Why Bother with Facebook May 21, 2010

SocialPie newsletter | Facebook | May 21, 2010

Facebook is more popular than porn. If Facebook were a country it would be the world’s 3rd largest, after China and India. That’s a lot of eyeballs. Odds are pretty good a portion of those eyeballs belong to your target market. Using Facebook puts you in front of them.

Today we’ll start with an introduction to Facebook basics, personal vs. business pages. The next 4 weeks we’ll explore these Facebook topics:

• Using Facebook for competitive advantage without being a member
• Insights about those who “Like” your page
• Facebook Ads
• Customizing Facebook

Personal profiles & Business Pages

Every member of Facebook has a personal page. Personal pages are for people and that’s where YOU connect to your real friends. People with businesses can add a Business Page. And people can “Like” your business. (this recently changed from being Fan Pages).

Tips:

1. Facebook is free
2. Businesses cannot use personal profiles to promote themselves. They must build a Business Page from their personal profile. Break the rule and Facebook may shut you down.
3. People who “Like” your business do not have access to your personal page or your friends’ personal status updates.
4. “Liker” is not a noun
5. You can get a “Like Us on Facebook” box to add to your website; for free.

Facebook privacy settings for users have been a hot topic recently. On Tuesday, May 18, Facebook promised to introduce simpler privacy settings. Read more here.

I’m full. Next week: using Facebook for competitive advantage without becoming a member.

Hello SocialPie March 18, 2010

I am becoming a brand.

For the last 2 years I’ve been immersed in social media through other brands and I have developed clients of my own. So far they’ve known me as Carla Bobka.

I have a corp name, set up on the fly over a year ago, incorporated and everything (thanks Superman). All of 7 minutes went into the name for incorporation purposes. Honestly it stinks, so I’m not using it except for tax (and healthcare) purposes.

So I’ve picked a name and a logo and printed business cards. The name and logo are intended to represent my who I am and what I bring to clients. Of course the reputation for that has existed for a long time. Becoming a brand really means wrapping that reputation is visual imagery. I want it to conjure: colorful, conversationalist, interesting, giver, fashionable, full of energy with knowledge to share; and make you smile. If you asked my friends they would also say it should include “well accessorized.”

Are you ready?

Here it is: SocialPie

SocialPie's logo (need to check on copyright)

SocialPie helps businesses put the right pieces of social media to work growing their business. I help them figure out which pieces work with their goals, and how to implement. Small and mid-size businesses are my specialty. I’m really good at relating social media examples that people connect to their own business. I have a talent for explanation.

People have never really known how to begin working with me, so I’ve added a page to the blog (top header.)

SocialPie doesn’t roll off my lips yet, I’m still getting used to it. Let me know what you think.

Carla