Lindsay Day

In the FTC Privacy Settlement, complaints filed provided information that Facebook had broken it’s promise to keep it’s user’s information private, specifically in terms of their information being accessed and shared through third party apps, as well as making privacy changes without notifying users and obtain authorization to make such changes, among other things.

Allegations began in 2009, when Facebook changed the functionality of their website, which altered privacy settings without warning users or obtaining approval causing private friend’s lists to become public. Complaints were submitted indicating third party apps had deceived users in regards to accessing their information. Such apps suggested only certain information would be utilized, however apps accessed nearly all personal data. Additional complaints were filed stating the privacy feature which restricted sharing information to a select audience did not apply to third party apps used by friends, making such data accessible. The Facebook “Verified Apps” program was reported as it claimed to verify that third party apps participating on Facebook were complaining with Facebook privacy rules, which it did not. Other complaints investigated provide information that Facebook was sharing user information with advertisers, Facebook was access  photos and videos of user’s who had deactivated or deleted their profiles and finally Facebook failed to comply with the U.S.- EU Safe Harbor Framework, the commission that governs data transfer between the US and the Europeon Union.

In settlement and an effort to ensure Facebook keeps its privacy promises to American consumers, the Federal Trade Commission proposed the following take place:

• Every 2 years for the next 20 years Facebook will undergo auditing certification to ensure consumers’ information is protected and that their privacy standards are being meet in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission.
• To establish a new privacy program which will ensure the privacy and confidentiality of its users’ information in regards to the creation of new and existing products and services.
• To establish the prevention of anyone accessing information from an account that has been deleted for more than 30 days
• Can not provide deceptive privacy and security promises of users’ personal information

Following the settlement announced today, Mark Zuckerberg blogged on Facebook “I’m the first to admit that we’ve made a bunch of mistakes…” He also addressed that Facebook had already dealt with many of the complaints submitted to the FTC prior to settlement. Moving forward he announced the creation of two new corporate roles which will work alongside regulators, government agencies and privacy groups from around the globe to ensure privacy standards are being meet, users have control over their privacy and sharing and to ensure such privacy preferences are being followed by Facebook as well as third party apps.

Social media is dominating the internet, change the way we share and connect and for advertisers and social media marketers it is the way we find out more information about the people we are trying to market to.

All in all, we learn that Zuckerberg, like the rest of us is only human and as Arthur Guiterman says, “admitting error clears the score and proves you wiser than before.”  Consumers should feel more confident now that the FTC will be monitoring Facebook more closely. Consumers should also realize the only sure what for someone not to know something you do not want them to know is not to put on Facebook, Google Plus, or in an email!

If you are interested in learning more about social media, contact us today.

Lindsay Day

Search Engine Optimization, SEO experts and internet marketing companies have began to incorporate strategies utilizing social media as means to enhance SEO performance, even when they have implemented some of the best kept secrets in SEO. Social media marketing and SEO are now going hand in hand. The important thing to remember is to set up your profiles properly, utilizing key words, applications and the features on the network.

Today I am going to go over how to create a profile on Linkedin, how to setup your company’s profile, products and services and how to connect your profiles together on Linkedin.

Adding your Business to Linkedin
In order to add your company to Linkedin, you will want to have the following things ready.

1. A Standard Logo for your company 100x 60 pixels
2. A Square Logo for your company 50×50 pixels
3. Photos of your products and or services 100×80 pixels
4. Access to the companies primary email address that is associated to your website domain
5. Your company’s information and URL
6. Product/service information
7. YouTube URL’s if applicable
8. Social media page URL’s (i.e. www.facebook.com/kohanamedia)
9. Your Personal Information

Join Linkedin

In order to create a company profile, you will need to create a personal profile first. The person creating the profile should be the owner of the business.

Got to www.linkedin.com, Select Join, Enter your personal information, Select Join. Now you will need to confirm your email address. To do so go to the email address now associated to your Linkedin Account, find the email and follow the instructions. Once your email address is confirmed you will be brought to your default landing page where you can edit your profile. For now just fill out your basic information: Name, Headline (include SEO key terms), location and save. We will finish the rest later on.

Adding your Company to Linkedin
Now that you have created your personal profile you will want to create and setup your company. To do so follow the instructions below:

1. Select Companies in the top navigation bar
2. Next select add company (located on the right hand side of the page below the search bar)
3. Enter the Company’s Name
4. Enter the Company’s email address (*this email address must be associated to your domain name)
5. Check the box
6. Next
7. Go to your email account, find the email from Linkedin and confirm.

Now that you have confirmed the email address you will be brought to the company’s overview page where you will setup your company’s profile.

Setting up your Company’s Profile on Linkedin

Selecting Page Admin’s on Linkedin
Page admin’s are individuals who are allowed to edit the company’s profile on Linkedin. It is your choice on whom if anyone other than yourself is allowed access to edit your company’s profile. To give admin privileges to someone other than yourself you must already have a connection with them through your personal profile.

There are two options when setting Admin Privileges:
A. Selecting all employees with a valid email registered to the company domain name
B. Select Designated users only

If you select B. the screen will expand and you will have to start typing the names of the individuals who you want to give admin privileges to, including yourself. Then select the individuals.

Company Overview Information
The Company Overview section on Linkedin should be setup properly, as well as the product/service section which is discussed below. Setting up your profile properly will ensure your company receives the maximum benefits Linkedin has to offer your internet strategies. The overview section provides individuals with general information about your company, allows them to connect with your company and provides information to Linkedin’s website, which then is accessible to individuals on Linkedin and the Web.

First you will upload your standard logo and then upload your square logo and then write the company description and enter the necessary information in all fields to follow.

(*Hint: When writing the company description include the metro you are in and are targeting for search engine optimization i.e. plastic surgery san diego, breast augmentation san diego, liposuction, etc.)

Add Company Specialties (Should be your key terms)
Add Twitter ID
Add Company Blog RSS Feed
Under News Module, Select Show News about my company
Company Held, Select from Drop Down Menu
Company Size, Select from Drop Down Menu
Company Website, Enter Website
Company Industry, Select from Drop Down Menu
Year Founded, Enter Data
Select Add Location, Enter information
Select Publish

Now that your company’s overview has been saved you will want to add the products & services you provide.

Adding Product & Services to Your Company’s Profile on Linkedin
Adding product/services to your company’s profile is essential for your businesses social media presence on Linkedin and other search engines. Product and Services not only allows individuals to view more information about what you offer at your company and what the primary selling points are about that product or service, but it also allows people to connect with your website to learn more, as well as watch your videos on YouTube if applicable. For each product/service you will want to repeat the following steps.

Select Product and Services (In Company’s menu bar, next to Overview)

Select Add a product & service
Enter your product/service information here (remember to incorporate your key terms); fill out all fields to the best of your ability
Make sure to include descriptions, key points, etc.
Add disclaimer, if applicable
Enter the page URL of your website that best describes that product or service
Add contact information if applicable
Add Video Title
Add YouTube link if applicable
Publish

Once your company’s profile is setup on Linkedin, you will want to return to your profile to finishing it.

Things to Keep in Mind when you fill out the remainder or your PERSONAL PROFILE
1. Under positions, when you start to type your company name, make sure it appears in the drop down menu and select it.
2. Under additional information, website, you will want to add your website, your Facebook page and another network possible. When adding your company’s website, do not select company website from the drop down menu, instead select Other. This will then provide a blank field where you can enter your company’s name or a keyword and then the URL.
3. To add your Facebook page, repeat the steps above, in the blank field put “your company on Facebook”
4. To add another network or site, repeat the steps above. Remember there is a separate field for Twitter, so you do not have to include twitter in this section.

For more information on how to effectively setup your business on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Care2, etc. or to learn more about social media marketing, contact us today.

Lindsay Day

Did you have your holiday sweepstakes on Facebook yet? If not, don’t fret! There are more holidays in December.

The holidays are a great way to remind your customers, your fans on Facebook, you appreciate their business and to show them you care. After all social media is about connecting, and the holidays are a perfect time to connect with someone. It is also a great time to take advantage of generating more Facebook Fans through social media marketing. Tis’ the season, give and you shall receive!

To generate more Facebook fans through the use of a social media campaign including a sweepstakes or giveaway there are a couple things to keep in mind. Of course, the obvious like following Facebook promotion guidelines, which can be found by clicking here, but also to get generate buzz through strategies of social media marketing .

How do you generate more Facebook fans and buzz? It is simple:

1. Use non fan and fan only content. Have content or an image for non-fans on Facebook, directing them to like the page to learn how to enter. Then once they are a fan, they will receive the entry form.

2. Make sure you are offer a prize that people actually use and or want. Some examples of prizes are an iPad, iPhone, gift certificate, Starbucks gift card, VISA gift card, Facials, etc. If you are in an industry that sells products or services which are not easy to market to everyone, I suggested you spend the extra cash and offer something you know everyone, I mean everyone, can use. It will be worth it- I promise!

3. Make sure you increase the participant’s chance of winning through their friends. To do this you offer a prize for the winner & an additional prize for a friend of their choosing.

For example:

Facial Sweepstakes – Girls Day at the Spa!
Enter to Win A Free Facial and Message for You and A Friend!
Increase your chances of winning- Send the Sweepstakes to Your Friends!
Send (This requires a social plugin, see 3.)

Wait; now I know some of you are thinking, what if I buy two gift cards for this social media marketing campaign and the participant who enters keeps both cards for his/herself?!?

There are three options to choose from in this scenario and depending on your city one may be more appropriate than another:

A. Trust your fans will do the right thing.

B. Require a field in the sweepstakes for the participant to put their nominated friend and their email address so both participants can be emailed if selected.

C. Include a disclaimer stating that upon notification of winning, participant will need to provide name and email address of whom they would like to receive the gift card.

4. Use social plugins on your Sweepstakes tab on Facebook. This requires you to use a social plugin available through Facebook or a third party. One option can be to use the send social plugin developed for Facebook users, visit Send, a Social Plugin on Facebook. An alternative to the send plugin is the LIKE plugin. This has replaced the Share plugin. Personally, I would be cautious about using this plugin for now, as I think users do not clearly understood what happens when the Like button is clicked. To learn more about the social plugin for the like button click here.

5. Social Media Marketing is about cross promoting. Make cards and put them in your office directing people to Facebook, post a notice on your other social media profiles, on your website, etc.

To generate more Facebook Fans just remember- keep it fun, fan only content, have a great photo, include their friends and follow Facebook guidelines!

If you are interested in learning more about social media marketing, contact us today!

Part of my companies success is exclusivity. If you use all your resources to get your client in a particular industy to the front page of his market then you should have success. If you work with a couple of clients in the same industry or market then you are diluting your resources among them and not giving each one their necessary attention.

Great website design including url structure, page linking and several other on page strategies will also help in getting the site to the homepage. I prefer to work with existing domains vs. client having a new domain in a competitive market or industry. It can be done but will take more time and client patience.

In closing there are no true secrets. Just hard work, a great website structure and great backlinking. Please don’t be fooled by people that tell you they have this proprietary software or ninja seo guy. They are making it up.