Flash Forward Sites

Now that all Facebook pages are on the Timeline layout, you need to think about your Call to Action.

Remember, Facebook has made it clear that the cover image is NOT the place for a call to action. See the previous cover image tip.

So where do we put the call to action? On the App images. They are also called App thumbnails.

Do you want to use words? Or a picture? Facebook doesnt care. So use your imagination to create something that will grab the attention of your Fan. Something that will get your Fan to CLICK on it.

We each get 12 App locations and 4 of them show under the Cover image. The other 8 App locations will appear when you click on the down arrow, on the right side of your displayed Apps.

You can add custom images, as well as change the label that shows below the image. You simply click on the down arrow, on the right side of your displayed Apps, then hover with your mouse pointer over the app you want to change. A pencil will appear in the upper right corner. Click it then choose edit settings.There you can change both the text label as well as the image.

All your Apps can be moved around too. All but the photos App. The photos App shows the latest image that you uploaded. Although you cant move the App, you can control what shows there. Just make sure your call to action image is uploaded last, and it will show.

Have fun with creating and choosing your App images.

I hear it quite often – “I don’t get Twitter”.

I’m sure there are several reasons why some people don’t “Get it”. But I think the biggest is because they haven’t tried it.

With Twitter, the messages are short. 140 characters. Perfect for people who primarily do lots of texting and like the brevity of Twitter communication.  The best way to understand it is to try it.

Here is a great article on Twitter.  4 Ways to Grow a Twitter Following That Matters

I like #3 the best.  Just like all the social media tools, Engagement is the most important aspect. Twitter included. But first you need to get some people following you.  Or like the article says – jump into a conversation to add your own viewpoint.

Which do you like best?

You want to get the largest possible audience to see your latest Blog post.  And that means duplicating or sharing your blog post on all the top Social Media sites.

Some Social Media sites allow you to share with another site.  As LinkedIn can share your status update on Twitter.

But there a new tool gaining popularity that can help automate more.  It’s called ifttt.com.   It’s short for “If This, Then That”.  With ifttt, you define conditions  (If This) and when that condition happens do something (Then That).

I found it really useful for sharing my blog posts on LinkedIn.  In the past I was using the WordPress plugin on LinkedIn.  But my blog posts only show with in the WordPress window – not as a status update.   So connections needed to view my Linkedin page regularly and scroll down to to the WordPress box got to see my Social Media tips there.  That doesn’t happen.

But now with the improved automation with ifttt, my blog posts get shared as a status update.

Linkedin isn’t the only site or tool that you can automate.  Ifttt has all the major sites and tool conections.   Here is more examples of what you can automate.

Have fun setting up your ifttt tasks to automate your activites.

We all want to be on page 1 of Google, but sometimes there is just to much competition for some keywords.  And it seems impossible to get on Page 1 of Google.

Google+ can help.  How?

You and your other connections in your Google+ circles can influence what Google returns in the search results.  Think of it like being in a special club, where all the members have special privileges.   In the Google+ club (your Circles), your websites that you have listed in your profile and business page, get priority when one of your Circle members does a Google search.

So you and all your Circle connections can influence what Google shows as search results.  That may be enough to get you on page 1 on Google.

Here is an interesting article showing the details on 3 ways Google+ can help your business with ranking.

Continue to grow the size of your Circles, so all your connections can see your Website prominently in Google search results.

Pinterest.com is one of the new and popular Social Media sites. Think of it like a bulletin board, where you can pin up your favorite pictures and videos to share with the world.

You name your boards, and then you Pin what you are interested in, thus the name Pinterest.

So how can you use Pinterest to help your Business?

1) As you Pin your image or video always include a link to your website or special landing page

2) Add the Pin-it button to your website, to help your audience share your content on Pinterest

3) Pin pictures and videos of past events to help promote your next event

4) Use hashtags, like on Twitter, to help people easily find your pictures and videos

5) Ask customers to Pin a picture of them using your product and post as a testimonial

All of these activities are meant to give you more exposure and drive traffic back to your website to see your call to action.    Remember, what you put on Pinterest is public.  So the world can see it, as well as, the Search Engines.

Have fun sharing.

You can follow me on Pinterest -> http://pinterest.com/davidffs/

Have you heard? All Facebook Business pages will be converted to the Timeline layout at the end of this month.

So start thinking about your new cover image. Its a bigger space than what we have today.  But keep it simple – like a billboard you would see on the side of the road.  Use little or no text.

I noticed Facebook has implemented some guidelines for your cover image. Basically they dont want it to be a cheesy sales ad.   Instead show your brand.  Be creative and fun.  Keep it simple.

Not everyone has a fancy graphics program, such as Photoshop.  So you can use one of the many free online graphics tools, like http://pixlr.com.

Make your picture or image 850 x 315 pixels.

Check out these other cover images.  Maybe they will get your creative juices flowing.

Have fun with creating your cover image.

If you are on page 1 of Google, yes, new Customers will find you and you should get some calls.

However, if you are in the top 5, on page 1, then you are getting MOST of the calls.  Just like the alphabetical listing in the yellow pages, the top listing on the first page gets the most calls. It’s the same with Google, Bing, and Yahoo.   The top spot gets the most and the bottom spot gets the least.

So where are you ranking?  I have a new FREE ranking tool for you to try.  All you need is your business phone number.

A reverse lookup will happen to find your keywords.  Then you will see a report on how you are doing.

Page 1 of Google = Profitable Visibility.

If you find you don’t like your ranking, and someone else is getting all the calls, then go back and start with my previous tip to get listed.

Sometimes I ask people why they aren’t using Social Media.  Answers are usually…

• I don’t have time
• I don’t have a clue how to do it
• I have enough trouble with email

Even though Social Media is free, people seem to miss the benefits…

• Getting noticed even when there is lots of competition in your business
• Help you reach the right audience and share your message immediately
• Build relationships and loyalty
• Find customers

Maybe its the name. The word “Media” could easily make people think of Radio, TV, and newspapers. Those can be expensive. And that could easily be a barrier.

Radio, TV, newspapers,and other print media isnt social. Its a one way communication medium. There is no way to get instant feedback or comments from viewers and fans.

To help get more people involved, I suggest we use different words than Social Media. What do you think? Lets try PROFITABLE VISIBILITY. Doesn’t that sound like something you need?

Would you make time for Profitable Visibility?

Do you want to learn about finding Customers with Profitable Visibility?

To get started, just join ONE… Facebook, linkedIn, Twitter, or Google+. Then connect with me.

Tagging in Facebook is the ultimate in online ‘word of mouth‘ marketing.

Why? Because your message appears in the ‘tagged’ person’s newsfeed. Not only will the ‘tagged’ person see it, all that person’s Facebook friends will see it too.

Facebook Pages can be tagged also. This is great in testimonials when a Page is ‘tagged’.

Tagging can’t be easier. You just prefix a person’s name or Page name with @

There is another, little known, benefit to tagging. You get your name out there more. Lets say you have a favorite person you follow on Facebook. You could be their number one fan, by sharing everything they write and tag them in your share. Again, your Facebook friends would all see it, as well as all that person’s Facebook friends.

Boost your visibility by Tagging.

I would appreciate it if you shared this with your friends with this ->

Have you tried to search for your business name in Google? It’s best to put your business name in quotes when searching, to help weed out other variations.

How many results did google show? Was it at least 1000? If you are under 1000, you are invisible.

How about your contact info? It’s vital to have your business name, address, phone on other Directory sites. And it needs to be exactly like what you have on your website. For example, if you have STE for the word Suite on your website, all other sites and directories should also have STE.

For the next test. How many listings can you find with your business name and phone number?

Simply search for the last 7 digits of your phone number, as it appears on your website. And include your business name. Did Google find at least 500 results?

Here is an example. As I write this I have a friend who does an amazing job with countertops. If I search for “elegant finishes” 326-6004

Google is only finding 33 results. His business is invisible.

So what can you do to get your info “out there”, so potential Customers can find you?

1) Create a free Business Listing in Google Places.  Click on GET STARTED under “Get your Business Found on Google”. Keep filling in all the fields to provide all your information.

2) Easily get 100+ websites and directories at Univeral Business Listing.
You can see a current list where UBL will distribute your info at https://www.ubl.org/Distribution_List.aspx
Click on PACKAGES to purchase the plan you want. UBL charges you annually. Considering how much time it takes to get updated on 100 individual sites, the price for UBL is well worth it. Its a huge time saver. Enter your info once and UBL will add it to all the sites.

3) Here are some addtional websites to look at. Some of these may work for your business. If so, you can create an account or profile to list your Business.

http://biznik.com

http://bx.businessweek.com

http://dmoz.org

http://econnect.entrepreneur.com

http://local.botw.org

http://sta.rtup.biz

http://www.Answers.com

http://www.bizsugar.com

http://www.eventful.com

http://www.flickr.com

http://www.joeant.com

http://www.meetup.com

http://www.partnerup.com/default.aspx

http://www.rateitall.com/promote

http://www.startupnation.com

http://www.Twitter.com

http://www.webdirectory.com

http://www.webring.com

http://www.wepapers.com

http://www.wikipedia.org

4) Lastly, look up your competition the same way. What other websites are they using, that you have’t used yet for your Business. Many occupations have special or niche directories that you can use. You can find them easier by looking at your competitors to see where they are listed.

Don’t think you are done when Google shows you reached 500. The steps above are to help get you started. This is just the begining for promoting your business and website. You want to continuously be on the lookout for other places to list your business.