Met an old colleague the other day. Nothing too interesting, just an afternoon talk about work, holiday plans and weather. One thing led to another and, just when the conversation got a bit boring ( I'm mean and easily bored, of course), she told me she had given up maintaining her online traffic. Not really given up for good, just for a while, 2 months tops. “Just to see what happens”, Laura said, while stirring the green straw in her obviously non-alcoholic drink.

I shrugged, still not fully interested, but asked : “Why would you want to do that?”. “It's just not worth the effort” she replied.

Her answer got me thinking. Are we really investing much more then getting from traffic? Not me, but Laura, maybe so. Like her, many others, I've checked. There are many business owners who feel overwhelmed by the work they need to put in, to attract online visitors. Pay for adds, write content, share and link, create communities, keep active 24/7. There is actually no limit to the lengths you can go for gathering virtual audiences. Turn yourself into a traffic junkie, always connected online. Is there no traffic recipe out there for surely gathering visitors?

I've searched and I'll share 5 short-cuts to online visibility. Maybe Laura can see these this in good time:

1. Use real people

   Because no matter how much we like to think otherwise, people are interested in people with whom they can connect. You can use your team members, clients or experts in your area. Interview them, make them talk, make them real. As for your online visitors, they also have real expectations and real money to buy with.

2. Interconnecting

   You activity and domain is what you are part of, without a doubt. Connect to the other online businesses to be part of something. Choose the ones that matter and make your site visible through guest blogging or posting on forums. Bringing visitors to one site can lead visitors to another.

3. Publish wisely

   Choose the networks and channels dedicated to your audience. As there are hundreds out there, don't go

   for everything, but start out small. Find where are your prospects more likely to hang-out and stick with them. Search for new customers on new channels, once your basic community is set up.

4. Write quality content

   No matter how many times someone says this, it never gets old. If you are providing boring data, this will drive away your customers and even make you miserable. Write from the heart, about who you are and why you are online.

5. Have a plan

   Put your ideas down and don't overestimate any future efforts or results. Decide realistically what you want to achieve and, better yet, set achievable goals. Your marketing tool should help you see them com true.

   Extra Tip: Don't fool yourself: getting online traffic is tiring because it needs a lot of work. If you feel beaten, take a break and search for solutions. As anything else, the key is available online.

Have your say!

What are your secret ways for attracting traffic?

Photo credit : lapp-pro.de