Traffic Generating Strategies: Part 3
Attracting online visitors is an ongoing task in the digital marketing realm. Without an audience, your online platforms are like empty halls. Whether it’s an insightful blog or an online shop with a fantastic product range, without visitors, its potential is wasted.
Web traffic is the lifeblood of online success. Broadly speaking, there are two main avenues to draw traffic: organic (free) or paid methods. Novice marketers who are budget-conscious often lean towards organic means, while more experienced ones might lean on paid advertising due to its immediate feedback and straightforward outcomes, once they’re adept.
This is Part 3 of a 5 part series. You can find the first two at:
Traffic Generation Strategies: Part 1
Traffic Generation Strategies: Part 2
A Stark Reality!
Every organic traffic strategy demands patience. One of the primary challenges marketers grapple with is the waiting game. Organic methods could take several months or even a year to truly flourish. This time-consuming nature is a shared downside across all the techniques listed below. Its unpredictability might be daunting, but with unwavering dedication, you’ll witness the growth.
Once organic traffic flows, its value surpasses that of paid traffic. This very potential makes the effort worthwhile. Hence, every marketer should allocate some energy to procure organic traffic.
You need to select one strategy at a time to pour your energy into. Remember, diving deep into a single technique often yields the best results. Whichever path you pick, commit fully and navigate it diligently.
3 Social Media Platforms
Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok represent the realm of social media. They contrast significantly from SEO. Though each platform has its distinct features, there are universal guidelines that should be followed to harness the traffic these platforms can generate.
One major advantage of social media is its vast user base. Plus, creating accounts on most mainstream social media sites is absolutely free. However, always remember, if you’re not paying for the product, you are the product – with your attention being a prized commodity. This makes it possible to get ensnared in the endless scroll while attempting to channel traffic through it.
The allure of social media marketing lies in its potential for going viral. The content on these platforms is designed for sharing, a feat often harder to achieve with traditional SEO. Given their visual nature, such content usually incites more interactions and engagements. It’s an open channel for direct communication with your potential clientele.
However, the vastness of content on social media makes it a cacophonous space. As users rapidly scroll, your content might be overlooked. Consistency is key here; to remain in the limelight, you must continually upload fresh content.
A major drawback of using these platforms is the precariousness of ‘renting space’. At any given moment, your content might be flagged or your account suspended, without recourse. The increasing sensitivities in the digital age mean content that is perceived as unsuitable or offensive can attract penalties. Case in point, Russel Brand’s YouTube account faced demonetization over allegations, even in the absence of concrete evidence. While YouTube continued to benefit from the traffic his videos garnered, Brand’s revenue streams were cut off. This serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of social media marketing. With evolving user sentiments, it’s akin to treading on fragile ground – it offers great rewards, but there’s always the looming risk of a downfall. Approach with prudence.
Pros
• Rich, shareable visual content
• Enhanced user engagement
• Cost-efficient
• User-friendly interface
• Massive potential audience
• Chance of content going viral
Cons
• Overwhelming amount of content (“noise”)
• Challenge to stand out and maintain traction
• Dependence on the platform’s whims
• Necessity for frequent content updates
• Intense competition
• Uncertainty and need for cautious approach