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Post by girlonthemove on Sept 20, 2014 14:45:35 GMT
With all of the changes Facebook has gone through, do you think using Facebook for your blog or small business is still worth it?
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Post by VanessaMoxieFitChick on Sept 20, 2014 21:50:18 GMT
It can definitely be frustrating especially when no one likes posts or your post views are only in the 20's. However, EVERYONE is on Facebook so I feel it's a necessary evil.
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Post by pattygale on Sept 25, 2014 1:31:26 GMT
Agreed.. I have a total love/hate relationship with Facebook. Yes, building community there is important. While I'm using it to connect, I'm also using it to direct traffic back to the blog.
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Emma Craig
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Post by Emma Craig on Sept 26, 2014 9:08:25 GMT
Vanessa said my thoughts exactly - it's sort of a necessary evil, since so many people are on it. I prefer Google+, but I can't let go of Facebook entirely because it's so popular I feel like I should have a presence there.
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Post by VanessaMoxieFitChick on Sept 26, 2014 19:04:04 GMT
Yeah. I really wish Facebook would stop trying to get so much money out of us. It's like you either pay to boost posts or no one sees them. AND, if you boost a post, it can only have 20% wording on it because they push you to buy ads. Grrrrr. *shakes fist at Facebook*
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Delia
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Blogging coach at Happy Blogger Plaza (http://happybloggerplaza.com)
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Post by Delia on Sept 27, 2014 20:19:44 GMT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2014 6:29:28 GMT
There's no one answer to that question. It's all about how you use it, and specifically how well you can post content that your audience wants to see. The key is figuring out when your audience is on, and what type of content they love. This will involve lots of testing and trial and error on your part! It also involves knowing what to do and not do on Facebook. I've seen all too many people (businesses, fan pages and bloggers a like) complain about Facebook's algorithms while they are doing exactly what Facebook has said not to do (asking for likes, posting low quality memes, etc).
So is it worth it? Yes, but only if you put the effort in.
** There are some that might find that their audience isn't actually on Facebook, but I doubt most bloggers fall into that category.
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Post by robinredoit on Oct 4, 2014 21:18:07 GMT
It depends on the niche.
Facebook is my friend, despite the new settings. The reach is far better than G+ for me personally. My blog is for everyday people, not entrepreneurs. I like the general audience of FB vs G+ business contacts. If I were blogging for a business, perhaps I'd feel differently.
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chicitymom
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Post by chicitymom on Oct 5, 2014 19:42:29 GMT
But even for us non money generating bloggers they want you to pay.
I actually deactivated my fb,it probably isn't a smart move,but I am rapidly very active on Twitter.
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Post by menajo on Oct 10, 2014 22:35:57 GMT
I'm lagging behind on social media, period. I've always got traffic through SEO (not the link building stuff, yuck), but I need to make moves to diversify that now.
I don't mind paying for Facebook Ads and stuff like that as long as I see a return on my investment. I'm running a business, so it's all part and parcel of that. Plus my target audience are consumers who use Facebook, so I guess I really should be where they are, even if I don't personally don't like the place.
Just need to suck it and see. Sigh.
I'll be checking out your tips Delia.
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somernelson
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Entrepreneur.Mom.Adventure Seeker
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Post by somernelson on Oct 11, 2014 1:06:23 GMT
I think now with Facebook you have to pay to play. If you want your stuff seen you need to pay for ads. So thats all I plan on using it for. And a hiking group I run. But I have been liking Instagram these days. SO much more engagement!
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Post by menajo on Oct 11, 2014 12:45:38 GMT
Hey Somernelson, you'll have to let me know how you get on with your FB ads when you get around to it.
Never tried Instargram, although I've heard good things.
I'm taking my social media journey sloooowly though. I get traffic from Pinterest despite not doing much there, so I'll be focusing on that and FB for consumer marketing and Twitter and G+ to connect with other bloggers/brands.
Wow, just being in this forum is helping me think through my social media strategy.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 11, 2014 15:15:15 GMT
You totally don't have to pay to play on Facebook. It's no different than any other social network, to be successful you must post content that is genuinely interesting to your fans when your fans are on. The changes Facebook has made to their algorythm benefits users and pages alike by reducing spam & content of little value ("Like if you love your kids" memes). Facebook's algorythm shows your page less to those who aren't interested, to the people who don't click like, comment or share your stuff. For those that do actually engage with your posts it shows more of your content to them. Which would you rather have see your content: a person who doesn't care & isn't engaged? Or one who is? One who does engage with your content?
The main complaint I see time and time again from bloggers in particular, but all page owners, is their reach decreases. The question they aren't asking is, [bold]does reach matter?[/bold] Is reach the statistic they should be paying attention to? I would say, no. Does reach = money in your pocket? No. It's pure potential and nothing more. It's nice, but as advertisers have known for a very long time, a targeted approach works best.
What metric does matter? Click-throughs. Are you getting traffic from Facebook? Are you getting conversions from Facebook? Newsletter sign ups? Product sales? That is the bottom line, actions that lead directly to money in your pocket. That is what matters. Not reach. Not how many likes you have. The intangibles also matter, but they can be much harder to put a price on. Are you building a loyal following - a community? Do your Facebook fans follow you elsewhere? Do they evangelize you to their friends? Do they purchase something from you because one time they saw your post on Facebook? These are the things that matter, not vanity metrics.
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Post by menajo on Oct 11, 2014 18:55:54 GMT
You raise some great points Kara.
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Delia
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Blogging coach at Happy Blogger Plaza (http://happybloggerplaza.com)
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Post by Delia on Oct 11, 2014 21:05:22 GMT
Someone also mentioned Facebook group before, that's a great tool too. Being active in FB groups, getting the word out there definitely helps. Yes, there will be groups that aren't a good use of your time, but you won't know until you try. Thanks for checking my tips, menajo and good luck with your FB marketing, ladies!
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