What are your Social Media Fan Page Stats?

Do you know who takes the time to view your website, your blog or perhaps your Facebook fan page? With the wonderful service from Facebook (those of us with fan pages are automatically enrolled) you can find out if you have new subscribers to your fan page or if you have people dropping out. In this way you can gauge the level of interest in your message.

Here is part of the content supplied and an example below:

+5 Fans this week (1,245 total Fans)

55 Wall Posts, Comments, and Likes this week (43 last week)

240 visits to your page this week (222 visits last week)

This gives you an idea of the traffic to your website and a comparison of the numbers from the previous week. You can also plan to launch a campaign to obtain more visitors and engage more chatter. There are many ways you can do this. The site I listed above is a ministry site, so that works a bit different than a website that has a business focus.

For example looking at the Wall Post comments the numbers slightly increased from the previous week but a very small portion of the "fans" are engaging in conversation on the site. Therefore I have several options. One is to engage more directly, add a blog post or message or give relevant information that will compel those in the group to respond.

Another item of interest is the number of visits and the numbers of fans. Again the numbers are low which can mean those who stopped by did so by accident or by searching for relevant key words. Many decided not to join. Again, food for thought and the plan would be to create content that would engage the visitor as well as the end user compelling them to stay and join.

An option is to use a service such as Google analytics to run numbers on page views, geographic demographics and similar type of information. Don't let the weeks go by without posting some type of comment or information. I have done this with my business site and the momentum once started has begun to wane. Keep the marketing consistent and you'll enjoy very good results.

Back to Facebook: Your Privacy is at Stake

Yes, I know it is has been awhile since I posted about Facebook, but this is new information just released...at least to me anyway. It has come to my attention that Facebook has made yet another change and this one has our privacy at stake. I remember a day not too long ago when people were hesitant to purchase anything online for fear of identity theft or having their credit card stolen. Today, not many people are worried and if they are, they use a service such as PayPal to make secure payments.

We use all kinds of social media to stay in touch with friends, to make new friends and to expand the horizons of our business networks. And, expanding their horizions is what Facebook is doing with their latest "update". Facebook is allowing other sources to obtain information about each of our profiles for money. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm in business and I know how difficult it can be to make money. Yet, Facebook with their "instant personalization pilot program" has "opted" into this culling of information without my consent.

Somewhere in signing up for an account on Facebook I must have clicked the little box saying okay to the agreement that allows Facebook to have this privilege. Recently it has been one update after another. Within the last few months the changes have included:

1. Changes to the news feed. You need to click the news feed button to get the latest posts from your friends.
2. The "fan" page button has changed from "fan" to "like
3. The Instant Personalization Pilot Program allows Facebook to share your profile information with third party vendors

So, you don't want your information shared? Either do I. Here is what you do to change the settings:

One: Go to your Facebook page
Two: Click on Settings
Three: Go to Privacy Settings
Four: Go to Applications and Websites
Five: Go to Instant Personalization Pilot Program
Six: Click edit settings
Seven: Click in the little box where there is a check mark (the website will want you to confirm you want to opt out, click confirm not cancel)

You are done, for now. The news stations do not know if this one act will suffice or if we need to opt out at the websites where facebook is planning to share our information. Your information may still be shared through friends accounts unless you block that activity. And, my question is who has the time? I think that is what Facebook is banking on. All of us have enjoyed using the site and we do this for many different reasons. If I didn't find the site so useful I'd pull my account.

Even Congress has gotten into the discussion and has put pressure on Facebook to make some changes to their pilot program. Check you settings every few week, I know I will. Who knows what other program is coming down the pike! You may want to keep an eye on this discussion by following news feeds such as the one on My Fox:


For the full story read about it here.

Which Social Media Site Do You Like the Best?

I was at a networking workshop recently when I was approached by a savvy web programmer who asked if I'd consent to an interview. "Me?" I tried using every excuse in the book, especially since I didn't feel well prepared. She wouldn't take no for an answer . . . so I decided to share some of my secrets of using social media, some I've already shared with you in this blog.

Here is the interview and following are a few new updates for two of the platforms we've talked about on this blog, Facebook and Twitter.

To "Fan" or to "Like"?

Since I've written this blog there have been changes in Facebook. For one, if you own a Facebook "Fan" Page you will notice the changes immediately. Instead of having friends "fan" you, they now click a button that says they "like" you. This subtle change was to answer the opposition some people had to the concept of asking people to be their "fans".  This particular issue didn't bothered me. When I chose to "fan" a particular website, I realized the person was asking if I supported their endeavor, more so than being a fan in the true sense of the word. So, if you see a website you "like" go ahead and click the button.

Twitter: Job Search?

You can use Twitter as a search engine. You can search for word tags or specific people. Remember to use the hastag # or the at sign @ when you do this. You can also search for job posts with this handy tool:

http://tweetajob.com 

In the event that someone posts a job you will be notified via your twitter account. To use this tool, set up your account, choose your key words and you are all set. When a job recruiter lists a job that matches your key words, you will know.

When it comes to social media we are always learning, and there is no time like today!

FaceBook: Run a Sale!

If done correctly you can drive traffic to you blog, your sales page or your catalog via Facebook. So how do you do this without causing waves, creating enemies, or having people minimize your posts because they tire of hearing day after day what you are doing?

First, by creating a business fan page where your information will post. Those who opt in (a) really like you or (b) care about your business ... in this way you can alert them to events going on as well as ways to save a bundle. On your fan page you can create an event and time this to coincide with your sale. As the event draws near you can raffle off items or perhaps give other creative incentives.

We all like a bargain, whether it is only perceived or not! Be careful not to ask your fans or friends to post comments within the body of your facebook fan page in answer to a question or a give-away. Unfortunately for small business owners, the big-boys have already done this and caused Facebook to create parameters where this is not allowed. Before doing any type of contest check Facebooks rules.

But there are ways you can create buzz. One is by creating a link for your customers to click and arrive at your website where they can fill in a form or post a response to your blog by way of contest. This alternative is better because now you have customers who will come to your blog and hopefully find it so value filled they will stay and read others posts.

I created a "free" book contest each month for those who posted on my blog. I was able to increase my readership as well as sell more books. Each month I randomly chose one person to win. I will post this service in the comment section of this blog as I do not have the information right now! I carried on the contest for several weeks because it was good publicity, with a minimal cost.  

Do you have any contests that have worked? Share your results with us!

Facebook Page: Organize and Schedule

The purpose of your Facebook Business or Fan Page is to maintain a stream of content in order to advocate your brand to all your friends. Posts on your Facebook Fan pages will show up in your “news feeds” on the profile pages of your fans. Remember to post a fun comment or two occasionally.

Depending on your brand you should keep your personal profile page updated and real. People will not interact with you if you are constantly posting business information and little about you. Your friends should be organized into categories, namely friends, family, and business. In that way only specific friends will receive the messages. You can control who can view specific things on your profile page by adjusting your privacy settings.

Check to make sure the following instructions are still applicable since FaceBook updates and makes changes often. From your personal account click on your friends, and then you can click on friends, pages, pictures or news feeds and create lists. Use the friend list to filter who can view news feeds, updates, photos or whatever you want to filter. You can invite up to 100 friends to specific events. Sending messages is regulated to a specific number as well.

Now its time to schedule those posts. We plan and schedule everything. We plan appointments, schedule meals, and make preparations for the holidays. In the same way, we should arrange for our blog and social media posts.

One good way to do this is to create a monthly calendar to plan your daily updates. In order to be consistent it is wise to plan.

Here are some steps to consider:

1.    Spread updates so you can appear consistent but not obnoxious. Too many posts and you’ll be ignored, or hidden. You don’t want to lose fans. Try to mix up your updates. You can use a link to a blog post or great article, a note, a photo or video update.
2.    Schedule a time for comments to interact with your friends or customers. Most comments occur within a 24 hour period before it drops out of the news feeds
3.    Schedule a time to read the posts. Make sure you see what key people are saying and comment back when appropriate.
4.    Analyze your stats data and look at the type of posts that attract the most conversation and track these changes.
5.    Make time to add more friends from suggested list or recommendations from other friends. Interact with these new people.

Look over your schedule and realize this is a good way to make all the posts look natural and unplanned. It is a good way to stay connected, get the word out about your product. Planning your posts will definitely help you to write them. And, best of all you will be spending your time wisely, to reach, interact and encourage your contacts to take the time to read your posts and learn about you and your business.

FaceBook: Busy Business Women's List

by Felice Gerwitz

I have a love-hate relationship with To-Do lists. I like them because I can easily and quickly see what needs to be completed each day. I hate them because I am reminded of all the things I have not accomplished each day. So, in the spirit of liking and hating, I'm creating a To-Do list for your FaceBook page. See which of these things you have already done, and place the others on your list for sometime in the near future.

FaceBook for Women:

1. Professional Picture: preferably with make-up, collared shirt and photo-shop touch up
2. Lock Down: all settings are private to friends or friends of friends only with invitations enabled.
3. Organize Friends: Make groups for business, friends, families
4. Profile totally filled out: all information that you want the world to know or at least 400 of your closest friends (and their friends) completed
5. Search: For target clients, co-workers, and possible new customers
6. Check Friends Status: Try to post something personal on different clients walls to stay in touch
7. Post Value Info: at least weekly, daily is best...be personal 20% of the time
8. Connect FaceBook feed and Twitter: if your content is relevant and value driven this is important, make sure to still add new posts to Twitter
9. Add your FaceBook URL to your email address
10. Set your feeds: make sure your receive only the info into your email that is important
11. Join Groups: related to business 
12. Check FaceBook daily, but not too often!
13. Read FaceBook Rules: Beware, contests should be approved first via FaceBook
14. Share: Useful articles, your blog, stats related to business or target market
15. Engage follower: Ask Questions 
16. Post Pictures: Relevant to business
17. Blast News: Events, Promotions, Free Product
18. Join or accept "gifts" sparingly: These pull info from your FaceBook page, they are third party applications and not all are friendly. A warning box pops-up to advise you of the "threat"
19. Look at Apps: Facebook is constantly adding more applications for business, great blog with more info: http://mashable.com/2009/01/22/business-facebook-apps/
20. Add video: at least one time a month, fun to do and keeps the contacts guessing

That's it for today. If you can check all these off your list, great! Let me know what's on your FaceBook To-Do list, and I'll quickly add it to mine!

Social Media: Facebook Fan Pages for Business

Become a Fan!

Facebook has become a household word. Once used mainly by college students to stay connected, the site has grown to millions of users, many of them business people. If you have toyed with the idea of creating, a Facebook Fan page or a Facebook Business Page here is the bottom line...do it only if you have something of value to offer...and choose wisely.

Facebook is constantly changing and updating their website. As of this writing, it is better to create a Facebook Fan page for your business rather than a Business Page or Group Page. Why? Well the main differences are as follows:

•    You can have many more followers than on a home page
•    You can add applications to the page, such as a sign up box to capture emails

•    You can get statistics for your page

•    Once you have more than 1000 fans, you can get a custom url.

•    Fan pages are indexed by the search engines which gets you in front of anyone that may search for your brand or product

•    Fan pages are available to the general public, so people that are not on Facebook can access them.

•    Your fan page will show up in your followers News Feed

•    You can advertise your fan page and place links back to your website or blog
So how do you get fans on your Facebook Fan page? One way is to invite using the list on your facebook home page; another is to build dynamic content causing others to join because of the value you will give them through your posts. For example, if you are in the Real Estate business, you can talk about community activities, great communities to live in and information, such as how to choose the right home for your family needs. In that way, others will want to join your fan page to find out more information and will let others know. You can find possible clients from this page as it is indexed in search engines spreading your reach even further.

If someone becomes a Fan on your Facebook Fan page, it will show up on his or her page as a follower. In that way, their followers will see who you are and if interested, they will follow as well. A fan page also allows you to advertise on facebook. An icon will crop up that will prompt you in this manner if you care to join the growing number of advertisers. Let your fans know about upcoming sales, promotions and so much more. You can also dialogue with your fans, post notes and keep in touch. Relationships in business are invaluable!

Questions? Let me know how I can help you to jump-start your fan page.