Creating a Fabulous Fan Page - Sign up and this little piggy

I've created a list, for sharing advice.

It doesn't really matter if you're naughty or nice 
(although I do prefer nice).

For years, I've been online figuring out how to create a website, blog, tweet, sell, market, and grow my business.  I've spent countless hours on the internet researching, reading, and absorbing information.  I couldn't afford to hire anyone to help me, so I had to figure much of it out myself.  There really hasn't been anything out there I haven't been able to figure out...eventually.  Sometimes I figured out I didn't want to bother doing something at all. Suffice it to say, I have a lot of info floating around in my head that needs to be shared. 

Disclaimer:  I do not claim to be an expert on any of these things.  You can spend hours learning the same things online.  However, I've already found some great resources.  I've learned through trial and error.  So, I might be able to save you some time and frustration.  I'm also still learning, so we will be in this together.

I've wanted to share what I've learned with others (and often do on an individual basis when asked).  I have occasionally posted tips on my blog, but never wanted to focus too much on business because some of you may not be interested.  I want to keep my blog accessible to all.  Last week, when I posted the 5 Tips on Creating a great Facebook Fan Page, I was surprised by the response.  Many of you appreciated the information and wanted more.  Then I had an epiphany...

Why not create a means in which I can share this information only with those who want it?  So, that's just what I did.  For starters, I'm offering Create a Fabulous Facebook Fan Page - a series of dedicated emails with specific instructions and links. I can walk you through the various steps on making a landing page, adding apps, using the fan page to it's fullest and even provide some basic html so that your fan page will stand out from the rest of them.

This list will not be merged with my newsletter mailing list (that is separate if you want to sign up for that).  I don't sell or share my lists ever.  And, you can opt out any time.  Best of all, it's free.  No obligation from you.

But wait, there's more...no, not really.  I just felt like adding that.  There's no more...sign up now if you're interested.

For those of you who don't give a hoot about fan pages, this little piggy picture is for you.  Isn't he the cutest?

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.

Facebook - the next generation

I couldn't help but laugh when I read this article in Time Magazine, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1879169,00.html. Facebook (FB) is for old people, if 30 and up constitutes "old." In the past year, the 30+ age group is the fasting growing category on FB - up 97% from last year.

I had been on FB for quite some time with my business. I was hyper vigilant about keeping my personal info off of it using it purely for marketing purposes. Then, along comes my husband who opens an account and plasters photos of the family and personal tidbits for all the world to see. It was inevitable. The floodgates were opened and I soon followed. Yes, we are a part of the over 30 crowd who has now become the heart of FB.

I was one of many who feared putting personal information out there. The reality is that the information is already "out there." If you've ever ordered a picture from the likes of Snapfish, Kodak Gallery, or even Walgreens online...guess what, your info and photos are "out there." If you've ever sent an email with an attached photo...its "out there." Anyone at anytime can put information about you online. FB, like many other networks, gives you tools to make your info private. (NOTE: I'm not suggesting you let your guard down.)

We've laughed at jokes, snide comments, and old photos; we've cried at the loss of an old friend. We just visited a college friend in California that we've not seen in 17 years. FB has been an interesting journey into the past and has reconnected us with friends for the future.

There are moments of clarity when I think, what the heck am I doing with my time?! But, I must admit, FB is more than a social network for me. I have connected with hundreds of people through social networking, maybe more, whom I would have never reached otherwise. It has become essential to the growth of my business. I view time spent online as a means of marketing. What I have to finesse is the balance between that and the other essential parts of my business - creating, bookkeeping, selling, etc.

My marketing goals for 2009

One of my goals this year, is to manage my online marketing to the fullest. Like many, I'm all over the internet. Now, I want to target my audience and put my energy toward those networks that will serve me best. I have my own website and blog. I am on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, Etsy (and several other buying/selling sites), blog network sites, various directories, ning, and countless others. They are all time consuming, albeit fun, and I need them to work for me.

I've recently signed up for a pro account on Flickr. For minimal cost it has allowed unlimited photo management which saves me a lot of time. Plus, it has its own networking community. I was able to create a slide show for my website which was a lot easier than creating my own html code.

Today, I updated my Facebook page and started my first ad campaign there. We will see how it goes. If you are on Facebook, please consider becoming a fan. Also, let me know if you are on FB, and I'll do the same.

I was also reading up on DIY SEO tips (do-it-yourself search optimization). I manage and code my own website which is very time consuming. I am a self taught computer geek with very little training. My guide has been internet searches, various blogs. the book Creating Web Sites - the missing Manual, and lots of trial and error. But, I've come this far. It is quite liberating. As I begin to implement some of my strategies, I will share them. Perhaps it will help or maybe you can stop me before I make a huge mistake!