I have been tracking a new algorithm that Google is developing called “GOOGLE CAFFEINE”. NEW Google Caffeine search puts more emphasis on “real time” results, as to be more in line with both Twitter and Facebook search results. (The proverbial keeping up with the Jones’ concept.)

Since Google provides approximately 75% of all searches done in the world, I think this is pretty important. I would imagine most of you would agree with me. Will Google infuse their Caffeine algorithms into their current Classic Google algorithms? Time will tell. However, the trend is here and seems to be here to stay. Google is giving higher organic search rankings to sites that have an integrated social media marketing plan and are doing it “right”. How do you keep up?

1. Prepare for the fact that “real-time” results are where the web is going and that Web 2.0 strategies can advantage you when it comes to higher search engine rankings

2. Help your organic listings as they exist right now. This includes:
- updating your site frequently (once a week is not overkill)
- adding new pages to their site (this can be done by writing a blog post at least once a week)
- continuing to build quality incoming links to your web site, like Facebook and Twitter links with great content

The internet changes quickly and frequently. It’s a daunting task to keep up, but this is one area where you CANNOT afford to get left behind.

You can test the difference in your rankings between the “Google Regular” algorithm and the “Google Caffeine” algorithm by clicking on the links and testing search results for your key phrases. Enjoy!

Google Regular
Google “Caffeine”

Top 10 Reasons for Social Marketing

Even today social media remains a mystery to most marketers. In the minds of most retailers and marketing executives, social media consists of teens messaging on Facebook, sharing pics on Flickr, writing in their blogs or tweeting all their doings on Twitter.

Perhaps they read a few news blogs themselves or have a profile on LinkedIn, but they’re still scratching their heads and wondering how any of this could possibly be useful to them in business.

Coming from the conventional marketing world myself and looking back to my first impression of social media, I can appreciate the retailing and B2B marketing establishment’s legitimate skepticism. That’s why I put together my top reasons for using social marketing for you to share with your colleagues and top management.

Let me caution you however, that social marketing requires its own mindset. Marketing strategies that work well with traditional media won’t necessarily be as effective if applied to new media.

These then are my top ten reasons to take social marketing seriously:

1. Social marketing is a logical extension of the multichannel marketing strategy of diversification. Social media sites can extend a company’s web presence far beyond the limits of its e-commerce, lead generation or information sites.
2. Social media builds awareness of products and brands by attraction rather than interruption, and by pulling rather than pushing. Consumers enjoy the discovery process and don’t feel annoyed by it.
3. Social media employs a community and list building paradigm that’s much more comprehensive, natural and intimate than conventional databases and autoresponders.
4. Social media marketers engage customers in dialog. They talk with the customer rather than at the customer as is generally the case with conventional media. Social media can also facilitate post-sale support and dissemination of valuable product tips to customers.
5. Social media used properly can build frequency less expensively than conventional media educating and informing the consumer over time.
6. Social media can help reach target markets that are too difficult or expensive to reach using conventional means.
7. Reach doesn’t determine cost, so social media can target a narrow vertical market while at the same time casting a wide net. Efficiency doesn’t really matter much in the context of social media reach.
8. Search engines like social media, and social marketing leverages free high-quality search exposure which is preferable to paying for low-quality pay-per-click or banner advertising.
9. Social media sites and your e commerce websites are available 24/7 more or less indefinitely. It’s much like having an ad run in every issue of a publication or like having a catalog or sales letter retained until the customer is ready to make a buying decision.
10. Using social networking sites it is often possible to connect directly with B2B decision makers without interference from protective gatekeepers.

Social marketing is different from other forms of Internet marketing. Larry Brauner writes about the unique challenges that social media marketing poses in Top 10 Social Media Challenges.

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