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You can no longer feed your blog to your Facebook page

Marc — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:47:57 +0000

If you are having problems with your blog posts automatically feeding (or not feeding) into the Notes section of your Facebook business page it is because Facebook discontinued that function effective the end of September 2011. Here is the reference from Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/help/?faq=277347965620183#Why-can-I-no-longer-import-posts-from-my-website-to-my-Page%27s-notes?

Facebook’s explanation is that:

“We want you to connect with your fans in the most effective ways possible. That’s why as of September 30th you’ll no longer be able to automatically import posts from your website to your Page notes. The best way to get people to interact with your content is to give them insight into the links you share on your Wall by adding personal comments and responding to feedback from fans.

We’re focused on creating even better tools for Pages. Look for announcements soon.”

Facebook’s new Center for Business

Marc — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 05:12:05 +0000

While we wait for Google to bring out Google+ for Businesses, Facebook wants to share all they already have to offer businesses interesting in better marketing and brand awareness.

“Facebook for Business” is the name of the new portal where it is possible to access Facebook’s marketing tools including learning about how to optimize your business page, create targeted advertising, enhance “word of mouth” buzz with sponsored stories and get widgets to add into your own website.

It is well organized and easy to negotiate. Take a few minutes to visit and you will almost certainly find a new way to enhance your business’ Facebook presence.

Our Bludomain SEO package provides a 300% plus increase in website traffic for Jen Carver Photography

Marc — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:13:59 +0000

A few months ago Jen Carver, an amazing children’s photographer from Pittsburgh, engaged us to do provide the full restructure and SEO for her website. There were only two restrictions, we needed to keep the Bludomain core and a splash page similar to the typical Bludomain splash page. As you can see the splash page appears much like a Bludomain splash page, but it is all WordPress, with all the possible WordPress SEO juice, and is fully part of her WordPress custom blog and related pages.

With Jen’s help in design we were able to put together a smashing site that has almost perfect SEO attributes, and is easy to use and modify. And best of all it has great organic search results for her keywords.

In general we created the new splash page with a special template WordPress page and we were able to easily include sufficient content, links and attributes to work much better than the possibilities using the standard Bludomain splash page. From there we designed and styled the blog and other pages with templates that best suited their respective purposes.

Additionally we imported Jen’s existing blogs from WrodPress.com and Blogger. Configured needed 301 redirects. Copied her contact information and such from the Bludomain site where it is difficult for search engines and mobile devices to access. Polished all the content for greater use of her search marketing keywords. And integrated her Facebook business page and Twitter account into the WordPress functions.

In the future Jen can easily modify the blog and other pages using the point and click design settings which allow her to change the style and appearance of almost every element of the site with just a mouse click or two. We also provided hosting for her new site, both the BluDomain and WordPress with OptimalHosting so that the site would be faster and more reliable.

But what really counts is the results, right. Since April when the new site first went live, the number of visits per day has now climbed to well over a 300% increase in less than 90 days.. For more read Jen’s recent comments on the new site and our work.

If you would like to know if we can do the same for you, please leave a comment or send an email.

The Value of Facebook Marketing Measured

Marc — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:18:04 +0000

The growth of Facebook fueled by businesses and professionals for marketing purposes has been amazing. So I am not sure of what to make of this recently released study “Facebook Conversations Don’t Achieve The Marketing Boost You Desire”. In the study Dan Zarella set out with the hypothesis that more Facebook Likes and comments helps your brand. What he found was a negative (slight) correlation.

In other words, posts with less feedback interaction actually had more views. Using Facebook’s own data system to test his findings provided more support. He found that “The amount of ‘conversation’ that happens on your Facebook posts has nothing to do with the number of people who will see it.”

The take away is that a lot of Likes and comments do not seem to produce return visits and brand adoption. So be watchful on how much time and money you spend in marketing and public relations in Facebook. And realize that Facebook is not a substitute for your own website. The better effort return could be enhancing the ability of your website to attract and retain visitors.

Please leave a comment sharing your experiences using Facebook posts for marketing and PR.

The wholeness of Google+ has the spirit of the moment.

Marc — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:18:25 +0000

Or said another way, Google+’s gestalt is the zeitgeist! I think that small business marketers using the web will find competitive advantage through early adoption of Google+. Seems, over the last few months, for there to be a malaise regarding Facebook and since the June 28th’s “release” of Google+ a lot of excitement and evangelism. The “wholeness” approach to Google’s making the web a social network versus using a site as a social network, like Facebook, is new. Although small it is growing exponentially, Google+ is estimated to have now, as of this week, reached 9 million users (according to Search Engine Watch). And perhaps even more telling as to the general spirit swelling around Google+ are the pwns animated gifs like these -

So what can you do now to begin learning and gaining in Google+? Two quick suggestions:

If you haven’t already, sign up for a personal profile Google+ at the Google+ home page. There is also a good Google+ FAQ on that page. I am finding, right now in the limited Beta, that after 10pm PDT is most likely to be successful in signing up.
Add a Google+1 button to your business website. If you have a WordPress based website it is as easy as installing a plugin. I like this one - http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-plus-one/. If you haven’t adopted WordPress for your website platform, or want to do it “old school” here is the Google+ code link – http://www.google.com/webmasters/+1/button/

Setting a custom Facebook username for your profile or business page

Marc — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 02:30:43 +0000

A custom Facebook username is an easy, free enhancement that may also benefit your search marketing. A custom Facebook username allows you simplify the link to your Facebook profile or business page and you can then also include your service, product, business name or other useful keywords in the custom Facebook URL.

Setting a Facebook username is simple but finding the link to the Facebook username page is not particularly easy. The fastest way to get there is to first be logged into your Facebook account then just go to http://facebook.com/username. To address some other useful details and nuance I have made a quick video that might help you become familiar with the different screens.

If you have any questions, send me an email or leave a comment.

Optimizing Facebook Places pages for your business

Marc — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 19:38:19 +0000

Facebook Places is a fairly new feature and it works much the same as Google Places. Giving a map, hours, details, even allowing Facebook members to check-in plus more. You can even merge Facebook Places with your Business page, which is wise for some small businesses.

This is how Facebook describes Facebook Places:

“Places is a Facebook mobile application that allows you to see where your friends are and share your physical location. You can check in to nearby Places to tell your friends where you are, tag your friends in the Places you visit, and view comments your friends have made about the Places you visit. Use Places to experience Facebook in a completely new way by connecting with your friends in the real world.

Facebook Places provides a presence for your business’s physical store locations encouraging your customers to share that they’ve visited your business by “checking in” to your Place. When your customer checks into your Place, these check-in stories can generate powerful, organic impressions in friends’ News Feeds, extending your brand’s reach to new customers. Best of all, it’s free.”

There are reportedly over a million Facebook Places already automatically created for storefront businesses in the North America. With the traffic in Facebook alone it is well worth capturing and integrating Facebook Places with your Facebook Business page, if you have not already.

Here is some information on the how-to.

First step is to see if yours already has been created and claim it.

To find your Place, (from Facebook’s instructions) -

“Your Place may already have been created by Facebook or a Facebook user. To see if your Place already exists, search on www.facebook.com via the Search bar on your computer. If you find your Place, you may proceed through the claim flow on the following page.

Otherwise, you may need to physically be located at your store’s location. Once there, launch Facebook Places using your Facebook for iPhone Application or any HTML5-enabled mobile device via touch.facebook.com. Search nearby Places to find your Place. If you are unable to find it, you may add it by clicking the ‘+’ or Add’ icon.”

Not there? You can Create your Place.

“Creating your Place on Facebook is easy. To add a new Place, enter your Place’s name and description (this can be edited later on). Click add. You have now successfully created your Place and you may check-in.”

Now claim your Facebook Place, this is much the same as it is in Google Places.

Claim your Place as this will allow you to manage your Place’s address, contact information, business hours, profile picture, admins and other settings. Managing a Facebook Place is similar to managing a Facebook Page, but there is additional functionality including maps, directions to the business, and check-ins.

1) Login to www.facebook.com, search for and select the name of your Place. Click on “Is this your business?” to claim your Place.

2) Check the box to declare that you are an official representative.

3) Next, we will attempt to verify your Place by calling the phone number listed for it. Please ensure that you can accept phone calls at the listed number. Click the “Call me now” button. During the call, we will provide you with a 4-digit verification PIN.

4) Enter your 4-digit verification PIN to verify your business. If you don’t receive a phone call, click on the “Call me again” link. Once you’ve verified your Place, you will receive a confirmation message that it has been claimed.

If you have multiple Places to claim, you must go through the claiming process for each of your Places. In addition, a solution for linking multiple Places to a single Facebook Page may become available in the future (emphasis added).

The last step for merging your Place and Business Page is optional and not recommended if you have multiple business locations. That may be changed if the possible solution mentioned above is provided by Facebook in the future. But, if you have only one location and are likely to have only one location for the forseeable future I would merge the pages.

This is what Facebook has to say about the features of a merged page.

“You will be able to manage your business centrally on Facebook if you choose to merge your single Place and Page. This includes posting status updates, photos, and links. Most importantly, all of the people who Liked your Facebook Page will remain connected to your business and you can continue interacting with
them.

Your new merged Page will now be updated with a richer design that includes Place information such as maps and check-ins. Your core Page content – Photos, Videos and Events will remain, as well as any custom tabs. In addition, you will keep your existing vanity URL if applicable.”

There is not much to do proactively for the merge, Facebook will likely prompt you to merge the two if you have both a single Business page and a claimed Place page attached to your Facebook profile record. Facebook recommends the merge upon the following conditions -

1. You are prompted to merge
2. You have just one physical store location
3. You have one Facebook Page representing your business

For more details please review the following resources -

The Facebook Places Help FAQ – http://www.facebook.com/help/?page=1159

The Facebook instruction guide, 6 page illustrated pdf – http://ads.ak.facebook.com/ads/FacebookAds/Places_advertisers.pdf

Let me know if you have any questions, or need assistance. I feel this is an excellent way to extend your business and website further into social media. Particularly if your site is already integrated and socially enabled. SEO has become much more than just keyword marketing on a webpage. Today it has to include social media. It almost calls for a new term.

Twitter beats Facebook for marketing results

Marc — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 19:59:55 +0000

It turns out that the simplicity and ubiquity of Twitter’s 140 character messages and minimal profiles also has real marketing power. From an October 2010 article in PCWorld titled Twitter Crushes Facebook For Marketing

Facebook makes up 78 percent of traffic among all social network sites and micro-blogging site Twitter accounts for 5 percent, but on average “tweets” with embedded links get 19 clicks while Facebook’s shared links only get three clicks, according to a study by SocialTwist.

The article above also has some useful information regarding Twitter’s newer features and the pros and cons of both Facebook and Twitter for marketing purposes.

Want more information? Here is a good post explaining what’s new in Twitter, how it works and how to use it.

But the real take away here is that Twitter and Facebook are not mutually exclusive. So use both in your marketing! It will also help enhance your SEO and search marketing. Which social network enabled WordPress based websites, that I specialize in creating, allow you to do easily.

The Twilight of MySpace

Marc — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 06:00:33 +0000

The Wall Street Journal is reporting this week that MySpace may cut its workforce by as much as 50% this month.

For many of us MySpace was our first Web 2.0 social network. I started on MySpace in late 2003. It was huge, fun and almost indispensible. A great place to find people and music. Even business. It was said that new bands couldn’t get a club booking if they didn’t have at least 5 thousand in their friends network.

It seems a shame that MySpace is losing money, shrinking in traffic and may be laying off half of its staff this month. But MySpace, once it was owned by News Corp., seemed to often stumble while Facebook, Twitter, Google and others innovated, grew. Still, I hope MySpace does not go the way of GeoCities (remember the neighborhoods?) or slide into relative obscurity like the also once huge Friendster.

How to Import Your Website Blog into Your Facebook Business Page

Marc — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:12:33 +0000

UPDATE: Importing a blog into a Facebook business page is no longer supported by Facebook. Please see this post for more details – You can no longer feed your blog to your Facebook page. To import a blog or other pages from your website you will need to create a custom tab for your Facebook busines page. More on how to do that soon.

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Here is the how-to for automatically importing your website’s blog posts onto your Facebook business page. It is not very complicated, but it is not very intuitive either so it made sense to share the instructions in a short video.

As I mention in the video it can take a while before Facebook recognizes your website blog, but be persistent it will work eventually and it is well worth it from both a social media marketing effort as well as enhanced search engine presence. If you have any questions send me an email.