Social Media Optimization (SMO)

Social media optimization (SMO) is a set of methods for generating publicity through social media, online communities and community websites. Social media optimization is related to search engine marketing, but differs in several ways, primarily the focus on driving traffic from sources other than search engines, though improved search ranking is also a benefit of successful SMO. Social media optimization is in many ways connected as a technique to viral marketing where word of mouth is created not through friends or family but through the use of networking in social bookmarking sites. SMO includes various fields like RSS Feeds, content base sites, bookmarking & link submission, story & article submission, audio & video submission etc.

SMO can be categorized in following parts:
Content based sites:
There are certain kinds of content that just naturally spread socially. It does not matter what industry you are in and what boring products you sell, there is always some kind of content that can be created that will work. Whether it is creating widgets, making people laugh, or writing a whitepaper, it can be done. Know what type of content can work for you and create it. Help your content travel through RSS, email subscriptions, newsletters, embeds, mashups and e-books. Content bases sites include Squidoo, Kaboodle, Ning, Wetpaint, Newsvine, Newscloud, Likinn, Truemors etc.

Bookmarking & Link Submission Sites:
Everyone's doing it, sharing their bookmarks with the world. Not only is it convent to have all your bookmarks available in one spot, but it also gives your site more exposure. Adding content features like quick buttons to "add to del.icio.us" are one way to make the process of tagging pages easier, but we go beyond this, making sure pages include a list of relevant tags, suggested notes for a link (which come up automatically when you go to tag a site), and making sure to tag our pages first on popular social bookmarking sites (including more than just the homepage). Bookmark your way to better business with sites like del.icio.us, which invite users to organize and publicize interesting items through tagging and networking. Bookmarking sites include del.icio.us, StumbleUpon, Furl, Magnolia etc.

Story & Article Submission:
Upload stories and articles to drive traffic to your site or blog. Submit items often so that you'll gain a more loyal following and increase your presence on the site. Visitors can submit story and articles and browse articles in categories like technology, business, entertainment, sports and more. Share your favorite sites on the Web with potential clients and business partners by commenting on, uploading and ranking different newsworthy stories and articles. You can also create a member profile that directs traffic back to your company's Web site. Reddit, Digg, and Hugg etc are examples of story and article submission sites.

Photo, Audio & Video Submission:
Media can be an extremely powerful tool in marketing your website. People submit their photos, audio and video that are in a great demand now a days for may be getting popularity, or just for fun, or for money or may be they are promoting something. Videos are in a huge demand now a days specifically for getting reviews on some products. Various companies put out videos of the product that they have reviewed and get popularity & even a brand name. You will also probably be getting a photo or a video in first few pages of google search for something that you might be searching. Youtube, Flickr, Podcastalley etc are examples of such sites.

Social Networking Sites
Social media is an umbrella term that defines the various activities that integrate technology, social interaction, and the construction of words, pictures, videos and audio. This interaction, and the manner in which information is presented, depends on the varied perspectives and "building" of shared meaning among communities, as people share their stories, and understandings. The social-media sites provide excellent opportunities for businesses to advertise, promote specials, events or services, and feature published, knowledgeable employees. You will surely be aware of the famous word used now a days in india “Orkuting”, and you will surely be aware of various communities on it. This is the way social networking is used to promote business. Facebook , Orkut, MySpace etc are examples of this.