How to use linkable content to attract high quality traffic

Eight tips for promoting your content to help obtain backlinks for SEO

Even if you create outstanding, quality content, if you don’t promote it fully, it will not give you the full value you need from your investment. Regardless of how shareable content is, to get the most valuable, relevant links requires online promotion through a variety of different channels.

You may send a few tweets about your latest blog, but if no one is listening to begin with, your content assets are likely to be lost in the ether. This is content marketing without the marketing...  There are a number of things you can do to promote your site content effectively and drive high quality traffic to your site; here I'll highlight eight.

Tip 1: Social media promotion

Social Media platforms are one of the most popular and effective methods for promoting your content. However, they need to be used correctly in order to reach the right people.

Investigate which platforms are most popular with your target market and begin by posting links to your content there. Engage with users and develop online communities within these platforms that will be happy to like, share or re-tweet the content that is of interest to them.

To save yourself time, use a syndication automation site like IFTTT.com not find this to set up “recipes” that automatically promote content on many social media platforms at once.

Tip 2: Create quality content assets

Promoting content involves selling the idea that you have information that users want to know about. As a result, the first step to promoting your content effectively is to start with content that is useful, informative and easily digestible. Linkbait, or linkable content, is a great way to attract targeted traffic to your site.

The more attractive and enticing this content is to begin with, the less effort that will be needed to promote the content your site has to offer, as people will naturally link to content that is relevant and useful to their niche.

Tip 3: Contact promotion

If you have an established business, chances are that you already have a database full of contacts. Whether they are previous, current or prospective customers, it’s good to promote your content to these people via e-shots and newsletters. However, be wary of frequent mail shots that come across as spam.

Try a soft-sale approach by including a link to your most recent content assets in the footer of your personal email. Create groups on Google+, LinkedIn and other platforms where you can post your content to interested parties.

Tip 4: Watch your competitors

A great way to measure how well you are promoting your content is to compare your efforts with that of your competitors.

Take a look at the methods they use to promote their own content assets and identify the quality of content they currently offer. Once you have an idea of where and how they promote their content, use it as a checklist but then go above and beyond to discover new and innovative ways to promote it that they have yet to discover.

Tip 5: Bookmarking site promotion

Submitting content to bookmarking sites can help it be found by a greater number of users.

Sites like Reddit, Digg and StumbleUpon should be built into your content promotion strategy.

Tip 6: Network with Key Influencers

Networking with industry influencers is the key to promoting any new content assets you have to showcase. Developing close relationships with industry professionals is a great way to learn more about the kind of content you should be promoting and where you should be promoting it.

Key influencers have a large industry following and if they like what you have to say, chances are that they will be more than happy to pass it on to their followers. However, finding these key influencers is easier said than done. Luckily, there is a range of helpful tools out there to help you get started.

Little Bird is a great way to find industry influencers for every niche and filter them down to find the ones that will be most beneficial in your content promotion strategy.

Tip 7: Guest Posting

Write content about your content. Keep your blog up to date with your latest content assets but also start guest posting about the great content you have to offer and how it can help your target market. To make it enticing, use infographics, videos and new media content that is easier to digest. Make sure you select websites that are relevant to your industry and create content that is useful both for their target audience and yours.

Tip 8: Make it newsworthy

Create newsworthy content that can create a bit of PR buzz around your brand. This will help your content to be promoted through media channels. Create Press Release versions of your newsworthy content and distribute them to a range of media contacts that are relevant to your industry.

Give a Little, Get a Lot

When promoting your content, you have to give a little in return. As well as offering quality assets, it doesn’t hurt to throw a few freebies into the mix to get people talking about your content. Set up competitions and giveaways to encourage interaction within social media platforms and the re-posting of your links.

Thanks to Kira Lauber for sharing his advice and opinions on SEO.  Kira is a SEO Specialist at Webmarketingroup You can follow him on Twitter or connect on LinkedIn.