Should an effective Social Media Plan focus more on Blogging Content or Social Media Content?
This question has been the topic of webinars, group narratives, forums, and social dialog for a few years.
Social Dialog indeed seems to dominate, especially with the move toward more mobile web access. But so much of that has a short lifespan and in some cases, not much depth.
Blogging on the other hand allows the writer time to fine-tune the content and, if they are self-hosted, to know there is an Never Ending Story. Plus the opportunity for comments to build and, in many cases become a substantive source of relevant content to the initial article.
In a discussion about web/blog commenting with good friend and SEO Guru, Jack Humphrey of Brick Road Media, he mentioned that commenting has seemed to decline because it was easier to post to Social Media. I tended to agree until we studied the remarkable and seemingly contrary results seen on a site I vested in, James Strauss
Jim Strauss finally decided to publish a story about his ‘Thirty Days Has September’ Vietnam experiences, almost 50 years ago, and sought ideas on how to generate interest because the traditional publishing business is truly a “den of thieves”. I suggested posting the chapters as written on his website and then share on Social Media pages, and two Facebook groups, the announce the updates of new chapters. We started this in 2017 and have continued almost weekly posting chapters, as written of over 12 life-experienced novels.
His Facebook page, James Strauss Writer, has 13,000+ fans but when he posts each post receives about 600 shares creating an organic audience of 15,000 to 20,000 per post. That is impressive BUT the website receives 4,000 to 6,000 page views daily and MOST IMPORTANT in-depth comments of serious readers salivating for the print and Kindle versions not yet published.
To date, there have been over 30,000 comments.
Example of some of the 30,000+ comments:
From Ray: Jim—Not going to tell you you’re doing a good job as that is a given. l check a couple of times a day to see if there is a new episode and if there is I make myself wait maybe the rest of the day before reading, that way do not have to wait as long for the next one. I’m not too bright but think it works for me. You may have answered before, but is this 30 days a rough draft, and will be turned into book form with more text or just turned into a book? Either way, I have to get the book to pass around to others. Semper Fi
From Roy.. I once read a series of 6 books; only the first was written when I read it. It took eight years and as each book came out I reread each of the others before the new book. I think waiting two to three days between installments of “30 Days” is as bad if not worse. I see little mistakes you make but I hope they’ll be found by a good proofreader before publishing (I won’t critique). An engrossing tale so different from the war I fought. But then war is a very personal experience no matter how similar or dissimilar each’s experience happens to be. Keep up the great work…works like yours should be required reading…and service should be mandatory!
From Phil.. I got 3 chapters behind due to personal matters & obligations over the holidays. Just now got thru those chapters. What a Xmas present to myself! The comments help bring clarity for me to what’s going on. Unfortunately I have to wait for the next chapter to learn of Marcinko’s fate. Nguyen & Kingsley seem to be relishing their meeting with him.
A belated merry Xmas to you & all of those following you in these comments.
From Homan.. This is moving along about the way your introduction to Vietnam, idiotcy! Reminds me of my introduction to Iraqi Freedom. The non-occupation! DoD owned the ground but had no clue on how to interface with occupants. It couldn’t be done inside the wire! You were operating in a much cloudier environment: closer to an impromptu stage show. Unbelievable unless you were inside the bubble!
Beautiful!
What James Strauss has done through blogging the content and directing referrals from Social Media is to create an eager-to-buy audience and we feel that is an excellent Business Mindset strategy
Social Media does direct a lot of traffic, but we are convinced the quality of CONTENT and the lively input and dialog in the comment section, is what is building the loyal customer base. Some major websites have quit allowing comments. We feel that may prove to be a mistake.
I am still convinced a Business, large or small, and regardless of the venue will still benefit from delivering quality content to their targeted audience through the time and capital investment in a blogging website. If you would like to find out more about HOW TO effectively own a successful website:
Call Us Today
Share your thoughts and experiences below.
