An Introduction To Facebook Insights

Facebook has many excellent features built into it as standard... and they're all free!

One of the best and most useful features for business use is Facebook's 'Insights' service which is automatically built into every business page.

You'll frequently hear me emphasising that businesses need to use business pages, not personal profiles for commercial use and this is yet another good reason why.

If you use your personal profile for business, you cannot access the wonderful Insights service... and that's like trying to run a business with a blindfold on!

Facebook Insights Whistle Stop Tour

In very simple terms, Facebook Insights provides detailed analytics for your business page.

This information is like gold dust for your business - it allows you to measure what's working and what is not - which means that you can target your efforts and if applicable, your advertising spend, in the right direction.

To get started, navigate to your business page and click on the 'View Insights' button in the top menu:

This will take you to an 'at a glance' overview page giving you details of Page Likes, Post Reach and Engagement for the past week:

Facebook leaves nothing to chance, giving you simple to understand graphs showing your latest data.

This data removes all 'finger in the wind' guesses about what's working on your page and what is not.

It can be pretty brutal is something falls a bit flat ... but if you can't measure it in your business, then you're using guesswork, and that's not a clever way to do things!

As you navigate through the Insights menus you will be able to access this vast array of data:

• Total Page Likes as of Today
• Net Likes: What Changed
• Where Your Page Likes Came From
• Post Reach: The number of people who saw your posts
• Likes, Comments, and Shares: These actions will help you reach more people
• Hide, Report as Spam, and Unlikes: These actions will decrease the number of people you reach
• Page and Tab Visits: The number of times each of your Page tabs was viewed
• Other Page Activity: The number of actions people took that involved your Page
• External Referrers: The number of times people came to your Page from a website off Facebook

Each set of data is presented in a clear, easy to understand format, so you don't need to be a data whizzkid to grasp what's going on:

One of the data sets that I always find particularly interesting is the age profile and gender split of my business page audience:

Why Use Insights?

Insights data gives you precise and accurate information about what's going well and what is not.

It is particularly useful for figuring out what works well with your audience and what does not.

This data will save you spending time and effort on wasted tasks, and ensure that your energy is directed to the right place.

Facebook gives plenty of support on how to use the Insights functionality and you can even export and store your page data:

Why Facebook Won't 'Do A MySpace' Any Time Soon

One of the concerns I hear from small businesses is that they worry about Facebook 'disappearing' if they commit time and resources to the platform.

The most-used example of this is the Myspace site which enjoyed massive popularity between 2005-2008 (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myspace) but which was then devoured swiftly and without mercy by Facebook when it arrived on the scene.

 

Source: https://myspace.com/

This is an understandable and reasonable fear to have, but Facebook has been very clever in its approach and there are a number of very good reasons why it can't and won't 'do a Myspace' any time soon.
The simple fact of the matter is that Facebook is everywhere these days, completely woven into the fabric of our everyday lives.

It's become a bit of a hobby of mine in recent times to chart this all pervasive crawl across the fabric of everyday life, and I chart it in one of my Pinterest boards.

Here are a few visual examples:



Facebook has managed to find a way into all corners of our lives, to the extent that we accept it and even expect it now.

When did you last see a film advertised without a Facebook page?

When did you last see a big brand campaign on TV without the now inevitable Facebook URL helping to drive viral traffic?

How long is it going to take to remove Facebook from logos, blogs, liveries and promo items?

The fact is that Facebook is everywhere... and it's going to take some shifting!

In an absolute master stroke, Facebook has gone one better than this.

Not only do we place their logo in prominent positions all over our businesses, we even quite happily send back links to their web site to ensure that it stays in a top ranking position by using their social and sharing plugins.

And we rush to do this, because we know that it brings wonderful advantages to our own businesses.

So the next time that you find yourself jittery about investing time and resources into Facebook marketing, bear in mind what a powerful foundation that they have built for their business.

Sure, Facebook won't be around forever, something will come along eventually to remove it from its perch.

But be mindful that it's extremely unlikely to come in the form of a massive crash, each and every time you see a promo back to Facebook, that's one of many lifelines that will keep it in its elevated position for some time to come.

5 Basic Facebook, Twitter and Social Media Tips For Small Businesses

Social Media is nothing new these days. Everyone from grandmothers to first graders have their own Twitter or Facebook page. With comScore reporting a 25% increase in unique visitors to social media sites in June, 2008 compared to June, 2007, social media needs to be in every small business marketing plan.

The problem is, how can small businesses find customers via social media with such a saturation of users? Here are some tips that can help:

1. Focus On the Big Names First

Open accounts on Twitter, Facebook and MySpace to start. Every small business with an online presence - whether you actually sell products online or simply have a site for your brick and mortar business - should have an account with them. They are all easy to set up and free. Be sure to create a Facebook Fan Page for your business, rather than a typical Profile Page.

2. Brand Your Pages

Twitter, Facebook and MySpace all allow you to customize your pages in some way. Be sure not to use the default templates each site offers you. Facebook and Twitter even allow you to have your own vanity URL, meaning if you own a pizza parlor, your Facebook URL could be "facebook.com/"yourpizzaparlor" (some qualifications must be met).

Create a 200 x 200 image containing your business name, logo and contact information for Twitter. You can also use this template or simply create it in Word or Powerpoint (just remember to save it as a PDF document).

Facebook does not yet allow you to customize your entire Fan Page, but you can create an image that contains your business name and logo and upload it. This way, every update or post you create contains your image.

MySpace allows you to customize nearly every aspect of your page. Be sure to upload an image of your business name and logo (use the Facebook image you created) as your profile image, and create a background containing either your business colors, themes or your logo.

3. Add Unique Content

Unique content can be created easily for even the smallest businesses as well as those that do not even sell their products online. Go beyond basic written content explaining the mission of your small business, the products or services you offer and your location (though all of those ARE necessary). Give your potential customers something unique that will make them want to visit your website and/or business location, and eventually return. Videos, photos, polls and contests are just a few forms of content that can make your page stand out.

For example, a bakery that only sells its products direct from their location could make a short, documentary-style video of their baking facility. An online jewelry site could upload images of some of their newest pieces. A florist located in Los Angeles with only an informational website could post a poll on Twitter and Facebook asking people what their favorite summer flower might be, and then responding to those who answer with a special offer.

Note: Every business should at least have one short video on their website, Facebook and MySpace page for three reasons:

1.Video is one of the most easily consumable forms of online content.

2.It is easy to make (most digital cameras or phones can make a decent video).

3.It can be easily shared online.

4. Advertise Your Pages

One you have all of your pages up and running with some content and pertinent information, make sure to advertise them properly. Each site has its own name for what you would simply call a "potential customer":

1.Facebook Business Pages have "Fans"

2.Twitter pages have "Followers

3.MySpace pages have "Friends"

Create links to each of your pages using logos, text or both, and place them in a prominent position on your website. Make sure to include those same logos/links on every email you send out to your email list.

5. Engage Directly

The best advantage social media advertising holds over any other form of advertising (besides being free) is the ability it gives you to interact with customers and potential customers. Be sure to take advantage of this fact the moment your business pages are up and running. Start by making friends: just use each site's search tools to find people who might be writing about or searching for the kind of products you offer.

Facebook will take care of some of the work by suggesting some people you should "invite" to become fans of your business, but be sure to also search for your own. Try looking for similar businesses and invite fans of their pages.

Twitter will also suggest users to follow who will then follow you. However, search.twitter.com is an invaluable tool for any business because it can immediately put you into contact with people who might want what you sell. Let's use the bakery example again: Go to search.twitter.com and search for "breakfast pastries Los Angeles". You will be given a long list of every individual on Twitter who has recently typed in the phrase "breakfast pastries" as well as the location "Los Angeles". Some might simply be talking about a great breakfast pastry they just finished, but others might be asking for a great bakery in the Los Angeles area for breakfast pastries. Now is your chance to engage them directly and suggest your bakery.

By using these tips when setting up your social media pages, you will be on your way to breaking through the throngs of users and finding genuinely new customers to help make your small business even more profitable.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2577880

7 Social Media Tips From Top Industry Experts

Tip #1: Host Live Facebook Events

To add great value and give your fans a different way of interacting with you, every now and then offer live chat sessions, teleseminars and webinars. Mari Smith and her friend Chris Treadaway conducted what they called a "flash chat" as a way of crowdsourcing content for a book.

They used the webinar platform Linqto which enabled people to interact with them as the presenters used a webcam to take turns being on the floor. Participant interaction took place via chat.

If you don't have that type of technical know how you can keep it simple by doing a simple Q&A session on the wall of your Facebook Page.

Tip #2: Be Willing to Help the Less Than Famous

The best way to build your personal brand is to involve other people in the process. Do your best to help others and give others credit for the awesome work they do. Though it may seem like a lot of work, in the long run it pays off. On top of that, as Erik Qualman says in his book Socialnomics: How Social Media Transforms the Way We Live and Do Business, "It's the right thing to do."

Easy ways to help other people include tweeting their work and leaving great comments on their blogs.

Don't just target your help toward top name people; they get a lot of love and attention. You'll really stand out if you help out those who have great potential but are not yet well known.

Tip #3: Don't Overemphasize Marketing

Remember, social media marketing is... social. Heading right into marketing without investing the proper amount of time in the social part of social media marketing is detrimental. There are certain expectations within social media, with one of the major expectations being community. "Very often these expectations do not include having marketing messages jammed down their throats," writes Hollis Thomases in Twitter Marketing: An Hour a Day.

Tip #4: Find Out What Your Customers Want

Brian Solis, in Engage: The Complete Guide to Building, Cultivating and Measuring Success in the Social Web writes, "... my best advice to you is to go figure out what your opportunity is first." He suggests using the tool Research.ly to learn more about your prospects.

Tip #5: Meet People Offline

It's a natural tendency to go online for information and even for friendship and networking. While the Internet is a great place for these things, nothing replaces time spent face-to-face with other people.

Steve Garfield, writes in Get Seen: Online Video Secrets to Building Your Business about the importance of mingling with others in a setting where everyone is welcome.

Tip #6: Share the Knowledge of Experts With Your Readers

Find the experts in your industry and the offer to interview them about their newest product. Ask them a lot of questions that you know your audience will want to know the answers to. According to Michael Stelzner, the founder of Social Media Examiner, this is a great way to not only build a solid relationship with the expert, but to also provide content of tremendous value to your audience.

Tip #7: Be Controversial

Dean Hunt writes, "... here's a strategy I created to ensure that your content WILL get noticed....In fact, people will do a double-take when they see your content title and will not be able to resist reading it. I call it the 'negative slant.' It's very simple to do and works best with informational or how-to content."

As an example he gives the title of a blog post he recently wrote, "How to Work Really Hard and Make No Money." The negative spin on the title created shock value and contributed to it being a great success.


BONUS TIP:

When it comes to Facebook, you need a tailored strategy that works for your business. As time goes by, Facebook proves to be more important. You're starting to see a widening gap of those who get it and those who don't.

If you are looking to increase your leads, drive more traffic to your website and turn fans and followers into customers, FBinfluence is your step-by-step solution for making Facebook Marketing work for your business.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6504933

5 Social Media Don't's You Should Avoid

Social media marketing can be an excellent way to connect with your current and potential customers. When used correctly, it can increase brand awareness, create brand loyalty and help get you get the attention of new potential customers. However, when used the wrong way, it can end up annoying customers and driving them away. Here's how to avoid the 5 social media marketing "don'ts" so this doesn't happen to you.

1. Don't post the exact same message to all of your social media outlets. Some brands post the exact same information on their Facebook pages as they do on their Twitter accounts. If you do this, it means that customers who are following you on both networks are getting duplicate information. This shows your customers that you don't really care about putting an effort into engaging your social media followers. This will defeat the purpose of even posting on those networks at all and you will be in danger of losing your following.

2. Don't ignore the negative feedback you receive. It's inevitable that once in a while you'll get a bad comment on Facebook or someone on Twitter tweeting something rude. It's no secret that disgruntled customers often turn to social media to express their anger. However, to just delete these comments and act like they never happened is the wrong approach. It's important to follow up with the customer to resolve the issue. No one wants bad word-of-mouth advertising. Social media gives you a chance to see what people are saying about you and change their opinion of you. If a customer is upset because they came to your restaurant and received what they thought was "bad service," then invite them to come back free of charge. Whether you decide to publicly address the issue (so others can see how you handle it) or call the individual privately to resolve the conflict is your choice.

3. Don't use your social media network only as a sales tool. One of the biggest social media marketing no-no's is using your networks only to send a bunch of sales messages daily. Social media networks are a place to connect with and engage your customers, not bore them with generic sales messages. It's okay to announce a promotion or even a service you provide once in a while, but make sure your more "sales-y" messages are scarce when compared to your interesting and engaging content that customers will enjoy.

4. Don't constantly beg your existing fans to help you get more. Social media marketing isn't about who has the most followers, it's about who has the most engaged followers. If all you do is constantly ask your existing fans to help you get more, without providing any incentive or reward, they'll get bored and unfollow you. They'll also wonder why the great participation they're giving you isn't enough. Don't make your fans feel underappreciated; that's a big social media marketing faux pas.

5. Don't offer a promotion for "new customers only." We've all seen this marketing no-no. Although it's great that you're using social media to announce a promotion, it's bad that you're discluding some of your followers. Many brands offer a promotion only to new customers hoping to rope in some new clients. However, what about your existing clients? What do they get for being loyal to your brand? If they're following you on Facebook or Twitter, they're already a step ahead of your other customers. This means you should be giving them extra perks, not making them feel left out of a special discount. Remember to offer specials and inside information to your social network followers as a whole, because they are already a segmented group of your entire customer base.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6654140

How To Optimise Your Business’ Page For Facebook Mobile

Browsing Facebook on iOS and Android devices is one of the public’s most popular pastimes: the average smartphone owner spends 18% of the time on their device accessing Facebook, while in the UK alone mobile usage has increased by 22% in the last year.

As more and more people purchase tablet and smartphone devices, using them to access social media networks like Facebook, it becomes increasingly important for businesses, both big and small, to optimise their Facebook business pages for mobile devices.

If you are a business owner, don’t worry: optimizing your Facebook page for mobile devices is very easy. Just follow the three simple steps I have outlined below.

1. Make the most of the space

When optimising your Facebook page for mobile devices, the biggest concern is space. A severely truncated version of your business’ page for desktop devices appears on smartphones, missing the majority of the timeline, the iframes, the comments box and even some of the text from longer posts.

If you are trying to promote your business on mobile, try to use simple, eye-catching pictures and snappy, concise text. Of course, you need to make sure that the stuff you are posting on your page with mobile devices in mind won’t look terrible on desktop devices.

If you want a post to stand out you can pin it to the top of your page. Pinned posts appear beneath a page’s profile picture, cover photo and calls to action, so they are on a user’s screen as soon as they visit the page. Pinning posts is an easy and effective way to ensure that the content you want to get seen is seen.

2. Make the most of the features

It is extremely important that all the information on your page is correct, especially the address information because, using Facebook’s Local Search feature, potential customers and clients are able to find and visit your business.

All Facebook business pages feature call to action buttons, visibly displayed beneath the cover photo. On mobile devices, local business pages with a fixed address (as opposed to the pages of larger corporations and brands) feature a ‘Like’, a ‘Check In’ and a ‘Call’ button. Try to encourage customers and clients to check in or like your business when they visit by displaying clear signage which gives them information and specific instructions on how to find your page. The more people like and check in on your business’ page, the more people will discover your business – also, it will improve the interaction stats on your page.

Beneath the interaction stats are photos. In the case of local businesses, there are two photo tabs: one for photos taken in the location and one for photos posted by the page administrators. Post photos of you and your colleagues enjoying themselves in your business and encourage customers and clients to do the same – people are more likely to visit businesses where people have fun.

3. Use the Page Manager app

You should not only be optimising your page for Facebook Mobile, you should also be optimising your page on Facebook Mobile.

The Facebook Page Manager app is a great tool for page administrators who cannot always access Facebook from a desktop device. On the app, you can post updates and photos, respond to comments, access and send messages, set up notifications and view your Page Insights.

The newest version of the app even allows admins to apply Instagram filters to their photos before posting them and add stickers to messages.

How do you encourage people to like and check in on your business’ page?

Will Sigsworth