Facebook Introduces Embeddable Posts

[caption id="attachment_3521" align="aligncenter" width="950"] Facebook Introduces Embeddable Posts[/caption]

In an effort to inject Facebook into more public conversations, the company on Wednesday introduced embeddable posts that will let blogs and news organizations include status updates, videos and photos in stories.

The posts work in the same way as embeds from Twitter and YouTube. Once your account is enabled, you will have the option to "Embed post." That will produce a code you can cut and paste into a blog entry or HTML file.

[caption id="attachment_3523" align="aligncenter" width="893"] Facebook Introduces Embeddable Posts[/caption]

Facebook, Twitter Hugely Important In SEO Ranking, Reveals Study [INFOGRAPHIC]

Search engine optimisation (SEO) is all about the quality of your backlinks, right?

Wrong. Not any more. At least, not wholly, as an updated study from those good people at Searchmetrics has revealed just how important social media signals are to a strong SEO ranking, with well-positioned URLs almost always having a high number of Likes, shares, tweets and +1s.

Indeed, seven of the ten most important factors in SEO ranking now come from social media, as below.

[caption id="attachment_3059" align="aligncenter" width="271"] SEO Ranking Factors Chart[/caption]

Searchmetrics have also documented their findings in this infographic, which takes a closer look at what well-positioned web pages on Google have in common, and what distinguishes them from pages that are lower-ranked.

[caption id="attachment_3063" align="aligncenter" width="304"] SEO Ranking Factors InfoGraphic[/caption]

(Source: Searchmetrics.)

Top 5 Social Media Sites for Small Business SEO

[caption id="attachment_587" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Social Media Sites[/caption]

With recent advancements in Google's search algorithms, it's no longer a question that social media sites have a profound influence on search engine rankings. Now, the real question is how does social media influence rankings?

The first social variable that impacts SEO stems from "social signals." These are Likes, Tweets, +1's, Pins, Shares, etc., that individuals attribute to a webpage. When a specific page, whether a blog post or YouTube video, has a wealth of social signals, its SEO-value increases.

Think of this as Google's way of knowing that real people find the content of a webpage credible and interesting, and thus deserving of higher search engine rankings.

The second social variable centers on the brand or business's profile page. In addition to providing a quality link back to its website, some social media websites enable companies to build citations.

Citations, which are simply mentions of a company's name, address, and phone number, help to make its website appear more credible and legitimate from the perspective of search engines. For local SEO and earning a higher placement in Google's local search listings, simply put, citations are the bee's knees. These are important variables that any small business marketer should keep top of mind.So now that you understand how social media sites influence SEO, let's get to the good stuff: the top social media sites for SEO.

#1: Facebook: Similar to Pinterest, Facebook profile pages can also rank in top of the search results (depending on how competitive a keyword is). Beyond SEO, Facebook offers a massive and widespread audience to connect with.

SEO Tip: Again just like Pinterest, try to include your keyword targets in the profile page's URL and in the description. Also, include a link (or better yet, a clearly visible icon) on your website that links to your Facebook page. This will help promote more likes and help grow your audience (making your page more authoritative for SEO.)

#2: Twitter: Twitter carries a great deal of SEO potential for small businesses. Tweets and re-tweets are among the most powerful social signals for SEO. So when you share your website's content on Twitter, and it's well-liked amongst your followers, its overall ranking potential increases.

SEO Tip: Take the time to reach-out, follow, and re-tweet posts of like-minded influencers and businesses. The greater the following you can cultivate, the greater exposure (and social signal potential) your tweets will have.

#3: Google+: Although an emerging social media platform (and one many small businesses overlook), Google+ offers incredible SEO potential in many respects. Google+ Local pages (which have replaced Google Places pages) are what appear in the Google Local search listings (the dedicated local results accompanied by the map with little pins.) A well-populated Google+ Local page will empower your small business' ranking potential in these listings. Additionally, Google+ page also provides a backlink as well as citation for you website.

What's nice is that you do not need to spend a lot managing a Google+ page for your business. Simply building a presence and ensuring your page contains accurate information will provide significant SEO benefits.

SEO Tip: After you've built a Google+ page for you business, include the suggested "site verification" link on your website (directing back to the Google+ page). This linking tells Google that your company's website and Google+ page are one of the same entity. This can be found on your profile page (while in edit mode), and essentially it ties everything together.

#4: LinkedIn: From a search engine perspective, LinkedIn is one of the most trusted and authoritative social domains. This why you see LinkedIn pages of both professionals and companies ranking well in the search results (similar to Facebook and Pinterest pages). LinkedIn "shares" are also incredibly potent for SEO. And at the very least, by creating a LinkedIn profile for your business, you get a quality backlink to your website, as well as trusted citation.

SEO Tip: Just like Twitter (and virtually all social media platforms), connect with as many colleagues and friends as you can. A strong LinkedIn following will increase your page's search engine authority, in addition to increasing the likelihood that your LinkedIn posts get shared. You can also include keywords in your page's content, but be careful not to degrade the quality of your page with over-optimization.

#5: Pinterest: Not only do Pinterest profile pages rank well in the search engines, but you get a nice DoFollow backlink to your website. Setting-up a Pinterest page is super easy. The time-consuming part is creating pin boards and pinning images (which can be effectively done by investing about 20 minutes a week.)

SEO Tip: When building your Pinterest page, use keywords to describe your pinboards, as well as define the URL and description of your profile page (e.g. "Atlanta Tax Attorney")

A Guide On How to Create A Facebook Business Page

I write about a lot of Facebook marketing tactics on this blog. My #1 goal here is to make you a better Facebook marketer — which in turn makes you a better user of Post Planner. But today I want to go back to the beginning & make sure we’re all on an equal playing field. Maybe you’ve created a Facebook page before — or maybe you haven’t — or maybe you created one in haste and aren’t sure you did everything right. Today I want to walk you through the process of setting up a Facebook page the right way. In addition, if you need help or want me to design your Facebook business page, just contact me on this site or visit my company website.

So let’s get to it!

How to Create a Facebook Business Page

Step 1 : Go to “Create Page” Link

There are lots of ways to get to this page, but I’ll make it easy for you. Just click here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/create/

You should see something like this:

Step 2 : Choose a Page Type

Choose one of the following:

• Local Business or Place


• Company, Organization or Institution


• Brand or Product


• Artist, Band or Public Figure


• Entertainment


• Cause or Community

You’ll need to decide which page type is best for you as each type has different benefits & drawbacks.

For our example I’ll choose “Local Business or Place”

Step 3: Choose a Category

If you choose a page type other than Cause or Community then you’ll need to choose a category for your page.

You’re category is VERY important with Graph Search – so choose wisely so people can find you easier.

Just click the dropdown and you’ll be given plenty of choices.



For our example I’ll choose “Restaurant/Cafe”.

Step 4 : Choose a Business Name

Pretty simple — yet SUPER important. Enter your exact business name here.

Keep in mind people need to be able to find your business in Graph Search — so choose the name people know you by. Some “experts” recommend that you add keywords to you business name.

I think this is a mistake.

If your business is “Post Planner Burgers” then name your page that, not “Burger, Fries & Sodas in Texas”.

Plus if your page name is too generic, Facebook could take it over as a “Community” page — which limits the page features.



In the example above you’ll notice I’ve entered an address & phone number. This is only necessary if you select “Local Business or Place” — all other page types require only the Category & Business name.

Step 5: Agree to Facebook Pages Terms

To proceed further in creating your page you must agree to Facebook’s terms.

It’s a good idea to read over these terms every few months, as Facebook is constantly tweaking them.

Inside the Facebook Pages Terms you’ll find out information regarding:

• Page Administration


• Content


• Page Management


• Page Names


• Collection of Data


• Page Features


• Advertising on Pages


• Cover Photos


• Apps on Pages


• Offers


• Promotion Guidelines

As a page owner, this is info you should definitely stay familiar with.

Step 6: Click “Get Started”

Now that you’ve followed the first 5 steps it’s time to “Get Started”. So click the blue button.

Step 7: Set Up Page

Here’s where the fun starts!



You can choose to fill out this info or you can skip it. The best thing to do is fill it out now.

The info will show up on your “About” page and in the “About” section on your page’s Timeline.

You’ll need to enter the following:

• Category — No dropdown here, just type in the category you want to associate with (important in Graph Search)


• Add a description — This will show on your Timeline as the “About Section” — unless you’ve chosen a Local Business


• Website — Let people know how to find you online outside of Facebook

Facebook then asks you “Is XYZ business a real establishment, business or venue”? Kind of a dumb question, but check Yes anyway.

Once you select Yes, Facebook will ask you “Will XYZ business be the authorized and official representation of this establishment, business or venue on Facebook?”.

Again seems like a dumb question, but check Yes — unless you’re setting up a fan page for a TV show or celebrity and aren’t the official brand representative.

Once you’re finished with the above info, you’ll see something like this:



Notice how I selected multiple categories and Facebook gives me more to choose from.

Select the ones that apply & click the “Save Info” button.

 Step 8: Add Profile Picture

Here you need to upload an image from your computer or import from a website:



Your image needs to be at least 180 pixels wide in order for Facebook to accept it.

Upload your image & click “Next”.

Step 9: Like Your Page

Facebook will now walk you through a few steps.

The first one directs you to Like your page:



If you aren’t ready for people to see your page it’s probably best to hold off on Liking it just yet.

I clicked “Skip”.

Step 10: Invite Your Email Contacts

This is a great way to get your initial burst of Likes.

But as mentioned above, if your page isn’t 100% ready for primetime I’d hold off on inviting people just yet.

Step 11: Share Something

At this point Facebook considers your page ready to go & encourages you to share a status update to your Timeline.

But if you don’t have any Likes yet, no one will see it — unless they come to your Timeline later.

You might consider posting a “Welcome” image or greeting. But posting any sort of important link or other update might be a waste — seeing as you have no fans yet!

Step 12: Add a Cover

Facebook doesn’t prompt you to upload a cover photo like it does all of the other setup features. But you should definitely add a cover to your page — otherwise it looks like it’s not ready for business.



Your cover needs to be 851 pixels wide, 315 pixels tall & less than 100 kb to get the best load time.

Also, it can’t contain more than 20% text. You can test your cover photo here to see if it breaks the rules.

Your Page is Created!

Congrats! You’ve officially created a Facebook fan page! Hopefully this step-by-step guide was helpful to you.

- See more at: http://www.postplanner.com/how-to-create-a-facebook-business-page/#sthash.aKiBEEvJ.dpuf

Powerful Tips for Marketing on Facebook

Finding a good place to showcase your products, services and websites for free in the online world is a dream for everyone – Facebook has made this a reality. With half a billion Facebook users and thousands of online communities to choose from, Facebook has brought potential customers much closer to you.

It’s no big secret that Facebook can help you in online marketing. However, I know there are many of you who believe that just registering on Facebook is enough… it’s not. Your Facebook success story ends before it even begins!

There is much more to marketing on Facebook than just creating a profile.  Keeping your fans engaged is the key. Don’t be a brand, but be a community they love being a part of. In this article, I’m going to tell you how you can use the medium of Facebook to increase your customer base as well as retain the ones you have!

CREATE YOUR PRESENCE ON FACEBOOK

1.   Facebook Profile: By creating a profile for yourself or your business, you are establishing your identity. This will take you a long way in developing relationships with fellow users and in positioning your business. You profile lets you interact with people on a personal note, more so if it’s a local business. Here are some aspects of a profile page:

o    Profile Picture: Always put your best foot forward, which means use the most flattering picture as your profile picture.  No matter what they say, a book is judged by its cover. I came across M.A.C makeup’s profile and thought it was really catchy with the colors used on the face. Hundreds of indifferent people with little time to spare are going to decide whether to add you based on your picture. So, make sure you get this one right!

o    Add Friends: After creating a profile, don’t wait for things to happen. Add new friends every day and the word will spread that you’re on Facebook. Before you know it, you’ll be starting your day by accepting friend requests! However, make sure you don’t add more than 25 – 30 people a day as excessive adding can get your profile removed from Facebook.

o    Wall: This is your main platform to interact with Facebook users. Post messages on your wall and also comment on members’ activities, though, only when relevant. A cafe once commented on my status when it was something about food. And there! A personal connection was built in a second! I knew that I was going to visit this place more often. However, make sure you don’t spam people every other day or they may remove you from their friend list.

o    Photo Albums and Videos: Photos and videos are a great way to showcase the latest collection of your product. I know many people who love to see what goes on behind the scene during a photo shoot or while a baker does his magic in the kitchen. Moreover, the first thing most Facebook users check are photo updates. So take that camera and start shooting!

2.   Fan Pages: Facebook Pages, known as Fan Pages, are designed for businesses, brands, companies, products and celebrities. It enables public figures, organizations and other entities to create an authentic and public presence on Facebook. You can encourage users to become fans of your page and share information with them by uploading pictures, videos, status updates, hosting discussions and displaying wall posts. Unlike Facebook Profiles, Pages are visible to everyone on the internet and are generally better for long-term relationships with your fans, readers or customers.

3.   Groups: Facebook Groups allow people to come together around a common cause or activity to express their views. One of the best features of groups is the ability to send messages directly to members’ Facebook inboxes.  It’s a great way to form a community and help your brand image.
Nowadays, it’s almost a necessity for movies to establish their presence on Facebook during its post-release period as Facebook users look for movies here. The good thing here is that you can send bulk invites to your friends, while it is manually done on Pages.  Groups are generally better for hosting quick active discussions and attracting attention.

4.   Events: Simply put, Facebook Events can help you connect with your target audience and invite them for your events, even if they aren’t on your friend list or one of your fans. Events can be created individually or even from Profiles, Pages. What I like is that Facebook gives you a choice between making the event Public and Private.
Let me explain the difference. I got an invite from Alanis Morissette Unplugged Acoustic Performance for a show next month, though I’m not a ‘friend’ or a ‘fan’. This is an open invitation for a public event where anyone can access the page and RSVP to it. However, if you want to maintain an exclusive guest list, choose the ‘Private’ option and the event page won’t be visible to anyone except those you choose. If you’re planning a launch or celebrating a landmark event, the ‘Private’ option lets you selectively invite people and give details on a page that can’t be accessed by anyone else.