Deb Pilgrim's Blog

My aim for this blog is to provide YOU with ideas, strategies, tools and knowledge about how to market and grow your business. These articles provide answers around how you can grow your business - faster and more successfully. Simple, how-to-solutions that can impact both your business and life success, in an easy to read format.

How Facebook Changes May Affect Your Facebook Fan Page or Profile

Deb Pilgrim - Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Today's article is from our guest writer:  Kim Garst of Social Media Branding...

 

Facebook Statistics Shows Changes are Hard on Average Page Owners

Recent Facebook changes have been hard on Facebook Page owners, who need the social engagement to drive their product and brand. But while the changes have meant some bad news for page owners, there seemed to be a silver lining.

 

Frustrated page owners might not see that silver lining though, if they are in an overwhelming majority of smaller pages with smaller fanbases.

 

Facebook statistics prepared by *Edgerank tell part of the story

Statistics released by Edgerank show impressions have dropped for most Facebook Pages on the heels of the social media giant's newest changes to the news stream last month. These preliminary findings show that Impressions--the number of folks in the regular

 

Facebook news stream who see your post--have dropped by about 22% overall.

Pages are receiving 14% more comments and even 16% more likes per post as well, according to Edgerank. The unseen benefit disappears upon closer analysis for the average page, Edgrank warns, and average pages might actually experience drops across the board:


"When analyzing the median of the data in regards to Impressions, Likes and Comments, we found a more dismal picture. The following was evident when analyzing the median data:

  • Impressions declined 24%
  • Likes declined 15%
  • Comments declined 20%

When looking at the median of the data, the results are obviously quite different. However, this data may more accurately paint a picture of what an actual average Page may be experiencing.

 

Well, that seems depressing. How can smaller page owners counter this problem?

Quality content is an absolute must!

 

The key, as always, is getting your content in front of more people, getting more shares to keep it in the news stream longer, and creating premium content that will make folks want to share.

 

How Facebook's Newsfeed works for and against page owners

The newer combined news feed basically gives users three ways to see your page content: because it is a "top story," a "recent story," or from "earlier today." What's this mean?

 

For your audience to see your posts it either has to be posted while or just before they are looking at their news feed (a recent story); it has to be something that they will read upon scrolling through the day's previous posts (an earlier story); or it has to be relevant enough to them and popular enough that it stays in their news stream.

Uhuh, and?

 

You can't control whether your story will be recent for most people (except by posting at optimal times of the day, but more on that later) or whether they will see it when they scroll through stories from earlier in the day, but you can capitalize on whether it shows in your audience's stream because it is a popular story.

 

How?

By creating content that receives likes and comments, content that is shared, quality content. "Top stories" shows updates that are liked and shared extensively, and updates that your audience's friends and Pages have liked, commented, or shared frequently.

 

Facebook's changes to the news feed mean that page owners will find it more important than ever before to have engaging content that moves their audience to comment, share, and like their posts.

 

What about you? Have you experienced a drop in impressions? How about likes and comments? How have you responded to Facebook's new changes?

 

*Statistics from: http://edgerankchecker.com/blog/2011/10/1-month-study-impact-of-new-hybrid-news-feed/

 

This article was first published by Social Media Branding. To receive Kim's "30 Fun and Creative Ways To Increase Your Facebook Likes", go to kimgarst.com and claim your free eBook NOW!


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Facebook - It's a Country!

Deb Pilgrim - Thursday, September 15, 2011

Do you have a business page on Facebook?  I’m in the process of having mine developed at the moment.  I know it’s taken a while, but it’s officially off our ‘must-do’ list!

 

There is so much information out there about what you need to do, what not to do, and what maybe you should do, in relation to your business page.  So to cut through this information, I thought I would share with you an excerpt from Guy Kawasaki’s latest book *Enchantment. 

 

Now in his book, Guy Kawasaki has actually enlisted the help of Mari Smith, who Fast Company dubbed “The Pied Piper of Facebook”. Here are some of her strategies for using your business page effectively:

  • Add a landing tab to your business page.  You can specify which ‘tab’ people see on your Facebook business page.  In most cases, it’s called the “Welcome” tab, and is customised with specific graphics, promotional text, and don’t forget to place your free offer on this page as well with a sign up box to capture names.
  • Use @ tags strategically.  You can give up to six ‘@ tags’ in any update/wall post consisting of a mix of friends, fan pages, events, or groups.
  • Provide an area for your fans to promote themselves.  To honour your fans and to minimize Spam posts on your wall, give your fans their own forum with the Discussion tab.  Specify how and where you want them to post.
  • Respond to fans’ post promptly and personally.  Implement an effective engagement strategy, and reply to your fans’ comments and questions.  Personalise your replies and use fans’ first names for an informal feel.
  • Surprise your fans.  From time to time, give your Facebook business page a burst of excitement by introducing initiatives like “Fan Page Friday” or “Share Your Blog Day” and invite all your fans to share their links on your wall.
  • Get your fans involved in product and content creation.  Involve and include your Facebook fans when creating new products or when seeking ideas for new blog posts.  This is called crowdsourcing.

 

Facebook, it’s a growing phenomenon, and if it’s where your ideal clients are, then you absolutely want to be there.  If you don’t already follow Mari Smith, then I recommend you do.  Not only does she provide loads of up-to-date information, but she’s very giving in the amount of information she provides as well.

 

Let's continue our conversation - if there is any additional strategies that you use to engage with your fans on Facebook, why not share them with us on our blog.  Oh, and don’t forget to include your Facebook Fan Page as well!

 

*Enchantment - The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions, by Guy Kawasaki

 

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I would be honoured if you did, just be sure to use it in full and include the following information:

Deb Pilgrim is the trusted authority for Woman in Small Business.  When you work with Deb, you get the results you always knew you could!  To find out more about how you can work with Deb visit her website, and whilst you are there download her latest report that will show you how to be one of the Top 5% of Entrepreneurs who succeed.


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I Came Kicking and Screaming

Deb Pilgrim - Sunday, November 14, 2010

That’s right I did – I came kicking and screaming to the whole social media platform.  Even after 12months of working from this platform – I feel as if I am still learning.  I often wonder if one will ever not stop learning when it comes to Social Media – it moves so quickly, that at times I feel like I’m just not keeping up.


But, Twitter has begun to make an impact on my business!  Over the past few months I have been having some great conversations with others on Twitter. In fact, I’ve also meant a few amazing people for coffee that I would never have met if I wasn’t tweeting away. 


One in particular is Janna Fikh from Fletcher Tax (@fletchertax) and as an accountant, I believe through her tweets, Janna’s followers have benefited greatly from her.  She provides great accounting tips, updates on financial and tax information as well engaging in conversations with those that follow her. Janna says, “Twitter has been an incredible tool for my business growth and development. It has allowed me to keep up to date with things in my industry but more importantly with issues my prospects and clients face in their daily lives. I highly recommend for all businesses to at least check if it is a useful medium for their business.”


I asked Alexandra Popovic from VIP Virtual Solutions (@VIPVirtualSols) to guest present to members of my Business Building Blocks Club around the impact that Social Media and in particular Twitter can have on your business.  Alex herself has had great success on Twitter and so has the growth of her business.  Alex says, "Twitter is a part of the current online communication revolution which is social media, and not to be overlooked. Over the past 2.5 years I've watched it evolve into such a powerful and easy way of networking and marketing, providing so many benefits to its users both on a personal and professional level. It's such a simple and fun platform, that it has become an essential tool in your marketing toolbox.”


Here are some of the main points from Alex’s presentation:

1. Build your presence – be consistent with your Tweeting.

There is so much ‘white noise’ on Twitter that a single tweet every now and then couple of days is not going to get you noticed, create a loyal following or develop a community.  To build your presence, you want to be consistent, but you don’t have to be tied to your Twitter account all day.  Choose a time of the day that suits you to regularly tweet for five minutes.  Maybe every morning once you’ve done your emails or three evenings a week, and stick to it. You only have 140 characters to get your message across, so be articulate, conversational and listen.  This will ensure you give a great impression with every tweet, and will also bring in more followers.


2.  Tweet quality – add value to those who take the time to follow you and be appreciative. 

Take time each day to think about what is the message about yourself and your business that you want to send out into the ‘twitterverse’. How can you make yourself stand out, and add great value to those who follow you?  What can you share with them around your particular area of expertise?  Speak with them, rather than at them.

If someone has a challenge or problem and you can help them, take the time to reply.  Contribute to conversations that you find interesting, as people are there to engage with others.


3.  RT ~ Retweet content that you find valuable.

If you read something either on twitter itself from someone you are following or an article from a blog, news site, YouTube or wherever you may find it – retweet it if you feel it is of value.  When constructing your own tweets, try to keep them to 120 characters, as this will allow others to retweet to their followers, leveraging the tweet more effectively with the possibility that it may go viral. And above all else:  Be YOU.  Don’t try to be someone you’re not.  Give your thoughts, give your opinions, and talk about your interest.  Be respectful and have fun while you are tweeting.


Above all else:  Be YOU and have fun!  Don’t try to be someone you’re not.  Express your thoughts, opinions & tweet about your interests.  Try to be positive, informative but don't make it all about marketing or business. It's about crafting your own community, so it really is what you make it!


Let me know how you go.  In fact why not join in my conversation at @debpilgrim1.  See you there!


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Sunday Night Question - 31st October

Deb Pilgrim - Tuesday, November 02, 2010
   Social Media:  How effectively do you use Social Media in your Business?
   What is your #1 Tip for Businesses just starting to use Twitter or Facebook?

  Would love to read your insights......Please take a moment to share your
 thoughts.

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Ten Social Media Do's and Don't

Deb Pilgrim - Thursday, October 14, 2010
By Alexandra Popovic

Are you one of those business owners who is quick to pass off social media as just another online fad? It might be time for you to reconsider your thinking. Because the truth is, if you invest in learning how to leverage it properly, the opportunities on social media are endless.

So the choice you must now make is either embrace it, or risk being left behind. Rather than focusing on the hottest tools, I believe it is essential to firstly emphasis one’s approach to this new medium, and the importance of creating valuable online conversations whilst developing worthwhile communities.

This is central to your success, so here are ten do’s and don’ts to consider before entering the socialmediasphere:

1. Don’t jump on the social media bandwagon just because it’s trendy. You’ll only wind up wasting your time and money if you don’t commit properly, or believe in its value. Take the time to educate yourself first, find worthwhile bloggers to subscribe to who also use social media, and develop your strategy, or seek advice from someone who can help you. You must however, be clear on the outcomes you want to achieve through your Social Media strategy.
 
2. Many delude themselves thinking their "brand” will impress the masses, but that’s just superficial packaging. The person behind the brand is now the focus. You’ll receive credibility and respect only if, and when, it’s earned. Do this by supporting and adding value to your online community, speak with them and not to them.

3. Forget about using Social Media as just another way to broadcast your marketing "message” en masse. If you do, you’ll only wind up being ignored and popular with “me, myself, and I”. It’s about engagement of your audience, so listening and engaging in conversation is key. In fact, why not create your own community via some free tools that make it easier and more manageable? Check out: Seesmic and Tweetdeck.

4. Don’t put emphasis on being popular, obsessing over statistics and analytics of how many likes/followers/connections you have. Focus on what makes you so ‘younique’; showcase your character, values, personality, knowledge and experience. Remember it’s quality over quantity, as the number of followers bares no relation to the number of possible opportunities.

5. What worked for you and your business 5 or 10 years ago is now irrelevant in this new arena. This new age form of customer service is all about people to people, so remember to invest in learning techniques on how best to present yourself to ensure you make a positive and lasting impression.

6. Don’t construct what you think is a compelling personality to attract your "target market”. Those that succeed in social media are authentic and transparent about who they really are, and understand the true value of their services/products. They know that building Social Media relationships, like any worthwhile relationship, takes time and they are willing to work at this for the long haul.

7. Strategy is definitely not “one size fits all”, so what might work for someone else, may not for you. Research other business case studies for inspiring examples, but bare in mind that the needs of your business should be assessed, and a practical, productive strategy customised exactly to these needs.

8. Don’t sit behind your Social Media accounts and rely solely on it for all your business networking. Yes, use it as a quick icebreaker, a learning tool,  and to start conversations, but meeting prospective clients and partners face-to-face can never be replaced. You can use Tweetups (Twitter meetups), and meet others in your local area. If you are traveling, tweetups are being held all over the world nowadays, so do a search for one happening in the place you are traveling to in advance and connect online with other attendees. In fact, why not take the initiative and create one of your own?!

9. Don’t use Social Media in place of your marketing strategy, it is only a piece of the marketing pie. Plan realistically what your business, marketing objectives, and goals are, and integrate your social media objective into your overall plan. Remember to measure your progress, so you can change your strategy if and when necessary.

10. First impressions really count, and you have less than 5 seconds! Put your best profiles forward, be consistent with your business branding and make sure your information is always informative and up to date.

Visit Alex at VIP Virtual Solutions to take advantage of her FREE social media evaluation – this is available to the first ten Biz Booster readers who contact her. Or check out her other services in relation to social media management and training.

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