Website Search Engine Optimisation Tips
Facebook Marketing
 Facebook is a privately owned social networking
Website. It is a place where people can share their thoughts, experiences and interests
with family and friends, old and new. The users can join networks organised by city,
workplace, school or region.
Membership was initially limited to students, but has been since expanded to include
anyone aged 13 and over. It has more than 350 million active users and is the most
widely used social network.
The Facebook Terminology
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Term
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Explanation
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Platform
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This provides a framework for third party developers to create applications that
interact with core Facebook features.
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Publisher
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The user can post information and messages on their own Wall, on their friend's
Walls, as well as the News Feed.
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News Feed
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Users can view profile changes, upcoming events, birthdays and the conversations
of friends.
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Wall
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This is a space on the profile page that allows friends to post short notes.
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Photos
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This feature allows users to upload photos and comment on photos.
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Notes
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A blogging feature that allows tags and embeddable images. Users can import blogs.
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Gifts
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Friends can send a gift, an icon of a novelty item, to each other. The first gift
is free.
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Marketplace
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This allows users to post free classified advertisements.
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Pokes
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The poke feature is used to attract attention or say "hello" to friends.
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Status Updates
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The user's latest Status Update appears at the top of their profile and in their
friends' list.
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Events
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This is a way for members to let friends know about future events and social gatherings.
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Networks and groups
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This provides different networks and groups to which users can join.
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Video
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Users can add video through Facebook Mobile, or using a webcam recording feature.
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Chat
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Users are able to chat with their friends on a one-to-one basis, or with multiple
friends.
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Pages
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Individuals or companies can create Pages which allows users to become a fan.
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Easter Eggs
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A lens-flare series of circles that displays when clicking, typing, or scrolling.
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Usernames
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A feature that allows users to choose a Facebook username to make user location
easier.
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Paid advertising
Facebook has paid advertising, at reasonable rates, that allows a very specific
demographic to be targeted. This can be a practicable marketing option, allowing
a company to hone in on the precise audience required. There is the option to pay
only for each click.
Organic Marketing
The huge amount of personal data and traffic that Facebook receives has a huge potential
for organic marketing. Having your message spread by viral marketing can produce
a large increase in brand awareness. To capitalise on the Facebook phenomenon, very
different techniques are used in getting the marketing message across. Instead of
having a static and silent demographic, you must be prepared for active audience
participation.
Be aware that a lot of people consult the Facebook for recommendations before buying.
There is the need to build a trustworthy reputation before you can give advice.
You also need to portray your brand in a positive light, and counter any negative
views.
Get Involved
Facebook is a weird and wonderful environment – so initially tread carefully
and softly. This is not for the faint hearted. To get a feel for what you are up
against, you should visit and explore the social network every day. You need to
understand and research how the users interact with each other.
You need also to research the companies that have been successful in marketing through
Facebook.
Successful Brands
Here is a list of the Companies that have over 1 million fans:
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Brand
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Fans
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Starbucks
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5,034,578
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Coca-Cola
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3,996,163
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YouTube
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3,733,242
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Skittles
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3,523,796
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Pringles
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2,788,810
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iTunes
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2,236,306
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Adidas Originals
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2,153,845
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Victoria's Secret
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2,151,895
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Disney
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2,119,773
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NBA
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1,692,030
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Red Bull
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1,623,102
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Zara
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1,580,858
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McDonalds
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1,447,163
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Reese's
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1,430,286
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Apple Students
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1,405,695
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H&M
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1,341,742
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Puma
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1,271,064
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Chick-fil-A
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1,221,064
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Krispy Kreme
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1,158,693
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MTV
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1,146,737
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Vitaminwater
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1,087,153
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Pizza Hut
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1,044,408
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As can be seen, the major companies take Facebook seriously in marketing their brands.
Marketing Tips
For successful organic marketing in this social environment, the campaign should:
- At a minimum, add your profile, a photo and a link to your Website.
- Be in tune with the audience and the attitudes of the different communities
- Adjust the marketing message to suit the audience
- Have an authentic marketing message in line with core values
- Use the language of the audience
- Tone down the usual marketing language
- Target the appropriate audience
- Have continual discussions with the audience
- Identify evangelists helpful to the marketing effort
- Plan how to deflect or respond to criticism
To develop a following, you need to provide useful, regular, quality and fun content.
You need to encourage dialogue. You need to constantly monitor and respond to comments.
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