Social Networks

Information and advice specific to social networks, including Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn & more.

Setting up a Page
See also checklist.
 * Short description (for "About" box): limit 155 characters!
 * Article on Social Media Examiner: 6 ways
 * Set up (contact) forms in tabs
 * Advertise to drive viewers to them
 * Customize the page: my logos, my look
 * Have a clear cover photo: shows who I am and what I do in 3 seconds
 * No 20% text rule here
 * Change according to e.g. seasons, holidays
 * Have a good about section
 * Complete every field you can!
 * Description: start with URL
 * Use apps to extend functionality (e.g. newsletter sign-up)
 * Strategy! SME recommends 3 posts per day:
 * Photo (message, relevant)
 * Text Update (questions, fill-in-the-blank)
 * Links (to my site, including CTA) - use trackable link from bit.ly or Pretty Link!

Facebook Groups (vs Pages)
Article on Social Media Examiner
 * Big plus: visibility and networking - more likely to show up in your feed than pages!
 * Join about 10-20, less if that's too much
 * Criteria for joining: active members, description, low spam
 * Use Facebook's Graph Search to find relevant groups.
 * This enables you to find groups your fans like!!

Scheduling Posts

 * Article on Social Media Examiner explains

Spreading the Message: "Facebook Reach"
"Facebook reach": the number of unique people who saw my content. Different kinds: More reach advice:
 * post: people who see a post in their newsfeed
 * page: seeing my post content during a period of time (e.g. week)
 * organic: for free - fans see updates, random users pop in
 * viral: people reach me through backlinks (e.g. fans sharing my shit)
 * paid: I paid somebody to promote my posts
 * Do I want fans to see individual posts or cement my brand's presence?
 * "Facebook Insights" allows me to track e.g. when my fans are online
 * So post when most are online
 * No other social networks offer similar service to "Insights"
 * Should I pay for reach? Yes, if I want the right (valuable) content to reach more people.
 * For good reach: post 3 times a day! (at best times!). To do this:
 * Post relevant curated content (from other sources, paired with my thoughts and advice)
 * Repost classics
 * Trivia, questions, engagement, tidbits, nuggets, quotes
 * When posting: include picture + content snippets!
 * Photos, videos, links
 * Questions, events, offers

News Feed Ads

 * News Feed ads (as opposed to sidebar) generate more leads
 * Article above about how to create them!
 * Require business page first
 * Prepare elements: text, images
 * Above the fold (5-6 lines): Main offer, solution, phone #
 * Below fold: additional info, CTA
 * Image: 600x315 pixels, 20% text (grid tool)
 * Make test posts, see which ones get most engagement!
 * Follow tutorials in article from here

Google+

 * Mostly seen as SEO tool, not compelling social network
 * Optimize my profile: great profile pic
 * When posting article:
 * Choose first sentence carefully
 * Keywords, phrases
 * "+1" it

General Notes

 * Most brands are on Twitter (see data above). Customers go there for service/care!
 * Respond quickly, be helpful
 * As always, use visuals along with tweets
 * Have a dedicated support handle!
 * Ask questions
 * Curate content

Setting up my Profile
Remember checklist (probably partly outdated after May 2014) Social Media Examiner: Optimize Twitter for Mobile Users
 * A mission: "@Username is where ____________ (describe your best prospects) know they will always get ___________ (what’s in it for them to follow your account?)."
 * Twitter is where people go for customer service!
 * Include link to blog / LinkedIn profile
 * Make my profile inviting!
 * Welcome image: human, meaningful
 * Bio: keywords. Clear, concise about my purpose
 * Tell a story
 * Keep it clean, uncluttered
 * Implement your branding (colours!)
 * Design images carefully (Aug 2014 cheat sheet)
 * Test on various devices, apps

New Design May 2014
Kelly Kingman on Big Brand System
 * Header image: 1500x500
 * What's my brand personality?
 * What's coming up?
 * What emotional quality for my image?
 * Interesting quote?
 * Large profile image: headshot
 * New photo/video tab for direct access to visual content
 * Posts with more engagement: larger text / it's possible to pin tweets

Hashtags

 * John Soares about Twitter Hashtags for Freelance Writers (list)
 * What are hashtags, how to use them
 * Categorize content (becomes easy to retrieve)
 * One word, short and precise
 * Use them sparingly: relevance
 * Finding/following: use Twitter search!
 * Stick with hashtags - don't change, abandon

Tools

 * Tracking tools


 * Twitterbacks.com to design my Twitter background / Twitbacks as well (+ promotion)

Optimizing Tweets

 * Generate engagement:
 * Keep tweets <80-100 chars to allow re-tweeters to add own content
 * Tweet during daytime (mind time zones), and on Saturday/Sunday
 * Ask for retweets (not "RT")
 * Use hashtags: but no more than 2 per tweet
 * Include links
 * Stay away from lifestyle / personal life tweets
 * 1-4 tweets per day
 * Use retweetable words! They're strong calls to action.
 * you
 * twitter
 * please
 * retweet
 * post
 * blog
 * social
 * free
 * media
 * help
 * please retweet
 * great
 * social media
 * 10
 * follow
 * how to
 * top
 * blog post
 * check out
 * new blog post

General Notes

 * Endorsements: similar to Facebook likes - not as powerful/valuable as recommendations!
 * Same article: how to remove contacts or duplicate accounts

Quick Tips from Personal Branding Blog


 * Use notifications: find out what others are doing and congratulate, contribute...
 * Connect with related brands: research others and watch my "Invitations" section
 * Share great content that comes into my sights
 * Pay attention to who views views my profile
 * Give endorsements
 * Use InMail for cold approaching

General Notes

 * Reflect Pinterest integration in real life
 * "As seen on Pinterest"
 * Share lifestyle, not products
 * Show appreciation to fans! (e.g. say thanks, give a cake)
 * Share personal history in candid pictures
 * Post pictures that inspire my audience
 * Lifestyle, human connections

Tools

 * Copyblogger-recommended Pin Button Wordpress plugin
 * Alternately: one of the available WP social media plugins

How to Pin
When pinning:
 * Note: you can pin videos from Vimeo and Youtube
 * Ensure you've got a great thumbnail
 * Add a "play" triangle on it
 * Add engaging, keyword-rich description
 * Include the word "video" in description
 * Link back to video's original page or post
 * Link on pin is editable
 * Same goes for SlideShares, podcasts
 * Source and tips: same article as above
 * Use a strong, interesting quote from my post for description
 * Pin to several of my boards during peak pinning times (early morning, late evening - but: test)
 * Re-pin several times

Marketing on Pinterest
From Social Media Examiner: refer for details!
 * Include price tag
 * Use "pin it for later" links
 * More details in the article
 * Include your best pins in your newsletter
 * Use group boards
 * Promote your profile
 * Tweet about it
 * Post on Facebook
 * E-Mail
 * Add Pinterest app on FB
 * Use blog boards
 * Track competitors' pins

Instagram

 * How to set yourself up
 * Profile: basics
 * Consistency: use your logo and company name
 * Profile: lots of relevant info
 * Instagram bio: describe my mission, add URL
 * Share on other networks
 * News that I'm on Instagram now
 * Instagram updates
 * Instagram badge on web site
 * Post attractive photos
 * Show off product creatively
 * Ex.: Starbucks, Nike
 * Behind-the-scenes
 * Use hashtags
 * Research which ones customers use
 * Video posts!
 * Instagram is visual
 * Use their 15-sec videos option
 * Host contests, giveaways