Here is an article worth reading about how to use Google groups to drive traffic to your site. Of course, as always, you should think about how to apply these techniques to other areas online. But first, learn how to use them with Google groups. Here’s the article:

7 Steps to Traffic from Google Groups

by Tinu AbayomiPaul

Google Groups as a communication tool is plenty fun and useful, as is. But can you get a bit of a traffic boost as well?

Sure. Maybe not in the way you think…

1. Join

   Join Google Groups if you haven’t already. Join discussions if you haven’t in a while. It’s going to be more difficult to apply theory to an experience you haven’t had. The Google Groups experience is similar to participating in forums, but it’s not exactly the same thing.

   And, as we say in Vegas, you can’t win if you don’t play.

2. Participate

   You’re not going to make much happen by lurking. Say something smart. Get to know other people. Start a group of your own in an area that’s needed and invite people you know.

   Not an expert? So what. Ask questions instead and expand your knowledge. If you don’t want to become a guru, you can always find one to interview through Google Groups and then post it on your site as a traffic draw.

   And guru or not, the more your name is out there, the more people will be curious about your profile, or your link, and end up at your site.

3. Leave a link in your signature - where appropriate

   In some Google Groups, such as those set up for article distribution, you’ll be encouraged to leave your link. In others, you may be specifically asked not to do so. Learn the rules of each group and abide by them.

4. Fill out your profile.

   This is new at Google Groups. There’s a space where you can talk about yourself, and put your web link. No matter how restrictive the group is about web links, no one can keep you from putting your link in your profile.

   Remember to be specific about what you do at some point in your “About Me” space.

5. Find Groups that are made for promotion and networking

   How? Search for phrases like “submit articles”, “network” or “promote”. Groups that have these in their description are going to be of great help to you. Then sort by topics you’re interested in or knowledgeable about as well.

   Once you find these groups, don’t be afraid to jump in and take action. Read the guidelines if the group has them, and dive right in - that’s why they were created.

6. Identify Your Fellow Power Users

   Few people talk about this step. I find though, that a great way to learn the smart thing to do is to look at what the people smarter than me are doing, not to mention how they’re getting things done..

   Many of these power users are your competition outside of Google Groups, or people you’ll want to partner with there and elsewhere, whether they’re moderators, owners, or just really active participants

   Be the person who brings something to the table and it could mean many future opportunities to publicize yourself.

7. Stealth Study

   This is a more in-direct method. Put some creative thought behind it, and it will give you priceless insight into what your potential clients want. It might even help you decide what your next product’s focus should be.

   In the top navigation of Google Groups, next to your name, you should see a link for “My Groups”. Within the menu, you should see an envelope next to a link that says “Group Alerts”. (If you have Google Alerts, you can also get to this from there.)

   You can set this up to send you an email every time a certain topic is mentioned in a Google Group discussion. Then you can quickly join the discussion if you can provide the answer, or just make your own private knowledge base of common questions.

I like to think of Google Groups as a neighborhood of communities. The central point of its existence is discussion, but there’s no problem with posting the signs to where a discussion can be continued elsewhere - so long as you don’t litter the street with your flyers.

• Get into the Google Group groove with more free tips at http://www.freetraffictip.com/tag/google-groups/

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Thoughts and comments about 7 Steps to Traffic from Google Groups:
There are three points in this article that I particularly like. The first has to do with expertise (see point #2 above). Whether or not you are an expert is not as crucial as is what you do with the knowledge that you do or do not have. Interviewing an expert is a great way to utilize someone else’s expertise while providing quality content for your site. Also, you can always gain expertise over time if you take the time to learn from those who are already experts.

The second point that I find valuable is that you can use Google groups to promote your site and articles as well as to network (see point #5 above). I didn’t know this and plan to take full advantage of this fact. I recommend that you do the same. Free publicity and networking opportunities should be taken advantage of, particularly if they have the reach that I imagine Google Groups has. Of course, you have to see how this actually works for your particular website, but it’s certainly worth a try. By the way, make sure to search for synonyms of the terms he suggested in his article (such as “make contacts” in addition to “network”, “article marketing” in addition to “submit articles” and “advertise” in addition to “promote”).

The third point is that you should try and discover and learn from the power users (see point #6 above). Try and contact these people, form relationships with them as well as learn from what they do. A good online partner can produce wonders for your online business.

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