Ok, I have been doing SEO for the longest and while I really love the geeky aspect of it, since it pretty much involves finding out what a computer, an algorithm likes or is looking for, I have been hit with the fact that Social Media, especially Facebook marketing might just be the new Google.
Like a month ago I watched a webinar about Facebook PPC, where this lady, Michelle Pescosolido, a very well regarded marketer in FB, was teaching how she built her business empire. For me the whole thing is so interesting because Facebook makes you go back to the basics. Connect with others, offer good, more like excellent customer service, and get more referrals. Makes sense right?
So why is it so hard for me and probably many others to market on Facebook?
I believe it is because we are used to the old marketing style where you put something out and you expect something in return immediately, we don’t want to have to go through the relationship part of it, which is what makes people on Facebook so successful.
After the webinar I started looking a lot more deeply into Facebook marketing and I actually purchased 2 books. One is The Like Economy and the other on is Likable. I started reading The Like Economy and I am glued to it (I had to unglue myself to write this post lol). I am eager to learn, to find a better way, to find the Facebook way, because I think that Facebook may soon outrank Google.
I am going to keep this post very short, because I want to go back to the book. When I am finished with it I will share some more. However, the one thing I have learned so far is that building a relationship is the most powerful form of advertisement. It may not bring you a revenue right away, but the ramification of a well founded and maintained relationship will help you build a very loyal and self expanding (thru referrals) customer base.
About the Author: Cynthia is the owner and author of Increase Website Traffic DIY. After struggling for months it finally clicked in... The only way to succeed online is to LEAD with VALUE. Visit her Facebook Fan page for more tutorials and free tools. facebook.com/cynthiatnt
{ 38 comments… read them below or add one }
A lot of food for thought here. I just finished researching that Google+ will run Facebook to the ground. Reading this post makes me realize that I need to dig my nose in deeper to really find out what is going on. It is important to know being an Internet marketer where we should put our energies. To me, Facebook is a great platform to “pull” people into my channel. By commenting alone, I get new friends that are serious, not those who play games lol. Keep us posted with your findings. This is getting very interesting,
Donna Merrill
Donna Merrill recently posted..A Day In The Life Of A “Life Coach”
Thank you Donna!
I have heard that too, however, this is not the first time that Google has tried to compete with Facebook… and so far, without any luck. It will be very interesting to see how the Google +1 monster evolves. I know Google has invested a lot of resources into it.
Thank for your comment
I can’t see how Google+ is going to run Facebook to the ground. I am not saying it is impossible as we have seen the mighty fall before, but it would be a heck of an “accomplishment” if Google ever achieved this.
Stevie @ Catch Him And Keep Him recently posted..I Am My Ego And My Ego Is Mine
One must provide value first and build relationships with their prospects. Earn their trust, that’s how you can win their business. I’m curious about the rest of the back and what more you’ll learn from it. Will be checking here back for more
Cherrie Bautista recently posted..Social Media Tip: Your Brand Is Not What You Say It Is… It’s What Google Says It Is
Hi Cherrie,
Thanks for stopping by. I will make sure to post what I learn as I go through it (them)
Cynthia,
You are so correct. It is so important to build relationships, especially when thousands of people offer so much of the exact same thing. It all goes back to that old adage: People buy from people they know, like and trust. And the only way to get that to happen is by building relationships and Facebook is an Excellent Way to do that. Thanks for sharing and can’t wait to find out more great stuff you learn from the book!
Take Care,
Jupiter Jim
Jupiter Jim recently posted..WordPress Tutorial: Add the Latest Version of Google Analytics to your WordPress Blog
Hi Jim!
I couldn’t have said it any better: “…People buy from people they know, like and trust…”
Thanks for your comment, I will keep you updated
This morning I jumped into FB first thing – goal: connect with more people. I don’t belong to a lot of groups, but I try to be targeted about where I spend my time. I spent an hour trolling through posts … one cheery, inspirational quote after another followed my numerous “way to go” messages of encouragement. There are of course the marketers telling everyone how awesome their business is (hint, you should join me NOW!) and a few … very few questions. Personally, I find it really difficult to invest my time attempting to engage in a conversation let alone build a relationship from this kind of content.
marquita herald recently posted..Are You Using the Power of Self-Motivation to Achieve Your Dreams?
I agree. I have tried numerous times to go into Facebook, but as soon as you try to connect with anyone, especially if you are in a MLM, or money making niche they believe that you need help and they want to help you get out of your misery! OMG, it drives me crazy. I have people offer me videos and solutions to any kind of problems, and even though I politely said “No, Thanks” THEY SENT IT TO ME ANYWAYS! give me a break!
Hi Cynthia!
Thanks for recommending those books. I look forward to reading them, and I believe I will resonate well with them. Another good one is The Thank You Economy, by Gary Vaynerchuk.
I find it interesting that internet marketers are discovering that “building a relationship is the most powerful form of advertisement.” I believe that has always been the case offline as well. As I think back to my various business ventures, it is clear that my greatest successes came from nurturing relationships which turned into centers of influence.
Buddy Hodges recently posted..Social Networking Online and Offline
I think I saw that one too at B&N. I will check into it, thanks!
I know it may sound interesting and even surprising for many marketers, but many people who do not have marketing backgrounds, who are cooks, construction workers, programmers, etc, and come to this industry hoping to supplement their income, get bombarded with nothing but rubbish and somehow, in their need to learn quickly, they learn the wrong skills.
97% of people in network marketing fail… and I would say it is because they never learned the foundations!
Hi Cynthia,
Thanks for sharing very useful information.
I agree that Facebook has a great power, but at the same time it is time-consuming.
Why do you think that Facebook might be the new Google?
Edyta recently posted..How Does Stress Affect Health: Do You Make These Mistakes?
Yes Edyta, very time consuming.
The people that I know are successful on Facebook do FB almost exclusively. There isn’t much more time in the day to do anything else.
Why do I think that Facebook might be the new Google? Well, just some facts that are pointed in the books that I am reading, such as the AVERAGE session of a user in Facebook is 23 minutes!!
How long do you stay in Google and in the site that you find though a G search?… even my best performing site doesn’t even come close to an average visit time of 23 minutes. Sometimes going past the 60 second mark is a breakthrough lol
Thanks for you comment!
I think you said something that rings true to most of us who have been doing seo work for a long time. We approach social marketing from the perspective of seo and we should not. Facebook and any other social media platform is important as a tool to build relationships, trust and ultimately customers!
Stevie @ Catch Him And Keep Him recently posted..I Am My Ego And My Ego Is Mine
Absolutely! But man, for an antisocial techie, it’s not that easy! LOL
Facebook has been my secret weapon for a long time. I never got really good at SEO and I am still trying to even get it to the point that it makes the 5th page let alone the first, lol. So when I found out I could be just myself and be friendly and offer value, well that clicked with me! Have to check that book when I get the chance.
Oh, I know Lynda! You have been well known and marketing on FB since before I even started doing Online Marketing! One of the very first people that I followed (liked) on FB was you, and I always wondered how you managed it.
I have A LOT to learn and you are certainly on my list of gurus to learn from!
We will meet on FB again.
Cynthia, create relationship takes time and effort, also sincerity and a desire to help others. It it is all about “me”, people will find that you are not real very quickly. I have developed lifetime friendships through my network marketing business. Thanks for sharing.
alicia@yboggle recently posted..Hello world!
Hi Cynthia:
The power of Facebook is definitely the social connections. It can’t be ignored. You can’t take the social out of social media.
Kevin
Kevin Martineau recently posted..4 ways to teach your kids to value integrity
Hi Cynthia,
Relationships is absolutely where it is at but there is more to social media than just being friendly. To succeed you must know how to build relationships and turn connections into real engagement. Social media encompasses all of life’s success skills.
I look forward to hearing more about what you learn from the book! I haven’t read this one so it will be fun to hear about it.
One of the key benefits of TSA is the ability to get to know people on a level you wouldn’t have done without it. I have met mastermind partners, business partners and created friendships that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
regards,
Clare
clare@holistichealth recently posted..2012 Holistic Health Theme for ClareKelway.com
Cynthia,
As a Spiritual Relationshp Healing Expert, I know the value of creating meaningful, loving and supportive relationships. And I have slowly discovered the value of doing the same online. We are not dealing with faceless numbers of people. We are interacting with real, live human beings who may live at the other end of the world in different time zones. At this point I have created friendships around the world and it is so exciting and uplifting and supportive. Business is about collaborating with my friends.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Dr. Erica Goodstone recently posted..Do You Feel As Good As You Look? by Guest Blogger Dr. Barbara Hales
It’s interesting how through a lot of those in MLM who got their adwords accounts slapped that Facebook PPC replaced Google for a lot of people and now Google is trying to replace Facebook with Google+ and including social considerations in their SERPs.
I think you did the right thing in picking up the FB books. It’s great to run with your strengths like SEO but important to have a balanced approach. FB and Google may be competing with each other, but they will both be too big to ignore.
Paul Reimers recently posted..The Abundance Formula – The Hidden Link Between Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Interesting perspective here.
The question is, how much time do you spend building relationships for what return on investment?
I think this is good for business associates, perhaps not so good for gaining customers.
John Gaydon recently posted..Tim Sales Master Network Trainer Joins Ariix
Good point! We will see. The author talks about all kinds of things including ROI. If anything, I am getting tons of good ideas.
Hello Cynthia,
I really think Google is going to do well from it’s new Google+ site, especially now with the business pages. However, maybe it will just give Facebook a bit of competition and the 2 of them will exist and play their own part on the internet for many years to come.
Regards from Julieanne
Julieanne van Zyl recently posted..MLM Business do you believe it if someone says they cannot afford it?
I see a lot of people read on the engaging, but actually doing it becomes a chore (thinking negatively.) It takes times to connect, earn trust, and eventually even sell.
Whether Google buries Facebook in the future, I think the best thing is to keep engaging as those people will follow you when you have their loyalty.
Nile recently posted..Got WordPress Questions? Come Join Us for #WordPressWednesday on Facebook!
TRUE! No matter where you start the connection, people who trust you will follow you regardless of the medium.
Cynthia,
I agree with the relationship part. I also agree that people need to invest in training and education before they jump onto Facebook as it can be a major Time Sapper yet people think they are productive because they posted a bunch of links and commented on a lot of people’s walls… Each step must be measured. Did you really create a connection or did you just make a bunch of comments? That’s the question you should ask when on Facebook. (Making a connection means that you have some other interaction now or in the future with someone outside of Facebook).
Look forward to your future post about what you learn from the books.
Best,
James
James | Mastermind to Personal Power recently posted..The Self-Confidence Formula… Your Daily Think and Grow Rich
Food for thought James! busy work vs real, genuine, interest in others… leveraging self with business. I still have A LOT to learn.
I could not agree more, it is all about relationships.
If you are trusted, people will listen.
Peter
Peter Fuller MBA recently posted..The Easiest and Best Way to Make Money Online
Can’t wait to find out what you learn from the book! I’ve always gravitated toward the “Relationship” side of marketing. My husband and business partner, Rich, is all about PPC and the quick results.
The one thing that I would caution people about when Marketing on Facebook (using Facebook Ads) is to NOT use company names or product names in ads. It’ll get your account suspended. A lot of “gurus” are teaching some highly effective but short sited strategies.
Lots of results for a couple of months will NOT outweigh being able to advertise on Facebook for years when all the other big wigs get the boot. Just my two cents!
Natasha Nassar recently posted..Welcome To My Blog!
Thanks Natasha for the note of caution. I have your site bookmarked. I love having a lawyer by my side
Cynthia,
I am pleased that you and others are understanding no matter what the platform. You and others who may not experienced real relationship building back in the Amy days. Over 27 years ago we went door to door and build relationships. Got out of the house and walked miles going to house parties.
You actually now will learn that it has never changes in our industry. You are the product and the more you share your passion in supporting others. You get out of your comfort zone and get to know each person. Hey, met someon new everyday and see how large your network gets. Then build real relationships bonded on trust.
You will become the product and people will purchase even a roll of toilet paper for $5.00us from you. It’s about you being transparent and sharing real feelings by supporting others and expect nothing in return. The more you get involved in providing real usable information to the masses. The better your business will prosper. Don’t think about speed. This is a lifetime journey not a race.
I would rather have spent that last 27 plus years building thousands of relationships that a fresh to this very date. That is what gave me the blessing of having a lifestyle and not just living a life. I enjoy and look forward in creating my daily adventures to make a story to tell at the end of the day. I enjoy and love to share my passions and empower others to do the same. Then show each one how to generate proserity just for sharing their passions. Now, that is building relationship and having a real lifestyle which empowers to give back.
Cynthia, this was an amazing subject matter and one that I am very passionate about. I look forward with excitement to watch you grow and the outcome of gaining wisdom from reading both books. Then putting them into action. This is going to be worth the wait. I really appreciate your arcticle and look forward in reading the next one.
William Earl Amis Jr III recently posted..Imagination No Limitations
Amen dear!
I like your perspective… I believe that it is all about relationships… so that is where i am working! Once you have your trusted people, the whole world works just a little differently! The book sound interesting, I have lots to read, but I will put it on my list, what is the most important thing that you are learning from it?
Holly recently posted..Hooked Into Another Weight Loss Miracle?
Facebook… Google+… and what about Twitter?? If it weren’t for blogging friends like you, who research and give us the facts, I wouldn’t know where to begin! I find it an impossible jungle out there, and am grateful to you for making things clearer, a little at a time.
Willena Flewelling
Willena Flewelling recently posted..David J Schwartz – How to Produce Only Positive, Productive Thoughts
Thank You Cynthia
I have been creating fan pages on facebook , they are so easy to do
I love Fan pages. Don’t now much about Google plus as of yet but I will.
Thank You Best to you in 2012
Sharon
Sharon recently posted..Understanding What is Important To Me
This really is the “Like” generation, Cynthia.
But I wouldn’t brush off Google to quickly. I’d say we’re heading straight for a “Plus” generation to rival the “Likes”. In fact, we may be committing online suicide by getting so hooked on Like that we ingore… even resent… Plus.
Google control the search engines and that is still THE biggest game in town. Once they’ve integrated search with social Plus… lookout! It’s a game changer.
I’m sure Facebook won’t be going away anytime too soon, though, and I’m anxious to hear more FB secrets from your readings! Please
I’ll be watching… and waiting.
David Merrill recently posted..“Fan Page” Flow | Get Facebook Fans Swimming In Your “Social Stream”