Social Tuesday: search, blog, e-mail, NutshellMail

What is the best way to get ranked in the search engines? Should you simply repeat a key term over and over again? This tactic may initially drive traffic to the site, but if the content is not interesting or relevant, readers driven to your site via search will not be back. So what’s the key to striking a healthy balance? Joseph Kiefer offers his advice.

“What goes around comes around” is a saying that most of us know and use when describing karmic situations. This credo, according to Brian Solis, is “the undercurrent of social media and the currency of the social economy.” A retweet on Twitter, a “like” on Facebook or any type of “following,” are ways to show support, and in return increase your opportunity to receive reciprocal recognition.

Why should a company blog? At Castle, we have found that our blog is a great way to share client news, internal updates, thoughts on social media, PR, events, and really just about anything that’s on our minds (and we mean anything: please see our blog posting on the game show “Wipeout”). Blogging allows you to connect in a different way by using a more conversational tone, thus humanizing your brand. In case you needed yet another reason why you should be blogging, check out B.L. Ochman’s blog.

Although Twitter and Facebook continue to grow, neither site has bumped e-mail from its #1 ranking to communicate and share information. So how do you keep from neglecting these sites while never leaving your inbox? NutshellMail is a new service that sends Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace updates right to your email. In a nutshell (sorry, we couldn’t resist), it’s a huge time saver and a great way to organize and manage your different social media pages.

Reality TV’s lessons reflect business realities

Not to say the team at The Castle Group is addicted to reality TV, but, well, we are. Today, Castle co-founder Sandy Lish sprinkles water on the theory that, yes, reality TV can teach us lessons about actual reality.

Today is Wednesday, and in my house, my kids look forward to watching “Wipeout,” a network reality show where contestants traverse a variety of bizarre obstacle courses for cash prizes. Yes, my husband and I watch it too. And, perhaps in the interest of justifying my enjoyment of such a mindless and non-redeeming program, I have decided that “Wipeout” provides some life lessons, particularly related to the state of today’s world.

“Wipeout” is like life today because:

• Contestants have never been through anything similar before.
• Surprises are around every corner.
• Those who plan their course strategies fare better than those who just “go for it” without any planning.
• The same applies to those who are physically fit (e.g., have the experience) to handle the course.
• Someone will win, but not everyone wins. It is survival of the fittest (not to mix my “reality TV metaphors.”)
• It helps to laugh.

The takeaway: Be prepared for anything today, but draw on your life experiences, plan strategically for any/every situation, and laugh. I am sure that what does not knock you off a giant spinning wheel makes you stronger.