I have to start off with two disclaimers to this blog post:
Disclaimer 1: None of the information I’m going to share is actually secret, they’re only links to features that most Facebook users or page admins have probably heard about but don’t know how to access. Most of the links I’ve shared are those that I’ve spent unusually long amounts of time searching for within the ever-changing mystery that is Facebook’s help section.
Disclaimer 2: I’ve been writing a lot about Facebook lately and, well, my only defense is that people always say to “write about what you know”. Fortunately (or unfortunately) for me, Facebook is something I know a lot about. I could probably post Facebook updates in my sleep. In fact I do, every morning, before I have my first cup of coffee.
Jokes aside, Facebook is a great social platform for businesses that can be integrated with a number of other great networking sites such as YouTube, Twitter, Flickr and even your own website. In a previous post, 5 Basic Tips for Facebook Pages, I outlined five simple steps on how to get started with pages on Facebook. While the steps are pretty self-explanatory and not too difficult to figure out, Facebook is always changing. Even for someone like me who spends way more time then they’d like to admit playing (and working) on Facebook, they’re constantly updating, upgrading, rearranging and changing things around. So unless you’re glued to social media news, knowing how and where to access some of Facebook’s more advanced features can be a little tricky.
Secret Facebook Tip #1: Facebook Usernames
A good example (and my first “secret” tip) is Facebook usernames. In early 2009 Facebook announced that they were going to be allowing unique URLs for both Facebook user profiles as well as pages. This meant that instead of having a URL that nobody could possibly remember like www.facebook.com/page/id?video_army_tv309343934098343, they were going to let you pick your own usernames (or what came after “facebook.com/” on your page). Awesome, right? Well it was pretty great until nobody could figure out exactly where to make this custom URL business happen. To Facebook’s defense, they did alert users upon login when the feature was released. But if you were coming in late in the game, finding the area to pick your URL took a lot of searching.
*Bonus Tip*: Facebook requires that pages have at least 25 fans before they can have a unique URL. Don’t complain, it was originally set at 1,000.
Secret Facebook Tip #2: Twitter Integration
So you’re not only on Facebook but you’re also on the Twitter too? There are several ways to integrate Twitter into a Facebook page or profile, but one particular application is actually supported by Facebook and allows your Facebook status updates, photos, links, notes and events to also be posted to your Twitter account with cute (and very helpful) bit.ly links for updates that go over 140 (characters that is). Not only will it save you (or your profile manager) time, but it’s also customizable so that you can choose what kind of updates go to Twitter. However, the only way you’d know that is if you knew to go to the link above. Good luck finding it in a Facebook search.
Secret Facebook Tip #3: Promotion Guidelines
http://www.facebook.com/promotions_guidelines.php
One of the top questions I hear from business owners or marketing people starting out on Facebook is, “How do we get more Facebook fans?”. There is no magical formula to gain more fans. There’s the Facebook ad platform, inviting people from your personal profile, linking from your website… the list goes on and on. The question they should really be asking is why do they want more fans (or any fans) in the first place?
The point being that Facebook, and every social network, is about interaction. You look at pictures of your friends, links from your colleagues and basically anything that you find interesting or useful enough to lend your precious attention to. Therefore, the content posted to your page should be engaging (which is social media speak for interesting, useful, funny, etc.). One of the best ways for brands (especially new brands) to get attention is to give an incentive for people to join your community. In other words, FREE STUFF!
Ok, well that’s a really generalized way of looking at it, but promotions, giveaways, sweepstakes and contests can be really effective to reach out and get to know the world while the world gets to know you. However, Facebook has some very strict guidelines on how you can use their platform for hosting these kinds of shenanigans which is why the link to their promotion rules is my third secret tip.
Secret Facebook Tip #4: Facebook Marketing Solutions
http://www.facebook.com/marketing
One of your only looks inside what the hell Facebook is thinking. It’s news straight from the horse’s mouth. Not from Mashable (although we love Mashable). Not from some other social media marketing blog. Not from your social media “guru” intern web person. It’s actual communication from Facebook on how to market on Facebook. Not only that, but they profile some of the better performing brands and it’s a sneaky way to get a peek at what the best of the best are doing. To be honest, it’s one of my top sources when I’m hunting for new ideas or looking for new ways to make Facebook work for brands. Producing quality content is only part of the social media marketing puzzle. Knowing what to do with it and how is another.
That concludes my not-so-secret Facebook secret tips. Have any Facebook questions you’d like to ask while I’m feeling generous? Hit me up in the comments below.
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Category : Social Media
