Facebook can be a powerful tool for small businesses if used strategically. It allows businesses to have conversations with their market, get to know customers and build trust over time. This can translate into more business as customers may do business with or refer others to companies they know and trust. However, businesses need to have clear policies around Facebook use and be aware of privacy and advertising issues to ensure it benefits not hinders their goals.

1. Facebook for Small Business SBDC, Aug 2010Charlie GunninghamManager, reiwa.com

2. Mark Zuckerberg, Founder, Facebook

3. SOCIAL MEDIA – defined Social media refers to FREEweb sites whose information comes from its USERS. - inclfacebook, twitter, blogs, youtube, flickr, slideshare, foursquare, …

4. “Markets are conversations”conversations among humans sound humannatural, uncontrived, honestpublic switch quicklytell us something! (then we might speak to you)business is only part of our lives, it’s all of yoursThe Cluetrain Manifesto: The End of Business as Usualby Christopher Locke, Rick Levine, Doc Searls, David WeinbergerPub 1999 : read it for free at www.cluetrain.com

5. Facebook in Aus _ Facebook: 8mn visitors (+95% p.a.)_ MySpace: 2mn (DOWN)_ Twitter: 1,000,000 (up from 13,000)_ 70%+ net users visited social netwks(+29%)_ Twitter the fastest growing

6. Facebook in the West _ 780,000 have accounts in WA_ half are on EVERY DAY_ more over aged 40 than under 20_ more females than males“having a conversation” … “networking”

7. So – have a conversation with your mkt- W I I F T - contribute, join in, - have a clear company policy

8. SOCIAL MEDIA + Biz = 1. Know you exist2. Get to know/trust3. Give you business4. Refer you to others√√

10. Facebook PRIVACY_ Settings/Privacy_ set things to FRIENDS_ only friend people you want to- check if you know them, want to know them - put them into LISTS_ BEWARE case of ‘AMBA FRIEND’

12. Facebook PRIVACY_ What are your concerns?_ Take Control, esp of your public profile1. LANDING PAGES - using fbml2. USER NAMES – facebook.com/username

15. Facebook EFFECTS_ What % of you are on?_ your friends?_ how many new ppl have u met?_ how are you using it now_ is it replacing email?

16. Personal Profile PageKeep it personal?Add in business things?… or use it to administeryour Biz page and Ads

17. Personal Profile PageFacebook.com – joinConfirmation emailLoad up info [or not?]ANYTHING entered isFacebook’s property

18. Personal Profile PageLong portrait pix (e.g. ahc)Add/manage TABSExcellent VIDEO playerTAGGING, and being taggedCOMMENTINGSHARING

19. 20 mins on News Feed 2 x a day?Checking the conversationTop News / Most RecentJoining inCheck on fav pagesAdd to your page… then turn it OFF!

20. Friending Policy?As many as poss?Not business?Only if I’ve met them?Only if they’re relevant?Minimal/none at all?All, but put in lists?

21. Group or Business Page?Groups are for fun, Business pages for bizinteractive shop windowYour web site within FBwww.facebook.com/yourname

22. www.facebook.com/reiwa

23. www.facebook.com/aussiehome

24. Business PageCreator CANNOT be deleted!Adv’g > Pages > Create PageFollow instructions

25. Business PageINSIGHTS(also gets emailed Mondays)FAV PAGESEVENTSDISCUSSIONSFAN BOX

26. Business PageHave REASONSWIIFT?What?Who?When?

27. Linda Davis, real estate selling agent, Ledyard, CT

28. Ledyard, CT community page(a landingPage)We could feedIn your listingstoo!

29. Linda Davis, Ledyard, CTMY GOAL - top sales person * concentrate on one area * personal, be YOU, persist, don’t YELL!* yes, YOU DO HAVE TIME – prioritise* have RULES, build relationships Don’t be “that guy” that abuses it!

30. Business PageINTERACTLANDING PAGE/USERNAME (> 25 likes)ADDING FANS (“likes”)LEARN AS YOU GO

31. FB Advertising vs Google Adwords(Pay Per Click – PPC)Google ads:TextualMany of them30% don’t notice

32. FB Advertising vs Google AdwordsFacebook ads:Demographic targettingInclude imageOnly 3/page

33. FACEBOOK AdvertisingAdvertising > Create AdWrite AdTarget AdDecide how to payMonitor/Manage

34. FACEBOOK AdvertisingCPMCPCCTR

35. FACEBOOK AdvertisingDirect + targettedSet a budgetEasy to set up, edit, cancel + monitor27mn+ views ($4000)

36. FACEBOOK PolicyAddictiveTime WastingHaven’t got time!You need a policy, and stick to itHave a reason, WIIFT, part of marketing

37. FACEBOOK POLICY- our clients & prospects are here- we are going to be here- we’re not going to be distracted- we are going to engage, contribute- we will listen, and learn- we will not talk business (much)

38. Social Media OptimisationLower ad coststargetted, effective marketingRaise Traffic + improved rankingsFun, empowering; learn & interactDrive client loyaltymore sales and profitsMOST powerful when you mix them

39. Conclusions from today _ what are they - for you?Take-Aways from today _ what are you going to do about this … as of tomorrow?

40. THANK YOU! - and all the best with social media!- for these slides, contact me…charlie@reiwa.com.au0411 092 669