How to boost your online presence
© Mark Irwin
While books, magazines and newspapers are likely to be around for years to come, there’s no denying that the internet is increasing powerful when it comes to getting your message across. Here social media expert and founder of online magazine EGL Magazine Angeline Trevena offers her top tips for boosting your online presence.
The Internet is such a huge place it can be daunting to even get started. But you can actually carve out a niche for yourself. Try putting your own name into Google and see what comes up. You might see your social networking profiles, you might see your own website, you might see some sites about other people with the same name. You want control over the sites that show up, and the only way to do that is to create the information you want the search engines to pick up on.
Have your own website
The best way to control information is to have your own website. You don’t need an ology in web design, and you don’t need to spend a fortune either. There are many companies offering affordable web design, and many people use Wordpress, MySpace or even Google Blogger.
There are also an entire range of different DIY website packages you can try. Some are better than others. But stick to this rule; if you’re not confident about designing your own site, keep it simple.
Regular updating is key. Search engines have a short attention span. If you don’t keep your site updated, it will slide down the results. Put latest news on your homepage, add your Twitter updates, announce new blog entries. And don’t be tempted to have a huge picture with a link saying ‘enter’ as your front page (known as a ’splash page’): you need to feed the search engines with words, they can’t appreciate artwork!
But the No 1 rule with your website is this: ALWAYS write for your readers. Google appreciates keywords, but Google is never going to buy your book or commission you for an article. Make your website attractive for humans and useful to search engines.
Start Social Networking
The Social Networking giants are Twitter, Facebook and MySpace. MySpace has largely become a domain for bands, but a lot of indie writers, designers, businesses etc still have profiles. It depends greatly on your audience.
But if you do decide to sign up to MySpace, don’t let the page languish; your web pages are like your shop window, so keep them clear of cobwebs and dust.
If you have social networking profiles, paste links to them from your website, and links to your website from your profiles. The web is so-called for a reason. It’s all about linking things together, networking and making connections. Don’t allow your website to simply drift away into space all alone.
Make friends on Facebook
If you’re not already on Facebook, go and put your email address in and you’ll be surprised how many people you know are on it. So right from the start, you’re not going to be alone.
You have to have a Facebook account, but once you’ve set that up, you can create your own Fan Page or group. Set up your page or group, invite all your friends and get them to invite their friends.
Again, always keep the page updated. Post interesting and useful links, links to new blog entries, links to your work published on the net, put up all your latest news, musings, thoughts and endeavours.
In the modern age people like the personal touch, they like to think they’re getting inside information and that they know you.
Try tweeting on Twitter
Twitter updates are limited to 140 characters, so it’s not going to take up a lot of your time. Follow other writers for mutual support. Follow magazines and writing societies for news. Follow anyone posting competitions and opportunities. There is a wealth of information on Twitter, you just need to be following it.
Friday is ‘Follow Friday’ day (#FF). Do yours early and put in all the profiles you fancy stealing followers from. Then, when other people do their #FF listings, they’re likely to return the favour and post your profile. You can also do ‘Writer Wednesday’.
Hashtags are used for popular topics. Use them, you never know who’s watching. #amwriting and #iamwriting are common ones.
Become a blogger
This is very important. While your own website is establishing itself in the search engines, start up a blog. There are many free blog sites out there, led, of course, by Wordpress and Google’s own Blogger.
These get picked up in search engines quickly. Edit the look of the blog to match your website and get posting.
Update it regularly. Every time you write a news story on your site, copy and paste it into a blog entry. In turn, announce new entries on your website and social networking profiles.
Join forums
There are millions of forums out there for writers. Chat to other writers and put your website address(es) in your signature. Be friendly, supportive and interesting and people will check out your site.
But don’t don’t don’t spam. People don’t appreciate it and it won’t help your online presence at all.
Keep up to date
The Internet changes so fast and you need to keep your finger on the pulse. There are many Internet magazines online and in print, and companies talking about all the latest developments via Twitter and Facebook. What works today might not work tomorrow.
My three golden rules for social media are:
1 - UPDATE: don’t let any of your sites or profiles get forgotten and out of date.
2 - NETWORK: get involved and get your name out there as often as you can.
3 - BE SAVVY: be aware of the constant ebb and flow of Internet trends.
For more on Angeline, visit www.devonwriter.co.uk
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