Facebook Tag

Twitter Finds the Sweet Spot in Online Advertising As more and more people bash Facebook for spam-filled ads, referred to as “sponsored stories,” Twitter’s unobtrusive advertising model begins to look increasingly attractive. At The Social Calling, I’ve been impressed with how they’ve matched ad content and frequency with target audiences. While Facebook bombards people with unwanted messages, Twitter exercises a surprising amount of discipline - CEO Dick Costolo has kept the number of promoted tweets quite low and has focused on growing those numbers in a slower, more controlled and organic way. For people interested in Social Media Marketing in the San Fernando Valley as well as worldwide, this has important implications for how to best target current and potential customers.

What You Don’t Know about LinkedIn Long considered just a talent resource and self-promotion platform, LinkedIn is emerging as a powerful business tool. You’d be surprised to find out all the revenue-driving and timesaving activities you can do with LinkedIn. In fact, an article published by Jody Steinhauer at the star.com covers a wide variety of the possibilities. At The Social Calling, I’m a big fan of using LinkedIn as a one-stop shop for promoting my business, finding vendors, making hires and staying current on news and business trends. And because I’m such a fan, I’ve outlined some of the key things you can do with LinkedIn that you may or may not have known about:

Why is Google + more popular than FaceBook? Recently an online poll showed that Google + was more popular than FaceBook among users of social media. Now, to be sure, I’m not active on Google + but I found the results of this poll to be very intriguing.  You see, I really wasn’t aware that Google + was all that similar to FaceBook social media-wise but the poll results made me think differently.  With that in mind I started doing some research to find out what the similarities were and to see for myself if Google + possibly had something better than FaceBook.  Much to my surprise I believe that they do, and I believe it won’t be long before Google + gives FaceBook a slap to the face (pun definitely intended) as it beats them at their own game. Below you’ll see why Facebook may have some stiff competition just around the corner.

I felt I had to write this today in lieu of all of the hoopla surrounding Facebook’s IPO, the not so cool exclusion of information, blah blah blah.  I was speaking with an acquaintance this morning and he said he told his family they should buy Facebook stock right now while the shares were low (not low enough for me by the way), so that they could reminisce years from now saying “Ahh, remember when Facebook was great?” In spite of all that’s going on, Facebook is still the best social media platform to communicate with customers (and friends).  I think everyone needs a reminder of why Facebook is still such a powerful tool (as part of an overall marketing strategy).  People forget that Facebook + Engagement doesn’t always equal SALE.  Do companies create Super Fans that purchase from them? They absolutely do.  But for the majority of companies, Facebook is an extension of their overall strategy (as it should be).  Facebook is a necessarily evil (and I use that term lightly).  When a business has a website that speaks to who they are, they usually have business cards that present a similar message.  

Hi Everyone.  This Tutorial covers the very basics of how to set up a Facebook Ad.  I think Facebook advertising can be very powerful because Facebook has been able to capture  specific data on each person when they set up their personal profiles.  This is free demographic data for businesses who really want to focus in on a specific audience.  To be able to choose the age range of the people to whom your targeting, the specific language they speak, where they live and what their precise interests are, is a gift. I really believe Facebook advertising should be part of any social media marketing plan.  Even if you have an existing client base, Facebook is a great way to increase your brand awareness.  And just because you advertise in Facebook doesn’t mean you’re directing people to your Facebook page.  You can absolutely set up your ads so that when people click on them, they go to a specific landing page on your website as well.  It just depends on what your goal is. 

Hi Everyone.  I have finally done Facebook Tutorial #2 and I apologize for the delay.  The next several tutorials will be produced faster, I promise.

 In this Tutorial I cover the importance of the “About” section in Facebook.  With the new timeline changes, people are overlooking this area and it’s a valuable piece of information for your visitors to see.  This is where you not only describe your products and/or services but also provide your website url.  So many people are not including that in their “About” section and it’s a missed opportunity for visitors to take a look at your website.  You want information about your business front and center for everyone to see.  Visitors shouldn’t have to click on your “About” section to get this information.  If it takes them one more step, there’s a greater chance that they’ll leave your Facebook Page.  That being said, when you’re editing your “About” section, think about what is the most important information you want the public to see.  Maybe your website isn’t the hub of your business and you would rather include a description, phone number and address.  You have very limited space so think about what you want there.  Take a look at my Facebook page as an example.