Social Media Marketing
How to unlock your Vanity URL
6min read
When someone Googles your name, what comes up first? Most of the time, your social media profiles will out-rank your website. If that's the case, use this to your advantage.
When someone Googles your name, what comes up first?
Most of the time, your social media profiles will out-rank your website. If that's the case, it's important that you use this to your advantage, starting with a Vanity URL.
What is a Vanity URL and why is it important?
Most social media platforms automagically generate a URL for your profile.It might feature a series of random numbers and letters. This makes it difficult to remember, and it looks ugly when you want to share it.
By creating a Vanity URL, most people choose to 'claim their name'.
It's a way to demonstrate that you were among the first people to embrace a new platform. You are a pioneer! Plus, again, having a URL that features your name is easy to remember and easy to share.
It's good for personal branding!
Here's an example:
It's now extremely easy for Claire to promote her profile.
Vanity URLs are great for SEO
If you are a B2B business owner, especially if you sell knowledge and expertise for a living, your future clients want to know that you have the 'skills' to deliver on your promises.Your reputation is everything!
That's why, when a future customer or client wants to check your 'creds' they are most likely to type YOUR NAME into their search engine of choice, and NOT the name of your business.
They will type your first name, your last name, and maybe a keyword.
What's great about this?
Once you know how this works, you can control what comes up first.
Search Engine Optimize your Name
There are a limited number of things that search engines look for when your future clients type YOUR NAME into search engines. These are the most 'influential' factors that search engines rely on: -ON SITE SEO
- Headline: Does it include they keyword(s)? (i.e. Your name)
- Title tag: Does it include they keyword(s)? (i.e. Your name)
- URL: Does it include they keyword(s)? (i.e. Your name)
- Body Copy: Does it include they keyword(s)? (i.e. Your name)
This is one of the reasons why social media platforms outperform your website from an SEO standpoint. They capture keywords. But that's not all search engines rely on.
OFF SITE SEO
- Backlinks: Are other sites linking to the page?
- Quality of Site: Is the site easy to navigate, fast to load?
- Frequency and Recency: How often and frequently is the site being update?
And that's ANOTHER reason why third-party platforms (like B2B Hub) outperform your website.
Now that you know this, what can you do to take greater ownership of your online presence?
5 Steps to Get your B2B Hub Vanity URL
When using B2B Hub, you must update these profile elements in order to unlock your Vanity URL.Once you complete these five steps, your Vanity URL will be created automagically.
Step #1: Add a Tagline (10 to 15 Words)
When a potential client searches for your name, they are likely to include a 'keyword' alongside it. This is especially true if you have a common name, like 'John Smith' or 'Sarah Jones'.Here's a framework that we recommend when creating a soacila media tagline...
"I help [TARGET AUDIENCE] get [OUTCOME]."
Here's an example:
John Englezos is not the only 'John Englezos'.
So, when people want to 'search' for him, they often type 'John Englezos B2B' or 'John Englezos Sales'.
As you can see, both of these words feature in the tagline.
Step #2: Add a Photo
Why do airline staff wear tight, fancy outfits?It's because passengers associate sloppy clothes with sloppy maintenance.
And no-one wants to be on a plane where ANYTHING is sloppy.
It's the same with your profile.
If you don't have a photo, you're likely to come across as 'incomplete'.
Upload a photo that helps you come across as 'approachable'.
Here's an example:
Michael seems friendly relaxed and someone you might want to have as your friend.
A 'professional' photo does not need to be a 'serious' photo.
Step #3: Add 'Skill Set' Categories to your Profile
When you can optimize your profile around your skills, this makes it easier for the B2B Hub platform to connect you with potential future clients. Building your authority is great.But signing clients is better.
Go here and Add 'Skill Set' Categories:
If there is not a suitable category for you, reply to one of our emails and let's add it to the platform.
You could be the first person to 'claim' a category.
Step #4: Update your Bio
Some people struggle with this step.That's why we recommend that you follow this formula...
- You know how... TARGET + PROBLEM
- What we do... BENEFITS + FEELINGS
- In fact... KICK ARSE EXAMPLE
'As a knowledge professional, do you sometimes find it difficult to raise your profile, attract attention and demonstrate your credibility? The B2B Hub was created to help busy B2B business owners showcase their knowledge, collect leads, book meetings, and also manage their data! For example, Steve Rosenbaum recently had this to say: "I've only had my Hub account for less than a week, but I set up a Hub Lead Capture Form and my first campaign generated over 150 leads. The conversion rate on the page was above 40%. I've even booked four meetings. That's insane. I'm building my profile and having actual conversations."'
This is a framework called the Gaddie Pitch.
It will help you structure your profile to reflects the needs and desires of your future clients.
Sure, it's YOUR profile. But do your best to make it about THEM.
Step #5: Add your Location
This is insanely easy. Do it now.
Once again, this will help B2B Hub and search engines introduce your profile to the right people.
Remember this, you are in control.
If you want to put your best foot forward, take 'ownership' of your online presence.
First impressions count. And that starts with a Vanity URL.
Watch me do it in under 90 seconds:
ACTION: Update your Profile.
When you complete those steps your Vanity URL will automatically be created.
