5 Tips on creating a great Facebook fan page

Update: 11.21.10 - Because of the great response to this post, I've decided to create a mailing list so that I can share more FB Fan page tips with those who want it.  You can click on the badge to the right -----> or on the mailing list sign up link.  Thanks so much! 

I've had a fan page on Facebook for quite some time now.  I'm slowly beginning to grasp the advantages of having a fan page and how I can use it to engage people.  Yesterday, I updated my page just a little and sparked a few questions from readers and twitter followers.   As I tweak my page,  I'll share some useful tips I find along the way. [click photos to enlarge]

1.  Grab attention by using a large profile imag.  Did you know you can use a picture up to 540 x 180 pixels?  So why not use all the space you can to promote your page and your brand? If you can't make an image this size yourself, ask a friend who has Photoshop or a similar program to help.  (yes, I'm a friend).

2.  Stand out from the rest of Facebook fan pages by creating your own landing page.  You may have noticed that Facebook is very uniform in it's design.  Everyone's page looks alike.  A landing (or home page) is a great way to grab attention.  This is what people see when they find my page and are not already fans:

The tabs at the top of your page (the wall and info are standard) are apps that can be easily added.  There are lots of them out there that for you to use.  You'll notice I have an Etsy tab that feeds my current products on Etsy into my fan page.  I also currently have an events page (which needs to be updated). 

But, the most important app, in my opinion, is the Static FBML.  This is what I used for my landing page and my new "Fan of the Month" page (in development).  It is an app that allows you to create your own content using standard html coding.  You can add graphics and links making the page as custom as you'd like.  This site offers great step by step instructions to adding Static FBML to your page.

3.  Use consistent branding such as your shop or business logo.  I also read somewhere that adding your picture (you'll notice mine on my page profile pic) makes it more personal.  After all, it is called FACEbook for a reason.  People want to see who you are.  Note also that it's the same profile pic I'm using across the internet:  Twitter, Facebook, etc.  People actually recognize me from these pics and approach me by yelling, "hey, you're alamodeStuff!"

4.  Engage your fans with updated content, contests, polls, etc.  This is something I'm trying to improve upon.  I currently re-post my blog which is redundant for some of my fans.   I am working on a few ideas and will certainly share them with you as they develop.  If you have suggestions, ideas, comments, I'd love to hear them.

5.  Once you have 25 fans, you can change your URL to reflect your name.  Mine is www.facebook.com/alamodestuff.  Here's a link to help you update your URL name.

So, go for it!  Make your fan page as unique and interesting as you are!  Play with it!  Have fun!  If you have questions or need help in implementing any of these suggestions, let me know.  I'm happy to lend a hand.

Hump Day Humor: The truth about computers

[source:  Fake Science]
click image for larger view

From photo to blog in under 5 minutes

Flower necklace from Sea Find Designs, originally uploaded by alamodestuff.

I just took this photo of myself (from my iPhone) wearing my flower necklace from Sea Find Designs.

I used a few new photo apps (learned here from Scoutie Girl) to give it a new look and add the polaroid frame.

I uploaded it to my Flickr page.

I blogged from my Flickr page.

And, viola, you are reading it here on my blog!!

All in less than 5 minutes!!

I love technology!!

We now return to our regularly scheduled programming

Funny thing about running a predominantly online business...when you have computer problems, it virtually shuts down your entire operation. Yesterday, my computer decided to take a sick day. Can't blame it. It's overworked, underpaid and perpetually stressed. Rather than stress about it myself, I decided to take the opportunity to get caught up on production. I finished several bags, a pillow, and began working on another new product for the home (to be shared soon). It was a productive day. However, my regularly scheduled posts have been thrown off. So, please excuse me while I get caught up this week on the blog.

I would like to share a tidbit of mommy goodness. I mentioned a few weeks back (in this post here), that amidst the mundane of our everyday lives there are tidbits of parenting joy when we least expect it. This morning I had one.

My 8 yr old, has decided that he wants to catch the school bus by himself now. The stop is within earshot of our house but out of my sightline. So, the agreement is that he waves to me from the bus when it passes the house. I hustled him out the door only to stand on the porch, listening, to wait for the bus to pull by. This morning, he not only waved but blew me a kiss. My heart was filled and my morning made.

Alright...happy Tuesday. It's back to work.

[bus photo via flickr - jimross90]

Hump Day Humor - Excellent way to weed out the unqualified

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Groundbreaking technology that will change both gaming and our world

Today's 'modern' post is a video about Project Natal, by XBox. Of course, my 12 year old showed this to me. This new technology enables the user to interact naturally without controls. You have to see this! It's like something right out of the movies.

"This is a pivotal moment that will carry with it a wave of change, the ripples of which will reach far beyond video games" -STEVEN SPIELBERG

Hump Day Humor

Mac vs. Pc -- The Inevitable Decision

So, my PC crashed for the second time in less than 6 months. This after my hard drive was replaced. The good news is that most of my files are backed up. The bad news is that most of my files are backed up...leaving some of my files potentially gone...drat!

More good news:
1. A forced break from spending countless hours on the computer. However, by reading this, you are privy to the fact that I can still post thus am not completely untethered to a computer.

2. Gives me an opportunity to problem solve...what did we do before the Internet?!

More bad news:
1. I have to take my computer in to be "looked at." I liken this to taking my car into the shop. I know very little about the workings of either and hate to feel like someone can take advantage of the situation.

2. I now have to decide whether I want to go back to my first love...the Mac with whom I started a relationship, back in college, only to leave it for another man (my husband and his PC).

3. The cost of all of the above.

While I'm making this decision, I thought I'd watch those funny Mac vs. PC commercials. They make me laugh in a situation that isn't really all that funny: