This question was on the suggestions list, remember to post your question there if you got one. I'll be honest and say I forgot it was there but I'll try to answer more of them now that I remembered =P (you can also vote on the ones you like best).
Question: I just joined facebook. How do you use it to get new sign ups?
This is a deep question. Where to begin. Hmm. How about.. I don't! For me I use facebook and social media, even this blog itself, just to get my name known. The goal is not to get signups. Ok, maybe I should rephrase that.
I use it as a backend channel, not a front end. To me it doesn't matter so much that people signup to my blog or StartXchange right away, but that they know who I am. So when they do use a traffic exchange, and they see my name, it's a done deal not a wishy washy kind of thing.
To be honest I don't know how much this affects my business. What I do know is the social media is about socializing not spamming. People get turned off if you just talk to them about you you you. In fact on Twitter I stopped following a few hundred people because everytime I logged onto Twitter it was all my link my link.
So there you go, my thoughts on the whole facebook thing!
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I too, do not want to join the social media just to push something. I truly enjoy getting to know my fellow surfers and marketers…seeing what it is they do day to day, and what makes them happy as a fellow human being.
And as for you, Tim, it’s just interesting watching to see what you’re gonna come up with next!
Thanks for all you do,
Cat
I agree I do have some social network places, I like making friends and the fine thing is once people know you they will read your blog or visit your website, you are not a stranger any more! and to me that is a great bonus.
Albas lastest blog post..Earth Day
I think someone has to be looking for you on Facebook to find you, where as on twitter the public can see you. (Although it’s now mostly marketers spamming up the twittoshere). ~Janet
I read that a “page” for business isn’t searchable on facebook, but a personal facebook page is.
I like your emails, which I will read more often now!
Good Morning Tim,
I am somewhat new to facebook, but so far like the fact that I am able to add my links, then socialize. Curiosity leads them to the links to check out what’s going on.
Have a great day.
Blessings,
Terri
I can’t say as I will ever try those social places other than for socializing. However, the need to get more people outside the TE industry to use TEs is a worthy goal. I think many would love TEs, but would they pay? Would they be interested in most of the drivel that is shown on TEs? Would they get zonked by the get-rich-schemes and turn tail?
stephen cs lastest blog post..Top Baby Names
It’s that the 64 million dollar question?
FaceBook is not an advertising media unless you buy adverts from them.
Like most social networking sites, the emphasis is on “connect and share” on a personal level. Hence the thousands of apps that can kill your day visiting.
As you mentioned, Tim, branding yourself is the main vehicle to promote in a social crowd.
But even that concept takes some doing. How can you do it without being accused of spamming?
I have been a member for a long time and struggled with this idea.
So, here’s what I have concluded:
First you need something to brand – a name, blog or niche info site that provides interesting content or services.
The link to your “brand” should have a feed attached so that when you connect with members and add a link, your icon and excerpts are added to the message.
To take it up a notch, you can start a group and invite members to join.
Hope this helps
Follow up.
I just started this group to virally used the “comment, link and share” features at face book to brand yourself
http://www.facebook.com/groups.php#/group.php?gid=67949963137
Hey Tim I know what you mean I am also a member of FB and twitter and I am afraid to follow someone else because 2 minutes after you confirm the follow you get a spam e mail wanting you to join something. such a dissapointment.
Hi Tim.
For me Twitter is a SSM (Socialized Spamming Media) just because when you ask something you receive hordes of links to buy something and no answer at all.
Facebook instead is a real Social Network, in which I meet all my old firends lost from schools and work:
And you can also make normal dialogues about anything without receiving hundreds of links in a bit.
And if you have need to let your friends know about your projects and websites, is a lot more valuable.
So Tim I have completely to agree with you !
Thanks for the post and goodbye.
Alessandro Zambonis lastest blog post..SEO Revenge Review and Special Price for you !
I knew I wasn’t the only one who felt queasy about posting links on twitter, or soliciting my friends on MySpace.
My main intention for creating a twitter account in the first place was to give my blog readers another outlet to get to know me. Plus I wanted to be able to say “Hey guys, I’ve got a new post up”.
Still I felt compelled from time to time to spam a link for something or the other ( call it peer pressure ). However, I maintain that 80% of my tweets are non link related. I actually took it a bit personal when Tim Unfollowed me, because I didn’t want to be “One of those people”.
Now, do I really need 10,000 followers who don’t give a crap about what I babble about on Twitter? No thanks. I’ve already got 100 “NetWork Marketers” and “Team Coaches” following me. I think I’ll start cleaning house as well.
Don’t even get me started on the MySpace thingy.
Thanks again for a great post Tim. You rock!
Phil
Phil ( philsfault ) Amess lastest blog post..“List Surfing” …. Now here’s a great idea!
There are a lot of misconceptions about social media, that’s for sure. The social networks that ‘pay’ are the worst though. Even though you can still buy adverts, people think that they have the solution to all your money problems if you signup. Then you’re left hanging to figure out their program for yourself. Bah!
I have to agree with you that branding yourself is the [ONLY] way to build relationships and gain real business prospects. Misleading people is no way to go.
Thanks for the post.
I find the the “Facebook Connects” ideas very helpful. I get quite a lot of Blog traffic from Social Median which I found through “Facebook Connects”. It also now connects with twitter and Digg. If you are a Blogger you can publish your feed as well.
I don’t have much time for socializing lately, but I sure do appreciate the EXPOSURE!!
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