Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Thursday, June 22, 2017
How to Add Link to Instagram Stories and Drive Traffic to Your Website
All the time Facebook, Instagram and Twitter release something new on their app or website. However, first access is provided to users who have verified accounts or are celebrities. Still, so many access are not provided to ordinary accounts or profiles. Like Facebook released editing of live video, mention apps, etc. only for the verified accounts.
Now, if you are thinking to get your social media account verified. Let me tell you, they will not verify it simply looking at your documents. In order to verified tick you need to be a public figure. However, Facebook has stopped giving bluetick on its page. If it is a non-profit organization they will offer white tick only.
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media sites have some sort of the same story. It's better to convert your normal account to business account. Nowadays business accounts are also getting prioritized. Let me tell you how?
Like many marketing features, recently Instagram has rolled out clickable links in stories. To add link in Instagram stories was first released for the verified accounts only. However, Instagram planned to expand this features to more marketers on the platform. Clickable stories links are available for Business Profiles (not Personal Profiles) that have over 10,000 followers.
Trust me it's very easy to add URL to your Instagram Stories. I want you to just follow the steps:
1. Way to start your Instagram Stories.
Take an image or video directly within the Instagram Stories app or swipe up on the Story screen to import any image taken within the last 24 hours.
2. Adding a link to your image or video.
Now, once you have uploaded the image or video, you will find several options available for editing image and video. Now, to add your link, click on the chain link icon at the top of your story.
Now, a new window will appear on your app. This window will allow you to input the link of your choice. This link can take your audience to the product page, purchase page, blog post or lead to information available on the website. Type in the complete URL address and tap on the green checkmark (on Android) or “Done” (on iOS) to save the link.
Once you've successfully linked URL to your Instagram story, you will find the chain link icon highlighted to show that you have linked URL.
3. Continue editing story:
You can also use other options available like text, stickers and filters to your story. This will guide your audience more appropriately. I would also highly recommend using a call to action button which will direct the user to access the links. Common CTAs include “Swipe up to see more” or “Tap ‘See More’ to visit our website.”
If 'See More' option is not clearly visible to viewers they might skip this part and move to another story. So it is better to indicate a sign through a call to action (CTA). In fact, some new user to Instagram might not even now about such features. So, if you market to gain the interest of your audience this is the key to success.
4. Effective Marketing Strategy:
As Instagram has started this feature many of the marketers will be excited to use it and will be posting a lot of links to the story. However, this is not the way it should be. If you are posting 3 to 4 images use only one URL for them. If you are using 5 to 8 images use maximum 2 URL. Your image should engage viewers and direct them to the meaningful URL. The image and URL should indicate the same purpose.
And remember, not every story collection needs to include a link. As a marketer, you must ensure that the link you provide adds value and context to your story in a way that benefits the viewer.
I recommend you using URL shortener such as Bit.ly or Rebrand.ly to create a shortened URL you can track metrics with. As Instagram Story analytics do not currently track URL clicks, so to measure your traffic and conversions, you’ll want to use a link that you can track separately.
5. Drive Traffic to your website:
The images or videos that you post should contain some offers, discounts, compliments, etc. to drive attention of viewers. Make them know what you want them to do on your website. This will definitely help you engaging viewers.
If you want to show some new blog post on your website then use attractive topic. Tease your viewers the way they like to gain their attention on your images or video. This strategy will definitely help you drive traffic to your website.
Conclusion: There doesn’t appear to be any geographic restrictions to clickable stories links, and as the feature gains in popularity and usage, we can hope Instagram will continue to roll this feature out to even more users. Read my other articles on this website and do not forget to type your suggestion in the comment below.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
10 Best Digital Marketing Blogs to Follow in 2017
Digital Marketing is a dynamic field with new trends and updates rolling out at the blink of an eye. Every social media sites, Google, Bing and Yahoo keep updating new trends and inform them through their blogs. Blogging has always remained a special part of expressing ideas and a great learning platform for the audience.
Blogs are capable of explaining concepts thoroughly. What matters most in blogs is the way it is expressed to its audience. Blogs give a tremendous experience in content writing and content marketing. If you are a digital marketer or want to begin your career in digital marketing, reading blogs will solve your 40% of difficulties and remaining 60% after implementing those ideas.
Millions of websites are available on the Internet to keep you posted with latest concepts. However, some websites might not guide in a proper manner or the way you want to understand the concepts. Today I am going to discuss the best blogs available on the internet. Here is the list of top 10 best websites that I follow to keep myself updated with latest trends in digital marketing are:
1. neilpatel.com
He is the co-founder of Hello Bar, Crazy Egg, and KISSmetrics which are some of the most famous platforms for digital marketers. One can also read his blogs on Entrepreneur, Huffington Post, Inc, Forbes etc. With a large fan base, Neil Patel is one of the most powerful and loved digital marketing influencer in 2017.
His digital marketing blogs are especially on SEO, content development, and personal branding, offer an easy insight to a number of online marketing beginners as well as pros. His tutorials are fun, in-depth and easy to read.
2. soravjain.com
Sorav Jain is an entrepreneur, digital and social media marketing consultant, trainer, author, a speaker with qualified masters in International Marketing Management from Leeds University Business School and a proud alumnus of Loyola College, Chennai. Sorav spearheads echoVme, a self-funded organization which aims at delivering world class Digital and Social Media Marketing skills and expertise, reached its zenith as it was recognized as ‘The Best Social Media Agency of 2013’ by CMO Asia.
His digital marketing blogs speak great ideas and techniques to strategize your social media marketing. His blogs are easy to read and understand with in-depth knowledge in social media. He keeps on posting latest concepts and its implementation through his blogs.
3. socialmediaexaminer.com
The world’s largest social media marketing resource, Social Media Examiner® helps millions of businesses discover how to best use social media to connect with customers, drive traffic, generate awareness and increase sales. Michael Stelzner, the site’s founder, had a vision to bring together the brightest minds in social media. Mari Smith, Chris Garrett, Denise Wakeman, Cindy King, Casey Hibbard and Jason Falls answered the call as founding contributors.
This site is very useful if we talk in terms of social media marketing. They post all the best practices done by the marketers to understand the latest trends in social media. Their everyday blogs contain useful information which does not let you roam around the internet wasting your time searching latest updates on social media. It is the place to get all-in-one updates on social media marketing.
4. digitaldeepak.com
Deepak Kanakaraju is a Digital Marketing Consultant from Bangalore, India. He is also an Author, Speaker and Trainer in the field of Digital Marketing and a graduate in Civil Engineering. He blogs about digital marketing tips at this blog DigitalDeepak.com. He is also a columnist at Entrepreneur.com and YourStory. The one who inspires me and directs my career towards digital marketing.
60% of my knowledge in digital marketing is because of his blogs. He writes the outstanding digital marketing blogs and reviews. His content starts from ground level and gives you brief knowledge on a particular topic. Discussion in his digital marketing blogs explains the best tools available for SEM, SEO, email, content and social media marketing. He is also a master in integrated digital marketing.
5. searchengineland.com
The founder/author of Marketing Land and Search Engine Land, Danny Sullivan is a reckoned name in the list of best digital marketers, specializing in search engines and search engine-based marketing, since 1996. The site is led by Editor-In-Chief Matt McGee, who oversees the editorial team behind Search Engine Land and its sister publication, Marketing Land.
Search Engine Land is a leading daily publication that covers all aspects of the search marketing industry. Daily news coverage includes breaking stories, industry trends, feature announcements and product changes at popular platforms used by search marketers to reach consumers online.
6. marketingland.com
Marketing Land and Search Engine Land were founded by search industry veterans Danny Sullivan (Chief Content Officer & Founding Editor) and Chris Sherman (VP of Programming & Founding Editor) and are published by Third Door Media.
Marketing Land features contributed articles by subject matter experts across all digital marketing disciplines, filled with practical tips, tactics and strategies for running successful marketing programs.
7. moz.com
SEOMoz, which is a familiar name for all the newbies and pros alike in internet marketing, is founded by Rand Fishkin. Rand has been profiled in the Seattle Times, featured in Puget Sound Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 and named to BusinessWeek’s 30 Under 30.
His digital marketing blogs are the best place to solve any query related to SEO (search engine optimization). He has also written the book Inbound Marketing & SEO and “The Art of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization”, which acts as a complete guide for search engine optimization.
8. seroundtable.com
Barry Schwartz is the editor of Seroundtable. It is popular as the “pulse of the search marketing community” and offers amazing ideas and solutions to the problems about various search engines and search engine marketing. All the Google algorithm updates that have been rolled out till date have been first and foremost announced by Barry only through his news editor column at Search Engine Land.
This site provides a single source for the reader to visit to locate the most interesting threads covered at the SEM forums. This will help you save valuable time clicking through the forum threads to find the true gems. In addition, most people are only active in one or two forums - this will allow for comparative advantage to take place between the major forums.
9. SEMrush.com
SEMrush started out in 2008 as a small group of SEO and IT specialists united by one mission — to make online competition fair and transparent, with equal opportunities for everyone. After seven years of trailblazing experiments and constant progress, it has grown into the world's leading competitive research service for online marketing.
Their digital marketing blogs are about comparing the two websites, auditing, generating reports, position tracking, SEO ranking tips, etc. For a beginner, this website blogs play a very crucial role as it makes you understand about getting business. It also helps to make your work easier by preparing reports for your clients.
10. shoutmeloud.com
ShoutMeLoud is run by an Indian Harsh Agrawal, who effectively writes about topics ranging digital marketing blogs from email marketing, mobile marketing to SEO, social media & marketing, video marketing, web hosting, WordPress etc. Apart from these categories, Harsh extensively discusses on entrepreneurship & startup, life hacks, make money online and more.
ShoutMeLoud is the best community for anyone who is passionate about discovering themselves through writing and for those who have the desire to excel in this fast-changing online world. Also, this site is not limited to tech, fashion, travel, finance, or any other kind of blogging. SML is appropriate for everyone with any kind of blog or website.
Harsh Agrawal says, "many people think blogging is only about writing your personal story, but that’s not entirely true. If you mix your hard work with smart work, you can make a living with your blog; this is what ShoutMeLoud.com is all about."
Alexa ranking of above mentioned websites on 20th June 2017:
Thank you for reading this patiently. I hope something good turns out from this blog post. The website mentioned above are the recommended sites, especially for the beginner. I go through with this sites regularly and earn a great profit in terms of knowledge and they cost nothing. You can also have a look at the top performing articles on my website. Type your suggestion or feedback in the comment section.
Monday, June 19, 2017
8 Most Important Plugins Essential in a WordPress Website
Ever wondered how other website looks so professional and well designed? If yes! then let me tell you, there is nothing to worry about it because WordPress gives you the liberty to design your own website professionally. Knowledge of software coding is not at all required because WordPress provides you almost all facility to design your website.
As WordPress is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) based on MySQL and PHP. So anyone can make an edit to design the website accordingly. Various free and paid themes are available in WordPress according to the category of a website. After selection of a theme, you can build your content and also design the website.
Apart from the designing part, a website also requires the basic functions to run non-stop on the internet. So, WordPress plugins are essential for a website. Once you complete installation of a theme and design to your website, I suggest you should install this 8 most important WordPress plugins I am about to discuss:
1. Login Lockdown:
It is very easy for hackers to recognize if a website is made using WordPress. Because, if you add "/wp-admin/" after your website URL, it will take you to the admin area of the website to enter ID and Password. A hacker might have a list of the password in it. But, if you limit the login attempt it will be hard for the hackers to get the access. As they will have a number of attempts only and after which the admin area will get locked for few hours. Plugins like Login Lockdown helps one to limit the login attempts.
2. WordPress SEO by Yoast:
As we know Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is very valuable in terms of online promotion. Rather than gathering so many stuff on the internet to perform SEO, just install - Yoast's all in one SEO solution for your WordPress blog. It will give you proper guidance about SEO titles, meta descriptions, XML sitemaps, breadcrumbs & much more.
3. WP Touch:
Once you built WordPress website for desktop, computer or laptop and want to create a mobile version of your website, then WP Touch is the answer. WP Touch offers a mobile suite for WordPress to make it simply accessible with lot many features and capabilities that a responsive theme cannot match simply. It makes your website mobile friendly and it has built-in support for eCommerce, mobile-advertising, custom content, and most importantly it allows you offer an app for your site without the App Store.
4. Sucuri:
Any website on the internet can be hacked or attacked by malicious software. It is better to take precautions rather than repairing the loss. Sucuri monitors the security of our website. It offers real-time alerts, website security scanner, malware removal, etc. Sucuri provides basic security for your website for free but if you need to go advanced, then paid version is required.
5. OptinMonster:
I have read so many blogs appreciating OptinMonster because it helps increasing subscriber. E-Mail marketing is the most effective tool for business websites, I recommend one to use OptinMonster and get the benefit out of it.
OptinMonster is the best lead generation plugin for WordPress and has helped so many businesses to increase its e-mail subscriber by more than 600%. It allows you to create attractive optin forms and pop-ups for WordPress Website. Actually, one must say it works outstanding, unlike other e-mail marketing services. It provides features like page-level targeting, analytics, split testing, and exit-intent technology which allows you to display optin form when a user is about to leave your site.
6. Floating Social Bar:
Social media share buttons are a must have for every site, but they can significantly impact your site's speed. Floating social bar is a light-weight WordPress plugin that adds a horizontal floating share bar to your blog posts, pages, and other post types. The floating ability allows this eye-catching social media bar to get you maximum shares.
7. Comments – wpDiscuz:
It creates a discussion panel below your posts or blogs with a very small attractive look. But, helps you getting the details filled from the reader while they comment. It provides so many features which actually differ from other comment plugins.
8. Google Analytics:
To keep a perfect track of the visitors on your website, install google analytics plugin. Add GA tracking code to your website without modifying any files. Collect the analytical reports as per the requirement from the admin area of the WordPress.
Google Analytics plugin has a unique feature called Trending Content. It learns about your traffic patterns and shows you a list of content that is performing significantly better than average. So, you know what resonates with your audience the most. The best part is it costs you nothing and guides you every possible way.
Above mentioned plugins are not compulsory to be installed in WordPress. However, it must be installed in order to gain the better security for your website and data. Also, if you feel that I have missed some important plugins you are most welcome to suggest me in the comments below.
How Hashtags in Social Media can be Beneficial for your Business?
We are quite familiar with the word 'hashtag' nowadays. All around on social media, we see something with the hash (#) sign and extended word or slogan with it. Also, it is known as 'pound sign' in The United Kingdom preferably it is related to the currency. It has its participation in computer languages. This will be helpful for basic information.
1. What is hashtag?
A word or phrase preceded by a hash sign (#), used on social media websites and applications, especially Twitter, to identify messages on a specific topic.
2. History of hashtag
Chris Messina, a social technology expert, is credited to have come up with the very first hashtag on Twitter. He first posted the hashtag #barcamp in August 2007.
According to Messina's suggestion, use of the hashtag can make it easy for "lay" users to search for content and find specific relevant updates; they are for people who do not have the technological knowledge to navigate the site. Therefore, the hashtag “was created organically by Twitter users as a way to categorize messages."
3. How to use Hashtag in Business?
Now because of Hashtag, it's very easy to track all the post related to it on any social media sites. Hashtags are capable enough to make a brand popular. It can help you get trending if the use of hashtags is done by the good number of followers on social media.
Normally, people type any sort of hashtag like #cool, #winter, #enjoy, #travelling, #bag, #love, etc. Such types of hashtags create no sense. The hashtag is basically for brand or logo promotion, cause or slogan promotion.
Let's us understand with an example.
Consider that you are in a seminar or event of an organization which works for cancer survivors. Many times they will mention their organization name (one of which I know is "Jannat"). This event may take place on the National Cancer Survivors Day. In this case, you can use two meaningful hashtags #Jannat and #NationalCancerSurvivorsDay on your status with some pictures explaining about the event you attended conducted by the organization.
Once people attending that event start updating their status on the social media using this particular hashtags. It will get the brand in the trending section immediately and this will help for awareness of the brand and cause it supports. However, if a brand is not using a unique hashtag, then it is for sure that brand name will never rise but will get buried within sometime.
Other examples on sports events are:
a. India and Pakistan Cricket Match were most commonly used hashtag is #INDvPAK
b. Football FIFA World Cup #FIFAWorldCup
How many Hashtags can be used in social media?
Twitter recommends using no more than 2 hashtags per Tweet as the best practice, but you may use as many hashtags in a Tweet as you like.
Instagram allows only 30 hashtags per post. However, 11 hashtags are enough per post. Using all 30 is not necessary. Incase more than 30 hashtags is used your comment won't post.
Facebook recommend using 3 hashtags per post. However, one can use as many hashtags they want.
LinkedIn has no limits to the number of hashtags that can be added to each article. However, you can consider which hashtag is more important.
Other social media sites like Tumblr, Pinterest, Google+, etc., also allows the hashtags. While you post or tweet I would recommend you to tag someone rather than using a lot of hashtags. Tagging profile associated with tweet or posts will give more reach on social media.
Conclusion: Hope you find this blog useful. As, social media changes it rules and strategies every now and then, this figures might also change. Stay updated with all the blogs on this website. Incase you find any mistake here or you want me to add something new to the blog kindly, comment below or you can also email me with suggestion. Also, go through the top articles in the website and leave your feedback
How Affiliate Marketing Helps Generating Revenue?
Wondering how a blogger websites drive revenue?
Many of us might have this question. Even I had when I started with digital marketing and used to see so many blogs on the internet. It was very difficult for me to understand how a blogger earns for livelihood.
When I started learning digital marketing, I came across so many new terms like affiliate, affinity, retargeting, remarketing, etc. Though the meaning of this words can be understood, how these term works was a question? So, I started learning more about this words.
In this blog, I will explain about affiliate marketing at its core. It is simply defined as a marketing arrangement by which an online retailer pays commission to an external website for traffic or sales generated from its referrals. From the definition, it is clear to understand about affiliate marketing. However, we need to know how it works? and how can we become an affiliate?
Traffic to your website plays very important role. One can drive traffic from various sources like AdWords, Search Engine, Email Marketing, Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites. However, this is not all sources to get traffic from. Affiliate term here takes you to other sources. Many websites get paid to promote someone else's products or services on their own platform. This money may be commission you earn for their product sale or premium lead generation by the traffic sent from your website.
How to become an Affiliate?
In many companies and SAS companies websites, there will be a link for the affiliate. It may be hidden in the footer or bottom corner or at the top of the navigation bar of the website. Click on that link and you will find more details about affiliation.
Now, let's move towards the affiliate networks which actually provides access to you for their program. Affiliate networks consolidate all your payment from the different merchant in one account. This makes you easily manage your affiliate account. You can also search for this affiliate networks on Google. Some of the affiliate networks are:
1. Amazon
Amazon is an American electronic commerce and cloud computing company with headquarters in Seattle, Washington. It is the largest internet based retailer in The United States. It's Affiliate Network called Amazon Associates, allows you to tap into over a million products to advertise to your customers.
2. CJ Affiliate by Conversant (Formerly Commission Junction):
Formerly Commission Junction, CJ Affiliate by Conversant reaches millions of consumers shopping online through their affiliate marketing network. The Conversant, Inc. companies include Commission Junction, Dotomi, GreyStripe, Mediaplex and ValueClick Media.
3. Impact Radius
Impact Radius was founded in 2008 by a team of Internet marketing and technology experts who previously founded Commission Junction, Savings.com and LeadPoint.
4. SHAREASALE
ShareASale has been in business for 15 years, exclusively as an affiliate marketing network. Their technology receives accolades for speed, efficiency and accuracy - and their reputation as a fair and honest business is well-known within the industry.
Either you can send a request to join or let them reach you. However, they will ask you for affiliation only if your blogs are well-known and have a good number of visitors on your website.
Actions to Take Care:
1. Look for the Top Affiliate Programs and Networks to join them. Simply you need to fill a form full filling their requirements.
2. If you have a niche website it will be very easy for you to get it done by sending an email for approval.
3. Your request should not be any fake or contain a fraudulent procedure.
4. Try digital marketing by running paid Ads on Facebook, Google, etc. in order to get traffic not only for your blog but also for your partner.
5. You can also use integrated digital marketing method to get more traffic and make affiliate marketing successful.
Conclusion:
Affiliate Marketing has helped to earn a lot of money to many businesses, digital marketers, bloggers, etc. I have seen people earning in lakh of rupees within a month and this keeps going on. This was from my knowledge. What I learn I share with help of this blog to others. Hope this will help you out and encourage to earn more money. Leave a comment below if you have any query or want to know more about it.
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