Social Media Consulting • Lead Generation • Social Networks • Blogs

Facebook Pages Changes: No More Updating Fans

Don't even try to update fans after the 30th of September if you have a Faceook Page for your business or organization. Thanks, Facebook, reel us in, get us hooked, charge us?

Have you seen this? If you have a Facebook Page for your business - not a personal profile, this affects you. If you've been on your Facebook Page lately and click on updating fans, this is the message you'll see.

I wonder what tools they will have available for us. Right now their help section states:

Can I update fans of my page using Facebook Messages?

As of September 30th you'll no longer be able to send an update to fans using Facebook Messages. We want you to connect with your audience in the most effective ways possible, and updates that go to Facebook Messages may end up unseen in the "Other" folder.

Here are other ways you can expand your reach:

Post content on your page Wall so people see your updates in their news feed. You can target your posts by location or language by choosing Customize from the audience selector dropdown before you post. 

Consider using targeted Facebook Ads or Sponsored Stories to help grow and highlight your message within the Facebook experience.

Is this going to be a good change for us that use Facebook to grow your small businesses? What do you think? Do you use this way of updating your fans? 

 

Facebook Pages for Business Denver Class

Facebook Pages for Business Class in Denver on Wednesday, September 21, 10am to 12pm in the Tech Center.

Why are major brands including using Facebook to increase their brand awareness and sell services and products? Because it works. And you can use the same strategies to grow your business. Are you missing out on the free publicity?

Join us for this interactive class as we go step-by-step to create your Facebook Business Page. Find out the best times and what to post on Facebook to get more interaction and how to gauge your efforts. 

Bring your laptop computer. Please make sure you know how to connect your computer to a wireless connection.

Who should attend: Entrepreneurs, business owners, and marketing managers.

Prerequisites: Have a personal profile set up and completely filled out on Facebook, knowledge of maneuvering around the home page including answering messages, notifications and posting updates.

Class sponsored by Social Buzz Network, Corporate Office Centers and Your Marketing Gal. Class is Wednesday, September 21, 10am to 12pm, $34 includes snacks. Class is at Corporate Office Centers, 4643 S. Ulster Street, Suite 800, Denver, CO 80237, 720.228.4000. Jo Guerra, owner of Your Marketing Gal is proud to be the trainer for this class. She has taught hundreds of business owners how to market their brand on social media. Contact her at 303.632.2928 or email her.

Reserve Your Spot Today - Limited Seating.

Facebook for Beginners Denver Class

Confused on how to use Facebook?

Everyone is talking about Facebook for business. But before you soar, get the basics down.

Join us for this interactive beginner class in Denver where you’ll:

• get a great start on your PERSONAL Facebook profile
• explore the “Wall”
• post pictures, videos, status updates
• invite friends to join your personal page & more

Bring laptops and plenty of questions.  Don’t forget your business cards because a networking lunch social is included.

This class is for business owners or marketing managers that are brand new or fairly new to Facebook and plan on using Facebook for business.

Don’t waste hours online getting confused and trying to figure out Facebook only to do find out you’ve done it all wrong. Shortcut the process with this step-by-step Facebook for Beginners class.

If you want to use Facebook for business, your personal profile is intertwined with your business – even if you decide to keep everything separate. Learning the basic foundation will make the Business part of Facebook much easier.  

Class sponsored by Social Buzz Network, Corporate Office Centers and Your Marketing Gal.

Facebook Beginner Class will be held at Corporate Office Centers in the Tech Center, Thursday, July 21, 10am to 1pm, and is only $34. Class includes lunch and great networking. Register early - limited seating.

 

Corporate Office Centers is located in the Tech Center at 4643 S. Ulster Street, Suite 800, Denver CO 80237.

Jo Guerra, owner of Your Marketing Gal is proud to be the trainer for this class. She's taught hundreds of businesses and job seekers how to use social media marketing successfully. Contact Jo at socialjo1@gmail.com or 303.632.2928.

 

Denver Facebook Marketing Boot Camp Part 2

Part 2 of Denver Facebook Marketing Boot Camp took place on March 25 in the Denver area. This small-group workshop consisted of different strategies for marketing a Facebook Page including contests, inviting friends, events, connecting yoru blog, Facebook applications, claiming your page and much more. The group of business owners followed step-by-step to learn creative ways to market their business on Facebook - and to make sure they were adhrering to Facebook's policy. The workshop included a book detailing the different Facebook marketing strategies. Here is the presentation.

 

Facebook Denver Boot Camp Part 2

View more presentations from Your Marketing Gal

Ready for a workshop to take your online marketing to the next level? Check out Your Marketing Gal's calendar. Or contact us via email or at 303.632.2928.

Facebook Basics Boot Camp Part 1

Facebook Basics and Marketing Boot Camp took place in Denver, CO on March 18th and 25th. A group of business owners attended this small group workshop. It was interactive and hands-on with everyone bringing their computer and following along as we went step-by-step through the basics of Facebook. Basics did not mean beginner. People that attended already had a personal profile and were somewhat familiar with Facebook. Parcipants were able to start their Facebook Page for their business. All were encouraged to do homework in betweent the two workshops to get the most our of the class. Attendees were giving a complete book filled with techniques and tips to make the most out of Facebook. Following is the presentation I shared with the group.

 

Facebook Boot Camp Part 1

View more presentations from Your Marketing Gal

Upcoming classes, workshops and business events can be viewed at Your Marketing Gal Calendar.

Top Ten Tips for Great Web Videos

The Top Ten Tips for Great Videos was the topic for the Denver Entrepreneurs, a local group of small  business owners that get togther to network and learn. Kevin Campbell, a seasoned videographer with Kevin Campbell Films,  shared his  tips for creating videos that aren't boring or talking heads.   And he should know. Kevin is a true professional and has even sold a feature film to Lionsgate Entertainment - now that's impressive. The following was taken from the PowerPoint presentation he shared. Counting down for the top ten.

10. Don't expect miracles. Be realistic about your video goals. If a website has video, expect:  

• 52% increase in viewers taking action
• 30-40% increase in clicks for information
• 16-20% increase in phone calls
• 30%  will make a trip to the store
• 24% will make a purchase

9.  Web video is a social medium.  According to Forrester Research,  “...any given video in the index stands about a 50 times better chance of appearing on the first page of results than any given text page in the index" for Google. 

Spread your video to the following sites:

• YouTube
• DailyMotion
• MetaCafe
• Break
• Veoh
• MySpace
• Revver
• Blip.tv
• WeGame
• Tangle
• 5Min
• Game Trailers
• LiveVideo
• RuTube
• Facebook
• Vimeo
• Current
• Funny or Die
• eHow
• Megavideo

And how do you measure results? Through Google Analytics, TubeMogul or Brightcove. Oh and a big tip - get a YouTube channel.

 8. Don't sell, Tell a story. Stories communicate what you are trying to say much more effectively.

Remember this Where's the beef commercial? 

Lucid Brake is a perfect example of telling a story. Unfortunately, they did not have their contact information.. Coincidentally the creators of Lucid Brake happened to be at the Denver Entrepreneurs meeting where Kevin presented.

 7. Know your audience.

And what are the best type of videos?

• 57% branded video
• 40% product or service demos
• 37% customer/employee testimonials

6. Look for visitors to your website. Don't try to sell a product.

5. Keep the video short and simple. Web video is not a television show so get to the point.

Oops, this video is not exactly HGTV.Wonder if it was made to sell the home or appease the home owner.

Best way to tell your story:

• Pay attention to the three-second rule
• Have only one conflict per story
• Tell how you solved the problem
• Have an ending (call to action)
• And do this all in one minute

Kevin's great advice - especially after trying to watch this video for a few seconds. You have just a few seconds to engage with the audience or forget it.

4. Don't bore the audience. And don't just be a boring talking head.  Click on the picture to see what not to do for a talking head.

A school for web video? Wonder if the web video director was gone that day. Click on picture to see video. 

3. Have a call to action. Make it easy for the audience to find you and have your contact information prominently displayed.

 

Here are some simple calls to action:

• Offer a discount 
• Ask viewers sign up for your email newsletter or "Like" your  Facebook Page
• Ask them to spread the word by sharing on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, blog and email

2. Make it sound and look professional.

Make sure you have the right microphone and equipment.  Observe the rule of thirds.

When it comes to editing your video, use  iMovie for Mac and Adobe Premiere Elements for a PC. Learn to edit your video on YouTube or Lynda.com.

1. Don't forget to put a video on your website home page. And optimize it for keywords.

Facebook Business Basics and Marketing Boot Camp in Denver

Launch your business success through social networking with this Denver Facebook business basics and marketing boot camp.

Facebook Basics Boot Camp Part 1

In order to soar on Facebook, you have to do it right. Did you know you could be shut down if you are using your personal page as your business? And you’d lose all your friends – so your hard work is down the drain. Learn the basics of doing Facebook right from a personal and business perspective. ­­ Are you needlessly exposing yourself?

• Find out about privacy settings
• How not to be a Facebook jerk
• How to brand yourself and your company by providing expert content
• Avoid the deadly mistakes people make
• And more business Facebook basics
• Best time to share content

This is part one of a two-part Facebook boot camp specifically designed for business. Don’t miss this great opportunity to expand your online footprint. Delicious lunch social follows. Class size is limited.  Bring your laptop if you'd like Part one of the workshop series is Monday, April 18th, 10am to 1pm at Zi Fusion, 7340 South Clinton Street Englewood, CO 80112, 720.287.1479.

Part 1 is Monday, April 18th, 10am to 1pm.

 

Facebook Marketing Boot Camp Part 2

You know the basics and are doing social media right. Now you are ready to create your Facebook Page and integrate marketing techniques that will grow your business. Differentiate your Facebook Page by using the right strategies.

• Invite your friends and customers
• Learn easy tweaks to get targeted people to like your page
• Find the right applications
• Publicize events
• Implement easy branding tips
• Run promotions to increase your "likes" the right way

Leave with a “tool box” full of marketing techniques to grow your business. This is part two of a two-part Facebook boot camp specifically designed for business. Delicious lunch social follows.  Part two of the workshop series is Monday, April 25th, 8:30am to 11am at Egg & I, 6818 S. Yosemite St. Englewood, CO.

Englewood, CO 80112, 720.287.1479.

Part 2 is Monday, April 25th, 8:30 to 11:45am.

 

Don't just be another person trying to learn everything about Facebook for your business by attending a huge conference with absolutely no personal contact. Make it personal - like business should be.

Each session is $59 or attend both for $99. Limited seating so register now.

You will more out of this workshop if you are already familiar with Facebook.

Option 1: Best investment: attend both sessions for $99.

 

 

Option 2: Attend Part 1 Facebook Basics Boot Camp for $59.

 

 

Option 3: Attend Part 2 Facbook Marketing Boot Camp for $59.

Receive individual training and attention from me, Jo Guerra. I've used social media for years to promote my business plus I've been training  and coaching companies to develop manageable, successful internet marketing strategies.  Contact me at 303.632.2928 or socialjo1@gmail.com.

Sponsored by Susan Corriere of Social Buzz Network. Contact Susan at 720.219.9139 or
susan@socialbuzznetwork.com.

Facebook Social Plugins for Your Facebook Page

Did you know that your Facebook social plugins are not available when using Facebook as your business page? I noticed when I was on my website that the facepile plugin I had previously installed was not available when I was using "Facebook as page".

And this is how my social plugin that I have on my website looked:

But when I went back to using it as "Jo", then my plugin showed up again.

And here it is restored:

What the heck is a social plugin? Well according to Facebook they are "...embeddable social features that can be integrated in your site with a line of HTML." The most important social plugin is the "Like" button according to Facebook. 

Here is Facebook's social plugin information and directions on how to put them on your website.

Ready to create your own Facebook social plugin? Just visit Facebook Developers page to get started on yours.

 

 

Get Your Free Walk On Video for Your Website - Denver Entrerpeneurs Meeting

Steve Stone of Option MultiMedia will be showing us great examples of what you can do to

make your website have some real pizazz with walk-on videos. You'll see videos he has created plus he'll share his site, Media Fur, where you can add your own generic video to your site as well - for free. If you have a walk-on video, you are apt to convert many more visitors. 

As always, we'll have our power networking time with 30 second commercials and plenty of time to network after the meeting. RSVP if you'd like or just show up. This is a no-pressure networking event with 20 to 45 dynamic business owners.

About Options MultiMedia
Bring your website to the next level by adding State of the Art Multimedia elements. Online Video, Online Publications, Video Testimonials, 3D Animation, eLearning / Training & other multimedia. We are a Full Service Multimedia House that specializes in online media at an affordable price. We are experts and positioned to assist. We enhance and support your business or marketing campaign. The options are endless and are limited only by your imagination. We want to work with you and are very open to your ideas and not afraid of trying new things.

Why should you care?

Over the next two years, The FrontPage of everyone’s website will start resembling a TV commercial more & more. Advertisers have spent billions of dollars on TV ads and they know what works. They know they have 3-5 seconds to grab your attention and they aren't doing it with text. They are capturing your attention with Video and Audio. The FrontPage of your website is no different than a TV commercial. You better grab your perspective clients attention or they won't go into the add-on pages to see the content. We are a visual society. Good impressions equal sales.

Online Video leads to sales!. "Of the 80% of viewers who had watched an online video ad, just over half had taken some sort of action. Nearly a third had checked out a Web site, while 22% had searched for more information, 15% had gone into a store and 12% had actually made a purchase".

With video & multimedia you can show the real business behind the printed words. With video the customer can see the authentic you. A video provides additional information to your potential customer that makes a positive emotional connection. Emotional connections are remembered. Video & Multimedia will distinguish you from competitors.

The Denver Entrepreneurs is sponsored and organized by Jo Guerra of Your Marketing Gal in Denver, Colorado. Because of her business background in international business and importing, she understands the unique needs of small businesses. Her specialty is training and working with companies to develop their online, social media and traditional marketing plan and strategies. She helps her customers look at the whole picture to propel their brand – often implementing free and low-cost traditional and online marketing strategies. Marketing services include social media marketing plan and implementation, social media management, SEO and keyword selection strategies, blog and website creation and branding.

Social Media Workshops & Classes in Denver

Your Marketing Gal to teach social media classes in the Denver area specifically designed for small to medium sized businesses. Learn the latest online marketing techniques to propel your small business to success. Social media marketing classes and workshops will be taught by Jo Guerra of Your Marketing Gal in Denver, Colorado.

Three social networking classes to be held in Denver include:

• Create Your Social Media Marketing Plan, Tuesday, March 15, 2 to 5pm, $49. Propel your business online and attract targeted customers with the right plan.
• Linkedin: Profile and Business Basics, Wednesday, March 16, 9 to 11:30am, $46, Colorado Free University. Profile basics, building connections, keyword strategies, building establishing your expertise and much more.
• Social Media Marketing Club, Thursday, March 10, 9 to 11am, Microsoft Store, $12.99. Bring a social media project to this interactive hands-on meeting and be guided by two social media specialists.  

Facebook class and workshop coming in April.

Schedule is available at Your Marketing Gal calendar.

Information on individual classes is available at Your Marketing Gal . Or contact Jo at SocialJo1@gmail.com or 303.632.2928.

About:  Your Marketing Gal in an internet marketing firm located in Denver, Colorado. Jo Guerra, owner of www.YourMarketingGal.com is a certified Inbound Marketing Consultant and Internet Marketing Professional. Your Marketing Gal helps  small businesses grow by developing and implementing strategic internet marketing plans. Services include social media marketing, social networking, blog creation, blogging, keyword selection, local search, search engine optimization & video marketing.