When we write interesting content and post it online, we want it to be read. But a sad fact is that so many well-written and informative articles may never see more than a few unique visitors. That may have many questioning the point of putting in the effort to share information online.

If you think that your content is view worthy, there is a marketing concept you will want to understand called Social Media Optimization or "SMO," which was introduced in 2006 by marketing expert and award-winning author, Rohit Bhargava. The concept behind SMO is simple in that it implements changes to optimize a site so that it is more easily linked to, more highly visible in social media searches and more frequently included in relevant posts, such as blogs. One way that SMO plays a big part in getting the word out is through "Likes" and sharing on Twitter and Facebook.

People are more likely to click on links shared by a friend or a trusted colleague. Many companies have already jumped onto the SMO bandwagon, and these are their results:

Image source: Gigya

It may be time to take advantage of social media and create easier methods of spreading the content you have written through these easy steps:

Offer Options for Content Sharing

Consider the concept of instant gratification that is an inherent expectation of many in this digital age. If a user comes across an article that is of interest to them, and they would like to share its content, they will choose to take the shortest path to get the job done, or they will simply not put in the effort. Ensuring that sharing is made as easy as possible, such as providing a variety of social media buttons and apps where the content can be shared immediately will provide readers with an effortless way to expand your reach. The best example of these can be found on Blogger and WordPress blogs.

Create Portability

Not everyone will be reading the article on a desktop computer and they will often utilize other devices while on the go, such as a smart phone or tablet. The best decision is to accommodate these devices by creating variations of the site, such a mobile version, or creating pdf files after recognizing particular devices.

By catering to nearly every individual possible, you increase the chances of content sharing.

Engage the Audience in a Unique Way

The best example of this is Upworthy, a site showcasing thought-provoking videos. While they themselves do not create the content for videos, Upworthy's goal is to initiate viral sharing, so they choose to host the most interesting videos.

The same idea should hold true on articles you wish to share, whether it is an informative piece or casual, remember that you want people to continue to read past the first sentence. Grasp their attention immediately and challenge the mindset of the reader. If you write well and offer interesting content, readers will want to share your information with others. .

Proper Target Marketing

If you already have a set audience in mind for your content, it's also important to understand which social media platforms are the right ones to utilize. For example, Pinterest is targeted to females. So while you could post a link to your content there, if it is a post intended for males, it may be best to use another social media platform such as Facebook or Twitter.

Always be aware of who you are trying to reach and where this group of users can be found.

Authority

Did you know that there is a way to establish yourself as an expert in a particular field?

Steve Rayson mentions in The Social Media Optimization (SMO) of SEO: 7 Key Steps that it is possible to establish yourself as a trusted and authentic brand through Google authorship. By doing this and writing on certain topics over a long period of time, Google could place your website at the top of their search results.

Rayson also discusses the usefulness of social proof. By increasing the number of shares or bookmarks related to your article, Google is more likely to see you as an authentic and reliable source. This also helps to push your website at the top of search results. Becoming a significant authority is seen as an end result of successful content sharing. It also means that reputation is incredibly important, so it is crucial to research facts and create quality content.

With these tips in mind, hopefully you will see an increase in website or blog traffic. Not only is it important to have unique and intriguing topics or content, it is also important to ensure an easy way to share the material. If you are using a free blogging site, such as WordPress or blogger, they will provide options for sharing with other social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter. If not, then remember to program sharing buttons or applications into your website.

When programming or adding features to your site, remember to provide the easiest way for your readers to share content, and put the concept of instant gratification to work for you.