Facebook chooses "Likes" over "Fans"

Facebook last week took another step toward redefining the relationship between its users and brands with the introduction of "community pages." The initiative will encourage users to start community pages for brands, entertainers, and politicians rather than unofficial fan pages, which have been a source of some confusion on the site.

Big brands that have seen their official Facebook fan numbers hindered by third-party fan pages will likely welcome the move. For instance, even Coca-Cola - with its Facebook-leading 5.3 million fans - stands to benefit. A Facebook search query for Coca-Cola produces more than 500 fan page results, and some have been started by individuals who have accrued thousands of fans of the beverage company. There's the five-month-old fan page, "Coca-Cola In A Glass Bottle Is Way Better Than Plastic," which has built up a following of nearly 400,000.

To read the rest of this intresting article written by Christopher Heine at ClickZ click HERE.

Social Media Marketing 101 (Top Five Reasons for having a Facebook Fan Page)

From Todd "The Brawn" Muffley at Fat Atom Internet Marketing.

Let's all decide right now that we should not just jump on the social media bandwagon because we can, but because we have a plan. An easy and effective plan, i.e., one that you will actually implement and upkeep, is usually a good place to start. Let's discuss Facebook Fan Pages and how this can help you grow your business.

Facebook, for those of you stuck in 2003, is a place where you can go online, set up a profile (put stuff in about you) and then find friends with whom you went to elementary school and show them pictures of your pets, kids, trophy spouse, etc.

The Fan Page on Facebook allows, let's say, business owners, to set up a page about their business and then invite people to "become a fan" of that business. Usually at this point, some people are saying to themselves, "Why?". So let me tell you my...

Top Five Reasons for having a Facebook Fan Page:

1. A Facebook Fan Page allows the approximately 175 million Facebook users to learn about your products and/ or services - free of charge.

2. A Facebook Fan Page allows you to control the conversation about your business. It allows you to push relevant content to people who want to see it, even ask for it, free of charge.

3. It is estimated for every Fan you have, 10 more people will be exposed to your messaging. 1=10, 10=100, 250=2500 - and yes, it is still free of charge.

4. Facebook allows you to leverage your clients to help you get new clients by running clever promotions, giveaways or specials.

5. When people "Fan" your Facebook Page, and your Facebook Page has a link to your site, you are building the incoming link traffic to your website. That helps your rankings with Google and other search engines.

Remember, before you run and start a Facebook Fan Page for your business, think about a plan first. Creating a marketing calendar that helps you plan events, set goals and manage to-do's is your first priority. No marketing, even when it is free, is good if you don't execute properly and Facebook is no different. Next month, read about how to advertise your Fan Page.

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