What the Change to Facebook Pages Means for You!

So there is a lot of information about the changes to Facebook Pages, and if you're like me, to understand it, it must first be dissected. So consider this a summary for you of the changes, after I broke it down and sorted out the non-important info.

Basically, there are two types of pages now: A Community Page and an Official Page.
Community page: page for a topic (ex: cooking)

Official page: page for a brand, business, band, etc. (what all pages were before) (ex: Coca-Cola)

Differences between community pages and official pages are simple: if you "like" a community page, the content of the page will not show up in your news feed, but it is the opposite with an official page.

Now to answer the question that all of you are asking... "Why did it change from "become a fan" to "like?" Facebook's reasoning is that becoming a fan was too much of a commitment, and to simply like a page is more "light-weight." I personally don't know who thought of that bizarre ideology... but I guess we'll have to live with it anyway.

Some might also ask the question, "How are community pages suggested to me?" Based on the information you put in your "likes and interests" section of the "info" part of your profile, community pages are suggested to you.

So what does it mean for those of you that maintain your business's facebook page? Heidi of HiHo pointed out that you are no longer able to click on the number of fans you have and look at the list of fans. (Well I guess we can call them likers now). No longer can you view your entire list of "likers." This isn't a problem for many, but sometimes page-maintainers like to see who their 500th "liker" was...which is the case for Heidi (congrats Mom!).

I guess the only other thing I need to mention is an alteration you should make is on your other online presences...like your website. Before, if you had a button like this one that said "become a fan"

it should say "like" now. This is the new correct terminology.

Hope this clears up confusion, any more questions? Comment!

Love,

Facebook Insights: Something Pro-Business Pages (Not Profiles)

Facebook Insights is just another reason to make the switch from having your business operate as a profile (collecting friends) to a page (collecting fans).

Facebook Insights measures user exposure, actions and behavior relating to your Facebook Page. It helps you understand the activity on your page, your fans, and trends. Only page administrators can see this on the left side of the Facebook page.

The two most important things to pay attention to when looking at Insights are the Interactions and the Post Quality.

The "Interactions" section takes the number of times your fans write on your wall, comment on your posts, or like (clicks the "like" button) your content and adds them together. This is in turn a compilations of interactions between your fans and your page for the week.

 

"When you create compelling content, your fans may choose to interact with the material by commenting, liking, or writing on your Wall. These fans help to spread your content virally throughout Facebook, as their engagement leads to organic stories being published in their friends' News Feed." --Help Center Facebook Pages: Insights for your Facebook Page

Want to increase the number of interactions on your page? This is where SweetPea&Co. comes in, to help you achieve these three keys to success with your business page on Facebook...

1. Post things that are relevant to your fans/ engaging content

2. Posting frequently, but not too frequently (it's not Twitter)

3. Increase your fan base

A note on "Post Quality." This measures "how engaging your content is to Facebook users. A higher post quality indicates material that better engages fans." This measure "takes into account your number of posts, total fan interactions received, number of fans, as well as other factors." --Help Center Facebook Pages: Insights for your Facebook Page 

 

Want to increase your post quality? The steps are similar to those one should take to increase the number of interactions on their page, but SweetPea&Co can make sure that both are accomplished for your business Facebook page.

1. Make sure your posts are interesting and meaningful (whether they are posts, photos, videos or links)

2. Don't post low quality content. It's better to post more interesting posts (like ones with pictures, videos, etc.) less frequently, than to post less engaging material more frequently

3. Increase your fan base (again)

SweetPea&Co thinks that Facebook's Insights can really benefit those using a Facebook for their business. And we can help you increase your interactions and post quality! But remember, you can only use this to your advantage if you have a page, not a profile!!!

Love,

Why You Need SweetPea&Co.

First and foremost! Even if your business already has a Facebook, if it is not being maintained appropriately, your page is in danger of a few things. Someone could put up a negative comment which could be left there long enough for your fans to see it and form the wrong opinion about your business. Also, you run the risk of losing fans if they don't feel like they are engaged in your page. It either needs to be maintained right or taken down.

"Social Media isn't a conversation. It's where the conversation takes place." -Jay Baer of Convince and Convert. Just because you're on Facebook, it doesn't mean you're in the conversation. You have only entered a room where the conversation can take place.

 

So, now to get to other reasons you need SweetPea&Co. We can help you conquer Facebook successfully. We can teach you how to cross-post in a way that will be beneficial to your business. We can help you develop your tone as your business and use Facebook's Insights to help shape this. We can help you pinpoint your audience on Facebook.

But most importantly we can help you formulate a plan for your specific needs as a business owner on Facebook. For example, if you're thinking you don't have enough time to do it, we can give you some strategies to still have an engaging presence, but not take up hours of your time each day. If you're thinking you will never have enough things to take pictures or video of, there are ways we can suggest to help make your page remain visually stimulating without the need of a camera attached to your hand. Is your goal to replace email newsletters, print advertising and mailers about events with Facebook? We can help explore the world of Facebook Ads, events and updates! Do you want people to discover your website and blog through Facebook? We can help you give them a reason to go back and forth throughout the multiple online components of your business. If your goal is to enhance your searchability on google through Facebook then we have tips for you to help that as well. 

See? There are so many reasons that you need our services! We can answer so many questions and make your life on Facebook so much easier. We're looking forward to working with you.

Love,