June 26, 2010 - Posted by Shama
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It seems like every day we wake up, Facebook has implemented a new policy or added a new dimension overnight. With almost 500 million users, it is truly turning into the ultimate powerhouse. Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, has even revealed plans for Facebook to hit 1 billion users by targeting countries where Facebook isn’t yet as in
filtrated – countries such as Korea, Russia, and Vietnam.
With more users, more features, comes greater opportunity to leverage Facebook for marketing purposes. Here are the top five things you need to know about Facebook marketing.
1) Facebook Fan Page Admin Rule – Previously, if you created a Fan Page using your profile (you have to have a profile to create a page), you were the default Admin – forever. You could add more administrators, but you couldn’t disconnect the page from your profile. Now, it doesn’t matter who creates the page. You can hand it over to anyone at anytime. This is great news if you had an intern or an ex-employee create the page. They can hand it over to anyone at any time. The downside? Just because you are a creator of the page doesn’t mean you can’t be booted. Key Lesson: Think before you add an administrator.
2) Facebook eCommerce – While Facebook still isn’t the ideal tool for direct sales, it may get there yet. Have a fan page? Sell products or services? Sell from the Fan page directly. Services like Payvment are making that possible – currently for FREE. Key Lesson: Start thinking about Facebook as more than just a relationship building tool. Think Facebook eCommerce.
3) Facebook Currency – It is only a matter of time before Facebook introduces their digital currency. Think of this as a premonition of what’s to come. Doing business globally will be easier than ever with Facebook Bucks/Dinero/Yen. Key Lesson: Think globally.
4) Facebooks Ads – The most exciting frontier yet! Facebook Ads remind me of Google Adwords in the early days. While Google is all about people searching for what they want and need, Facebook is about people searching for who they are. Identity scholars – get ready for some mind blowing research opportunities. Businesses – start thinking beyond regular search. Key Lesson: Get to know your target market better than the back of your own hand.
5) Greater Facebook Integration – Want to automatically follow your Facebook friends on Twitter? There is an App for that! (Update: Facebook may be battling it out with Twitter for now. The app is currently down). In fact, there may be an app for almost everything. Look for greater Facebook integration across the web. Key Lesson: Continue to make Facebook a key part of your marketing – online and offline.
For Facebook geeks like us here at Marketing Zen, this is all GREAT news. As we work clients across the world and help them understand and better use Facebook – we will also continue to keep all of you updated on what’s new and how you can use it to further your business.
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17 Responses to “The Changing Face of Facebook Marketing – 5 Things you MUST Know“
Great article – Facebook really is a powerhouse. The idea of Facebook currency really does open up a whole new area.
Visionary and gorgeous! Thanks as always.
Hi Shama,
that is a great article. I like the way you draw your conclusions after each item. They cover the status quo as well as a glimpse into the future of Facebook marketing. Thanks for sharing. Keep the good posts coming.
Take care
Oliver
Thanks Oliver. = )
Great article. If I had to add my 2cents, I’d say that the most radical change in Facebook marketing is the introduction of the Open Graph and the Social Plugins. These are real game-changers both with respect to Facebook marketing and marketing in general. Facebook’s focus now (according to Zuckerberg) is on branching beyond facebook.com.
Marketers need to assess the implications of these new tools for their branding, direct marketing, CRM and SEO efforts.
More about that here: http://www.definedlogic.com/2010/06/companies-do-not-need-facebook-pages-anymore-part-1/
Vidar -
I agree. I think Facebook Connect is by far the most powerful tool Facebook offers.
Thanks for sharing the post.
I agree with you that Facebook isn’t the appropriate place for selling your products. But, Facebook Pages are mini-websites that are great if you are looking to promote your business or sell your products.
Hey Dan -
Facebook pages are certainly evolving. I still think having a website of your own is essential, but Facebook pages are certainly playing a greater role.
[...] Kabani gives on her post “The Changing Face of Facebook Marketing – 5 Things you MUST Know” a great outlook into the future of Facebook [...]
[...] The Changing Face of Facebook Marketing – 5 Things you MUST Know – Facebook seems to always be implementing a new policy. From Facebook Fan Page Admin Rule to Greater Facebook Integration you will find key lessons to help you along the way. The Guy Who Lives on the Edge – A bit of humor for your day. One man and a rotten/spoiled tub of sour cream. Do you think it’s still good 4 days past the expiration date? [...]
Another tool to monitor social media is Kurrently at http://www.kurrently.com – a real-time search engine for Facebook and Twitter.
[...] Written in June this year, Marketing Zen discusses marketing in his article, The Changing Face of Facebook Marketing – 5 Things You Must Know. [...]
Speaking of social marketing, check out Kurrently at http://www.kurrently.com – a real time search engine for Facebook and Twitter.
Thanks Gilbertl – I’ll check it out!
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hey Shama neat article the speed of change within the social media realm is crazy it would be good if there is a clearer delineation between social and ecommerce on FB there is a place for both yet too many still blatantly pitch their biz pops as if it’s their personal biz network they are posting to 10 x a day
cheers Kiaran
Awesome article! I’m glad you went into actual specifics about strategy, there is too much fluff out there that is vague and meaningless…this is good, usable stuff! I have just found a free 19 minutes clarifying well how to use Facebook as a customer magnet. You may get it here http://on.fb.me/facebookmarketingvideo.