How to Optimize Your Twitter Profile

by Alyssa Ast

Did you know you can increase your Twitter profile ranking and visibility with search engine optimization? Using a few simple tips, you can increase the visibility to your Twitter profile, which will extend to the content URLs you publicize with the social marketing tool.

Here's how you can quickly optimize your Twitter profile:

• Make the most of your meta description. -- As with websites and blogs, make the most of your Twitter profile's meta description by optimizing it with relevant keywords and phrases. When optimizing the meta description, you have to be careful not to stuff it because it can easily happen since you're only permitted to use a limited number of characters. It's best to use one long tail phrase and one short tail phrase. Remember, to check the competition level of the words/phrases you use. Also, ensure they are relevant to your Twitter account's niche and that the description flows naturally.
• Let your name be known.-- Twitter allows you to use your name and a username. Make your username different. For example, my Twitter name appears as Alyssa Ast, but my username is alyssa_ast. When linking your Twitter profile to an online site, use your name as the anchor text, not your user name.
  
• Don't let your presence dwindle.-- You must remain active on Twitter to build your ranking and to remain visible. Don't just let your account sit there. Build a relevant following, and post relevant links often. Don't forget to retweet and reply to relevant tweets from those you follow.

How do you optimize your Twitter profile? Share your tips with us!

Don't forget, you can follow The Fundamentals of SEO for the Average Joe on Facebook!

Twitter Hashtag Tips

by Alyssa Ast

Twitter is an essential tool for online marketing, but are you making the most of your Twitter use? Did you know the use of a simple hashtag will increase your Twitter experience by making your posts more searchable? A hashtag is used to categorize content and allows your Twitter posts to become more visible to others. It's an important B2B tool you need to get into the habit of using. There are simple Twitter hashtag tips that will allow you to accomplish this.

What is a Twitter Hashtag?
A Twitter hashtag is basically like using keywords within your tweets, except you include the "#" symbol in front of relevant words to help categorize your content on Twitter. For example, if your tweet is "Check out this latest marketing tool for healthcare professionals" you can include hastags to make sure it targets the correct audience. An example tweet with hashtags would be, "Check out this latest marketing tool for #healthcare #professionals."

Seems simple, right? Well, not exactly. You have to be careful when choosing hashtags to ensure they will actually be of some use and not cause your tweets to become lost in the flood of other hashtags.

Here are some Twitter hashtag tips to ensure you're making the most of the tool:

1. Keep Them Short- You want your hashtags to be short and to sound as humanly possible. Don't over do it with the hashtags. Choose the most relevant words and that's it. Your tweet shouldn't contain more than two, less if the hashtag is long.
   
2. Keep Them Relevant- The hashtags you use need to be relevant to the category you want you tweet to be placed in. If you're targeting pet owners, don't choose a hashtag about shoes.
   
3. Choose Carefully- As with keywords, your hashtags must be chosen carefully. You want to have a low competition level, as with keywords, so you may need to do your homework prior to choosing your tags.
   

Do you have Twitter hashtag tips to share? I want to hear them!

Social Media Tips for Facebook

by Alyssa Ast

Social media plays a big role is search engine marketing. We all know about the many social media sites available to help us with marketing, but you have to understand what you're doing in order for the sites to be fully effective. One of the top sites to use is Facebook. Facebook may seem pretty self explanatory to use for marketing purposes, but there are simple little tips that will make all of the difference in your marketing efforts.

Here are a few social media tips for Facebook:

1. Create a page with a focus.-- You need to give people a reason to want to follow your page. In order to do this you need to create a niche for the page and make sure you stay on topic. Also, incentives to follow your page work well, such as contests and give aways. Most importantly, you need to create a brand for your page and post relevant content.
   
2. Know your followers.-- Don't just get people to follow your page and then ignore them. Get to know your followers. Interact with them. Share your milestones and celebrate theirs. Keep it professional but friendly. Don't just expect your followers to interact with your page when you don't interact with theirs.
3. Keep your page interesting.-- Make your page a place people want to spend their time. Post pictures and videos that are relevant to your page's topic. Share related news and stories. Don't forget to ask your followers to do the same from time to time.

A Facebook page without followers is pointless. You must always put your followers first when thinking how to run your Facebook page.

What are some social media tips for Facebook you have to share?

Interested in guest posting for The Fundamentals of SEO? Contact Alyssa to day to be featured!