How to increase your referral traffic by 77% using AI?
In today's digital landscape, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing how we drive website traffic.
Many service-based businesses still rely solely on traditional search engine optimization (SEO), only to find that it’s a slow and uncertain path to increased traffic and better rankings.
The reality is that SEO takes time (a lot of time in some instances), and supplementing it with AI-powered tools and strategies can provide significantly quicker results.
When it comes to AI-driven social media marketing platforms like LinkedIn can drive highly engaged visitors to your site. For instance, increasing the LinkedIn engagement on our personal Linkedin profiles by 386% nearly doubled our social media traffic to our site as well.
But increasing referral traffic isn't just about harnessing social media, or asking your newest client to give you a referral upon successful completion of the client work you've promised them. It can also be about leveraging the right AI tools and strategies to streamline and enhance your efforts. Think, multiplying... well, 'you' ;).
In this post, I’ll share with you how you can use AI to increase your referral traffic by 77% in just 90 days, building momentum for your site, driving organic traffic without high Google rankings, discovering new traffic sources, and improving your personal brand AND the one of your business.
Ready? Set. Here we go:
Step #1: Guest Blog on Industry Blogs with AI Assistance
Publishing valuable content on your own site is crucial, BUT guest blogging, or 'guest article writing' on other industry blogs can also drive significant traffic your way. Using AI tools like content analyzers and topic generators can help you craft compelling guest posts that attract attention.
Here is a list of our favorite content analyzer and topic generator tools:
MarketMuse: Uses AI to analyze content and suggest improvements, helping you create comprehensive and high-ranking content.
Clearscope: Analyzes top-performing content for your target keywords and provides recommendations on how to optimize your content to improve search rankings.
AnswerThePublic: Generates a list of potential blog topics by aggregating search queries related to a given keyword.
All of these tools will allow you to position your business and brand to resonate better with your target audience, which - in turn - will lead to increased sales.
Finding the right topics to pitch for your guest post is key.
In case you don't know who you should pitch?
AI tools such as SEMrush or Ahrefs can help you identify high-authority blogs/ websites in your niche that would be great in order for you to tap into their traffic pool.
Just enter your main keywords after doing some research on what they are, using Ubersuggest (e.g., "AI in marketing") and look for blogs that accept guest posts. Once published, use AI tools to track engagement and refine your strategies accordingly.
Step #2: Leverage Local Partner Sites with AI-driven Networking
AI can enhance your efforts to build relationships with local businesses and influencers. Tools like LinkedIn Sales Navigator and Hunter.io can help you identify and connect with potential partners in your locality.
Partnering with local businesses or sponsoring local events can drive targeted referral traffic to your site. AI can also assist in analyzing event demographics to ensure you’re targeting the right audience.
In case you're wondering how AI can do that? Check out this follow up blog post to read more on this topic.
Also, speaking at local events, whether in person or virtually, can boost your brand’s and business's visibility.
Free AI tools like Grammarly can refine your presentation content, ensuring it’s clear and engaging.
Additionally, using AI-powered analytics tools can help measure the impact of your offline efforts on online traffic.
To measure the impact of offline efforts on online traffic using AI-powered analytics tools, you'll want to employ tools that can bridge the gap between offline and online data.
Here’s a breakdown of the types of tools and technologies you might use:
[A] AI-Powered Analytics Platforms
These platforms integrate various data sources and use machine learning to analyze the effects of offline activities on online metrics.
Google Analytics 4 (GA4): Provides advanced tracking capabilities that can integrate offline and online data through its cross-platform measurement features.
Adobe Analytics: Offers robust analytics tools with AI capabilities to measure the impact of offline campaigns on online behavior.
Mixpanel: Specializes in user behavior analytics and can link offline activities to online user journeys.
[B] Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems
Modern CRM systems with AI capabilities can track offline interactions and correlate them with online engagement.
Our very own Attimo.ai CRM System: Utilizes among other integration systems, AI (Einstein Analytics) to analyze customer interactions and track how offline events influence online behavior, plus offers analytics tools to measure how offline marketing efforts affect customer engagement, and sales.
Be sure to schedule a call with us in order to learn more about it, as well as we might be able to help you with your other needs and that we've addressed in this blog post. To book a call, click here: https://link.solarfunnels.com/widget/booking/vHSM7eQdtLIaF1fKfVhb
[C] Marketing Attribution Tools
These tools help you understand how different marketing activities, including offline efforts, contribute to online conversions.
Google Attribution: Uses AI to provide insights into how offline interactions (like events or direct mail) influence online conversions.
Adjust: An attribution tool that tracks and attributes the impact of offline campaigns on online activities and conversions.
[D] Offline Conversion Tracking Tools
Specialized tools that focus on bridging offline and online data.
CallRail: Tracks phone calls and correlates them with online traffic sources, allowing you to measure the impact of offline campaigns.
Mapp Digital: Provides offline conversion tracking and integrates with online analytics to measure overall campaign effectiveness.
[E] Social Media Listening Tools
These tools analyze social media conversations to gauge the impact of offline events on online discussions and traffic.
Brandwatch: Monitors social media mentions and sentiment to evaluate how offline marketing efforts affect online conversations.
Sprout Social: Offers social listening features to track the online impact of offline marketing activities.
[F] Geolocation and Mobile Analytics
Track foot traffic and correlate it with online behavior.
Foursquare Analytics: Uses geolocation data to analyze how offline foot traffic impacts online engagement.
Placer.ai: Provides insights into physical store visits and can correlate these with online traffic and behavior.
[G] Marketing Automation Tools
These tools can automate the process of tracking and analyzing the impact of offline efforts on online metrics.
Marketo: Integrates with various data sources to track how offline campaigns influence online interactions.
Eloqua: Offers marketing automation with analytics capabilities to measure the effect of offline efforts on online traffic.
And How Do These Tools Work Together?
[A] Integrating Offline and Online Data:
Tools like our Attimo.ai CRM System can link offline events (such as trade shows, in person sales, door-to-door sales, or in-store promotions) with online behaviors by tracking customer interactions across multiple touch points.
[B] Attribution Modeling:
Platforms such as Google Attribution and Adjust provide attribution models that help you understand how offline marketing activities contribute to online conversions. For instance, if you run a TV ad campaign and notice an increase in website visits, these tools can help determine the extent of that impact.
[C] Tracking Conversions:
Tools like CallRail and Mapp Digital track offline actions (such as phone calls or in-person visits) and link them to online activities, allowing you to see how these offline efforts drive online engagement.
[D] Analyzing Sentiment and Engagement:
Brandwatch and Sprout Social analyze online conversations and sentiment to assess the impact of offline marketing campaigns. For example, if an offline event generates buzz on social media, these tools can quantify that effect.
[E] Geolocation Insights:
Foursquare Analytics and Placer.ai provide data on physical visits and correlate that with online behavior, offering insights into how in-person promotions influence online traffic.
Utilizing AI-powered analytics tools to measure the impact of offline efforts on online traffic involves integrating various data sources, employing attribution models, and leveraging advanced tracking and analytics platforms. By using these tools, you can gain a comprehensive understanding of how your offline marketing activities influence online behavior, allowing for more effective and data-driven marketing strategies.
Step #3: Strategically Comment on Blogs with AI Insights
Commenting on relevant blogs remains a valuable strategy for driving referral traffic. However, AI can take this a step further by helping you identify high-engagement posts and optimal commenting opportunities.
Tools like BuzzSumo can highlight trending posts within your niche, allowing you to leave thoughtful, timely comments that attract attention.
AI tools can also assist in crafting insightful comments. Language models can generate ideas and ensure your comments add value, driving readers to click on your profile and visit your site. Monitoring the impact of your comments through AI analytics tools can help you refine this strategy over time.
Step #4: Create Ego-Bait Content Using AI
Ego-bait content, which highlights and flatters other influencers or bloggers in your niche, can generate powerful referral traffic.
AI tools like Jasper or Copy.ai can help you generate engaging content that mentions or interviews industry leaders. Once published, use AI to notify those featured and track the resulting engagement.
Creating expert roundups or listicles that feature quotes and insights from well-known figures can also drive traffic.
Step #5: Get Active on Social Media with AI Optimization
Finally, AI can significantly enhance your social media strategy, ensuring you post the right content at the right times.
Tools like Buffer and Hootsuite use AI to analyze your audience and optimize posting schedules for maximum engagement. Additionally, AI-driven content creation tools can help you craft compelling social media posts that drive traffic.
Understanding social timing is crucial! The above tools can analyze user data to determine THE best times to post on various platforms, ensuring your content reaches the largest audience.
Engaging with followers and responding to comments quickly is also important, and AI chatbots such as Drift, ManyChat, or Tars can assist in managing these interactions efficiently.
Conclusion
Increasing your referral traffic by 77% in 90 days is achievable with the right AI tools and strategies.
From guest blogging and leveraging local partnerships to creating ego-bait content and optimizing social media efforts, AI can streamline and enhance your efforts, driving more traffic to your site in less time. Persistence, knowledge, and the strategic use of AI will ensure your success in growing your online presence.
