Different types of Facebook Pages and having the RIGHT one…

For those new to FB it might be confusing to get going so please know that I am here to help... I often find people start with a FB personal profile, then create a FB group, gain followers to only realize they have the wrong type of FB Page…

FB personal profile

If you are using a FB personal profile as your business page I would suggest changing it ASAP. Yes you might be able to use FB to ‘recruit’ new followers and prospective clients but your page is also invasive to those who ‘liked it’ since you have access to their personal information.

If you are still trying to figure out FB ‘Social Etiquette’, as I think many of us are, and did make this mistake you can rectify. De-friend the people you do not know and then change that profile to the actual person or owner of the business…YOU!

Now create a page for your Business:

Your FB Business page would be attached to you FB Personal Profile and with the correct security settings your FB Personal page would still be private and totally separate from your FB Business page. Just follow this link to create you FB Business page now. When you are done you can access your FB Business Page by clicking: Accounts (top right) – use FB as a Page- Click on the page.

Existing Group:

If you did by accident create a FB Group Page then click here to read what FB says about how they are different if you have followers and are reluctant to loose them…

The problem with a FB Group page is that it was created for private small groups and as a ‘place’ people would ‘go to’ to get the info they need. FB Business Pages were created to assist as a marketing tool enabling businesses to get ‘information out’ to their followers. So if you are posting regularly on your FB Group Page and no-one seems to be getting your updates it is because they ARE NOT and your postings do not appear in their Newsfeed. I would suggest creating Events or Notes on your FB Group and communicating to people by using the ‘Update fans of…’ button which should FB Inbox your followers.

Yes Groups are also nice because you are able to invite all of your friends. FB Business Pages only allows the administrator to invite friends and followers can only ‘share’ the page which will appear in their Newsfeed leaving friends to choose themselves if they would like to ‘like’ or not.

This is where RelyLocal becomes a powerful tool on FB. Your profile on the Community Search Engine has all of your Social Media links for others to find. I add FB Pages to the RelyLocal FB Page as favorites and a quick resource for other FB users, and when I do postings about your business I @tag providing a live link for others back to your page encase they would like to follow you.

Hope this helps! If you have multiple pages and need help to make out the ‘heads or tails’ please don’t hesitate to give me a call at (860) 214-9900 or email me at melienlavoie@relylocal.com

Relative in the EYES of GOOGLE

I often get asked about Google ratings and Search Engine Optimization (SEO). I can assure you I was not born understanding this concept but when you see something happening right in front of your eyes you sort of get a different perspective on it. So I will attempt to explain Google relativity by means of High School Social Structures…

Google is the coolest and most popular kid in your school. You are the new kid and needs to get his attention to improve your social stature and ranking.

1) First get a NAME and stick with it! If you go by John, Johnie, JP and Johan P, Google will sees you as 4 different people with 4 different names.

2) TALK to Google’s and stop asking your questions to Google’s ‘side-kick’s’...

3) Write your name in his CONTACT LIST !!

4) Increase your chances of running into him: Get your MAIL where he gets his mail, BLOG where he blogs….

5) If you want Google to recognize you as someone with ‘gifts’ do use the KEYWORDS ‘gift, gifts...’ in everything you say and do!

6) Join a GROUP! One little person on the World Wide Web has much less of a chance to get his attention but as one of a GROUP standing together your chances are increased drastically…

7) Become a SOCIAL BUTTERFLY promoting yourself!

8) PLUG-IN locally. When you 'like' your local RelyLocal FB network your FB search results adapts in relativity according to their 'likes' and 'favorites' helping you to find local FB pages easier.

9) SHARE and post your RelyLocal page ~ understanding that when you become relative as a GROUP of locals we all become relative as a community in the eyes of Google…

10) CONNECT your dots... From your RelyLocal Listing of all your social networks...back to you Webpage with all your social links...back to sharing those links in your blogs and FB posts... CONNECTING your pages for maximum referral traffic.

11) Start your SEARCH LOCAL giving ‘traffic’ to local families for an opportunity to get your business. If you still can’t find what you are looking for then use Google, switching between Google and RelyLocal. Side Note: This is not a new concept. Through the history of mankind there are multiple examples of communities standing together and becoming powerful / relative because of the masses they represent. Personally when I look at a platform creating ‘collective traffic’ working towards ‘collective relativity’ these are the questions I ask myself to determine my choices:

1) How local is really local? Is this site powered by an International or National organization or by a local small business like myself?

2) Why do they exist? For the primary purpose of online reporting? To generate ‘per click revenue’ by means of online adds? To get bog box coupons to the masses?

3) How do they help my community? Do they organize or sponsor local events? Do they belong to my local Chamber? Do they create awareness for me?

4) Are they here to help me or are they here to help themselves? You do not have to ADVERTISE with Google on Adworks to get top ratings with Google. Google DOES use Facebook and Twitter posts to determind 'relativity'. For more info and answers watch this video from Matt Cutts Blog

*Please NOTE this is my own personal understanding and perception and by no means do I represent Google in any manner.*