How Does Facebook Figure Into Your Online Advertising Campaign

Facebook. All the cool kids are doing it. Are you?

For advertisers, it's a hard market to pass up. So many people in one place at one time. Marketers see something like this and it's as if their dreams have come true. It's got that glowing, shiny exterior that seems to say: come to us. We have numbers.

Numbers are important in a marketing campaign. You can't manage what you can't measure. However, in the Facebook world some of those numbers have gotten them in trouble. The reason being that in recent times Facebook introduced a new advertising platform. A platform that gathered numbers that not everyone was comfortable parting with.

Numbers and demographics. Demographics tell advertisers who and where their potential customers are. When millions upon millions of users register their personal information on a social site, all of the sudden demographic research becomes far easier than it has ever been before.

But fail to notify your users or give them an opportunity to completely opt out of the platform, and there will be a huge backlash of opinion. In the space of a month the site can go from "have you tried that out yet" to "remember when everyone liked it?".

Online advertising propels online development. We all understand this, and, to a point, we all we've come to accept this. So much so that we barely even notice it anymore.

Here's a quick thought experiment. Did you check your email this morning? Do you check it everyday? It's a fairly common practice. Were you aware that there were advertisements all around your message? We all know they're there. Flashing, pretty colors or creative titles in bold text. They're always nearby... just in the periphery of our vision.

Now, do you remember a single one? Do you even remember what they were selling?

My guess is that you probably don't.

Online advertising is the epitome of the in-the-moment selling. If the pretty colors or particular text catch your eye then and there, you might just click on it. But that means the truth is there's as much reliance on pure impulse as there is on demographics.

Facebook is the latest in a line of platforms that are trying to deliver the opportunity to receive targeted advertising. Isn't that nice of them? We're going to use your personal information to deliver targeted advertising, because we have to advertise, so it might as well be for things you've given us hints that you actually like. Oh, and we might sell your information to others, so they can share in this opportunity.

But at least we've been given the opportunity to receive ads we want to see.

Wait. Ads we want to see?

Personal information being used to determine out likes and dislikes?

Let's face it. No one wants advertisements. And rolling out an advertising platform and touting it as something beneficial to a user base isn't fooling anyone. And in the wake of the backlash from this platform, Facebook has changed some of its policies and made it easier to opt in or out of the program.

So what about regular online advertising in social mediums like this? Is it effective? Do the demographics reduce the dependence on impulse? Or are the users of social sites so intent on the content that advertising doesn't even register with them?

Studies have shown that the tendencies of the common user lean toward that last option. Click rates per page views on Facebook (and other social sites) are extremely low.

It seems people are too busy with socializing to even give into impulse clicks.

Does that mean you don't need to consider social media in your online advertising campaign?

Not at all. While there are arguments flying around about the staying power of Web 2.0 applications and whether we're on the verge of another bubble bursting, that is irrelevant to the current discussion.

In the here and now community works. Advertisements may not, but advertising isn't your only option on these networks.

Community works because users feel like you have their interests in mind, rather than just your own. Community is about communication, and that might be the best advertising you could hope for.

Andy Eliason is a writer at Main10, an Internet marketing and development firm. His company works with online advertising to develop strategic marketing solutions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Eliason

How Does Facebook Figure Into Your Online Advertising Campaign

Facebook. All the cool kids are doing it. Are you?

For advertisers, it's a hard market to pass up. So many people in one place at one time. Marketers see something like this and it's as if their dreams have come true. It's got that glowing, shiny exterior that seems to say: come to us. We have numbers.

Numbers are important in a marketing campaign. You can't manage what you can't measure. However, in the Facebook world some of those numbers have gotten them in trouble. The reason being that in recent times Facebook introduced a new advertising platform. A platform that gathered numbers that not everyone was comfortable parting with.

Numbers and demographics. Demographics tell advertisers who and where their potential customers are. When millions upon millions of users register their personal information on a social site, all of the sudden demographic research becomes far easier than it has ever been before.

But fail to notify your users or give them an opportunity to completely opt out of the platform, and there will be a huge backlash of opinion. In the space of a month the site can go from "have you tried that out yet" to "remember when everyone liked it?".

Online advertising propels online development. We all understand this, and, to a point, we all we've come to accept this. So much so that we barely even notice it anymore.

Here's a quick thought experiment. Did you check your email this morning? Do you check it everyday? It's a fairly common practice. Were you aware that there were advertisements all around your message? We all know they're there. Flashing, pretty colors or creative titles in bold text. They're always nearby... just in the periphery of our vision.

Now, do you remember a single one? Do you even remember what they were selling?

My guess is that you probably don't.

Online advertising is the epitome of the in-the-moment selling. If the pretty colors or particular text catch your eye then and there, you might just click on it. But that means the truth is there's as much reliance on pure impulse as there is on demographics.

Facebook is the latest in a line of platforms that are trying to deliver the opportunity to receive targeted advertising. Isn't that nice of them? We're going to use your personal information to deliver targeted advertising, because we have to advertise, so it might as well be for things you've given us hints that you actually like. Oh, and we might sell your information to others, so they can share in this opportunity.

But at least we've been given the opportunity to receive ads we want to see.

Wait. Ads we want to see?

Personal information being used to determine out likes and dislikes?

Let's face it. No one wants advertisements. And rolling out an advertising platform and touting it as something beneficial to a user base isn't fooling anyone. And in the wake of the backlash from this platform, Facebook has changed some of its policies and made it easier to opt in or out of the program.

So what about regular online advertising in social mediums like this? Is it effective? Do the demographics reduce the dependence on impulse? Or are the users of social sites so intent on the content that advertising doesn't even register with them?

Studies have shown that the tendencies of the common user lean toward that last option. Click rates per page views on Facebook (and other social sites) are extremely low.

It seems people are too busy with socializing to even give into impulse clicks.

Does that mean you don't need to consider social media in your online advertising campaign?

Not at all. While there are arguments flying around about the staying power of Web 2.0 applications and whether we're on the verge of another bubble bursting, that is irrelevant to the current discussion.

In the here and now community works. Advertisements may not, but advertising isn't your only option on these networks.

Community works because users feel like you have their interests in mind, rather than just your own. Community is about communication, and that might be the best advertising you could hope for.

Andy Eliason is a writer at Main10, an Internet marketing and development firm. His company works with online advertising to develop strategic marketing solutions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Eliason

Facebook Social Media Optimization Social Networking

Using Facebook as an Online Marketing Tool

Have you ever wondered if what you know about marketing on Facebook is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on marketing on Facebook.

Using Facebook as an Online Marketing Tool

Social networking websites are becoming more and more popular each day. Websites like these are primarily used as a social utility that will enable people to connect with other people. With Facebook, you will be able to connect with friends, acquaintances, and with other people who you study and live with.

One social networking website that is very popular among many people today is Facebook. With Facebook, you will be able to get your very own profile page where you can upload an unlimited amount of photos, share videos, and also a place where you will let people viewing a little about you.

Although this is a great social networking site that will enable you to keep in touch with your friends and acquaintances as well as meet new people and make new friends, it is also a website that made a lot of internet marketers drool.

With over 62 million active subscribers and still continuing to grow, you know that this place is the place to market.

If you own a business and you are reaching for an 18 to 25 demographic to sell your products, you will see that Facebook will be able to provide you with your target customers. Most subscribers here are aged between 18 and 25, which is called the "tech-savvy youth audiences".

If your marketing on Facebook facts are out-of-date, how will that affect your actions and decisions? Make certain you don't let important marketing on Facebook information slip by you.

With Facebook, you will not only target your ads on specific regions and universities, but you will also be able to get your fair share of audience. Here, you will see that when you join, you will be able to readily use tools that can really help you advertise your products and services.

You can customize your profile in order to make it unique and attract your target audience and you can also post blogs and even syndicate your blog page using RSS. If you have video ads about your products or services, you can post it here on Facebook as well.

When you register with Facebook, you can also add friends. Try adding as much as you can and establish some relationship. If you already know someone who uses Facebook, add them and try to get them to promote the products or services you offer.

This is one great feature of Facebook. With it, you will be able to get people who are connected to your network to advertise for you. This way, you will see that you will be able to market your product more effectively by getting people in other network know about your products or services.

Another great tool that you can use in Facebook is the ability to let you add applications in your profile page. Here, you will be able to add games and other applications in your profile page, which can be great in attracting other people to visit your profile page.

As you can see, Facebook will be able to create a great potential in internet marketing. The website already has the numbers in terms of traffic, and it also has the tools necessary for you to market your products or services effectively.

It is just a matter of knowing how to use these tools and also know how to effectively market your products or services. By creating a great profile page in Facebook, you can be sure that you will be able to attract a lot of targeted traffic.

So now you know a little bit about marketing on Facebook. Even if you don't know everything, you've done something worthwhile: you've expanded your knowledge.

Check out more information on Marketing On Facebook at our website http://www.bestmarketinfo.com/marketingonfacebook

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Lavoie

Facebook The New Social Networking Site

Facebook are currently projecting they’ll reach 50 million users by the end of the year. I think they’ll pass that milestone much quicker. Facebook are doing ok out of this arrangement on the basis of the number of page impressions they receive, although in reality they're keeping advertising at a minimum in order to build up the value of the site for its eventual sale which will almost certainly happen in 2007/8.

Social media sites, such as MySpace and Facebook, are great marketing opportunities for targeting specific demographics, in addition to being the logical progression for SEO and SEM. Online marketing is much more than optimizing sites or buying ads. Social networking is at an all-time high with the technological advances that have been made over the last decade, said Tim Gibbon, co-founder and editor of the Social Media Portal, a Web site that connects social networks and studies the interactions between them. While social network giants Facebook and MySpace hold mass appeal and draw millions of users.

Facebook Stand Up In Social Bookmarking

Facebook.com is thought to be a leader in the social networking sphere, whereas Saleforce.com seems to be in similar position for general purpose business. Facebook is wonderfully built, by smart people, in an intelligent way, that creates goals for me to aspire to (I still don’t like using it, but I really appreciate how hard that must have been). Facebook and sites like it are not responsible for the perceived crisis in friendship that some organisations saw. The view that such a basic human relation is in crisis could blind one to the many opportunities people still had to make friendships and expand relationships creatively, simply by sharing some common goal or project that asks things of the people involved.

Facebook members who sign up for Mobile can now receive wall post, messages, and pokes as text messages. In essence, this is like receiving e-mail to your phone for free (assuming you are registered under a plan with unlimited text messages). Facebook has some real value for you because of the rich set of tools and large amount of active users. This is a great place to experiment with how people interact in social networks.