Fresh Traffic: Socially Networking

It seems that everywhere we go or look the phrase “social networking” isn’t far behind. The reason this is such a big deal is – it’s actually a big deal! Not only do consumers love social networking – it combines the ability to create an easy web presence and the ability to interact with friends and make new friends – but because it’s so popular it’s a great way for businesses to find a new audience.

Something you need to beware of before you jump into social networking – NOT ALL SOCIAL NETWORKING PROGRAMS ARE CREATED EQUAL. Some will definitely work better for you and your site than others. Also – if you utilize a social networking tool such as MySpace.com, you may want to consider making your profile “private” and uniquely approve each new “friend” that you add to your page.

Why? Because MySpace.com is overrun with minors – and the goal here is to attract adults, legal customers with credit cards who can sign up for your membership program or join your sponsors’ programs. Avoid the whole under 18 thing by posting a notice of your intention to only approve adults over 18 and then you have another built-in traffic filter that will help to get you qualified traffic to your site. OR – check out Facebook.com which is building a reputation as the 30-and-up crowd’s social networking site. There are still a few minors here and there, so get creative at keeping them OUT and AWAY!

So how do you use a social networking site to attract traffic to your website? First you need to get into the mindset of your social networking page and think “conversational” and “personality” – you will be attracting your new friends with your profile, which should REEK of personalized personality. Don’t go over the top – it’s easy to spot a “fake” profile so try to make it as “real” as possible – especially if you run a solo girl site or web cam program! That’s the BEST type of site to make a profile with on a social networking site – tell your current members, fans, etc. and you’ll have built-in instant friends on the network.

You utilize your profile to 1) promote your site; 2) communicate with your site’s fans – AKA your new online friends; and 3) build up your online presence. In fact, if you run a blog you can link your social networking blog to that blog and help build up your reputation/authority on blog directory sites. Utilizing your social networking profile as a “bulletin board” to communicate new releases, updates, upcoming appearances or other ways that your fans and members is a great way to get the most out of this tool.

Some of the best social networking sites on the web currently are of course Facebook.com, Twitter.com, MySpace.com, also YouTube.com for creating an online presence for your videos or video blog entries and the adult solution Xpeeps.com. Xpeeps.com is a social networking site created by the folks over at AEBN – so you know it’s adult and you know you will be attracting 100% adult traffic. AEBN also gives Xpeeps.com users free tools to use to help promote their AEBN-sponsored sites and programs so it’s more than just another social networking site, it’s actually an extension of your AEBN affiliate account, an amplified up webmaster tool.