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  1. Small Business and the New Facebook

    October 11, 2011 by Blair Stover

    Image representing Facebook as depicted in Cru...

    Image via CrunchBase

    You may not be surprised to learn that Facebook has changed again. These new changes affect brands and companies that utilize Facebook for marketing more than ever now. So what does this mean for small businesses?

    The first change involves privacy settings for sharing. Users now have  more control over who is able to see the content they post on their  wall, or home page. Facebook defaulted “Public” as a setting rather than “Everyone”. “Public” means that one’s updates, photos and additional user information can be viewed by anyone in the public. This is helpful as this will most likely result in less public-facing citations.

    If you were excited about Facebook Deals, you should know it is over. Facebook has discontinued the project. However, the company stated that it is looking into the best way to be of service to local businesses, as it learned much from this project. Another feature which will soon be phased out is location tagging. This is the feature Facebook members use with their cell phone to “check in” when at locations.

    Rather than targeting ads by precise interests and keywords, Facebook now allows those who advertise on their media network to target ads based on topic. This will simplify the list of keywords companies were managing. Now, a business can target the interests of their clientele.

    Restrictions on types of advertising have been eased by Facebook. So long as ads are properly targeted, Facebook now allows legal gambling operations to be promoted. This includes offline casinos. Furthermore, ads for herbal and dietary supplements are now allowable, as long as they do not include banned ingredients such as, ephedra, anabolic steroids or human growth hormones.

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  2. How to Use Social Media While on Vacation

    July 22, 2011 by Blair Stover

    Whether you’re an entrepreneur or simply someone who can’t disconnect from technology and social media, even when on vacation, you can put your obsession to good use. We caution you to take time away from the computer screens, Smartphones and from social media because being “constantly connected” online keeps you “disconnected” while you’re with your family and friends.

    If you simply can’t bring yourself to disconnect from social media, however, you should find a way to use it to enhance your vacation experience with some of the apps that are available. When you’re new to an area use apps that are location-based, like Foursquare, to find attractions, restaurants, coffee shops and more that are close to where you are. You can search out the sites, read what previous visitors have said and make up your mind as to whether you’d like to visit. If you are using Foursquare, simply tap the Explore Tab and ask for recommendations on everything from shopping to nightlife to museum suggestions.

    If you’re the kind who is always wanting to meet up with new people, check out some of the new group messaging services such as GroupMe or Fast Society. With these apps you can communicate with other people who are in the vicinity, message them and make plans to meet up. These apps are also useful if you’re traveling with a group and you’ve gone your separate ways for the afternoon but plan to meet up later – simply plug the information in and voila, everyone in the group message knows what’s going on.

    Use social media to check out the hotels before you make a reservation. YouTube offers information and virtual tours of hotels. There is also a concierge service you can sign up for through Twitter. Check the hotel you plan to stay in and see if they offer Twitter concierge services; many Hyatt and Intercontinental Hotels participate. Followers of these hotels can also be privy to special “follower only” deals.

    Use status updates and post photos sparingly to your social media sites, i.e. Facebook and LinkedIn or even Twitter. Individuals have been known to scour the social media sites for those individuals who are vacationing because they assume the traveler’s home is vacant. Don’t make yourself a victim of a potential crime by announcing, “The Smith family is going on vacation for two weeks!” Save the family vacation photos for when you return and share them with your friends and family once you’re back in your house.

    Used wisely, social media can enhance your vacation experience.

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  3. How to Make Your Company Facebook Fan Page Better

    March 17, 2011 by Blair Stover

    For small business owners, the popular social networking site Facebook is a good way to create a social media and brand presence, promote your business, and learn more about your customers. By using Facebook, you can communicate with your customers, know what they want, and use them to help promote your business. This is done when people add themselves as a fan, write on your Wall, upload photos, and interact with other fans.

    To make your company fan page better, start by checking out other fan pages on Facebook. See how the page is structured, take note of the photos, read the articles and other bits of information you find there. This will give you a good idea of what to put in your fan page. In creating your own fan page, don’t forget to add basic information like a website, company profile, mission/vision and products. Add your unique logo or a picture that represents your business as your profile picture.

    Next, see if your existing customers are already on Facebook and become friends with them. Then invite them to become fans. You can also tell your customers about your fan page and ask them to show their support by joining Facebook and becoming fans. The moment you have some fans, it’s a cinch to get more.

    Keep your fans engaged by giving them useful and relevant info. Share quality content with them to incite comments and send updates at least twice a month. The more users interact with your page, the more publicity you get that helps increase awareness about your products and services.

    For more helpful advice, consult the Facebook guidelines on promoting your page both inside and outside of Facebook. You can also download a Facebook Page Badge graphic that you can use on your own site that says “Find Us on Facebook.”

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  4. Twitter Can’t Keep Up With Facebook

    October 25, 2010 by Blair Stover

    The “network effect” is a phrase that is used to describe systems whose value is based on the total number of users. Take the fax machine, for instance. You may have the newest or best model available but if no one else uses one, your fax machine becomes useless.
    The network effect is the reason why many chat rooms have disappeared. Not enough people were using these chat rooms which is why they closed down. However, two online services that are currently benefiting from the network effect are Facebook and Twitter. At present, Facebook has over 150 million users who use the service to connect with old friends, discover new ones and hook up with the right people.
    At second place is Twitter, which has more than 30 million users. Twitter is a mini version of Facebook except that the length of information you can share with others is limited. In this social networking service, people send out updates that are no longer than 140 characters each. Unlike Facebook, the most you can do with Twitter is share status updates. This is why it doesn’t come close to Facebook in terms of the network effect.
    Twitter also doesn’t allow users to share extensive photo albums, or display a lengthy profile.  Facebook also provides groups and a chat feature, which twitter lacks. It’s up to you which one you like better, but in my opinion Twitter just can’t seem to keep up with Facebook.

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  5. Facebook Founder and CEO to Donate $100 Million to Newark Public School System

    September 24, 2010 by Blair Stover

    The New York Times recently unveiled that Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Facebook, will be donating $100 million to the Newark, New jersey public school system as part of a foundation intended to help improve educational systems within the United States. The Newark school system has a long history of funding and performance problems.

    Zuckerberg, who was recently named the 35th wealthiest American by Forbes, will make the announcement on The Oprah Winfrey Show alongside Newark Mayor Corey Booker and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

    A new movie about the origins of Facebook, called The Social Network, is scheduled to open in theaters in October. Many are speculating that Zuckerberg’s donation is strategically planned given that the film portrays him in a less than favorable light. Zuckerberg has openly critiqued the films portrayal of his character. Additionally, Facebook has come under fire from critics regarding its privacy violations.

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  6. Social Media: More Than a Hobby

    March 26, 2010 by Blair Stover

    Is social media a hobby or can it help your business? Is it a complete waste of time or can it provide extra revenue for business owners? The answer to those questions depends on how you use the social media. If you view it as nothing more than a toy, you wont reap the potential benefits from it. But if you use it wisely, social media can be a fantastic way to promote your business.

    Building relationships online using social media is always a fruitful activity. Consider these facts: nearly half of all Americans have a profile on at least one social network. Many of these websites are visited by millions of people. For instance, Facebook alone has nearly 130 million visitors a month. If you translate that to potential customers, your business will surely grow.

    When used properly, social media can serve as the key to building better relationships with clients. Conversations are taking place every day on social media sites so its essential that you know how to talk to these people to drive them to your site.

    Blogging with the help of the social media can promote your business and bring you closer to your professional goals. To get started, all you have to do is to talk about something youre passionate or care about. Whether youre looking for a new job or promoting something, creating a blog using social media is the first step toward achieving success.

    Since blogs are specialized websites that work like online journals, anyone can publish their thoughts for millions of readers to read. Connections are made when readers comment on your post and later become new clients. This makes the social media sites an important element of any business.

    For more business tips and tricks, be sure to visit  http://www.blairstover.com/.

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  7. Online Business Branding with Social Media

    December 8, 2009 by Blair Stover

    One of the most important ways to make your business brand stand out is by making it known.  Take Snickers for example, and their campaign using just their standard color, shape and font for billboard and other media ads.  Even with the words “Patrick Chewing” in place of Snickers, most people could connect the advertising to the right product.


    Online business branding can be just as important.  Making your brand name known across the most popular social networks can get your message to many new clients every day.  And if you are already well known, then it can remind those who like your brand about it on a daily basis.


    So how do you brand your business in social media?  For starters, you will want to register your brand with the most popular social networks.  You can begin with Twitter, the social network that allows you to communicate with your followers using 140 character public and private status messages.  Getting started on Twitter is easy – sign up with your brand name as your user name, then create a custom background image for your Twitter profile.  Whole Foods on Twitter is a good example of a simple custom background that maintains their corporate brand.


    Facebook is another great social networking site for business branding.  On Facebook, you can setup a business page.  Once it has gained 100 fans, you are able to create a custom URL for your page.  Sears is a great example of a successful Facebook page, where they offer a coupon for anyone who becomes a fan.


    Depending on your brand, there are also many other social networks that are geared toward a particular niche.  For example, Flickr is a great network for those interested in photography, which would be a perfect site to target for a business that sells digital cameras.


    The key thing to remember about business branding on social media – social media is social.  You cannot just create a profile on Twitter, abandon it, and then hope that followers will flock to it.  Look at the ways other successful brands are using particular networks, and follow in their footsteps.  Interact with your fans and give them good reasons to come back to your social media presence.



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