Facebook “Like” button… hidden secret to contact your “likers”

I’m letting the cat out of the bag… I mean, the baby Harp seal… in the first sentence: you can contact people who “like” your pages/posts via your “Like” button admin settings on Facebook.

It’s that simple.

Here are your action steps:

• add the like button to the top and bottom of each page/post
• create object admin pages for button
• treat “likers” like fans
• use fb API to group similiar “like” / object categories

Want to know more? Post a comment, like this post (of course), and I’ll let you in on the coolest mojo around that lets you post to the wall of anyone who’s “liked” your stuff.

All the best,

Chris

Social Media book release: The Social Media Equation – Get Your Team Involved & Use The “Big 4″ To Bring Your Brick-And-Mortar Business To The Next Level

Know what people are saying about you online… even if you’re not saying anything?
Would you like to?
Or, have you heard so much about “social media” but are afraid to jump in because you may give a competitor valuable information?
This is where solid business meets Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and blogs.
It’s also full of advice and each chapter comes with an Action Plan for each platform.
The Action Plans are packed with immediate-action tips to keep you from looking like a beginner, even if you are.
They’re also written from the perspective of an executive who has been successful in off-line businesses, but used the internet to augment lead generation.

One tip could save you or make you thousands… or help you combat cyber-squatting and other brand-damaging internet iniquities.
But the key to this book is that it gives you helpful advice to get your team involved and buying in to the concept.
Because if they don’t come along for the ride, you won’t enjoy it nearly as much as you could.

Click the image to order and you will be able to download it immediately. As updates hit, you will receive them automatically. You will also have access to my exclusive newsletter… and this is the only way to get access to it.

All the best,

Chris

Pragmatic Social Media: An example of how to integrate social media into your off-line, brick-and-mortar business

Put your social media presence everywhere.
It’s so simple, it never occurs to many.
Look how long it took many businesses to get their website addresses on vehicles, business cards and ads.
And some still have yet to get with the program (very few).
In fact, I haven’t seen a sign like this yet… except at this business outside DC (a business very close to my heart!)

Of course, it’s bigger than this and there is other information on the door, but I know many clients both current and potential who’ve expressed delight at being able to contact this business in so many ways… especially since it’s closed on Sundays unlike many traditional retailers.

But, hey, who wants to be traditional?!

In fact, this business encourages people to friend them, fan them, tweet them, check in on foursquare, and anything else they can think of.
And they offer rewards like Starbucks gift cards, drawings and merchandise.

Give me your thoughts on this one because I humbly think it’s genius
If you’d like to learn more about social media and real business, even if it’s just to check on your brand, check out the book The Social Media Equation. One tip from it could save you embarrassment or make you thousands!
Click the image to order and you will be able to download it immediately.

All the best,

Chris

Followers, subscribers, fans and friends… to buy, or not to buy on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

This is a tough one, not because it doesn’t work, but because it works so dang well.
That said, if you’ve got time, don’t buy.
Build a solid base and rock the house.
But there are benefits to multiple people being interested in what you have to say.
It comes from the psychological phenomenon known as “social proof“, and no one is immune from its effect.
If you want explosive growth and are willing to weed through the good, the bad and the downright fugly, by all means, buy away.
But how?
The only source I’d recommend as of today is SocialKik, and that’s because it gives you the option to upgrade to “targeted” fans/followers/friends.
You’ll get real people, but you’ll have to do some work.

After watching one business page explode after I set it up for a physician friend, I have to say my initial reluctance was unfounded. And he has continued to gain followers after a simple initial buy that cost less than a good meal for two. Not too shabby.
Here’s how the social proof phenomenon works:

Wikipedia: “Social value of unfamiliar people is ambiguous and requires a lot of effort to assess accurately. Given limited time and motivation, other people will often evaluate others based on how surrounding people behave towards them. For example, if a man is perceived to be in a company of attractive women, or is associated with them, then his perceived social value and attractiveness will be perceived to be greater. The implied cognition in this case would be “All those girls seem to really like him, there must be something about him that’s high value”.

You can capitalize on this because of one simple, unavoidable condition - the exploding field of social media is so new, it’s a mystery to many and they’re grasping for social proof.
Key points to remember about large numbers of followers/friends/fans:
- Identification of the surrounding group with self
- Possession of special knowledge
- Identification with authority
- Smart money
I’ve built thousands of followers on different social media presences without buying, but for my newer clients who want to hit the ground running, I couldn’t recommend anything better.

All the best,

Chris

Picture this!

Target and Facebook

Is it any coincidence that Target is the first big-wig to offer Facebook giftcards… and then change the url they show on TV commercials to Facebook.com/…?
Facebook.com/Target in this case.
Well, call me silly, but I’d say no.
Or nope.
Or hell no, it’s so friggin’ obvious that Target actually GETS IT!
You may be thinking “Hey, Chris, what’s this “it” you’re so jazzed about?”
Well, friends, the “it” is that the way business has been spoon-fed to us by ad agencies for hundreds of years SUCKS… to put it succinctly.
Social media represents the missing link for businesses not afraid of transparency, or at least savvy enough to curate their online real estate.
And don’t worry, I won’t say “make no mistake” anywhere in this post… except… ah forget that one.
Seriously, Target may be ahead of the curve in understanding that business is done with people, and we “people” value relationships.
Although I think the movie “The Social Network” is a piece of Hollywood overly-dramatized, soap opera-esque crap, Facebook is phenomenal and I truly enjoy the new connections made, and old ones re-kindled.

So, what are your thoughts on this?
What other businesses have you seen that have implemented the use of their Facebook.com/ url in advertising, if any?
Friends, I think we’re on the cusp of some really big changes and those of you who already get “it” are well-positioned to not be taken by surprise.

All the best,

Chris

“The Social Network” movie… and what it means to a die-hard geek

Here is my first true “rant” and it’s about a movie I thought I was going to thoroughly enjoy.
It’s also about what it meant to a die-hard geek… and former Marine with a sense of honor.
I’ll mince no words by saying I feel that not one ounce of value was added to my life by watching that movie, and I’m embarassed that I brought my wife to see it. And I’m glad Mark Zuckerberg spoke out in the video below.
But this movie… it has nothing to offer of value other than another glimpse into a back-stabbing, dishonorable way of doing business I want no part of.
Guys, it’s not the bong hits and cocaine that got me… it’s a friend hurting a friend, badly, and that’s never the kind of movie I’ll want to support.
I’ve attained a measure of success and used to think being a millionaire was cool… but now what means more to me, as one, is HOW one gets to be a millionaire.

Add to that the fact that I’m a father of an autistic/Asperger’s child with perhaps a hint of Asperger’s myself, and I can tell you I will do whatever it takes to be as unlike how Zuck is represented in that movie as possible.
I’m going to keep my rose-colored glasses on and believe Zuck is not that bad, and that hurting a friend stung more than some lowlife director let the actor portray.
It should be renamed “The Anti-Social Network” because that’s all it represents.
Again, I’m not saying Facebook or Mark Zuckerberg are bad.

No, what I am saying is that Hollywood still sucks and I should have known better than to even consider watching a movie where Justin Timberlake plays any sort of substantial role.

I’m physically sick.

Chris

Ok, I feel better now that that’s off my chest
I’m going to watch Brave Heart, Patton, Saving Private Ryan and read some Calvin and Hobbes to wash out my brain!

If you’d like to learn more about social media and real business, even if it’s just to check on your brand, check out the book The Social Media Equation. One tip from it could save you embarrassment or make you thousands!
Click the image to order and you will be able to download it immediately.

How to spot a social media beginner… stupid Twitter mistakes you can easily correct.

I’m going to be a critic for a quick second here and steer away from my usual “come on, you can do it” tone.
I’ve even used “stupid” in the title, which would have gotten me kicked out journalism school at the University of Maryland.
Why the switch?
Well, because this is a fantastic way to show you how easy it is to weaken your brand online… especially if you’re a consultant as in the following example.
And, friends, this Twitter-er I’m about to critique is a very good business consultant who knows more about MBA-type business than I… but he made the mistake of telling me that working the web “is so easy” he could do it himself.
I applaud the DIY mentality… when it works.
But if you have been doing what I’ve been doing for nearly 15 years in the metro Washington DC/Northern Virginia area… that’d jab your jiblets, too… “easy.”
Nothing personal here, as this is just a fantastic example of what not to do if you want to be taken seriously.
Though this post is Twitter-specific, much of it can be taken into other presences such as Facebook and LinkedIn.
So, let’s dig right in. If you have trouble viewing the text I’ve added to this screenshot, just click on it and you’ll get a bigger, better view.

Social Media Credibility Killers

1 – Announcing to a teeny, tiny audience (probably 1 or 2 followers) that you’re launching your “social media” campaign… and then dropping the ball… is worse than not starting at all.
Here, the first tweet says “xyz.com has just launched its social media campaign.”
I’m waiting… and social media is not an ad “campaign”, it’s a presence.
This presence, in turn, is about relationships, hopefully with others who have more than 1 tweet that reads “Hello Twitterers” or something to that effect.
2 – Leading us on.
Telling all 8 of your followers (me included… just for fun) to check back often for special offers and freebies, and then not having any, is a double credibility killer.
I don’t know about you, but I’m not feeling very special right about now (sniff, sniff).
3 – 3 tweets in 5 months?
Come on, guys, this tells me you don’t have much to say… or (boo hoo) you don’t care about me… 12% of your audience!
4 – Following too few.
This says you’re selfish (in a “social media” sense).
5 – Followed by fewer.
This says you’re boring.
6 – Listed by none.
This says you’re boring as hell.
7 – “No Favorites”
This says you’re boring as hell AND afraid of commitment.
8 – Laying an egg.

Too many “egg” icons on your profile? Wondering why your icon changed to an egg?
These are the default Twitter icon for beginners.
This should be the first thing to go when you set up your profile.
Now, don’t get me wrong, if you’re waiting for the eggs to hatch and monitoring their progress, that’s fantastic!
But I don’t see any hatching going on here.
Omellettes anyone?

9 – Stepping on a geek’s toes.
Telling me, or any other established web professional, that setting yourself up online is “easy.”
Want an analogy outside of tech?
My wife is an accomplished physical therapist in private practice.
Try telling her your post-op shoulder rehab treatment protocol can be explained over a cocktail at a party and you’ll see what I mean.
Love ya, honey

Got Anything Good To Say? What’s right with it?
Of course, there are positives to this profile too.
1 – It exists.
Come on, let’s give the guys a break.
According to the latest studyby the Pew Internet and American Life Project, there are millions of active Twitter users with a median age of 31.
They are “mobile, urban and engaged online.”
This, my friends, sounds like fertile ground for building relationships with affluent, or soon-to-be affluent people.
And since 59% of Twitter users are females (my offline industry’s primary customers), it only makes sense to meet them where they are.
2 – It shows that it’s linked to the Facebook presence.
One of the three tweets came from Facebook.
This implies at least a basic understanding of which button to click.
But I can’t stay positive the whole time here because this may also say the Facebook presence may be ignored as well… oops.
3 –  The “Bio” is filled out and uses up the valuable 140-character real estate.
This is good.
Use it up and fill it with appropriate words relative to you and your style.
Search.Twitter.com is being used with greater frequency, and this bio can be found.
Think of it as another store front in a different section of town.
4 – The web url is in the bio.
You’d be amazed how many forget this simple step.
Check out my Twitter list of “guru’s, experts and professionals” and see which ones don’t have a url… you’ll get the irony.
5 - The owner’s icon has been changed from the egg.
Of course, it’s a boring Sears portraity-faux-painted background, but it’s better than an egg!
See, I’m not all that bad!

NEX T STEPS
“But what do I do now?”
Let me offer up a few words of friendly advice if you have a profile that needs serious “pimping.”
1 – Start
Do like the above example and start.
But for goodness sake, don’t drop the ball.
2 – Link
Link it to your other online real estate.
It’s got to be connected to your website, Facebook presence, YouTube profile, Foursquare, etc… through a link in the bio and links woven into the tweets.
Interested parties can go through your tweet history and click on links from your past.
I see it all the time, and I do it when I come across someone interesting.
3 – Be 140 smart
Set up your profile and use all 140 characters with keywords relevant to your goal… but don’t be boring.
Include hobbies, anything that will make you interesting.
You can even include geo-specific keywords and, if appropriate, zip codes.
If you come across as a sales person in your bio, you will lose.
But slipping a little selling language in is ok, especially if it’s product- or service-specific.
4 – Change
Occasionally change your profile wording to reflect your varied interests and attract new followers.
5 – FOLLOW
Follow interesting people and retweet their good stuff.
Ask them for advice, too, and they may follow you back.
Remember, this is social media.
And, you may be the one to introduce your followers to someone interesting like @Loic (Seesmic maven), @Alltop (Guy Kawasaki of Apple-now-Alltop fame), @Scobleizer (Robert Scoble, a well-connected smart guy)or @Lockergnome (Chris Pirillo of CNN and etc web note)… all of whom you follow, right?
I’ve gotten to know these web superstars over the years and their online worlds are full of valuable information.
6 – FOLLOW BACK
Follow those who follow you, and do not over-think this.
You can always unfollow and block them if they’re trolls or porn star wannabe’s, but that’s another story.
7 – Hyperlink your tweets
Include links in your tweets often.
I said it in #2, but it’s worth repeating
8 – A picture is worth a thousand words
Include pics intermittently in your tweets.
If you don’t know how, email me.
9 – Say something
TWEET, damnit!
Seriously, though, offer some value.
In my opinion, you should also occasionaly serve up some humor.
10 – List and be listed
Build lists and list people you admire and want to follow you.
This shows you are savvy.
Don’t give up.
Here is an example of someone who seems as though they gave up (in my geeky opinion):

This one is tragic, but one day, good old Bob may give me a call (although I prefer email, Skype video, FaceTime, Meebo…) and I’ll lend a hand.
You can always ask me for advice… hopefully before I give it “unsolicited.ly” as in the above examples.

If you’d like to learn more about social media and real business, even if it’s just to check on your brand, check out the book The Social Media Equation. One tip from it could save you embarrassment or make you thousands!
Click the image to order and you will be able to download it immediately.

All the best,

Chris

@WebMindSet @ 14,000 ft

PS – this post got Alltop-ed 11 hours after I posted it.
If you don’t know, that’s a good sign.
Thanks Guy Kawasaki!

Target will be offering Facebook gift cards… are you game?

I feel a bit sneaky because I do not, nor will I ever, play Farmville… but it’s HOT and the Target-loves-Facebook news is, too!
      

So, I’m not going to slam it although any doe-eyed baby calves wandering my way better steer clear and learn the lesson of the cute little baby duck who disappeared in a puff of feathers.
Ok, I’m joking, but gaming is far too important to ignore.
I’m in the middle of working with SCVNGR to launch a beta for our brick-and-mortar flooring business and I can tell you it’s already paid off with some positive buzz.

What do you think?

If you are a consumer – would you like Facebook gift cards?

If you are a business owner – are you game to put a little online gaming into your marketing mix?

Let me know and we’ll follow this together.

All the best,

Chris