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low bidder
11-15-2009, 11:35 AM
Does anyone know a link that explains using Facebook as an internet marketing tool? I'm not clear at all on how to use it, although it seems to be the thing to do. Would appreciate a link to page that gives a good explaination. Thanks

vangogh
11-16-2009, 12:03 PM
You probably won't find one article explaining everything you want to know about marketing through Facebook. However you're in luck because I've bookmarked more than one. Here's a link to my delicious profile with results for a search on Facebook (http://delicious.com/vangogh99/facebook). Hopefully a few of the articles I've linked to will point you in the right direction.

One key to marketing through any social site is to go in with the idea of how you can contribute and add value to the site and the community around that site. When you look first to contribute you tend to get something back. If you go in looking for how to extract something from the community you'll generally get rejected by the community.

Given the above general advice your first step with Facebook is to join and get to know the system and the community. Learn to use Facebook first as a end user. The more you understand how real people are using Facebook the more success you can later derive from it as a marketing vehicle.

KristineS
11-16-2009, 01:32 PM
Here's an article from Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/advertising/?pages) explaining how their business pages work.

This is also a nice article about some ways to use Facebook for business (http://webworkerdaily.com/2009/07/21/32-ways-to-use-facebook-for-business/).

Vangogh is right though, the best thing to do is just to set up a page and get to know Facebook.

rezzy
11-16-2009, 11:27 PM
I know a few business owners that jumped on the social media bandwagon, created accounts and expected the world to open up to them. This certainly is not the case.

You reap the benefits of your efforts of actively interacting with people. I created a fan page many years ago, and quickly learned, I didnt like marketing (or even using) that avenue. I since have started using twitter more heavly and genuinely enjoy just sharing my knowledge first and my services second.

greenoak
11-17-2009, 11:20 PM
thanks for the links...im interersted in this too....its growing so fast....
my fans are up to 140...!!! not sure what to do with it....'ann

vangogh
11-17-2009, 11:34 PM
You'll figure out what to do with it. Look how far you've already come. If I told you 6 months ago you'd have 140 fans on your Facebook page would you have believed me?

Keep checking the link too, because I'll bookmark more links as I find them.

low bidder
11-25-2009, 03:06 PM
Thanks for the links and tips. Now, Twitter is one thing I really don't get!

KristineS
11-25-2009, 03:08 PM
I feel that way about Facebook. Twitter I understood instantly, although it took me a while to warm up to it. Facebook I still don't get. Guess it takes all types.

cvsols
12-03-2009, 12:14 AM
Wow, this is a great thread. I'm new to the whole social networking world and the links to the articles that were posted are a great help! Thank you!
Susan

vangogh
12-03-2009, 11:34 AM
Glad you found the links useful. I'm always bookmarking more stuff so keep checking my delicious profile. There will likely be a couple more links up there today.

TmasterMind
01-06-2010, 06:47 AM
I've seen the link too, thanks for the useful information. Facebook can really look that easy sometimes and yet, that easiness might not always get you to the limelight in gathering most followers so yes, some silly things can really be that exciting for your friends to discover your fan page and participate into it. Sometimes, I am thinking of sharing not too serious links with them to leave them more of having fun than plain learning.

EmilyWard
01-14-2010, 11:47 AM
Hi there,

My name is Emily Ward and I work with FedEx Express Canada on a program to support Small Businesses. When we set up our Facebook page, I contacted Facebook directly. There staff is really supportive and can tell you about all the options they have to build a successful page.

I am not sure where you are located but here is the link to the Toronto Sales office: Facebook Toronto Sales Office Events | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/facebooktoronto?v=app_2344061033#/facebooktoronto?v=wall)

Since you are a small business exploring social media, you may be interested in the blog our guest advisor, Ian Portsmouth, editor of PROFIT magazine, recently posted on "What to do with social media". It can be found at FedEx Small Business Centre | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/FedEx-Small-Business-Centre/230309383377)

It might give you some further ideas. Hope this has helped.

Emily

mporgsoft
02-01-2010, 12:49 AM
The facebook business page creation URL has already been posted, but once you create your business page make sure you pickup Facebook's copy and paste html code to add a 'widget' to your website to send your customers to your Facebook page as well.

Create a fan page:
Create a Page | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php)

Grab the widget code for your website:
Login | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/facebook-widgets/fanbadges.php)

Another way to pickup traffic to your website from Facebook is to grab peoples attention. One way to achieve this is through creating a facebook gift application to allow users to send virtual gifts of the products you sell to all of their facebook friends.

You can read an article I wrote and publish on ezine at:
Affordable Advertising For Businesses and Affiliates (http://ezinearticles.com/?Affordable-Advertising-For-Businesses-and-Affiliates&id=3588709)

Paul Elliott
02-04-2010, 12:05 PM
If you set up a business page on Facebook, I would advise you to commit to it with regular postings related to the information your target customers are interested in.

THEN commit to it for a decade! ... or delete it.

I have seen companies get things off to great start, but after 6 months or so there are no more posts. The pages sit there, perhaps for years, with no changes or additions. This is a very bad thing for your business to have hanging out there on the web. People may conclude you are no longer in business or that you certainly don't care about them if you are still in business.

Paul

KristineS
02-04-2010, 12:10 PM
Definitely a good point Paul. It's also one that goes for almost any social media effort. If you're not going to commit to it, or if you're just going to try it for a few weeks and abandon it once it doesn't bring in a million new customers, you're probably better off not doing it at all. Doing any kind of social media takes time and effort. It's not the quick fix that everyone thinks it is.

BizPals
02-16-2010, 02:50 AM
Here is a link to a short eBook that explains everything you need to know about social media for a small business (for beginners). Its got everything from twitter and facebook, to social bookmarking and blogging. Its a quick read, and I highly suggest it if you are still struggling with social media and how to use it.

http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/socialmediaforbusiness.pdf

Rob Rao
BizPals

vangogh
02-16-2010, 11:23 AM
Thanks Rob. I haven't read this PDF specifically, but just about everything from the guys over at Duct Tape Marketing is both enjoyable and useful. I downloaded the PDF and will read as soon as I can.

Spider
02-26-2010, 08:49 PM
This just turned up on my radar--

Wow. Remember when MySpace was the dominant social network? Seems like a long time ago, as the past three years have seen Facebook approach, catch, and blow past MySpace to become our preferred online hangout spot. Now, new data released by Facebook and third party researchers show just how influential Facebook has become in our daily lives. Combined with several critical adjustments to how Facebook publishes “news” and intersects with other sites, the state of Facebook is mind-blowing. And important for business.

Here’s 11 things about Facebook that you need to know:

1. 350 Million Global Users, and Counting
Facebook announced recently that they had passed 350 million members...


Actually, they just announced it is 400 million, but let's not quibble about such fast-chasnging statistics!

See the whole article at -
Promote News Blog Archive Why You Need Facebook For Your Company (http://www.promotenews.com/2010/02/08/why-you-need-facebook-for-your-company/)
.

Harold Mansfield
02-27-2010, 01:30 AM
I also saw this today:
Google Adds Facebook Fan Pages to Search Index - Website Magazine - Website Magazine (http://www.websitemagazine.com/content/blogs/posts/archive/2010/02/27/google-adds-facebook-fan-pages-to-search-index.aspx)
That's a definite plus in the right direction.

Spider
02-27-2010, 10:46 AM
That's super-cool!

Not only does the Amazon page for my book come up at #13 on Google, but the Facebook fanpage comes up at #22, for the search, "Keep Your Eyes On The Prize."

Considering the popularity of that phrase - numerous song versions by so many artists of the old gospel/folk song, videos and lyrics, plus the PBS Special of that name about the oil industry and the similarly named, "Eyes On The Prize" for the American Experience TV program, plus numerours other references under civil rights - I'm very pleased we score so high.

Life just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it?!

David Espino
03-11-2010, 02:39 AM
Wow, that IS great news! :)

I was going to say that setting up a Facebook page for your business is a great start, but, if you have a local business, you then should use Facebook Ads to target your local audience and demographics.

Of course, it goes without saying that your FB page should employ good marketing on it, (coupons, sales, events and other calls to action that would bring people to your business) or the money spent on ads might be wasted.

Dave

Paul Elliott
04-07-2010, 11:36 AM
Thanks for the links, Harold, and Frederick.

Paul

decisionary
04-08-2010, 12:00 PM
Great post! This sounds like a lot of good news for small businesses!

mcfarldr1
04-08-2010, 01:47 PM
Facebook is a great business tool, but knowing how to use it effectively is very important! If you don't use it appropriately, you will spend long hours on the website and not have anything to show for it. If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to let me know.

greenoak
05-12-2010, 08:14 AM
thanks for the link...Spider..its suggesting to go for more notes and pictures, not just wall posts.....i could do that...ann