Archive for the 'Facebook' Category

Is My Business Brand The Same As My Personal Brand?

Published on July 20, 2010 by Jay Feitlinger. View Comments

Business BrandAs founder of iClick Solutions I have been thinking about my business brand.  How or should I differentiate between my personal and business online personas? Do I keep my business profiles professional and use my personal accounts for more controversial topics so I don’t risk damaging my agency brand identity?  Not that I am that risky or anything.

All these questions made me realize that it is time to go through a formal branding exercise for both my business and personal brand.  Understanding your brand is critical when trying to create the strategy on how best to connect with customers.

I started the process with the understanding that your brand is what people say it is and not what you say it is! Check out BrandTags as a great way to see this in action. When it comes to your brand, you can and should give it personality to try and help shape your brand.  Figuring out that personality can be an interesting exercise.

How iClick Solutions works with clients and how we deliver results are the main drivers behind our brand.  We are honored with each and every client that hires us and that respect comes out in our recommendations. We have earned trust by taking the time to ask relevant questions, and present great ideas on how to solve the problem at hand.  We explain how best to connect with customers.

There is no man behind the curtain with iClick Solutions and that is what our clients like most!  We take the time to educate both our current and prospective clients on what online possibilities make the most sense for meeting both the objectives of their business and their customers’ needs.  This all comes out in our personality and is shaping what our brand is.  Yes, we know there is work to be done and that will be discussed in a later post as we started that process this week.

With my personal branding, that experience also started this week with a photo shoot.  I have a few upcoming speaking opportunities and have been requested to supply a bio and photo.  I was surprised at how few personal pictures I had and wanted to thank Michael Barber for his introduction to a local photographer Tyson Crosbie.

I met with Tyson this week to create my personal avatar and you can see the soft edits on Flickr.  Tyson has such a unique way in how he captures your true essence through photography.  I asked Tyson during our photo shoot for his opinion if people should be consistent with their image across all their online profiles or use a different profile based on the platform.

I agree with Tyson’s perspective and rather that butchering I wanted to quote him, “The most powerful thing about an avatar online is it’s ability to become language and speak far beyond what is in the square.  It becomes a symbol that can contain abstractions of who you are, it can contain a first impression all the way through the memory of all you’ve said or done under that flag. In it’s continued and consistent use it becomes a representation of you that if unique is immediately recognizable. The fascinating thing about an avatar is that it is more than just a photo of you.”

Jay Feitlinger Soft Edits

So this week we started both the business and personal branding exercise.  I thought it would be an interesting experience to rely on my community of friends and business partners to see what image you think best represents my personal brand.  Definitely check out the Flickr photo gallery and after signing into Flickr please comment under each image.  I have thick skin so comment away.  Once the final image is selected I will update Facebook, Twitter and my other social profiles so I create a consistent theme.

So what is your opinion on this branding topic, especially those that own a small business?  If you agree with this post, how do you differentiate your personal brand from your business brand? If you don’t agree, I would love to read your viewpoint.  Either way comment below and let’s learn from each other.

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Mobile is the future: Facebook Mobile Usage Surpasses 150 Millions Users

Published on July 15, 2010 by Jay Feitlinger. View Comments

Facebook MobileWhile speaking at the MobileBeat conference, Erick Tseng of Facebook announced that the company had surpassed 150 million users on mobile devices.

Erick joined Facebook in May 2010 as the company’s Head of Mobile Products. Previously, he had worked at Google for nearly 4 years, where he helped launch and grow Android, Google’s open source mobile operating system, as the group’s Lead Product Manager.

You can watch the interview below:

You could walk by a Starbucks, he said, learn its exact location, get a coupon for it, and notice that two of your Facebook friends are in the store at that moment. The tools to make this happen are coming soon, and that could boost Facebook’s already-huge mobile audience of 150 million users. This mobile growth (just in February Facebook announced 100 million users) proves how mobile is going to be the future with customer connection and learning how to leverage mobile in your marketing plans is key to success.

Mobile Marketing is quickly becoming a preferred channel to help build customer bases and foster loyalty.  Simply stated, mobile marketing is communicating with your customers through their cell phones. As you go through your day, notice that wherever you are – someone is looking at their phone. At work, in line at Fry’s supermarket; on the light rail, even unfortunately when driving their car someone is looking at their phone. Take advantage of people’s interest and curiosity by presenting your business through your phone either through SMS, mobile search ads, mobile website, even a mobile App.

Are you prepared for leveraging mobile with your customers?  Is mobile part of your online marketing plan?

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I’m A ChunkSpelunker who wants both email and social media

Published on July 14, 2010 by Jay Feitlinger. View Comments

Ben and Jerry's EmailBen & Jerry‘s sent an email to their email newsletter subscribers (or called by Ben & Jerry’s as a ChunkSpelunker) last week that they will be turning off email marketing campaigns and focusing their efforts on social media. From a tweet yesterday, US fans will still receive emails and only UK is affected.  Regardless the buzz around this this has been enough that it raises the question is focusing on 1 strategy in lieu of another effective? I congratulate Ben & Jerry’s on this bold focus as social media is awesome if leveraged correctly; however, abandoning email seems like a risky decision.  Thank goodness they are not getting rid of some of their amazing flavors, such as my favorite Mint Chocolate Cookie.

Based on what an amazing company Ben & Jerry’s is and how innovative they are, I am sure the decision by Ben & Jerry’s was made based on both customer feedback and email marketing expense; however, when used together email and social media can be extremely effective.  As reported by ExactTarget, 58% of online consumers begin the day with email, followed by checking a search engine or portal site (20%), and Facebook (11%).

If I was Ben & Jerry’s (and wouldn’t that be nice except for being quite heavier) I would focus more on how to make my email newsletter’s more relevant to a user and not abandon it.  Email is not going away anytime soon so this decision seems a little too aggressive. Email can prove to be a great way to connect with customers and to find out what they like.  Sure, social media is awesome at helping connect with customers but not for everyone.  Shouldn’t a business connect with customers in the way that works best for them?

With all the noise on social media sites could Ben & Jerry’s and other large brands that are going to follow them miss out on potential opportunity if they don’t leverage other communication strategies?  If I received an email from the Scottsdale Ben & Jerry’s inviting me in to try out the latest flavor they would have a much better chance of converting me than posting that on Facebook.  Reason being is that I will not check their Facebook page every day and based on Facebook news feed optimization formula (as shown below) if I less frequently visit the Ben & Jerry’s Facebook page my affinity score would be low; therefore, missing out on updates, specials, flavors, etc.

Facebook News Feed Formula Optimization

However, if I received a custom email I would see the opportunity and seriously consider it.  Being where YOUR customers are is key to improving the “connection process.”

What are your thoughts on Ben & Jerry’s decision?  Do you support it?  Oh, what’s your favorite Ben & Jerry’s flavor?

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Watch out Google – Here come’s Facebook Search

Published on June 25, 2010 by iClick Solutions. View Comments

Facebook GoogleYesterday we were searching on Facebook for the phrase “phoenix restaurant” to see what Facebook pages would show up for that phrase.  We noticed a new search result showing up in Facebook search (as shown below) that could spell trouble (or at least create a new headache) for Google.

Few would argue how powerful Google.com search is so the concept of Facebook search killing Google is a stretch. But instead start learning how this Facebook search change can be leveraged by your business as an additional opportunity for increasing awareness.

When Facebook launched the OpenGraph API at the annual f8 conference about 2 months ago, Facebook created a platform that allows sites and apps to share information about users in order to tailor offers, features and services to each one’s interests and tastes — even if that individual has never visited the site before.

Facebook Search ResultWhen you’re signed on to Facebook, participating websites like CNN.com will display information, goods and services tailored specifically to your interests — without requiring you to sign in at that website or provide it with any information.

For websites to leverage the new Facebook OpenGraph API it requires just a few lines of code added to your website.  When we 1st heard about this we immediately thought this could create new opportunities for search engine optimization.

By placing the OpenGraph code on your site, Facebook can crawl for specific information and our prediction (which is now proved to be true) off Facebook results would start to show on Facebook search.  There is a cool feature on Facebook called URl Linter and based on the example above with Yellow Pages you can see what Facebook is crawling.

This is all very exciting; however, Facebook will need to quickly improve the relevancy of results if they want people to start using Facebook search instead of Google.com. With the Yellow Pages example above if you clicked on the link it would send you to the Canada Yellow Pages showing a Phoenix Restaurant.

Facebook know’s my information (clearly from Phoenix, Arizona) so the results should only show sources that will send me to a website talking about restaurants in Phoenix Arizona.  Facebook has not officially announced this change so it is quite possible we stumbled across Facebook testing so let’s not start bashing this.

We encourage you to watch this closely to see what Facebook has in store with web search.  In addition, take the time to learn about Facebook’s OpenGraph API and how you should consider adding the Facebook meta code to your website so when (not IF) Facebook fully launches web search features your site will start showing up.  What are your thoughts around this?  Are you seeing results showing up in Facebook for non on Facebook.com results?

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Difference between Facebook Profile and Facebook Fan Page

Published on June 7, 2010 by Jay Feitlinger. View Comments

Facebook PageSo you created your Facebook account and are operating your business under it and are starting to get some results.  Along the way someone suggested you consider creating a Facebook Fan Page for your business.  You might have put that suggestion off for a few months; however, with the amazing growth to over 500 million users on Facebook you decided to look further into this to see if there are any differences between a Facebook page and a Facebook profile.

Sorry to tell you but there are big differences (and confusion) between a Facebook Profile and a Facebook Fan Page for businesses.  We wanted to explain the difference between a Facebook Profile and a Facebook Fan Page and then share with you steps on how to create a Facebook Fan Page for your business (which is our recommendation).

Here is the difference between a FaceBook Profile and a FaceBook Fan Page:

  • Facebook Profile – This is for individual users and is created by visiting Facebook and signing up for an account. You’re putting your “Face” on Facebook.  It’s your name, picture, video of your kids, etc. Posting updates in your life makes it easy for you to connect with your friends! You’re posting your status updates, videos, pictures, sending messages, writing on walls, and socializing within Facebook. A Facebook profile should NOT be used as your business page.  If you create a Facebook profile for your business ONLY your friends will be able to see your updates, custom Facebook tabs, etc. and will limit your reach.  For a prospective customer to see what you have to say they would need to click the ‘Add As Friend’ Button which will not be effective for businesses.
  • Facebook Fan Page – Once you create a Facebook profile you can use that account to create a Facebook Business Fan Page for your business. This is where you can post business information: events, videos, photos, specials, promos — and encourage your fans to ‘like’ you, post testimonials and help spread the word about your business stories. You can check out iClick Solutions Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/iClickSolutions.

Facebook Pages are important for 3 main reasons:

  1. Get your business to show up high in search engine positions as Facebook is a very popular website
  2. Get unlimited “fans” for your Facebook Page, unlike the limit of 5,000 friends that regular Facebook Profile capped at
  3. Visible to visitors because Facebook users do not need to request to be a friend to view a Facebook Fan Page

Facebook Page Signup

To Create A Facebook Fan Page follow these easy steps:

  1. Log into your Facebook account at www.facebook.com
  2. Visit http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php
  3. Select the type of business:  Local Business, Brand, Product or Organization, or Artist, Band or Public Figure.  When you select a category, use the dropdown menu to select the sub-category which are: Local: Other Business, Automotive, Automotive Dealer / Vehicle Service, Banking and Financial Service, Bar, Cafe, Club, Convention Center and Sports Complex, Education, Event Planning Service, Grocery, Health and Beauty, Home Service, Hotel / Lodging, Library / Public Building, Medical Service, Museum / Attraction, Park, Pets, Professional Service, Real Estate, Religious Center, Restaurant, Store, Technology and Telecommunications Service, Travel Service. Brand, Product, or Organization: Products, Airline / Ship / Train Station, Communications, Consumer Product, Fashion, Film, Financial Service, Food and Beverage, Game, Government, Home Living, Hotel / Lodging, Non-Profit, Online Store, Pharmaceutical, Professional Service, Religious Organization, Rental Cars, Retail, Sports / Athletics, TV Show, Technology Product / Service, Travel, Website.  Artist, Band, or Public Figure: Other Public Figure, Actor, Athlete, Band, Comedian, Critic, Government Official, Model, Musician, Politician, Sports Team, Visual Artist, Writer
  4. The above step is VERY important because once you select it, you can’t change this. You’ll have to take down the page, lose all of your fans, and create a new page.
  5. Next, enter your Page Name. This is also very important. The page name and subcategory appear in the drop down menu when people search.  For example, we appear in Facebook as iClick Solutions Internet Marketing Agency (as shown below).  Choose the name of your company, brand, organization, etc., that most people will recognize. This can not be changed later and does impact your results with search engines.iClick Solutions Facebook SEO
  6. That creates the Facebook page. You should fill out the Info, upload some photos, and start the process of engaging with customers.

Make sure you check out Facebook Pages Product Guide to learn more. If you need social media marketing assistance with your Facebook page contact iClick Solutions today.  We will start out by reviewing your Facebook page and your competitors Facebook pages, provide you step by step instructions on where you have opportunity to improve your page and grow your fan base.

In addition, iClick Solutions can help you with setting up and ongoing management of very targeted advertising on Facebook.  Any questions fill out the comment area below:

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