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Facebook Lessons Learned

My understanding of what people want from a Facebook Business Page is changing over time as we get feedback and interaction from colleagues, fans, and clients. Here are a few things that I have learned and am still doing testing on our own Business Page.

  • People are thirsty to connect with a person. Too much selling information or focus on your own services is a real no-no.
  • People want to have personal tidbits about you. Although you do not want nor have to reveal a lot of personal information about yourself on a Facebook Business Page. People do want to know who they talk to on the phone. They love to see photos to “know” who you are.
  • Fans and visitors love humor. A funny video, joke, quote, or funny photo can really elicit a positive response.
  • Asking questions and taking polls can engage visitors and clients.
  • Commenting back on a thread on your Business wall is a must. Make sure that fans and visitors see that you are interacting with what they write.

For us, we are testing and having fun with a new concept of engagement using our spokesdog. It is not hard nor time consuming to put a little bit of “personal” juice behind your Facebook posts. Remember people who are visiting you are used to the personal interaction from their own personal page on Facebook, your Business Page needs to reflect and feed this need to get the best response from your visitors.

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Facebook Business Page Confusion Explained

There has been much confusion on moving your business to a Facebook Business Page from clients when they already have been using a Facebook Personal Profile for their business. Let me explain what I consider at this time to be our best practice recommendation for business owners who have had their business tied to their personal Facebook Profile or who have actually set up a Personal Profile for their business.

1. If you have done this (note in the first paragraph), we recommend that you keep your personal profile and then while logged into your personal profile go to this link http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php and create a Business Page for your business. You will then access this new page by logging onto your personal Facebook account, click the account link at the top right, and then in the drop down select manage pages.

2. We then recommend that you announce to all colleagues and business associates that are friends in your personal profile over a two week period, that you are locking down your personal profile and encourage them to “like” your new business page.

3. At the end of the two week period, change your privacy settings in your personal profile to Friends only and then delete from your friend list anyone who you do not want to see personal photos, photos of your own personal friends, and your kids.

4. When you get a friend request sent to your personal profile, click the face of the person requesting to friend you and write them a note stating that you do not connect on your personal page but can fully interact with them and with you on your Facebook Business Page.

If you have created a Personal Profile for your Business you will still want to create a Business Page treed off of your Business’ Personal Profile. Work hard to move your friends to the new page as you will have many more features for interacting with them on a Business Page.

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More on Fake Google Places Reviews – Be Careful

It is illegal to create fake reviews for your business online according to the FTC guidelines released in November 2009, but it is happening big time on Google Hotpot and Google Places. Don’t be caught by being ignorant of the tactics that scummy firms are using that may get you in trouble.

Here are just three “fake” reviews that I found on one  Google Places page. Boy do they look contrived and created by an SEO firm for placement due to the use of keywords, repetition, and bolding.

[Name removed] knows all the tricks I was side swiped by a car in [bolded City Removed] and I did not have health insurance at the time. I called [Name removed] and he told me that my medical bills would be paid by my own car insurance policy. I was shocked to hear that my own auto insurance pays my medical bills, even when I was not driving and my car was not involved in the accident. He knows all the tricks of the trade!

[Name removed] is truly super! When my Dad was fired from his job, we suspected it was because of his age. I knew I needed to call [Name removed]. I wanted the best. I knew [Name removed] had been selected by [bolded City Removed] Magazine as a “Super Lawyer” and has been on TV multiple times. My Dad was thrilled with [Name removed] at the initial hearing with the [State Name Removed] Human Relations Commission. My Dad settled his case and ended up with a nice size check to add to his retirement. [Name removed] is truly super!

[Name removed] tripled my settlement I was involved in an accident in which I injured my hand. Since I was not working, I was worried I would not receive much in compensation. The insurance company offered me a settlement, but I was not sure if I should take it. I wanted an attorney I could trust. I called [Name removed] and he handled everything. I received a settlement that was more than triple what I was offered by the insurance company. Boy, I am glad I called [Name removed]…she tripled my settlement.

What do you think? Sure looks like the same reviewer writing these to me. The page I reviewed had five more just like this. When I see bolding, use of keywords and repetition in a review, the review is flagged for me as a violation of Google’s own spam policy and a possible violation of FTC regulations.

As a business owner you need to be aware of what tactics SEO and Google Places services firms will use to promote your business. Don’t be caught in a FTC violation in a possibly illegal or questionable effort to garner top Google Places placement.