Protecting Your Brand – Cleaning Up Your Social Accounts
From time to time it can be advantageous to do a little house cleaning. Perhaps your bedroom, like mine often is, is a disaster area that needs a bit of TLC to make it “presentable”. Maybe you have company coming over for dinner and you want to make sure your house is in tip-top shape. Whatever the case may be, a little housekeeping is necessary.
But just like your home or apartment, your brand needs a bit of that as well. Monitoring spam is certainly the best way to go about doing this, especially if you have a blog or a general comments page on your site. But how often should you grab that virtual broom and go to town on a serious cleaning-frenzy? Where do you target?
Let’s break it down piece by piece with some tips, why you should do a little cleaning and how it benefits your brand.
Website Interactions
This is probably first and foremost on your list and if it isn’t than it should be.
Most of you who contribute or run a blog that gets a bit of traffic certainly have run into the spam at one time or another. Typically, it’s a comment on your site that says something about your content without actually addressing the topic directly.
Something to the effect of ;
“Wow, such great information on this topic i had not thought about. I like to reference this site. Great content”
Weed these out, it can make your blog look less interactive than more interactive. Furthermore, spam comments have one purpose, to pass a link on your website. Sometimes they can hide the link in the “name” of the person posting it, sometimes they link a word in the comment or just blatantly paste a URL in the comment itself.
Keep in mind that most people who are legitimately going to comment on your blog, will directly mention your topic. They also may not sit there and rave about the content. Weed them out. The less spam is on your site/blog the better.
Spam comments can have a negative impact on your traffic but also your rankings. The last thing you want is for a search engine to think you are advocating a spam-website. No bueno!
Facebook Fans & Twitter Followers
Pretty much the largest task to manage. Not going to lie, this takes a lot of time and dedication. But it’s extremely beneficial for many reasons. Most of you cannot control who follows you, but you should take a more proactive approach in managing it.
The misconception on Twitter and with Facebook is that “more = more” and a culture of “quantity over quality” exists. People broadly think Twitter and Facebook numbers is a direct reflection on how much people really dig their stuff. While that certainly has some truth in it the reason they “like” you is for differing reasons.
- Some People just follow you to get a follow back, they have no interest in your content
- Some people just create spam profiles and merely want to DM you spam
The most important factor to keep in mind for why you should clean up your followers on Twitter and your fans on Facebook; hackers. Hackers spamming your page are in one way or another, targeting it. They want to hack it, they want to take over your account and spam, spam, spam.
So how do you combat it?
Run through your followers and fans list, no matter the size, and take a look at your followers. Are they active? Do they post regularly? What do they post? Is it spam? Are they even real profiles?
Again you cannot control who follows you. A high-traffic website will get tons of followers and fans on Facebook. But block those that meet any questionable criteria. Additionally, there could be a correlation from the spam hitting your website and the followers or fans to your social pages.
Blocking & Reporting for Spam will not only prevent your accounts from being compromised, but it will drive up your interaction. Real people who follow you for real reasons will be more likely to contribute to your conversations. That is the value! That is your goal.
What is the sense of 25,000 fans or followers if only 2,000 of them actually interact? In the end it’s just a number. If you’re a brand looking to genuinely grow and market to your target audience, don’t obsess with numbers. 25 people who are true fans of your content and your product, trump 250 just standing around.
Imagine you were a band playing in a convention hall. Having 250 people in the hall is great to tout, but if they are not interested, they aren’t listening and aren’t buying your music. You might as well imagine those 250 people wearing headphones. Therefore what would you rather have? 250 standing around not hearing your music or 25 fans, front row, wearing your tshirts and singing along word for word to your songs?
Cleaning up your fans and followers will also contribute in the factoring of Twitter verifying your account and Facebook keeping your content from tripping spam filters.
Email/Newsletter Lists
Those of you who have newsletters or mailing lists, listen up!
This is vital. Clean your list regularly! Check to see if these people are still active, if their emails still exist. If they aren’t active or the emails don’t exist anymore, remove them.
Not removing them can boost your “non-click” numbers and put your site and brand at risk of being labeled as spam.
So how do you monitor this? How do you get factual numbers?
Take a few bucks and use an online mailing list service. They each offer a level of detailed reporting and keep track of unsubscribes for you. It’s worth the money, every cent of it, especially if you rely on newsletters and mailers.
It takes a little work, a ton of effort and some dedication of time, but in the end the pros out weigh the cons. Some of you may gloss over this but keep in mind, how your brand is operated is how it will prosper. If you’re not doing your utmost due diligence on all fronts, you’re going to hit failure roadblocks before being on the fast track to success
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How Link Exchanging Can Hurt Your Blog
We all see it from time to time when visiting the various sports blogs circulating through social media. Some call it “affiliates” some label it as their “partners” but in the simplest of terms, and as it is correctly labeled, it is a link exchange. It seems like a great way for two sites to cross-promote and in theory seems like a mutually beneficial venture.
But can this be a detriment to your blog?
In some instances it can be beneficial but more often than not, your spike in traffic and the clickthroughs from one site to yours is short term at best. But in some instances it can severely stunt your website’s growth and furthermore could negatively impact your websites traffic.
So why would someone want to do a link exchange?
1. It’s called “Teaming Up” or “Partnering”
Some blogs like to actively ask for logo exchanges via social sites like Twitter. We get them from time to time on SportsRantz and the process goes like this:
A. Website X tweets you asking to partner up, team up or become an sponsorship partner
B. You agree
C. Website X sends you a logo to place on your website linking to them
D. You place a logo linking to your site on Website X
So what possible benefits can exist when doing this? What could possible be the reasoning? Well, the answer is quite simple and to the average, everyday blogger could seem like a slam-dunk.
A. More Visitors to Your Blog
B. Your Logo prominent on another website
C. Free Advertising
While those are all reasons good enough to make any blog-owner jump for joy, it’s simply not the whole truth. so let’s examine why this isn’t as good of a process as one might think.
Image Risks
As with any advertising partner, you run the risk of being associated with their website. If your content is structured a certain way, or if your website is constructed a certain way you run the risk of your readers associating you with another site. It’s always good to do your research and check out who else these blogs link to. 
What type of content do they post?
Are the posting original articles?
Do they link to gaming and/or porn websites that can negatively impact your website?
These are all things that need to be asked when you are posed with the proposition of partnering up. Keep in mind that the internet works a bit differently and things such as this, aren’t as cut and dry as they are in real life. Putting a logo on your site is not like posting a flier in your store, it has many possible consequences.
So before directing your readers to another blog, make sure its content you feel comfortable endorsing. Links are endorsements.
2. Risking Your Audience
This one is pretty cut and dry. Promoting a blog on your blog always runs the risk of decreasing one websites traffic only to increase the other websites traffic. If you point your visitors to check out another site, some very well may, but will they come back to your site?
It’s a question worth asking yourself. Is the risk worth the reward?
3. Potentially Damaging Your Website or Blog
Everyone knows how important coming up in search engines can be. Search Engines like Google, Yahoo, Bing and others all have strict rules in guidelines in how they list their search results and where your site will rank.
Those of you who perform SEO or outsource for SEO work hard and have goals to increase traffic and visibility via the search engines.
Link exchanges run the risk of violating many of those regulations. If your site is viewed as violating said rules, then your site could be suspended from the search engines or worse, knocked out completely for violations.
One of the oldest methods in getting links to a website is by way of link exchanges. But the issue is, so many have exploited it’s benefits over the years that search engines are very mindful of how they value these exchanges. Most, like Google, see it as an attempt to manipulate their search results in order to create a clear benefit for a particular website. In that case, your risking losing your rankings and website power which will impact your traffic, cut down on readers and severely decrease the value of your website not only to you, but to potential and existing advertisers.
But don’t just take my word for it, read Googles Guidelines right here . I’ll point out three particular bulletpoints that should be very, very clear and should support what I am saying:
- Excessive link exchanging (“Link to me and I’ll link to you”)
- Linking to web spammers or unrelated sites with the intent to manipulate PageRank
- Building partner pages exclusively for the sake of cross-linking
There is is folks, proof that it certainly can harm your website.
And believe me, Google isn’t the only one who believes this, check out Bings guidelines regarding link exchanges:
Reciprocal linking
In cases like this, you agree with another website to exchange links. They point one at your site, and you point one at their site. Keeping in mind that humans normally don’t follow this pattern, Bing can easily see there is limited value to such link exchanges. Don’t skip this as a valid link building tactic, however. New websites need links, and exchanging a link is a solid way to not only gain a trusted inbound link, but potentially to gain direct traffic form the other website. That traffic could easily bring with it more links as those new visitors spread the word about your own website.
Are all Link Exchanges Bad?
Yes and No, but you can see that search engines are bit sensitive when valuing such tactic. As you can see in Bing’s own response they do see a clear value in it, but caution that the process is mostly a pattern that humans don’t normally follow and something that comes with limited value.
What search engines want to see is the endorsing or promoting of good, quality websites. In a human manner. But if you have received a tweet, message or email asking you to do something like a link exchange, chances are you aren’t the first recipient, nor will you be the last, and this is a clear indicator the entity requesting the link exchange is already violating rules. So by linking to them, you’ll now run the risk of some negative repercussions.
Bottom line, if you’re asked to do a link exchange, be listed on a “partner page” or something similar or anything remotely close in description to these methods….Deny it. If they really dig your website or blog, they’ll list it without needing you to do something in return. If they don’t, no big deal. It won’t be as big of a traffic benefit as you may think.
How to Track Traffic to Your Blog
Traffic is vital to the overall success of your blog, but most of you may be wondering; “How do I measure the traffic stats of my blog on SportsRantz?“. Glad you asked!
There actually has been a feature on SportsRantz for quite some time that allows you to setup Google Analytics and track your blog’s traffic. Don’t worry if you haven’t seen it yet, with so many features on SportsRantz it can be easy to lose track of some things in the shuffle.
So how do you setup traffic stats on your site? Luckily, we made this fairly easy to do in the following steps outlined below.
#1 – Create a Google Analytics Account
First things first, you have to have an Analytics account to configure. But this is actually quite easy, just head on over to http://www.google.com/analytics/
Once you have entered your website information you will be directed to a page that will have a Tracking ID it will most likely resemble this:
UA-32950914-1
#2 – Adding Analytics to your Blog
Once you have that all setup go to your blog Dashboard. When you come to the Dashboard page look the the left menu bar and scroll down to the Settings tab and select Google Analytics
You will then be directed to a settings page to enter your Site Tracking Code, enter the code in the white box. You can also choose to track the load times, purely your choice. When you are done hit Save Changes
#3- Tracking Your Stats
After a day or two login to your Google Analytics account and you should be able to track your traffic stats. Keep in mind you will not be able to find your stats in your Dashboard, only in your Google Analytics account page.
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The Success Check List – Are You Making the Most of Your Blog?
Here at SportsRantz University I get my fair share of emails from readers asking how they can further their blog on SportsRantz. I also get a good amount of tweets and Facebook posts from existing members asking how they can gain more exposure with their blog. So I decided to put a quasi-checklist together so that anyone with a blog can ensure they are maximizing their potential.
So here is a simple list of things you should be doing to make your blog a success:
#1 Are You Blogging at SportsRantz.com?
Shameless self-plug? Yes definitely, but there is some truth to this statement. If you’re on another blogging platform you have to ask yourself how high the ceiling is for your potential. How hard is the website you are blogging on working for you to be successful? Are they just using your blog as a way to sell advertising? Food for thought.
At SportsRantz, we have something that no other sports blogging platform has. I can say this with 100% confidence. We are structured on strong SEO methods that provides an excellent foundation to build success on. SEO Drives traffic!
I personally crafted the SportsRantz SEO structure and I have been in the SEO industry for close to 10 years. I worked at one of the top firms in the entire industry and was their leading SEO Manager and SEO Specialist my entire tenure. I was in charge of accounts like Overstock, Vista Print, The Golf Channel, Pedi Ped and even Passages Malibu to name a few.
With that experience I was confident to start my own SEO Company and form my own unique methods. Since 2009, my company has worked on some incredible client websites.
Bottom line – NO website provides you the SEO tools, knowledge, advice and/or resources that we do. The proof is in the pudding. Keep in mind that just because someone owns a website, doesn’t make them an SEO.
With that being said, I strongly encourage you to fully take advantage of what we have on SR University.
#2 SportsRantz University
For those of you who want to take your blog to the next level and don’t utilize SR University…what on earth are you waiting for?
It’s common knowledge that nothing good is obtained without hard work. So if you are not actively learning how to make your blog better, educating yourself on methods or utilizing resources provided to you it’s going to be more of an upward battle. Especially if you want to make your brand popular. If you’re not doing all you can do to improve, your competition will pass you by.
I simply cannot stress enough how important reading the SEO section is and putting it to use in your blog. Also, learn about Branding and Social Media as well. Can’t hurt.
#3 How Unique is Your Content?
As soon as a news story breaks you have every blogger and writer covering it on some level. Bloggers are sure to regurgitate the same information but what are you offering that is different?
Give people a reason to bookmark your blog and trust your coverage. Do you offer opinions supported by facts? Do you have access to an interview or studies on information that goes deeper than the headlines?
People don’t want the same information over and over and they certainly don’t want the same information presented to them with the only difference being the tone and language is different. Be different. Stand out!
If everyone is selling glazed donuts, be the one to offer glazed donuts and coffee.
#4 Must Read Blogivision
So i did a bit of “play on words” there but think of this like TV. Reach out to other writers, athletes and personalities to do interviews on your blog.
Let’s face it, chances are Tom Brady won’t be available to do an interview on your blog, but try semi-pro players, players trying to make a team, etc. Offer interesting content and you’ll get dedicated readers
#5 How Interactive Are You?
This is a great point. If you’re solely relying on Rt’s from SportsRantz and Twittering to drive popularity to your blog, you’re not doing all you can do.
Are you sharing with people on Facebook? Are you in the SportsRantz Group on Facebook? Are you Tweeting RT accounts with your articles? Do you have a newsletter setup for your readers to sign up for?
Tools like this can help in the longrun.
I’ll expound on this article in the future, but for now here is 5 good bulletpoints to process.
Until next time Ranters!
read moreAdding Facebook & Twitter to Your Blog
So you’re getting good at blogging and want to really engage your audience. Whether you started a Facebook Fan Page for your blog or you have a Twitter profile for your blog (or both) it’s important to display them prominently on your sports blog.
It helps bring your readers together, offers your readers more interaction and helps build your brand! It’s Branding 101!
Keep in mind that Twitter has a Twitter Profile Widget that is very useful – You can find it here
Fortunately, we have a feature on SportsRantz.com that allows your to display your Twitter feed and Facebook Fan Page feed right on your blog. (Keep in mind this does NOT work for regular personal Facebook profiles, only Fan Pages)
So let’s get started!
read moreAdvertisements on Your Blog
Many of you may be wondering on how to make money on your blog. One of the best ways to do so is by selling Advertising on your blog page. But once you secure an Advertiser how do you add their ad to your blog?
You can do so a couple of ways with your SportsRantz.com blog.
To add any advertisement, you will go to your Dashboard then to Appearance and then to Widgets
Once you are at the Widgets page you can drag and drop numerous widgets in any order you please to the sidebar of your blog. Many themes available at SportsRantz already have Ad specific widgets. But for those who do not and for those who feel more comfortable going about things the traditional way, we suggest the following two widgets:
1. Image Widget
The Image widget is an easy to use widget that allows you to upload a picture and link it to you a specific page or site. This is the simplest way to add an Advertisement to your blog. Have them send you a logo, upload it to your Image Widget, add the link to their homepage and you are done!
2. Text Widget
The Text Widget is another great widget for ads. It can add HTML code, banner code and basic Text to your blogs sidebar. This is the best widget to apply Google Adsense to your blog.
Check out this video tutorial on how to configure some advertisements. It should help
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