Social Media Traffic to News Sites Has Increased 57% Since 2009

Well, this is no surprise: Digital has far surpassed print in the way we consume news.

More than half of all Internet users are plugged in to some form of social media, which means they're most likely coming into contact with the breaking news other users share on those platforms. This is especially true of Twitter, where stories can go viral long before they see In fact, 64.5% of Americans consume their news online, and traffic to news sites generated by social media has increased 57% since 2009. The New York Times and CNN have an especially prodigious social media following, with more than 10 million Twitter followers apiece — although neither can top Katy Perry's dedicated fanbase.

Take a look at this infographic from the University of Florida Online to track the side-by-side evolution of major news and social media outlets.

Www.search-find.co.uk

How to build your personal social media brand.

http://socialmediatoday.com/nate-mendenhall/2196576/how-build-your-personal-brand-social-media

Link building still works.

 Google's recent updates have spread fear, uncertainty and doubt among webmasters. Which tactics can you still use to build backlinks to your website and which tactics should you avoid? There are some old-school tactics that still work if you do it right:

1. Forum backlinks

How not to do it: Automatically created forum backlinks are a sure way to get a Google penalty. There have been many tools and services that automatically created forum accounts with keyword rich links that pointed to the websites of the user. These links do not work anymore.

How to do it right: If a high quality forum is closely related to the topic of your website, a link from that forum can still have a positive influence on the search engine positions of your web pages.

2. Directories

How not to do it: Bulk submitting your website to directories that will accept any kind of website won't do your rankings any good.

How to do it right: If your website is listed in a high quality directory that delivers targeted visitors to your website, you should submit your site to that directory. Links from authorative directories (including niche directories) with strict submission guidelines are good for your website.

3. Guest blogging

How not do to it: Using the same article on several blogs doesn't work. Using keyword rich links in that article might even trigger a Google penalty. If the main purpose of guest blogging is getting links, don't do it.

How to do it right: Guest blogging can drive targeted visitors to your website if you write for blogs that are related to your business. Your guest blog article should offer the readers of the blog insights or other valuable information. Individual articles on related blogs can have a positive influence on your website's performance.

4. Link pages

How not to do it: If your link pages contain links to every Tom, Dick and Harry, chances are that these link pages won't be good for your site.

How to do it right: highly themed link pages that contain links to closely related high quality websites are good for website visitors and search engines.

    
It's easy: spamming doesn't work anymore, building real backlinks works better than ever before.

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Via axandra

I want to be a ranker! .1

@AnthonyJohns0n: A good place to start when looking at rankings is to audit your website. http://t.co/rRn0310H0b 

Small businesses online community.

Microsoft launches online forum for small businesses

Online community provides perfect place for small business owners to connect, collaborate and share best practice

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Small businesses are increasingly turning to online communities for advice. Photograph: Brian Jackson / Alamy/Alamy

It is becoming increasingly common for small businesses to collaborate online in order to succeed. Online communities, social channels, blog sites, how do you know which one is the right one?

Microsoft may have the perfect solution for you and other busy business owner with limited time or expense to spare.

Microsoft have connected with other small business influencers to create one place for small business owners to connect, share ideas, collaborate and get advice from people who have the experience and know-how. It is free to join and contribute and you are completely in control of how you get involved.

Whether you are looking for advice on winning new business, how to use a pivot in excel, advice on mobile marketing, support with technology, whatever the conversation, Microsoft is committed to getting you the answer and connecting you to the right people.

Join the forum today and check out the groups you can join to connect with likeminded people and access friendly, free advice. Why not introduce yourself and connect with your peers today? It could make a difference to your business. You can join the forum here.