Once thought to be a passing fad, and although still relatively new,
You can’t avoid it. No matter where you turn it seems you hear terms like “fan page”, “followers”, “tweet”, “re-tweet”, “blog” and more being used. With all the
In this article I am going to explain what
Wikipedia defines
In other words, it is a group of Internet-based applications that utilize new web concepts to promote user generated content.
Examples of some of the major social applications currently online are Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.
Twitter can be seen as a “micro blog” type service that enables you to post short messages of up to 140 characters that are fed in real time to your followers. Facebook is more of a “publishing” platform which enables you to create a page that integrates multiple media options into one (i.e. discussion boards, blogs, photos, shopping carts, etc…) YouTube is a service that enables you to produce video content to the masses (possibly to demonstrate the use of your product.)
The power and uniqueness of each provides pros and cons. Because Facebook has a little more of a learning curve to it and because it has a number of options to choose from, I’ll briefly touch upon that below.
Simple Tricks to Make Your Site More
Whether or not you’re on
If you want to engage in
Social Sharing
There are dozens of sites you can visit that will provide embeddable code which can be used to create social networking icons on your site. These icons make it easy for visitors to share what they like about your site with their
A couple of sites worth checking out are ShareThis. ShareThis is a tool you can install on your site that makes it easier for visitors to share with their network. You’ve probably seen some form of ShareThis on news sites. There are typically several icons spread out in a horizontal line or grouped together under a header of “Share.” Installing this tool lets your visitors easily spread the word via social networking sites about a page or website – yours – they like.
Add This is very similar to ShareThis. Both require site registration and a little publisher information, but both are also easy to use and do basically the same thing.
Show off your
If you’re on several
You can display your
Facebook Fan Page or Group?
A question that often gets asked when it comes to Facebook and brands is should you build a Facebook Group Page or a Fan Page?
It is a good question and the answer depends mostly on what your plans are for your site. I’ve broken down the pros and cons of both a fan page versus a group page below.
Facebook Fan Page
Facebook Fan Pages are a great option for brands – including e-commerce sites – that plan on posting information at least once a week.
Facebook Fan Page Pro’s:
* Looks polished; closely resembles an individual profile page
* Can include videos, photos, links, events, etc.
* Can be fed into “fans'” update stream similar to an individual profile update
* Can be given a customized url similar to an individual profile
* Hides the name and address of the page creator
* Offers options to add applications such as a Twitter feed
* Includes a “wall” similar to individual profiles that people can post comments on
* Can be paired with a Facebook Fan Page Widget on your site
Facebook Fan Page Con’s:
* More difficult to manage conversations between fans
* Conversations are on display for the public to see
* Unable to convert Facebook Groups to Fan Pages if you’ve already got a Group page set up
* Until you have an adequate number of fans, you’ll be posting a lot
* A dismal Fan Page linked to your site can hurt your inbound links in SEO
Facebook Group Page
Facebook Group pages are easy to create and slightly more personal than a Fan Page. Because it is not a constantly fed profile-like page, posts do not need to be as often.
Facebook Group Pro’s
* Can be more intimate; people see who created the group
* Still allows for pictures, photos, videos, events, etc. to be posted
* Allows for emails to be sent to all group members
* Pre-dates Fan Pages; more familiarity among early adopters of Facebook
Facebook Group Con’s
* Visitors must visit your group page for updates
* Does not allow applications to be added to the group page
* Offers visibility
* Will automatically post related groups to your group page whether you want them or not
* Cannot be linked to your site via widget(s)
The Verdict? Consider a Facebook Fan Page if you want to keep your “fans” up to date on the goings on of your site. Consider a Group if you have a niche within your site that people might want to create conversations about.
Should You Hire a
With the hundreds of social sites and applications available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. When you’re already trying to keep your e-commerce business afloat,
Research has shown, however, that e-commerce retailers are reaping the benefits of this new media channel (i.e., offering better customer service and increased sales) so it pays to use it.
Not everyone is
Do you need a consultant or should you do your own work?
When to hire a
* If you really do not have the time to commit to a social marketing campaign.
* If you don’t have the time to learn the ins and outs of social applications.
* If you don’t consider yourself a strong writer and/or interactive with your audience.
* If you want to launch a large
* If you tend to defer project work to experts rather than attempt to try it yourself.
When to do your own
* If you’re familiar with
* If you’re a quick-learner and tech-savvy.
* If you’re planning a small campaign with only one or two social sites.
* If you have content ready to post on a blog (or Twitter, Facebook, etc.)
Note:
What We’ve Learned
It can bring awareness to your product or brand and help you build a stronger relationship with your customers which can lead to greater sales and future growth for your business.
Having said that, keep in mind that
When it comes to Facebook and the choice between creating a Fan Page or a Group, you’ll want to consider your objective before you determine which is best for you. Fan Pages are best for pushing brands and for ecommerce sites that can commit to posting at least once per week. Consider a Facebook Group if you want a more personal touch and if you can’t commit to posting at least once per week.
Integrating
Remember,
Simple Tricks to Make Your Site More Social Media Ready
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