CyberGnarus LLC
In this issue, we'll give you some information about social networking. Myriad websites abound where you can join a community to connect in some way, exchange ideas, share opinions, display photos.
The terrain is rapidly evolving. Last year, LinkedIn was seen by many as "the" business social media site, Facebook was for kids, and Twitter was off the radar.
This year? Facebook is becoming populated by business people, Twitter is hot, and we as business people need to take note.
Ask how we can help!
SUDOKU CHALLENGE:
You have a business website, you've got a LinkedIn account, a Fan Page on Facebook, and you've started tweeting on Twitter. How do you consolidate all those different modalities to best benefit your business?
The easiest way to create an "atmosphere of community" on your existing website is to take advantage of - and piggyback off - the hottest social sites available. While there are lots of "Web 2.0" sites where you can join a community and share information about yourself and your business, this article will concentrate on the three listed above.
Assuming you have made a strong commitment to your chosen social media sites, you have two clear ways to add them to your business website: badges (or buttons) and widgets. Badges are easier (and faster) to implement, but widgets can be more interesting.
Badges
1. Get an icon image for each social networking site you want to link to. The icons should all be the same size. If you want to use stylized icons, be sure they come from the same designer so that they all match. You can get some great icons from KomodoMedia (http://www.komodomedia.com/blog/2009/06/social-network-icon-pack/) or just Google "social networking icons" and choose a set that you like. You can get a large Facebook badge with your Facebook profile image at http://www.facebook.com/facebook-widgets/profilebadges.php
QUICK TIPSHow can I create a Facebook Fan Page for my business?
Facebook Fan pages can be used for anything that's not an individual, like a business, organization, band, product, public figure - you get the idea. You have one page to provide information, photos, links, an RSS feed, and an interactive forum, etc. about your business. To get started, go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php. You'll need to certify that you are authorized to set up this page. They will disable your account if you violate this rule!
Why would you want to? Facebook Fan pages often get high rankings on Google, because Facebook itself is extremely popular. It's easy for fans to join, and once you have a group of followers, your updates will go out to their "feed" and be visible to their friends. Think viral.
Be sure to provide your followers with useful information, rather than hard sell, and give them a reason to want to be your fan!
TECH TRIVIA
Which company paid $240 million in 2007, for a 1.6% share of Facebook?
Click on your choice to see the correct answer!