What is Digg?

Digg is a news-oriented, or “social news” website, where the majority of its content is submitted by its users. Digg’s users also rate the site’s content, determining what’s important enough to go on the front page, and what should be removed. After signing up for a free account, Digg’s users can submit, review, vote on, and comment on news stories and other content they find on the Internet.

The idea is that instead of searching the web for useful content, people can just make one stop at Digg and see the latest current events, feature stories, videos, podcasts, and other content ‘ selected and rated by users instead of by an editor.

Digg is an important tool in building your online presence.

If a link to your content is submitted to Digg and receives a lot of positive votes and comments, your website can receive hundreds or even thousands of visitors within a short period of time. There is a great deal of the traffic that will probably quickly read the article or post and leave but, there’s a good chance that the more targeted visitors will browse your site and sign up for your newsletter and/or RSS feed which will also help you to receive incoming links, trackbacks, and social bookmarks.

You may receive comments, earn extra income, have your rss feeds picked up, and many other possibilities may come from having your content submitted. How does Digg work? In order to make your comment live, Digg requires you to enter your name and email address, and then use a password and confirmation link they email you.

How do links get on Digg’s front Page?

All new content starts out on Digg’s Upcoming Page. Digg’s ranking system for each piece of content submitted is based on an algorithm (yes there is an actual algorithm to compute a story’s importance and popularity on Digg!) that considers things like the category the link was submitted to, how many diggs and buries the link has received, how quickly they’ve occurred, how valid they are, and the identity and IP addresses of the people voting on the link.

When a link receives enough diggs, it gets moved to the home page of its category. If it then makes the “Top 10″ articles for its category, it receives a lot more exposure. However, if the link doesn’t receive enough diggs within 12 to 24 hours, it’s removed from the Upcoming Page to make room for new content.

There is another way to make your submissions more visible, and that is by you genuinely participating in the Digg community (submitting, digging and commenting on other people’s content), the more your profile and content will be noticed by other Digg members. That increases the number of people interested in submitting, digging, and commenting on your content. We call this “Social Authority” building.

What Kind of Content is Successful on Digg?

Digg moves content in and out quickly, with thousands of other story links competing for attention and votes, so although content that is considered “linkbait” on a blog may be successful, it may or may not be as successful on Digg.

That means your Digg content has to grab people’s attention fast. You may need to change the angle of your content slightly, or give it a catchier headline and description to make people stop and look at it as they scan quickly down the Digg content links.
Kefentse Nkakelang
Seo Specialist Rotapix

Ask yourself these questions - Why would I want more website traffic via networking sites, aren’t Search Engines enough? How can social networking websites help to increase the number of hits to my website more than Search Engine Optimisation, (SEO)?

Social Networking is a great way for new or existing companies to gain an online presence, with a minimal outlay of revenue and, in some cases, even overnight success!

Social Networking sites can bring many visitors and potential clients to your site in a short space of time, helping you expand your client base and potentially increasing sales of your products and services at little or no extra cost to you.

Your website should have unique and informative content, keeping the user interested in your services or products. This can include giving helpful free advice, facts, using blogs, forums and links to other useful websites that your visitors will enjoy. Add signature links to forums and links to your website on your social networking profile.

Establish yourself as an online ‘ Expert’ in your particular field by answering peoples questions, giving good, sound, advice, and recommending products and services, not only just your own. This will take a little time but, once you have built a good, reliable, reputation, people will come directly to you for advice and to use your services. You are established as an ‘Expert’ in your field! - Thus increasing beneficial website traffic to your site.

Other benefits of Social Networking - Is it a place for business professionals too?

Social Networking isn’t just for ‘Business-to-Consumer’ but it’s also beneficial in building “Business-to-Business” relationships for business professionals too. Once you are established online, it’s easy to find companies and people with the similar interests and goals that will compliment your services. You can then share advice and leads, which will eventually increase your revenue and service portfolio.

Business Networking Benefits - The days of the traveling salesman are going, with most business in the 21st Century being conducted on line. When online you are able to judge a person’s level of knowledge, skills and helpfulness and you will be able to see the benefits this person can bring to your company and whether you can eventually work with them.

To summarize - Social networking in a business sense, is today’s way of attracting potential clients and interest to your site because of your specialized knowledge and skills. Combining this with SEO will develop a positive sense of helping people who appreciate your advice and will increase the number of meaningful hits to your website.