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Jan 16
2012
Gini Dietrich

Four Ideas for Your Business Facebook Page

Let’s talk Facebook today, shall we?

Sorry, Howie. I know you’re not a fan so you can go read another blog today.

I’m going to make a pretty big assumption most of you have at least checked out the new timeline. Even if you hate it, if you’re using social media for work, it’s important to understand how these most recent changes affect your business pages.

You’re going to become pretty creative in how you use Facebook now. I’m going to give you some tips.

  1. Ads, Sponsored Stories, and CreativityMari Smith, Facebook expert extraordinaire, posted, “The news feed is *clearly* favoring posts and activity from friends and subscriptions (vs. fan pages) — it’s becoming increasingly difficult to get fan page content seen in the news feed. So, do businesses then need to turn to ads/sponsored stories?” While I’m not completely sold on the idea that, in order to be seen in the news feed you have to buy the space, creativity is definitely something you need to have in order to get people to see your stream. We do Facebook question of the week to get people to visit our wall. Some additional ideas are coming this year.
  2. Subscriptions. If you don’t already have the subscription button turned on for your wall, do it now. This allows people to subscribe to your feeds so they always see what you have to say. You can create public posts and private posts so you’re not sharing everything with everyone. Think about the people within your organization doing the same thing. For instance, my subscription feed is public and I put stuff on there that is both characteristic of me and newsworthy or interesting. The people inside your organization are what makes the culture. Share them with the world.
  3. Recommendations. On the right-hand side of the company Facebook wall is a spot for recommendations. Ask friends to write something there. Not only does it live on that right-hand side for all to see, it hits the stream of the person who wrote it, expanding your network beyond the people who already know you.
  4. Photos. Use the cover photo and other photos to tell the company story and show off the culture. And change them frequently. People like to look at something visual and, the more you give them, the more apt they are to spend time on your page.

I’m sure there are a ton more ideas. In fact, you should pick up a copy of super smart Facebook marketer Brian Carter’s, The Like Economy to get some additional ideas. He teaches you not only how to be found in the news stream, but to do it in an engaging way that generates revenue.

What else would you add?

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Ari Herzog 139 pts

I campaigned for re-election to the city council last year and created a Facebook page for local residents and business owners to like and follow my page updates.

That was short lived, for I quickly recognized despite people manually clicking the like button, there was zero interaction afterwards. By way of a case study, I posted the same content to both the page and my profile -- and the profile got far more interaction (comments and shares) than the page. So, I killed the page.

I now tell residents to befriend me instead.

I hate pages. It needs to be a well known brand to get anywhere.

etelligence 29 pts

I was lucky to be in the middle of a case study when Facebook first altered the algorithm. At first they changed the timeline so it ONLY showed people you interacted with within a certain timeframe and users had to go and adjust their settings to start seeing everyone's posts again (you guys remember that?) Your updates will go out to users who are online at that very moment and don't have your posts set to "show only important", but Page posts will almost never be seen by someone who has accumulated a bunch of backlogged posts unless they have went into their settings and told Facebook to show all your page posts. I covered the disadvantages imposed on Pages vs. Profiles in my latest E-Book (it's actually free on my website w/ subscription).

I believe they constructed the subscribe button JUST for celebrities. Celebrities aren't the ones buying advertising, but users do like to get their updates. It's trying to capitalize on what users like about Twitter. Businesses aren't allowed to have Profiles, Facebook has put a lot of thought into turning their Social Network into a Business that takes advantage of every facet of their platform. The value of the latest modifications (for Facebook) escape the average user.

troynalls 6 pts

etelligence What is your website?

etelligence 29 pts

troynalls you can find my social media website at http://adamjustice.me/ .

hackmanj 332 pts

I need to get caught up on all the changes with business pages. My page posts used to get a lot more attention and views than they do today. Thanks for the info!

My latest conversation: Twitter Phishing DM and Fake Twitter Website in the Wild

Shonali 1248 pts

One of the toughest things for business pages is that they can't tag people who've "fanned" the page in posts. I think Facebook disallowed this in the middle of last year. So one way around that is to post an update as the page, and then post a comment as yourself (i.e. person), and tag a few people. Obviously, this should be in a non-spammy, relevant way, and it doesn't have to be done with every single post. What this does is a) show the update in your personal timeline, which can help especially if you have way more personal friends than business fans, and b) alert the people you've tagged to the post.

My latest conversation: Boners BBQ: A Study In How To Hate Your Customer

Nic_Cartwright 56 pts

Hi Gini (MIddle Eastern wifi progress ahoy!!) - welcome from afar (which is SO close to "welcome from a bar" - which would be more sociable I guess)....

In my new gig - It's like stepping back in time - without a skipper who really knows what he is doing. I am the self-nominated Social media champion - who got knocked out at the first round when he competed against other 'big schools' in the Big Leagues -

It is great to read your updates / education. - but for me to educate others (less 'in the know' than our selves) - can you refer to me an earlier version of SSucks, or even go off piste (on someone else's website). Where do you start with a new Facebook campaign (SM campaign) - what are the basics that can make the biggest diffference....

Sorry that the first time you hear from me is with a question (so needy!) - but I have to use my internet uptime carefully!!!

It's about 80 degrees here this morning - a chilly winter morn!!!

AskAaronLee 85 pts

About #1: I think its forcing brands to be more engaging with their content. Its also making brands to grow their fan base organically or paid.

I'm noticing celebrities that I have "like" months ago appearing on my timeline and I'm not seeing smaller pages.

My latest conversation: 7 tips to humanize your brand on Facebook

JayDolan 165 pts

With #1, I suspect EdgeRank is becoming more complicated. The amount of "stories," or any content shared on Facebook, has increased exponentially year after year. Think about how much stuff you aren't seeing you're 600+ friends do. Add in any pages you like, and it's obvious that people and pages without a robust presence are getting lost in the mix.

jacque_PR 18 pts

Regarding #1, I don't believe it's absolutely necessary to go the paid ads/sponsored stories route. (I'm not a big proponent of those anyways. I think it detracts from the ultimate purpose of social media utilization and that, while you may boost your fan numbers, it doesn't seem to correlate with engagement. But I digest...) Timeline revamps aside, I think increasing news feed appearances have more to do with Facebook's EdgeRank algorithm and how/how OFTEN you post page content, i.e., constantly switching it up between Photos, Videos, Links, and Questions. So the argument could be made that the more creativity you put into your social strategy, the more likely your org's page is to succeed in the "Social Sea."

ginidietrich 5460 pts moderator

jacque_PR I'm with you - not a fan of paying for stuff on social media. It does defeat the purpose, doesn't it?

My latest conversation: Thurs: Six Reasons to Practice Social Media Authenticity

rachaelseda 298 pts

ginidietrichjacque_PR What we shouldn't pay for fans? I wish I knew this earlier!! (hehe jk)

ginidietrich 5460 pts moderator

rachaelseda Well, Rach, you have to pay for them because no one likes you.

My latest conversation: Don’t Be Afraid to Fail

rachaelseda 298 pts

ginidietrich WHATTTT?! That's not what they tell me...at least that's definitely not what I pay them to say!

TheJackB 1557 pts

Since you asked...I HATE THE TIMELINE. Yes, it is convoluted, cluttered and chaotic.

My latest conversation: Dad Blogger Vlogs About Substance

ginidietrich 5460 pts moderator

TheJackB Really?? I love it. It's so much fun to go back and see what you were doing two years ago.

My latest conversation: Three Values to Hold High in 2012

KenMueller 1814 pts

ginidietrichTheJackB I also love the timeline, though I'm not sure why you would want to go back and see what you were doing two years ago, unless it's to see how empty and meaningless your life was before you met me...

My latest conversation: Your Online Communities and Freedom

TheJackB 1557 pts

KenMuellerginidietrich I have a blog that tells me what I have been doing for the past 20 years.

But the timeline drives me crazy because it feels noisy to me. It doesn't come across as being calm and intuitive

My latest conversation: Dad Blogger Vlogs About Substance

KenMueller 1814 pts

TheJackBginidietrich See, I had the exact opposite reaction. At the top there might be a bit of noise based on the variety of things you are doing at this moment (plus, many of us are more active on FB than we were a few years back), but once you scroll down, there is a definite flow and pattern.

My latest conversation: Your Online Communities and Freedom

ginidietrich 5460 pts moderator

TheJackB Even though we disagree, you remain one of my favorite people.

My latest conversation: Three Values to Hold High in 2012

TheJackB 1557 pts

KenMuellerginidietrich It might make more sense to me if I spent more time messing around with it, but it just feels like nails on a chalkboard to me.

I'll try to take a second look.

My latest conversation: Dad Blogger Vlogs About Substance

TheJackB 1557 pts

ginidietrich Now what can I say to that. My daughter does stuff like that. Right after I say no she says something like, "I love you daddy" and damn if that doesn't melt a little of the ice...

My latest conversation: Dad Blogger Vlogs About Substance

ginidietrich 5460 pts moderator

TheJackB LOL!! Sounds like she knows EXACTLY what she's doing!

My latest conversation: Three Values to Hold High in 2012

TheJackB 1557 pts

ginidietrich There is no doubt that she does, but she hasn't quite figured out that having grown up with ten thousand sisters I know all of the tricks. They don't always work....really.

My latest conversation: Dad Blogger Vlogs About Substance

ginidietrich 5460 pts moderator

TheJackB Only ten thousand??

My latest conversation: Three Values to Hold High in 2012

ginidietrich 5460 pts moderator

KenMueller Oh Ken. Of course, you're right. My life WAS empty without you in it.

My latest conversation: Three Values to Hold High in 2012

TheJackB 1557 pts

ginidietrich It felt/feels like it. Every one of my sisters had a bunch of friends who adopted me as their big brother. Got more than a few calls asking me to help them move and or listen to their man problems.

My latest conversation: Dad Blogger Vlogs About Substance

ginidietrich 5460 pts moderator

TheJackB How many sisters do you have? I have four brothers so the opposite effect.

My latest conversation: Thurs: Six Reasons to Practice Social Media Authenticity

TheJackB 1557 pts

ginidietrich Four and they are all crazy. Did I mention that they love it when I describe them like that. ;)

My latest conversation: Dad Blogger Vlogs About Substance

ginidietrich 5460 pts moderator

TheJackB Oh I'll bet. I'd love it if my brothers described me as crazy.

My latest conversation: Thurs: Six Reasons to Practice Social Media Authenticity

TheJackB 1557 pts

ginidietrich Years of experience has demonstrated that one of the best ways to get a woman's attention is to:

1) Tell her to relax.

2) Call or describe her as being crazy/hysterical.

3) Ignore her.

Granted these are not designed to garner a favorable or loving response but I am a big brother and am speaking in said role.

Back in the day those sisters of mine used to scream...Got me in trouble more than once, but how else does a brother show his love. ;)

My latest conversation: I Hate Toys That Make Noise

ginidietrich 5460 pts moderator

TheJackB Tell her to relax. HAHAHAHAH!!!! You are so right. LOL!

My latest conversation: Thurs: Six Reasons to Practice Social Media Authenticity

KenMueller 1814 pts

TheJackBginidietrich Jack, you forgot "compliment her on her outfit" and then she'll immediately start questioning the outfit, because there's no way you have decent fashion sense.

My latest conversation: Your Online Communities and Freedom

TheJackB 1557 pts

KenMuellerginidietrich Ken, very true. Don't forget to look her up and down and then pause before you speak.

My latest conversation: I Hate Toys That Make Noise

KenMueller 1814 pts

TheJackBginidietrich I always pause BEFORE I speak. And then I automatically flinch AFTER I speak. Force of habit.

My latest conversation: Your Online Communities and Freedom

rachaelseda 298 pts

ginidietrichTheJackB Unless you weren't going to class and your friends call you out on it....hahaha

John_Trader1 95 pts

TheJackB I agree with you - it is cluttered, even though I changed over myself and don't have any regrets. I suspect that our reactions have something to do with us being creatures of habit too.

TheJackB 1557 pts

John_Trader1 I don't doubt the creature of habit bit at all. It certainly describes part of me.

My latest conversation: Why I Use The CommentLuv Plugin And You Should Too

hackmanj 332 pts

TheJackB I hated it at first but quickly learned to appreciate it...

My latest conversation: Twitter Phishing DM and Fake Twitter Website in the Wild

Conversation from Twitter

saeedzaman
saeedzaman

samramuslim u seem interested in #socialmedia am I rite?

samramuslim
samramuslim

saeedzaman that and PR are two areas that I am enjoying reading about these days ...! Dynamic

saeedzaman
saeedzaman

samramuslim hmm if u need more material to read I can help u out as I m MBA majoring in social media :)

Aprilf15
Aprilf15

saeedzaman Now Hiring at http://t.co/lRgHGY4T

samramuslim
samramuslim

saeedzaman sure! Tag me when u find an interesting read :)

saeedzaman
saeedzaman

samramuslim sure thing :)

ginidietrich
ginidietrich

shonali Love you, lovie dove! Did you have a nice birthday?

shonali
shonali

ginidietrich I did, and I got more presents yesterday! Sorry for not replying earlier, I wasn't feeling well yesterday.

skypulsemedia
skypulsemedia

bdorman264 ginidietrich spin sucks is sucking on Opera android browser made it really hard to comment. #mobilesucksforwork

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  1. [...] Four Ideas for Your Business Facebook Page | Spin Sucks Subscriptions . [...]

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  5. [...] The new Timeline shines the spotlight on you and your business, and that’s a good thing, but don’t forget your users. You should still encourage them to post and share their content, even if it isn’t quite as easy to see and navigate. And hopefully, Facebook will tweak the Timeline to allow these posts to be seen more easily. They’ve already made a few tweaks to the Timeline regarding how third party apps post, so we’ll just have to wait and see. [...]

  6. [...] The second tip appeared in a recent blog article from the good folks at SpinSucks: [...]

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