business,” right?
Now… Unfortunately, many users depend solely on their Twitter account(s) for driving traffic to their web site(s); however, leaving the success (or failure) in the (fins) hands of the infamous Twitter “Fail Whale” is anything but a smart marketing move. Think about it; If you were planning your retirement, would you want the financial security of your future resting in the potential gain or loss of a single mutual fund? No. If you were trying your luck in a game of Roulette, would it be wise to bet all of your chips on a single number? No. The bottom line is, “don’t put ALL your eggs in ONE basket.”
In order to generate/increase website traffic, users should market their blog, brand, and/or business on multiple social networks, including, but not limited to, Digg, Facebook, LinkedIn, and StumbleUpon.
Finally, below are 20 additional traffic-generating techniques for promoting the growth, and more importantly, the survival of your website(s):
1. High Value Web Content
2. Article Marketing
3. Posting on Forums
4. Joint Ventures or Partnerships
5. Ecourses
6. Search Engine Optimization
7. On-Site Search Engine Optimization
8. Off-Site Search Engine Optimization
9. Your Newsletter
10. Free Reports and Bonuses
11. Podcasting
12. Host Teleseminars
13. Donate Prizes To Contests
14. Email Signature Files
15. Press Releases
16. Using Blogs
17. Name and/or Product Branding
18. Ad Swapping
19. Host Contests
20. Business Cards and Coupons
Good luck and Happy Marketing!
This is one of the best comments every submitted! I knew there was a reason I comment on your site!
I think I’ve become Twitter dependant! (Is there a post for this?lol) and your post has reminded me that I belong to other social sites and haven’t been using them for my blog. I would definitely be stuck if Twitter went down. Which isn’t good.
My first lesson for 2010 – “Don’t forget other social sites, Twitter isn’t infallible”. thanks James.
of course we could survive because we know there would be another great social networking site that would be made.