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2009年11月22日 Utilizing Facebook & Social Networking By goodedesign @ 9:42 :: 1555 Views :: 0 Comments Hi G.S., FB & Social Networks: First off, there is a smorgasbord of social networking sites to consider. In order of importance, we would suggest the following for PE: Facebook (DONE), Twitter & LinkedIn. Each has an individual reason to join become a part of it's community. The real reasons to take part in each social networking platform is only partially for buzz... Really, it has to do with networks and networks of networks. Other community based or social networking platforms you may want to consider are Flickr, blogger (& other blog systems), google gather.com, youtube, howcast, tinyurl.com & Myspace. Myspace is only considered because of its name recognition. Myspace/Facebook are very popular and do cater to different audiences. But the shear numbers they reach are daunting enough to require some exposure on both if you are serious about social network as a part of your marketing strategy (more on that in a minute). A full list of social network sites can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_networking_websites How it works - Facebook. A good write up and review was given at HowStuffWorks.com at: http://www.howstuffworks.com/internet/social-networking/networks/facebook.htm. Facebook postings: (generally has similar affect on any number of social network sites) There are multiple ways to do postings on Facebook. Here are my favorite ways: 1. Notes - similar to a blog, but gets a headline posting on your friends' FB walls 2. Status updates - kinda like twittering… just a short blast that can be used to draw attention to an activity, link, article, picture, etc. 3. Profile Photo - this can actually be more than just your pretty face. It can be a logo, a graphic or something more than just an icon. 4. Responses / Comments - this is a way to engage a conversation on FB that could be utilized in ways beyond just the conversation itself. Example: I frequently comment on socio-political posts of my friends (not that you'd EVER do that) and engages a conversation about my thoughts. It could easily be turned to a similar wave for my business. 5. Discussions - like a forum with a more restrictive community formed around FB groups and business pages. As for how it works for YOU / Your interests / Your business... well, that's a different story. You have to analyze the various ways you can be involved in FB or other social networking sites in order to best address the topic. First of all, there are the various ways a person, entity or business could be listed on Facebook. Three main types of FB pages consist of people, groups & businesses. People… well, that's people. i.e. your friends, colleagues or that person you met in the subway on the way to a conference. The people level are how most folks use FB. Since I know you, George; I could use the "friend status" on facebook to pass on any bit of information no matter how important or mundane. As your "friend" on facebook, I may use a status update, post, note or other bit of blabber on facebook to pass on information about another company. Many "People" use FB these status blasts as a way to pass on bits about companies, causes or concerns of which they want others to be made aware en masse. Example: "My company, Goode Design just signed a new client blah blah." or "In Goode Company is looking to purchase a great deal of tutoring materials for K-8 in the next year." Sometimes, folks put links to sites in their facebook postings. I recently did this calling attention to a charity we support: http://www.liquidwater.com. Groups: this is usually common interests and can be broken into many subcategories. Groups can be open, closed, invitation only or approval only. Groups are a great way to enter a conversation with many folks that aren't necessarily in your immediate FB friend list, but they share a common interest. Churches, charities & causes utilize groups as a way to create a central bulletin board for their organizations while people sometimes form groups around causes or common interests to connect folks from different networks. Of course, this is a broad generalization as there are groups around just about every topic regardless how ridiculous. There are even groups of people who support socialism! whodathunkit! Businesses: Businesses can actually form both group pages as well as a page specific to their business. Businesses utilize FB much in the same way that churches, charities & causes do. By creating a central portal by which they can distribute information to a broader audience, they are effectively spreading a broader net that could result in greater internet exposure as well as distributing information to those who are already on the inside. Social networks are also a great way to build Search Engine links. Facebook has a vast amount of ways to build links, buzz and traffic to your site. Facebook has a great ad placement program as well as the engine to target those ads to pin-point accuracy. We would encourage you to investigate this further. As with anything around search, there's a vast amount of work that is used to keep the momentum and build the network strength. A great example… will utilize THIS VERY POST on my site as another way to create Search Engine keyword volume. Social networking is here to stay. We believe it will become a greater, more integral part of business marketing going forward. As stated earlier, Myspace has roughly the same popularity as Facebook, though it is generally targeted to a much younger crowd. Each has viability and validity within the marketing push as both give some search traffic. Twitter is a great way to tie in your status posts to both your site and your FB. Twitter posts can be incorporated into your site and can incorporate url posts (tinyurl.com) as well as quick bursts from current information (e.g. "At a trade show of web developers") which could generate search engine keyword volume. By building in a social network strategy, you will utilize a more devoted, captive audience which will have your messages brought to their attention with more reliability than simple email marketing. Y'know… there are actually people who rely more on FB messages & posts than their email for spending decisions! Well, this is a brief coverage of a VERY broad topic. This is more of a conversation rather than a dissertation. So, let's chat about it. 704-969-4391 ~pete

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