How to Use Yahoo Answers for your Social Media Campaign

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I’m one of those guys that has a hard time coming up with fresh content for his blog (at least something that hasn’t been regurgitated several times already, that is).  It can be even more difficult to put together a good form of linkbait for readership or for viral promotion on Reddit, Digg, etc.  Yahoo Answers has been a godsend when it comes to this.  You want to know what people are asking?  This is one of the perfect places!

I’ve been coming here for the last couple of months gathering ideas for my clients’ social media campaigns and it has been a goldmine not only for gathering new ideas, but actually getting the answers/content that I need.  Now, I don’t know much about triathlons (I know from looking at my social profiles that this blows you away), but I can find the answer and help I need here.  I could create a simple “How to” checklist for running your first marathon or using a numbered list and say “10 Unforgettable Items for Your First Triathlon“.  I have a good deal to start with using JUST this page:

1. Checklist (basic items such as bike, swim cap, wetsuit, water bottles, etc)
2. Bucket & Towel to wash feet after the swim
3. Dry Socks (for after the swim)
4. High-Carb meals 1-2 days before the meet to avoid muscle cramps
5. Practice your transitions (i.e. swim-to-bike, bike-to-running)
6. Food & Water (high-carb bars, energy goo, recovery drinks)
7. Encouraging note to self (many answers included creating a positive mental attitude)

There were other answers to go through, but these above 7 all came from the “best” answer chosen on the page.  I could easily delve into each of these and expound and possibly branch off others to create a more in-depth list.

I could do the same thing with “Top Tips to Beat Your Fear of Flying“:

1. Sit where you can see the attendants (By watching them carry on with their business as usual - I know they are not scared & they do this all the time - so they should know)
2. Do Not put your feet on the floor.  Placing your feet on a bag or on the bar of the chair in front can reduce the amount of vibrations from the plane.
3. Realize the Pilots are in Control.  When they announce turbulence, acknowledge that they are aware of the conditions and are preparing for it.
4. Keep Your Mind Busy with a brainteaser or crossword puzzle.  Anything to take your mind off the flight can help too.

Other answers had to do with getting a relaxant or Rx from your doctor to help calm your nerves.  If you’re into pills, that might be the way to go.  Others mentioned letting the stewardess(es) know that you are nervous and, for the most part, will take extra care of your needs (that’s what I should’ve been doing!).  There are many other answers to include or research further into.

I’ve got a few others that I don’t want to dive into but there are great, possible articles that could be written such as:

• What are some diabetic treats/meals I can make during the holidays?
• Do dresscodes actually improve workplace morale?
• What are some tricks to falling asleep?

There are literally thousands of ideas that could be generated just by doing a few searches and perusing some categories within Yahoo Answers.  I highly recommend that you do your own research in addition to these answers to make sure that what you post is, in fact, correct.  That way you don’t make yourself look like an idiot from doing a simple copy/paste.

Also, to keep from looking like a “wanna-be expert” on the subject, you could title your articles to be around the people who gave the answers in the first place such as “10 Suggestion from Triathletes to First-Time Triathlons“.  Again, be sure you are clarifying and doing your own research from reputable sources to match the answers you’ve found.

Technorati Tags: brainstorming, content creation, social media, viral marketing

Tagged as: brainstorming, content creation, social media, viral marketing