I’ve been bemoaning for some time the fact that Facebook Fan Pages could not become fans of other Fan Pages. You had to use your personal profile to make comments on brand Fan Page walls. I guess many others shared my opinion.
Facebook instituted some major changes this month, and the best one in my opinion: Fan Page administrators are now able to communicate as the "Page" (as opposed to as a person) to post content and “likes” on other Fan Pages.
For instance, if you’re a tire dealer with a Facebook Fan Page and you would like to post a comment or photo on the Fan Page of a target group, say a local off-roading enthusiast group, you can now do so as the tire dealership and not as yourself. Essentially, Facebook has made it much easier for business-to-business networking.
[Of course, if you still want to add your personal “like” to a Fan Page, feel free.]
I can think of several types of Facebook groups that a tire dealer would want to communicate with – auto racing enthusiasts, professional women’s groups, a local trucking fleet, local community groups, local school districts, etc.Another great development for all of you Fan Page administrators out there is user notification. Previously, one had to use a third part application to be notified of a fan commenting on our page.
Now you can get instant notifications on-site or by email. This is key because if a fan posts a positive (or negative) comment or asks a question, you want to respond immediately. Likewise, if a fan posts something that is obscene or clearly inappropriate, you want to see it immediately and take it off.
One thing I’m worried about in regards to the new look of Facebook is the picture rotation at the top of the page. It’s nice but could be a problem if someone posts an inappropriate photo; everyone will see it immediately front and center. It just means that you will need to be more vigilant than ever in regularly checking your pages.
Stay tuned as someone will probably develop an application to give us administrators more control over this new feature.
One of the other changes to note is the demise of FBML and the use of iframes. This will give Facebook Fan Pages the ability to work more like a traditional website.
Here are a few resources that I am using:
1. Facebook Page redesign: 10 things admins should do RIGHT NOW.
2. How to create iframe applications by Hyperarts.
3. How to create the perfect Fan Page. This discussion has been going on since 2009 so scroll to the bottom.
Don’t need a Facebook Fan Page? Think again….
• There are now 149 million Facebook users in the U.S., and 70% of them use Facebook on a daily basis.
• 40% of Facebook users are 35 years or older.
• 55% of Facebook users are women and 45% are men.
For more information see about this data: http://www.slideshare.net/360digitalinfluence/facebook-state-of-the-union
Christine Taylor is vice president of social media marketing for JTMarCom,a Nashville-based marketing agency that helps companies with online reputation management and integration of social media into their traditional marketing programs. With a combined 35 years of experience in the tire industry, the agency places a special emphasis on working with tire and automotive aftermarket companies. Follow Christine on Facebook and Twitter (@chrisgtaylor). She can also be reached at 615-714-5469.
