Consider using Facebook as a marketing tool

It'll be surprising to learn that a recent survey, carried out by Hitwise, admitted that Facebook had accrued more hits than Google Search in October this year. So, with that in mind, should more of us be thinking about honing in on the power of Facebook and using it as a key marketing tool. An additional way to generate awareness of our brands, products and services?

Think about setting up a Fan Page for your organisation. Make it a clear path to your orgnanisation, make sure the Page title is clear and describes who you are. Include a strong logo, or visual representation of your organisation.

Your 'Fan Information Page' is like creating a landing page within a Facebook tab. You can choose this page as the tab that people first access on visiting your page. It's essential to include as much information on here about your organisation as possible. The more relevant information you include, the more likely that people will find you whilst searching.

Also take full advantage of the small 'About Us' box on the left-hand side of main Fan, to succintly describe your services and organisation. Include keywords and phrases that people will use to find you in the search.

Key to the prominency of your Fan page, is getting as many people as possible to 'Like' you. As in standard SEO practices, links to your Fan page are 'votes' for your page. The more votes, the more points for your page. So you'll also need to advertise your Facebook page from your website and promote it as much as possible.

Facebook allows you to create a 'Find Us on Facebook' badge, or embed a 'Like' Box on your website for maximum visibility.

If you need some help with harnessing the marketing potential of Facebook, then please do get in contact with us at Oxford Web SEO. We can review your current website marketing plan and advise on ways you can include social media optimisation into your strategy.

Can FB really sell 'Facebook Messages' on the back of a sentimental trip?

I've just watched the new video for 'Facebook Messages'. It's some how trying to convince me that this new feature is like having a nostalgic 'Box of Love Letters' like my Grandma and Grandad shared in the War.

I hardly think think that keeping messages about 'what do you want for dinner from Tesco's tonight?', or 'what time can you pick the kids up from school', constitutes a romantic love letter? To be honest, I'm not sure that I'd want to keep a running commentary of my everyday life online. I don't do that with text, chat or email messages now, so why would I bother in 'Facebook Messages'?

Surely not everyone wants to keep every minute detail of their everyday life saved for prosperity?

Whilst it's a nice concept that we can choose to contact people by messaging, SMS, or email from one interface. Essentially it's still using the premise of an 'Email Address'. So it is email?

Well to be honest looking at the BETA screens it's just an inflated version of the current messaging system. Yes, it's uses an '@facebook.com' address, but let's face it it's not 'GMAIL'. I think it's competing much more with the likes of 'Blackberry Messaging' and 'WhatsApp', rather than an email client.

Facebook says - "Ignore that a given friend or family member prefers SMS or email or chat—just send the message your way and he or she will receive it their way."

To send a text, your friend needs to have text messaging enabled. You can now archive 'Conversations' and the layout of 'Replies' functions seems much more intuitive. The new feature is also invite only, so to start using it you have to have a friend 'invite' you!

I'm still not convinced that this new feature is the replacement for old love letters, but it's certainly an enhanced way within Facebook to facilitate friendships and communications.

Take a look at the video:

What drives our motivation?

As a Fellow of the RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce), I am privileged to be party to some of the most inspiring and innovative talks.

The following talk in the 'RSA Animate' series explores what drives our motivation. It
asks why people give to charities? Volunteer? Write blogs for free? Generally why do we do the things we do? Do watch it, as it comes to some fascinating conclusions about our behaviour.

"Delete This at Your Peril"

I was a little sceptical when I received this book as a pressie last month, but it's actually very witty.

One man's 'two can play at this game' strategy pays off, as he fights back at spam email; making up more and elaborate counter offers and schemes of his own.

Check it out, it is very amusing.