Using Video On Facebook Pages

When you think of videos, chances are you think of YouTube. According to the latest Nielsen’s VideoCensus, YouTube serviced over 6.6 billion video streams during the month of October.

But what may be surprising is that Facebook is the number three video stream site behind YouTube and Hulu, with over 217 million streams in October.

If you are using Facebook for your business, video is probably one of the easiest and most effective ways of communicating with your fans. Instead of typing out posts or thoughts, put it into a video. And if you’ve followed me for a while, you know one of my favorite tools is the Flip Video. You can shoot a video, pop it into your computer via the USB port, and have it on Facebook in less than 30 minutes.

What can you use video for?

1. Record the production side of your business. Show how to fix something, what to watch for if you’re advising your followers to replace something, or simply give the benefits of using your product.

2. Video your clients, and have them provide a testimonial.

3. Record new products you find at industry tradeshows. Share with your clients up and coming items, and how new things will help them be more effective in their business or lifestyle.

4. Share your story. People love stories, and they do business with you because they like what you have to say.

5. Provide helpful tips. Yes, you should be blogging helpful tips already. But take the concept to the next level with video. It adds a whole different dimension to your business.

Once you have your video recorded, it’s easy to put it on your Facebook page.

From your Facebook page, move to the video tab. Then find the upload button and click. Choose a file from your computer, and start the upload process. You can create a title, description, and even connect it with other profiles if there is more than one person in the video. When you upload a new video, it moves into your stream, allowing all of your fans access to your new content.

Sharing On Facebook – Using Your Updates Wisely

Do you “get” Facebook? Or are you asking yourself, “why would anyone really want to know I’m heading out for lunch?” before you type in your status update.

Status updates are designed to start conversations. They help you share information with your fans, and hopefully start up conversations that exist between all of the members of your Facebook page.

First, know your fans. Why are they a part of your Facebook page? What do they have in common?

In the case of our VirtualPhotographyStudio page, people have the desire to build up the business side of photography. They want to take their passion for photography, and turn it into a true business. So we motivate people on our VirtualPhotographyStudio page to take action. And because they are all photographers, we add quite a bit of photography to our group as well.

Next, post your updates regularly. You have to be dependable for people to rely on your as a business and as a brand. Post daily, and share not only your business tips, but also add a little personality to it. Ask questions. Get your fans to interact.

Don’t forget about adding videos and photos. Invest in camera equipment that makes it easy for uploading, like the Flip video camera. It’s easy to use, easy to upload, and it gives your audience one more reason to come back and visit you. Don’t think Hollywood quality. Think quick tips, and how you can get a little bit of information into the hands of those that will enjoy it.

Social gives people a reason to interact, and a reason to stay in touch. I’ve created many relationships with mentors where I learn a ton about them, and know their lives quite well – even though we’ve never spoken once to each other. But because I’m emotionally attached to them as my mentors, I follow them to learn more. You can do the same by reaching out and sharing information about your brand, your business, or your products. People care if you are willing to share.

The Difference Between A Facebook Profile, Facebook Page and Facebook Group

As Facebook becomes more popular among adults using Facebook for business, I’m noticing there is a lot of confusion when it comes to profiles, pages and groups. Facebook monitors its data quite closely; do the wrong thing and you could find yourself deleted from the system, which could be devastating if you’ve built up a big following and its bringing you in money.

Facebook Profiles
When you first sign up with Facebook, you’ll start with a profile. Your profile is all about you; not your business, your product, or your service. Your profile is created by using your real first and last name. Then you fill your profile with your personal information. Add as much or as little as you like. But remember your profile is your window to the world. If someone is deciding on whether to do business with you, this helps break the ice and gives the opportunity to find something in common.

Facebook Page
A Facebook Page, also called a Fan Page, is for businesses, brands, organizations, or celebrity/public figure. Your page is all about business, and is the one place you can actively promote what you do. When people become your “fan” they want to interact with your business and other fans of the business. They have a desire to learn more about you and what you do. It’s also a great way to gain more traffic to your website and blog by providing links back to your site, and an RSS feed from your blog. Unlike your profile, you are allowed to have multiple fan pages – we have one for VirtualPhotographyStudio and for TheSocialGhost.

Facebook Group
Groups are formed by Facebook users around a common interest. For instance, we have a Professional Photographer group on Facebook that allows anyone with an interest in making money with their camera a place to go and interact with other like-minded people. You can start a group simply by going to the Groups application, and clicking on the “Create a Group” in the upper right hand corner of the page. You can build your friend lists by joining groups of interest to you, as well as designing one or two of your own.

Still having trouble understanding the difference? Want some help creating the content for your profiles, pages or groups? TheSocialGhost is here to help you with all of your social marketing needs.