‘Facebook’ Archives
Author: The Ibis Network Published: January 17th, 2012
Here’s the thing … Telling yourself that Facebook is child’s play and there’s no way you could benefit from setting up a fan page isn’t going to build your business or attract any new clients. In fact, businesses both big and small are finding new ways to generate leads and potential business through social media. Of course, some are more successful than others but all of them will see more success than they would if they just did nothing at all.
Here’s the what, why, and how of setting up a Facebook fan page for your business …
The What: This is the easiest part to explain. A Facebook fan page is similar to a regular Facebook page but rather than updating your friends and family on your whereabouts and personal life, you’ll be sharing information about your business and communicating with a network of potential clients and existing customers. Sure, you’ll need to build that network first but with a bit of effort and creativity, you’ll find there’s a good reason so many companies feel it’s important to be represented on Facebook.
The Why: The short answer is there are 250 million users logging into Facebook each day and it’s the website Americans spend most of their time visiting when they’re online. In other words, your business should be represented on Facebook because everyone is on Facebook and, in order to build business, you need to go where the people are. Fortunately, having a Facebook fan page also means better search-engine results as well. That means, not only will you be able to capitalize on the millions of users already on Facebook but you’ll also be more easily found through search-engines such as Google and Bing.
The How: This is where it gets more difficult. Unfortunately, you won’t have much success if you register a page and then don’t ever update it, login, or fill out the appropriate information. So here are some quick tips. Once you’ve got a page registered and filled out all of your business info, have a look through the available applications to get an idea of the ways you can maximize your fan page. Using the provided apps is easier than ever and can, for example, import your blog posts, set up additional tags for reviews, polls, and contests, in addition to helping facilitate contact between you and any potential clients that stumbled across your page. Also, take advantage of the available badges to place a link to your new fan page on any other online properties you have. The more you advertise your site, the more visitors you’ll have. And be sure to use Facebook as your fan page. In other words, log in as your business and “like” other pages, make comments, and participate in the online community. It’s a great way of spreading the word and getting your name out.
Tags: Articles, Business Info, Child Play, Child S Play, Creativity, Existing Customers, Facebook, Fan Page, Fan Pages, Free Loan Officer Training, Free Realtor Training, Free Training, Friends And Family, Good Reason, Google, Josh Millar, Leads, Loan Originators, Logging, Marketing, Marketing Tools, Mortgage Loan Officers, Mortgage Marketing, Mortgage Professionals, Networking, Networking Strategy, New Ways, People, Personal Life, Realtor Marketing, Register, Search Engine Results, Search Engines, SEO, Short Answer, Social Media, Social Networking, The Ibis Network, Tips
Category Facebook, Networking Strategy |
Author: The Ibis Network Published: October 26th, 2011
Pretend your Facebook fan page is your house. Now how inviting a home would it be if you didn’t have furniture, appliances, heat, plumbing, etc.? The answer is not very. It may look nice enough from the outside but you certainly wouldn’t have many guests if, for example, they were expected to bring their own seating, water, and heat source. The same principle applies to your Facebook fan page. In order to attract visitors and keep them long enough to get them to like your page, become a fan, or contact you, you’ll need to take advantage of any available apps and tools that add function, make it easier for you to maintain your page, and – most importantly – attracts visitors and potential business.
Here are some applications to help your business take full advantage of its Facebook fan page …
RSS Graffiti: Visitors to your Facebook page will need something to look at beyond your address and phone number. That means content. RSS Graffiti greatly reduces the stress of coming up with content to share on each of your social-media accounts by automatically sending your posts and tweets to your Facebook fan page. Easy to set up and free, RSS Graffiti can be used with any website or social application that has an RSS/Atom feed.
Schedulicity: Unfortunately this app will cost you a monthly fee but for less than $1 a day it adds a tab to your fan page that allows visitors to schedule an appointment with you directly from Facebook. And, while it can be a benefit to you and your existing clients, it’ll also help you find new clients. After all, making it easier for people to find and book your services can only help boost your business and your fan page’s functionality.
Contact Tab: Much like Schedulicity, this Facebook app makes turning visitors to your fan page into new contacts easier. With Contact Tab, you can collect all of your contact info in one place – from your address to your social-media accounts – and also add a map to your location and a form to send you a message directly from your fan page.
Pagemodo: Pagemodo makes it easier than ever to customize your Facebook fan page. Though the app comes with a price, it also comes with a variety of customizable templates that will take your fan page from dull to dynamic. You won’t need any coding or design skills, either. Features are easily added and include slideshows, video, contact forms, maps, and the ability to hide content behind a “gate” that requires interested visitors to first like your page before they can access the info.
Poll: Just what its name suggests, the Poll application on Facebook allows you to add a poll question to your page or profile. The poll shows up as its own tab and is great for gathering information from your fans and visitors.
More suggestions here, here, and here. Previous article on LinkedIn apps here.
The Ibis Network / www.theibisnetwork.com
Tags: Appointment, Atom, Benefit, Business Apps, Contact Info, Facebook, Fan Page, Free Loan Officer Training, Free Realtor Training, Free Training, Functionality, Furniture Appliances, Graffiti, Heat Source, Josh Millar, Loan Originators, Locat, Map, Map Location, Marketing, Marketing Tools, Media Accounts, Mortgage Loan Officers, Mortgage Marketing, Mortgage Professionals, Networking, Networking Strategy, Phone Number, Plumbing, Principle, Professional Networking Suite, Realtor Marketing, Realtors, Social Application, Social Media, Social Networking, Strategy, Stress, The Ibis Network, Tips, Tweets, Water And Heat
Category Facebook, Networking Strategy |
Author: The Ibis Network Published: July 12th, 2011
Since its launch in 2004, Facebook has more than proven itself to be an effective way to embarrass yourself, friends, and family online. But as the popular social network has grown, so have the opportunities for businesses hoping to capitalize on the millions of members logging in each day. No longer is social media only for college kids and online voyeurs, creative brands, businesses, and major corporations have found marketing success using social media, and no network is bigger than Facebook’s.
Below we offer a few helpful hints and tips to building and benefiting from your Facebook fan page …
Online/Offline: The anonymity of the Internet offers people an excuse to do things they wouldn’t in everyday life. Scroll through the comment section of an average news story online and you’ll see how eager people are to engage their most obnoxious instincts. But having a successful social-media marketing campaign means treating people with the same respect you would if you ran into them at an industry or community function. In other words, slow down your sales pitch and develop a relationship with your Facebook fans before pushing your services.
Use Apps: Though you may think your job is done once you’ve got your contact and business info up, you’re not. Facebook offers a multitude of resources and applications that can make your page, not only more dynamic, but more functional and interesting to visitors. Have a glance through the available applications and choose those that seem to fit your business and audience. For example, there are many options to link your fan page to your other social-media sites and blog. If you’re keeping a business blog, kill two birds with one update and have your blog post automatically sent to your Facebook page.
Encourage Participation: Try to view your fan page the way a potential client or curious web browser would. Having a page that is interactive, updated regularly, and offers interesting info and ideas, will keep people visiting and, once they are, more accepting of any directly sales-oriented materials you post. If you set up a fan page and only update it with messages urging visitors to buy, buy, buy, you’ll likely have, not only bored them, but assured that they won’t return. As always, communication and relationships are the key to a successful social-media campaign. Restrain your urge to advertise and, in time, you’ll reap the benefits your efforts.
The Ibis Network / www.theibisnetwork.com
Tags: Anonymity, Articles, Business Info, College Kids, Corporations, Everyday Life, Excuse, Facebook, Fan Page, Free Loan Officer Training, Free Realtor Training, Free Training, Friends And Family, Helpful Hints, Instincts, Josh Millar, Launch, Loan Originators, Marketing, Marketing Campaign, Marketing Tools, Media Marketing, Mortgage Loan Officers, Mortgage Marketing, Mortgage Professionals, Multitude, Networking, Networking Strategy, Networking Suite, News Story, Page Nbsp, Professional Networking Suite, Realtor Marketing, Realtors, Sales Pitch, Social Media, Social Networking, The Ibis Network, Three Keys, Tips, Two Birds, Valuable Marketing
Category Facebook, Networking Strategy |
Author: The Ibis Network Published: March 9th, 2011
By now, if you haven’t heard of Facebook, it’s likely because you’re still busy trying to program your VCR or you have a Victrola that needs cranking. Which is to say, it’s everywhere. But how does a professional use Facebook to build their business, generate leads, and meet potential clients? First, you have to set up a fan page for your businesses or brand. After that, you have to get the word out. The page won’t do the work for you. So here are some tips on finding an audience and keeping their interest …
Give it a Proper Name: Sure, it seems easy enough but choosing a smart name might mean something entirely different to you than it does to a search engine. The best name to use, if you’d like to be found more often in searches, is the exact name of your business. Using clever phrases or your web domain may seem like a good way to separate yourself from Facebook’s 500 million active users, but more often than not it’ll make you less likely to be found by the very people you’re trying to attract.
Promote Your Page: Like anything else, if you want people to know about something, you have to tell them. So take advantage of Facebook’s widgets and badges and add links to your page on your business website, your blog, and anywhere else you can think of. The more opportunities you create to promote your page, the more likely you’ll have a burgeoning fan base before long.
Advertise: Facebook offers an advertising platform that allows you to buy a simple ad that you can target by location, age, or interests. That means, your ad appears before exactly the audience you want to attract. It’s not free, but if you’re serious about building your fan page, it’s a good way to start adding fans that aren’t in your family or social circle.
More Facebook tips from The Ibis Network here and here.
The Ibis Network / www.theibisnetwork.com
Tags: Advantage, Advertise, Advertising, Audience, Badges, Blog, Business Website, Clever Phrases, Exact Name, Facebook, Fan Base, Fan Page, Free Loan Officer Training, Free Realtor Training, Free Training, Josh Millar, Loan Originators, Marketing, Mortgage Loan Officers, Mortgage Marketing, Network Www, Networking, Networking Strategy, Professional Networking Suite, Realtor Marketing, Realtors, S 500, Search Engine, Social Media, Social Networking, Strategy, The Ibis Network, Tips, Vcr, Victrola, Web Domain, Widgets
Category Facebook, Networking Strategy |
Author: The Ibis Network Published: September 8th, 2010
As of July 2010, Facebook had more than 500 million active users. So if you’re among those who still don’t believe they need to incorporate social media into their networking strategy, ask yourself how many people you’re reaching with your current marketing approach. If the number is anywhere south of 700,000, it might be time to register for a Facebook fan page and give online marketing a try.
With a little time and effort, your Facebook page will quickly increase your ability to communicate with your community, advertise your services, network with other professionals, and meet people who may be looking to buy a home or refinance a loan.
Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your new Facebook page …
Invite Your Friends, Contacts, And Clients: You can’t attract people to your page without first letting them know it’s there. Invite everyone on your contact list to become a fan of your page. Then add a “Become a Fan” button to your website or blog and watch your visibility grow.
Take out an Ad: Sure, it’ll cost you but setting up a small ad on Facebook can lead to new fans and further promotion of your page. Add an image and a catchy headline and start cultivating the resulting relationships. More here.
Share Information: Share links and articles to establish yourself as an expert in your area. Post business updates on your wall. Include your newsletter subscription information on your page. Post info on upcoming events. Start a group page for your community. Ask questions. Answer questions. Get involved.
Customize Your Page: Add applications. Facebook provides easy-to-use applications that allow you to connect your page to your blog, Twitter, Flickr, and many other social-media sites. The more content and connectivity, the more opportunities there will be for people to find you and your fan page.
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Josh Millar / The Ibis Network / www.theibisnetwork.com
To learn more about the Ibis Network’s Professional Networking Suite for Realtors and Mortgage Professionals which features these valuable marketing tools:
* Your own Real-Estate or Mortgage blog updated daily with original content
* Monthly e-newsletter ready to send to your contact list
* Social Media set-up on the 8 major networking sites
* Search Engine Optimization (SEO) of your business website
Visit: http://www.theibisnetwork.com/networkingsuite.html
If you’d like a free Real-Estate blog designed for you… no strings attached – click here: http://theibisnetwork.wordpress.com/want-your-own-real-estate-blog-for-free/
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Tags: Business Updates, Catchy Headline, Contact List, Current Marketing, Facebook, Fan Page, Flickr, Free Loan Officer Training, Free Realtor Training, Free Training, Information Share, Josh Millar, Little Time, Loan Originators, Marketing, Mortgage Loan Officers, Mortgage Marketing, Mortgage Professionals, Network Www, Networking Strategy, Newsletter Subscription, Page Josh, Professional Networking Suite, Realtor Marketing, Realtors, SEO, Share Information, Small Ad, Social Media, Subscription Information, The Ibis Network, Tips, Tips And Tricks, Website Visibility
Category Facebook, Networking Strategy |
Author: The Ibis Network Published: April 1st, 2010
10 tips from the co-founder and CEO of Sprout …
1. Don’t Lose New Visitors
2. Provide Fresh Content
3. Give Your Audience A Reason To Become A Fan
4. Update Away – But Put Yourself In The Fan’s Shoes
5. Be Smart With Your Images
6. Encourage Interaction In Your Posts
7. Nothing Spreads The Word Like Photos
8. Monitor And Engage
9. Determine Your Strategy In Advance
10. Treat Your Fan Page Like An Online Ad And Optimize
Click here for full article. From iMedia Connection.
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Josh Millar / The Ibis Network / www.theibisnetwork.com
To learn more about the Ibis Network’s Professional Networking Suite for Realtors and Mortgage Professionals which features these valuable marketing tools:
* Your own Real-Estate or Mortgage blog updated daily with original content
* Monthly e-newsletter ready to send to your contact list
* Social Media set-up on the 8 major networking sites
* Search Engine Optimization (SEO) of your business website
Visit: http://www.theibisnetwork.com/networkingsuite.html
If you’d like a free Real-Estate blog designed for you… no strings attached – click here: http://theibisnetwork.wordpress.com/want-your-own-real-estate-blog-for-free/
If you’d like a free Mortgage blog designed for you… no strings attached – click here: http://theibisnetwork.wordpress.com/want-your-own-mortgage-blog-for-free/
Tags: Articles, Audience, Ceo, Co Founder, Contact List, Facebook, Fan Page, Free Mortgage, Free Real Estate, Interaction, Josh Millar, Marketing Tools, Mortgage Marketing, Mortgage Professionals, Network Www, Networking, Networking Strategy, Networking Suite, Optimization Seo, Own Mortgage, Own Real Estate, Professional Networking, Professional Networking Suite, Realtor Marketing, Realtors, Search Engine Optimization, SEO, Shoes, Social Media, Social Networking, Strategy, The Ibis Network, Tips, Valuable Marketing
Category Facebook, Networking Strategy |
