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When I'm on the speaking circuit talking about Social Media I'm frequently asked:  How did you use Social Media to Attract New Clients and Grow Your Business?

Here is How I used Social Media Optimization (SMO) to Attract New Clients and Grow my Business:  In early 2009 I chucked my old 10 page Network Solutions template driven website and upgraded to a new Full Partner eCommerce Content Mangement System (CMS) website for my Small Business Coaching and Internet Marketing consulting practice.  Back then there were only 256,000 references to my name on a Google search and I didn't show up at all until Page 17.  I had learned that 75% of all web surfers won't go past Page 1, as a result, I and my Coaching Business really didn't exist on the Internet… We couldn't be found..               

So, I implemented a Social Media Optimization (SMO) strategy and started blogging and article writing plus actively participated on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.  For example, I blogged almost every day in June and August, posted over 200 "tweats" on Twitter and status updates on Facebook and LinkedIn.  All of that activity increased my website visitor traffic by 3 times.  I went "viral" creating over 1.1 million references for my name and "Dave Westfall" brand.  Now there are 1.6 million Google results.  But I didn't just go viral for my name I also did it for 17 of my main "keywords"...  

Please try it; Google me:  just enter  "Dave Westfall", nothing else..  As you'll see, now I'm #1 on Page 1 of a Google search with 9 out of the Top 10 results.  On Yahoo and Bing I'm 10 out of the Top 10 and my Coaching website domains show up #3 and #7.  I leapfrogged famous Doctors, Lawyers, Judges, Sheriffs and others who also share my name.. Think about it:  What could the Number 1 position on a Google search be worth for your Business?  A LOT!!!  I've learned that the #1 search result gets 45-50% of the clickthrus from that search so you have to be found on Page 1...

How did this happen?  Social Media websites have a high Google Page Rank (PR) ranging from PR0-PR10 - Google is the only PR10.  I've heard that 99% of all websites have a PR of 0.. . But Facebook and Twitter are a PR9 and Linkedin is a PR8.  Those were very powerful votes for my website and all of the incoming links from those clickthrus significantly increased my Google Page Rank.  Because of my inceased visibility on LinkedIn a Wall Street Journal Reporter was able to find me in a search for Business Coach and quoted me in an article she was writing about business turnarounds in a down economy. 

I also used my new Affiliate Management module to set up 15 tracking codes for each of my Social Media profiles so that I could measure the sources of my website traffic.. Now I'm able to say that 63% of my sales and 1/3 of my New Clients come from Social Media sources and another 1/3 from referrals of past Social Media Clients.  I have a full Coaching practice and I'm adding staff to handle all of the business. Using SMO I have been able to take my practice from Local to Global and it looks like I'm on track to Double my Income this year.

Then the next question I'm usually asked is: Didn't that take a lot of time and effort? Yes, it did... But you don't have to!  It does takes a lot of time and effort in the beginning to Search Engine Optimize (SEO) your profiles and grow your network.   And you have to know what you're doing, plus know how and when to do it.. Then use the proper etiquette. But once you've invested the time and energy to it set it all up it only takes a few hours a week to maintain...  That's why I created my  www.SocialMedia-Outsourcing.com program to help you fill your practice using Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn almost without lifting a finger…” You probably already know that “Social Media Marketing” is THE hottest way to grow your business and get new clients today, but if you don’t know how to use these sites to get clients OR if you just want to sit back and get clients while someone else does all of the ‘Heavy Lifting’, then you have to check out www.socialmedia-outsourcing.com …

Dave Westfall is a Social Media and Small Business Coach who shares his wisdom by providing solid advice and proven solutions that work to help you achieve your goals.   He is also the author of the soon to be released book titled "SocialNetomics- How to Monetize your online Social Network".  Dave has helped his clients and employers make $ multi-millions and he can help you accelerate your business! 

Click on these links to follow Dave on Twitter or connect with him on Facebook, MySpace or LinkedIn or for more information please visit his website at www.dewpointe.com. 

Warmest Regards,

Dave Westfall, MBA
Social Media and Small Business Coach
email:  info@dewpointe.com

P.S. I'd be happy to answer any of your Social Media Questions.  Just click on the link and ask your question. 

© 2009 Dewpointe Ventures LLC. All rights reserved.

Categories: Business  |  Internet Marketing

1 Comment     Comments

UpTrending, Palo Alto, CA , November 16, 2009 at 11:28 AM | Reply I agree, leveraging a social media optimization strategy can net some effective results from SEO as well. It's certainly something company's need today and are paying more attention to.