Tips for Facebook Users from Top Social Media Experts

              While doing some research over the weekend on social media to prepare for one of my presentations, I came across a very informational site called http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com. They have many great social media articles that I often review and share with my audience. I would definitely check this site out if you want to be in the know and be updated in social media.Facebook is still the most popular social network on the planet. With over 500 million active users, Facebook represents a great opportunity for smart businesses.Take your Facebook marketing to a new level by using these hot Facebook marketing tips direct from top industry pros. These ideas are priceless!To become the best is to model after the best. Find out who’s doing it right and getting real results and then model their strategies. See below 7 ideas from top authorities in Facebook marketing. 1. Bring Your Facebook Page to Your Website“The number-one thing you can do is to bring Facebook into you own turf. It can be done with a few simple lines of code. This can be one of your most powerful tools for improving your brand awareness,” says Jesse Stay, author of multiple Facebook books, including FBML Essentials.By using the Facebook Like Box as a social plugin, it will enable your Facebook page to attract and gain Likes from their own website. The Like Box enables users to see your page and decide if they like the page and which of their friends like it too. You can also read recent posts from the page and Like the page with one click, without needing to visit the page.2. Try Advertising in Facebook with some Inexpensive Facebook Ads“The best ‘bang for the buck’ in internet marketing today is Facebook advertising. The targeting options are limitless and surprisingly inexpensive for businesses of all sizes. Facebook advertising can help marketers of all kinds get insights into how different demographic groups respond – and for a fraction of the cost of other alternatives,” says Chris Treadaway, co-author of Facebook Marketing. An Hour a Day.To set up an ad on Facebook is very easy. Just go to Facebook Ads section and click “Create an Ad” button.3. Leverage Friends of ConnectionsAfter you have created your Facebook ad, this tip can supercharge your ad“Imaging watching your favorite TV show. The commercials come on, but instead of fast-forwarding through them (as you likely usually do these days), you notice a picture of YOUR friend in the lower right-hand corner of the screen. You friend is pointing to the business in the commercial saying. ‘Hey, I like these guys. Check them out!’”“Facebook’s ‘Friends of Connections’ ad targeting allows your fans to be featured in your ads,” noted Dave Kerpen, author of Likeable Social Media Marketing to Win in a Facebook World.See below how to use this option. When you set up your new ad, look under ‘Targeting’ and you will see an option to display more detail. You will also see the connection on Facebook choices.4. Give your Fans Some Fun Reasons to Connect with You.“People love a reason to get together. Why not have the equivalent of a happy hour on your Facebook wall? Rather than serving up drinks and party favors, ask folks to bring t heir favorite link. Consider offering networking opportunities by asking folks to share something about themselves. You could also lure people in once in a while with an expert who will answer their most pressing questions,” says Michael Steizner, founder of Social Media Examiner. On Social Media Examiner's Facebook page, we had a happy hour and encouraged fans to post their favorite blog sites. It was a huge success!5. Use Video as your Secret Weapon to Gain Fans.“Videos seem to be a preferred medium not only by the fans, but by the news feed algorithm as well. Whenever a non-fan watches your videos, a button pops up in the top left corner suggesting he/she ‘Like’ your Facebook page. To take advantage of this feature though, you’ll have to upload the video file into the Video Tab inside Facebook (not into a YouTube video),” said Ekaterina Walter, social media strategist for Intel.6. Turn your Facebook Page into a Lead Generator.Facebook as a lead capture source? “You bet!” says renowned Facebook expert Mari Smith.“One of the first apps to add to your Facebook Fan Page is ‘Static FBML’ (Facebook Markup Language), which allows you to add your own custom content, including an opt-in box. You can add multiple iterations of the FBML app, and try out various lead-capture systems – ezine signup, give away, ask campaign, etc. Each opt-in box can appear on a separate tab, each of which has its own unique URL, allowing you to accurately split test results,” noted Mari Smith, co-author of Facebook Marketing: An Hour a Day.7. Turn Your Facebook Page into a Thriving Community.“Your Facebook presence can serve as a meeting place for like-minded individuals. Make it a point to involve your customers as much as possible. As questions and suggest items for them to share on your wall. As yourself more than “What should WE share?” –ask, “What would our fans like to share with us and one another?” –and build your strategy around those answers. Allow them to connect with others who share the same interests by encouraging them to use your Facebook presence as a platform for sharing, says Robert Birgfeld, director of Digital Strategy at Smart Brief.With all the experts’ advice above, your new Facebook marketing campaign should be very successful. I wish you the best of luck.