Recently, I blogged about a session at Social Media FTW (Search Engine Optimization and Social Media). In it, my boss, Rich Brooks, gave a great analogy for incoming links. I didn’t share it then since I wanted to give it its own special place…because I think it’s that powerful.

The analogy

Let’s say you’re visiting Chicago; so naturally you ask 10 friends what restaurant to go to while you’re there (as opposed to Googling it. You’re smart, you want recommendations.) 7 friends suggest Restaurant A, 3 suggest Restaurant B. All things being equal, you’re going with Restaurant A.

That is, of course, until you realize that those 3 friends are Chicago natives and the group of 7 are tourists, just like you. The 3 friends might even tell you “Tourists say Restaurant B, because they don’t know about A”. Then things change – the 3 friends have established their expertise now, and you’re on your way to B for some fine dining.

The same rule applies for Link Building

More links may be pointing to Website A than Website B. At first glance, that might mean that search engines would give more “value” to Website A (all other things being equal)…

But just like our restaurant scenario, things aren’t always as they appear. You see, as far as search engines are concerned, quality incoming links matter – not quantity. Sorry, A.

What’s the takeaway?

Sure, try to get out there and get all the incoming links you can. But the low hanging fruit won’t help you in the long term. Shoot for attaining links from those high quality websites that will help you establish your expertise.

Nicki Hicks
Visual Learner

Thanks for all the photos.

Yesterday, my boss helped put on the Social Media FTW Conference (no, it doesn’t mean that; but: For the Win!). As sponsors and exhibitors, the flyte crew got to go and help out.

Since we were so busy helping people sign up for Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn at the kiosks, we couldn’t catch many sessions; so I can only assume the speakers were rock stars.

Why? I’ve never seen so many newbies so excited about social media. Any apprehension? Gone. Any questions? Kaput. Simply: “Hi I’m ready to join Twitter/LinkedIn/Facebook. Show me how.”

I can’t say enough about the atmosphere yesterday. While it may have been a little hot and sticky, there was a fairly obvious mixture of newbies vs. social media all stars. It mattered not. Everyone was welcome, and by the end of the day, everyone was on Twitter.

Here’s one of the rock star panels (for blogging) with Sarah Wallace, Carl Natale, and Lynnelle Wilson:

Read other (really great) posts about the FTW conference:

• #ftw09 – HUGE Success for Social Media in Maine by Jason Blais
• Social media gets simplified at FTW by Justin Ellis
• Social Media and Traditional Media FTW by Jeff Parsons
• Social Media #FTW09: Feeds the Hungry by Stacie Chalmers
• Social Media FTW: A Win, Win for Everyone by Sarah Wallace
• UPDATE: Why conferences are successful by Carl Natale
• UPDATE: The Social Media FTW Fall Conference #FTW09 by Rich Brooks
• The official thank you by Social Media FTW

Nicki Hicks
Maine Social Media