Archive for October, 2010

Facebook can now be integrated into your web presence with incredible ease. As a result, more businesses are integrating their websites and Facebook with the “Like” button.

The Like Button

With the use of the “Like” button businesses can enable their website visitors to share their findings with their Facebook contacts. The button is very simple to install (click here to learn how). Now websites become a part of Facebook and Facebook becomes a part of websites.

By reducing the cost and time it takes for websites to become a part of the Facebook platform, Facebook has created a win-win proposition for many companies hoping to market on the network. Websites will be able to provide a constant flow of content to the people who “like” what they publish online, while Facebook becomes one of the primary aggregators of social data across the web — not a bad deal.

http://mashable.com/2010/05/05/facebook-open-graph-business/

So more businesses are going to get in.

Facebook Is Reaching For The Top Spot

With 450 million users Facebook dominates social media. And they are not about to rest any time soon. Facebook is significantly impacting search engine rankings, connections between users, and Internet communication in general.

Social optimization is to 2010 as SEO was to 2005. Facebook, along with other important social platforms are now giving you the tools to optimize your social media presence based on the quality of social engagement you create. As Mark Zuckerberg said, the web is defaulting to social. It’s time to act accordingly.

http://mashable.com/2010/05/05/facebook-open-graph-business/

Wow, what a fascinating time we work in!

Popularity: 14% [?]

Huck Huckabee

“Who should be allowed to speak for the company?” That’s a common question that is being asked by thousands of businesses as they are becoming active in social media. Different companies have different missions. But one of the key elements of Facebook is keeping the contact personal. The personal contact comes in the form of postings and replies to postings.

Make Postings Specific

Many businesses post content on their Facebook page that is of use to their broad range of followers. They fail to see the need to be specific. Some postings need to target the general audience. But don’t hesitate to post items focused on small segments of your friends and fans. It adds the personal feel to those you are addressing. And it can educate those you are not so familiar with the subject matter. When I make posts about my Facebook consultations, my blog site customers see it and the post my generate their interest in pursuing Facebook marketing.

General postings can be created by people with knowledge of the content. Some companies have their clerical staff handle this operation. While this is not necessarily bad for general information, it may come with an action generating twist if it came from someone with value added motivations.

Personal postings should be done by the people who will come in contact with the customer. Nothing is wrong with posting personal items on the company Facebook page if you want to develop relationships with the Facebook target audience.

Passionate postings need to come from the upper ranks of the company. The higher up have the most to gain and they need to show it by displaying their belief in what they do.

Replies to Postings

When you reply to postings you are in the personal format. Replies show specific interest in the person you are responding to. And it is an opportunity for you to show your personal side to the readers of the page. Replies should be made by personnel with communication experience. If you are selling goods, then use the sales staff. I may result in a new lead.

Popularity: 10% [?]

One of the most common requests on Facebook by its users has been to be able to post messages that only went to certain groups of people and not their entire group of friends.

Select A Target Audience For Facebook Messages

Facebook has acted on this request. Now Facebook allows you to create “groups” that are closed to the people you invite into it.

One handy thing to note. With groups Facebook has added a feature that allows you to chat with multiple people in the same conversation.

Potential As A Business Tool

This could be very handy for business. Postings could go to a group of employees, a group of customers, a group of vendors or some other group of contacts. Postings would be there for everyone to see and they could be referred to at some point in the future.

Here is a brief tutorial on how to create a Facebook group:

How will you use groups with your business?

Popularity: 5% [?]