Self evaluation: blog traffic transparency

Since the inception of this blog nearly two years ago, it has undergone three major aesthetic overhauls and countless changes to it's content focus. There have been few alterations since the Summer of 2008, which prompted me to compare the actual traffic performance of today to my initial goals.

With majority thanks to Google Analytics and the input from insightful subscribers, I was able to uncover some interesting facts about what people find most interesting, the relevancy of my content, and how traffic is directed here. In honesty, my first post was for a college class, discussing the possibility of Facebook releasing an IPO. Today, with the title "The Social Media Institute," my blog has evolved into a home for my thoughts on optimizing the opportunities inherent in engaging the world through digital mediums.

In short, how to use the Internet to reach people.

For transparency's sake, I have published an 11 month web traffic report for your viewing/downloading pleasure. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have, and welcome thoughtful feedback. Leaving a comment, @ reply/DM me on Twitter, or send me an e-mail at pauljmatson (at) gmail (dot) com.

Google search results:
About 52% of my overall traffic comes from organic search results on Google, Yahoo and other search engines. I currently hold the top five listings for the following entries (test them yourself!):

1. abercrombie and fitch media (ranked #1) ... I'm still a little shocked at this one.
2. how to keep people interested (ranked #1)
3. a dying father (ranked #1)
   
4. best twitter application (ranked #2)
5. GPA vs experience (ranked #1)
6. strategically obnoxious (ranked #1)
   
7. no such thing as an expert (ranked #2)
   
8. social media institute (ranked #3)
9. how to pitch using social media (ranked #4)
   
10. paul matson (ranked #1) ... I hold the top 3-4 spots on a given day.

Top referring sites:
After publishing a new post, I typically post it to Twitter, PROpenMic.org, my Delicious page, Instant Messenger away message, Facebook, and LinkedIn. E-mail subscriptions included, of course. These are the top site ten web site referrals that are not from search engine traffic.

1. Twitter
2. Facebook
3. Blogger
4. PROpenMic
5. ohiouprssa.org
6. iphone.facebook.com
7. beingcheryl.com
   
8. LinkedIn
9. researchgoddess.wordpress.com
10. tonysylvester.blogspot.com

Global visitors (89 counties):

1. United States (4,300 visits)
   
2. United Kingdom (227 visits)
   
3. Canada (149 visits)
   
4. Austrailia (63 visits)
   
5. India (51 visits)
   
6. Germany (38 visits)
   
7. Phillipines (31 visits)
   
8. Netherlands (30 visits)
   
9. Colombia (22 visits)
   
10. France (21 visits)
    

Most popular posts:

1. The best Twitter applications
2. What and When to Tweet
3. Welcome to the Abercrombie & Fitch Emergency Department and Trauma Center
4. Who will hire me? GPA vs. Experience
5. Five ways to keep up with social media
6. 7 ways to keep people interested
7. How to pitch using social media
8. Twittiquette
9. Get noticed through Facebook
   

The full report:
Traffic report

Five ways to keep up with Social Media

Web interfaces such as Twitter, Facebook and Google have been stealing news headlines left and right, and there are now enough Social Media phrases to fill a modern dictionary.

If you chose to go on a social media binge, it can be a challenge to keep four personal profiles updated with accurate information. Much less, do most people have time to stay ahead of new trends and tools that become available. How does one stay on top of social media without inducing a coronary or aneurysm?

Five simple methods that require little effort:

1. Stop watching Lost. Obviously, you have to make SOME time to learn. One can only begin to fathom the amount productive free time possible if one stops watching mindless TV.

2. Start an RSS feed. Instead of surfing web sites, simply set up Google Reader (it takes 60 seconds or less, proven) and start following relevant blogs, sites and developers. Each day, check it once for new content and read what appeals to you.

3. Google Alerts. This is how it works: type in a few key phrases (Social Media and Web 3.0, for example) and have Google do the research for you. You will receive emails, at an interval of your choosing, listing links and sites where your key phrases have appeared. Companies also use this method as a way to keep track of who is talking about them in the blogosphere.

4. Del.icio.us and Digg. You're not going to find everything by yourself. Social bookmarking provides an enormous advantage to peer into what others have (dugg) up. The Internet is too big for anyone to navigate solo.

5. Talk to others and pose questions. Word of mouth is still one of the most effective communication tools. Start conversations with people who are interested in similar topics and ask questions. Even if you don't think they would know the answer, brainstorming is the first step toward original ideas!

Three blogs to add to your RSS feed (these are all PR, marketing and social media pros):
Seth Godin
Brian Solis
Todd Defren

There couldn't be a more appropriate video for this post:


Helpful? I hope so. Send me an email at pauljmatson@gmail.com or leave a comment!

For the PR pro: New Media tech tips

The New Media realm is rapidly evolving, and I have begun to realize that it is extremely helpful to have knowledge of both how to use new tools AND how they work. The beauty of effective online public relations (utilizing a variety of social media) is the ability to gain wide exposure at basically no expense.

Staying on the edge of what is possible with new media, here is a list of 8 tips that can help a PR pro stay on top of digital brand building:

1. Blog searching. As simple as it may sound, the search engine used to troll industry blogs can be a critical part of evaluating a company's reputation online. Google Blog Search and Technorati are usually good places to start.

2. URL rewriting. People pass along links constantly, using anything from emails, SMS, social bookmarking, etc. However, word of mouth is still the most potent form. Rewriting a web URL to an easy-to-remember format is key to maximize a web page's mobility.

3. Cloud Computing. Simply put, cloud computing is a technology in which tasks are assigned to a combination of connections, software and services accessed over a network. The network of servers and connections is collectively known as "the cloud." Using an access point, such as an iPhone, BlackBerry or laptop, users can "reach" into the cloud for resources as they need them. Extremely handy for tech PR. A good example is Google Applications.

4. Traffic Monitoring. There are a variety of ways to track unique visitors and visitation time of web sites. Keeping track of these statistics is an essential way to continually redesign a page to a format that is most effective for the target audience it is intended to reach.

5. Social Media Applications. The most common example for Gen Y is the use of Facebook applications (coundowns, bumper stickers... basically little additions for a users profile). There are plenty of ways to develop these applications for free, then brand them with a company's message. Almost 90% of Facebook's applications are made by third party developers. It's the same story for applications used in conjunction with the iPod Touch and iPhone.

6. HTML blog and web utilities. The development of simple HTML or XML code can made into handy utilities for people's blogs or websites. By distributing the code for free, users can add them to their personal sites. Again, free exposure. The only catch for these tools (as well as SM apps) is to make the utility actually useful. The more unique, the better.

7. Keeping tabs on new content aggregators. RSS readers, feed readers, and search readers are just a few examples. With the explosion of SM getting larger every day, these tools are undoubtedly going to play a vital role in the consolidation of a user's multiple profiles and feeds.

8. Not SEO... SMO. Social media optimatization can be an enormous benefit to a brand entering the new media market. As most regular users are familiar with the idea, by allowing a web site's visitors to "join" and create a personal profile, loyatly and frequency increase while the bounce rate decreases. Additionally, it makes it much easier for common users to interact with one another. Facebook Chat is a great example of optimization.

And there you have it. If you have a question or would like to leave a comment, please feel free to leave it here or send me an email at pauljmatson@gmail.com. Thanks!

The social networking animal

Things are getting hot in here... the Internet that is. With so many web sites to join, it can make you dizzy just thinking about which one is the right one for you. As an aspiring PR pro, I've realized that it is critical to stay at the battle front of the explosion of social networking, mobile marketing, blogging, twittering... you get the idea.

Web 2.0 - the name of the game

Those of you who know me - you're aware of my tendency to propagate Gmail and other google-related services. But there's much more to the madness. So finally, both reluctantly and proactively, I have compiled a list of EVERYTHING I stay active on with regard to the Internet. I've also included my personal link to each. Enjoy.

Here it is: (drum roll)

Google Mail
Gmail - pauljmatson@gmail.com
Seriously, people. Unless you use a work address full time, there's no excuse not to adapt to this service. Not only do you have virtually unlimited storage (I currently have 781 emails in my inbox using 3% of my alloted storage capacity), but you have the ability to chat online through instant messenger and it's accessible anywhere on the planet. Not to mention it's FREE?

Google services
Besides Gmail, I also utilize
1. Google Calendar (VERY similar to the functionality of Outlook and other related services)
2. Reader (RSS feeder)
3. Picasa Web Albums (automatically saves any photos I upload online)
4. Documents (using Google as a document host server)
5. Orkut (international professional networking) - Find me at Paul Matson
6. Analytics (which is how I track my blog exposure)
7. Talk (instant messenger through Google)

Blogspot
Currently what I am using to host my blog. The sign-up, set-up and maintenance is a piece of cake. If you have something ot say... get a blog!
my blogs:
paulmatson.blogspot.com
ouprssa.blogspot.com

Chase Online Banking
I can transfer funds, pay my credit card, and a number of other services. Most major banks provide this service for free. Make your life easier!

Mint Financial Tracking
A free online service that tracks your spending and savings and offers tips on how to save and earn more money without making major changes to your lifestyle. You have to see it to believe it.

Networking

LinkedIn - Business/professional networking
Think of it as a much classier Facebook. It also appears in Google searching, so you might to consider joining in you're in the job market or looking to hire! Find me

Technorati - Premiere blog searching
Whether you're looking to increase your blog's web traffic or search blogs efficiently, there's no better place to start. Find me

PRopenmic - Profile server for PR addicts
It's relatively new, but has the potential for some great idea bouncing and provides an excellent opportunity for some PR networking. Find me

Facebook
Need I say much more? Find me

Myspace
Also likely to appear on Google searches, you might want to consider signing up just to make sure you have some control over what the Internet reveals about you. Undoubtedly, this can be used to your advantage. Find me

Twitter - Microblogging
If you haven't already signed up, DO IT now! It's an unparalleled way to make quick news releases or just give your friends a quick update on your whereabouts. There's lots of cool stories about what Twitter has done for people both in the professional and personal realms. Sign up today! Find me

And just for fun...

Pandora - Online Radio
Forget iTunes radio. Pandora will literally tailor it's playlist to the music you like. Not by genre, but by algorithm. Stop wasting your money on iTunes and sign up (also free, of course).

There you have it.

Confused or have questions? Drop me an email at pauljmatson@gmail.com or leave a comment. Happy surfing!