SEO - Search Engine Optimization

The number one key to performing well in search is to create high quality original content. Google has become so sophisticated that it can tell with a great degree of accuracy what content is unique and whether or not people will engage with it.

Braggits excel at "long tail" keyword searches, or searches that are not terribly competitive, but may receive a large amount of traffic.

The Google Adwords Keyword Tool is a great free tool you can use to find high traffic, low competition keywords for your area/business.

For example: your Braggit will not rank well for the search term "Widgets for sale," but may rank very well for "Widgets for sale in Scranton, PA." Notice that the second search is much more specific and local. This way it will perform better for this less competitive search, and will target people who may actually be potential customers.

Make sure you target what people are likely searching for with your headline, Braggit content, and call to action button.

A few keys to Braggit SEO:

• Keep it unique - try to talk about something new every time and never copy and paste from elsewhere on the web.
• Keep it Local - 92% of people now use Google to find local businesses. Include your location whenever you can. (headline, body text, call to action button)
• At the very minimum you should have one Braggit for every product/service you offer and every location you offer it.
• No keyword stuffing - Do not repeat yourself in a way that seems unnatural - you will perform better for that keyword if you don't stuff it in too many times.
• If you're trying to improve the SEO of your own site make sure you use appropriate keywords in your call to action button and link it to the page on your site you want to rank for that keyword. Also, don't include too many links in your body copy - save that for the call to action button.

Click read more below to see strategies for Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Google+

Twitter and Google+

Twitter is a powerful platform for businesses because you don't have to be connected to someone to reach them. When you post a Braggit to Twitter you have the opportunity to customize your tweet. You can implement some of the strategies below at this point, or even create a Braggit with them in mind.

Google+ is the newest Social network, and despite not having yet gained much traction, it can not be ignored because of its inclusion in Google's search results. Connect your Google+ account to BizBrag and add a link to your BizBrag profile in your Google+ account. You will start to see your Google+ profile picture showing up in search results next to your Braggits!

Here are some strategies to increase your reach on Twitter and Google+

1. Have you mentioned anyone in your Braggit? Try writing about your partners/manufacturers/clients and using Twitter's @ mention or Google+'s + mention functionality to let them know. Other companies love when you talk about them and they will often re-tweet your Braggit to their followers.
2. See if anything you are talking about in your post is trending or popular on Twitter. This is a good opportunity to use the # feature to call out your Braggit to anyone following certain topics.
3. Occasionally mention your other social accounts on Twitter and Google+. You may get some crossover and some more fan engagment!
4. Research shows that the best time to Tweet is between 1pm and 4pm, and my guess would be that Google+ is similar.

Facebook and LinkedIn

These platforms are impossible to ignore because of the Billions of users they give you access to. They're also some of the most difficult to market on because unlike Twitter or Google+ you can't reach out to users unless they have already liked your page or connected with you. This meas that you need the people who are already connected with you to share your content, so...

As with search, the trick to these platforms is high quality engaging content. Unless what you're posting is something that people want to share with their friends it's not going to reach beyond the people that already 'like' you.

Contests and Deals

People love sharing great deals, so come up with a great deal, create an offer Braggit and post it to Facebook. Make sure you include an expiration date and encourage people to "get it while it's hot".

Coming soon: We will soon be adding a "like/follow gate" Braggit module. This will allow you to give a certain deal to a user only if they like you on Facebook or follow you on Twitter, so watch out for that!

Contests and giveaways also work well on Facebook. Have a best picture contest where the uploaded picture with the most likes wins something, or a raffle where liking your page gets an entry.

Be funny to win the internet

Do you have a really good joke, a great idea for a skit, or a hilarious video? This kind of content spreads very quickly on Facebook, so if you have it, use it.

Leverage your other social networks

Depending on your business, it can be much easier to develop a following on platforms like Twitter. Use them to grow your Facebook following. This can be as simple as posting a deal on your Facebook account, and mentioning it on Twitter with a link to your Facebook page.