If you’re new to the VBL Blog, you’ll no doubt be thinking ‘What the hell is a VBL Discussion…?’ (or perhaps you won’t, it’s pretty self-explanatory, let’s face it!). But, the bottom line is that its a weekly discussion post where we talk about / help each other out on, different topics to entrepreneurship, passive income, outsourcing, being a digital nomad - you name it… As long as its relevant to the VBL.
In Seth Godin’s ‘Tribes‘ he talks about people wanting, almost needing, to be part of groups. We grow up wanting to be part of teams and groups, little congregations in the playground, etc. He’s right – and those communities are special to the people that join them. Why should communities online, affiliated with blogging and the topics of the blogs themselves, be any different? And so, this week I’d like to broach the topic of Facebook Fan Pages.
I have one for the VBL Blog, and we are steadily approaching 2,000 fans (woot!) – please ‘like’ when you get the chance!
However, I haven’t done a lot to promote it, and rarely get into any ‘heavy’ discussions on it – although we will be utilizing it a lot more going into 2011. But, I do ‘interact’ when the time is right.
For me, the fan page is a viable option for bloggers wanting to grow and promote their community away from their blog. It’s also a great way for the fans of those blogs to interact together, away from the comment section of posts (which some like to do!).
I’d really like to the the VBL Facebook Fan Page grow to a good sized community next year. Does anyone have any ideas on how to build the numbers? Also, are you guys, as potential fellow bloggers and virtual entrepreneurs utilizing this medium for audience growth? Do you need help doing so?
Over to you guys!
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Hi Chris,
Recently, I set up my blog so that people could click links to my fb “like” page and am looking forward to seeing the numbers go up.
This is my first big investment in social media, as I paid to have stuff done that I couldn’t do myself (logo design, etc) and I believe it will pay off.
At this point, most of the fans I have now on fb are there because I suggested it to my personal fb friends and asked them to share it with others…that was the extent of my marketing up until now.
There is big potential with regards to a “like” page from what I hear and read. Some of my friends simply aren’t there yet with regard to blogs – they are much more comfortable with commenting on fb, for whatever reason…so I want to make sure they are hooked up with the “like” page.
Once my less blog savvy friends join my “like” page, they typically click the link to my blog post and at least check it out, then sometimes come back and leave a comment on the fb page, which is great.
Ultimately, I would love more rapport on the blog, and I think giving people as many options as possible to get there is the way to go. People will visit your blog if you make it easy for them.
Hi Val
Facebook pages can go very viral, very quickly by simply asking your friends to pass them around. It’s the way to start.
Try tweeting out a link to your FB home with a cool and perhaps inticing statement, too. It also pays dividends.
Good luck building up your following!
Chris
Hi Chris,
I also have a FB link on my blog plus, I utilize Linkedin to plug the facebook page within niche groups with similar interest. That has grown my Mobile App Showcase facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/IncomeDiary?v=wall#!/pages/Mobile-App-Showcase/163196057049826
Jesse
Hi Jesse
Linked in is actually another really good source of traffic. I posted a link on exactly 5 ‘entrepreneurial’ groups the other day and received over 30 visitors. Visitors I would not have had that day if I hadn’t of done so. Even if just a handful subscribed, it was worth the effort.
Thanks for dropping by, bud.
C
Chris,
I think this is sort of a rhetorical question, of course having a FB biz page is a must for all bloggers.
Soon, if not already for some, Facebook will be the place where people find out about news. Our peers will become our main news source and word of mouth will reign as king of advertising.
Investing time and energy into building your following is one of the most important things you can do in the next 1-5 years as a blogger, or any other influential figure for that matter.
Remember, going to people’s “home turf” to relay a message is becoming the norm, rather than shouting at them through the television screen info-mercial style.
This is so true. I usually find out about my news on Reddit, but even now I see a lot of the same articles being posted by my friends on Facebook. It seems like the go-to place for information (next to Google).
With one fourth of the USA’s page loads, and over 700,000 people signing up DAILY, thats not surprising, really, is it…!!
For me, there are three search engines to go to for info:
Google
Facebook
YouTube
Can’t wait to see what happens with these guys next year…….
Thanks for stopping by, Steven.
Chris
You’d actually be surprised, I’ve spoken with a few bloggers that although understand the ‘idea’ behind having one, actually haven’t signed up for one yet.
For me, I have one, as you know, but don’t use it as much as I feel I should – mostly down to time constraints. That will change going into next year.
Infomercial style…… Ah, love it!
Thanks for the comment, bud.
Chris
I like how guys like Pat Flynn use Facebook to answer more general questions about life and business (or whatever). It’s just another good way of being social and entering into other people’s online world.
Also, those who don’t yet know of you may see someone else “Likes” you on Facebook, or commented your page, and they may be interested to check you out.
It all helps you expand your sphere of influence.
Hi Steven
Pat does a great job of engaging his audience on his FB page, that’s for sure. I’ve seen some REALLY good conversations.
He recently gave away 3 memberships to Glen Allsopp’s Cloud Living program, which was a great idea. That kind of ‘extra mile’ approach of taking care of your audience, is something we can all learn from.
Influence is a very, very powerful thing – FB certainly helps to spread it a lot faster than we experienced in the past.
Great insights, as always, my man.
Cheers,
Chris
Whooo…I want a pop up Chris like in the picture, where oh where can I find one?
Man, you’re the 5th person to joke on that – gotta get a new image done. Quickly!
It is planned anyway for January…
Lol.
C