So, you want to see your story on the front page of Digg.com? It’s possible, but it takes some hard work. According to an October 2009 Compete report, Digg had 43,491,124 unique monthly visitors. Clearly, such social media news sites can be powerful marketing tools. However, with everyone trying to get their story on the front page, you need to be aware of some of the ways to stand out from your competitors.
1. Determine the most interesting news angle of your story and go with it. Typically the most interesting news angles focus on the unusual or new aspects of a particular topic. Stories that tie a product in with the season or an upcoming holiday are also a good way to get attention. If you are introducing a new product, make a video or provide pictures to demonstrate what’s new. If you are ranked high on a recent list or have breaking news these could also be interesting stories.
2. Research the users you want to appeal to. The more you know about the users the more you will be able to write content they like. That means you should read and comment on as many stories as possible and make these comments reflect your personality. This will help you make friends who will also Digg on your stories.
3. Make your story accessible. Don’t fill your story with large numbers or complicated techno-jargon. The appearance of too many complex details may turn people away from your story. If a product or a story has a lot of information, it may be best to include a diagram or a video that breaks down the information in an easy-to-follow way.
4. Be yourself. Remember sites like Digg are still social networking sites. Being social is part of the experience. If you put up a front, people will eventually see you and your stories as untrustworthy. Keep your stories and your comments true to your personality and to your product. That way you will not only gain the respect of other posters, but they will also want to read what you have to say.
5. Have a catchy title. We’ve all clicked on news items that have exciting, strange or shocking titles. Brainstorm a few titles that you think will generate clicks and pick the best one. Just be sure the title goes along with the story. You don’t want to promise something you can’t deliver.
As always, make sure your content is of some value to your intended audience. After all, you want them to Digg you, not bury you. Carelessly producing and distributing junk content is a surefire way to spoil your reputation.
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | Digg, social media news sites
