5 Tips to Successfully Market Your Blog on Facebook

Using social media – particularly Facebook – to promote your blog can be a really effective way to grow your web traffic and increase readers. While posting your latest blog entry is definitely an essential part of the process, there may be other ways that you can harness social media to build a strong brand.

Photo not mine

1. Start Conversations

Turn your Facebook profile into an engaged, captive community by posting statuses and pictures that encourage your audience to talk not only with you, but amongst themselves. The conversation starters can be serious or frivolous or a combination of both depending on what suits your own brand better. Conversations aren't one sided exchanges – so make sure you join in the chat too.

2. Have A Strategic Plan

An integrated marketing and communications strategy is an essential business tool. Social media activity and campaigns should be part of your overall marketing plan and have goals, measures and outcomes associated with each platform. If you're not sure where to start, consider contacting a full service digital agency like Market Smartly.

3. Share Archived Content

As your audience grows, on both your blog and social media, there is a real opportunity to highlight some of your previous posts to your new readers. Some of the biggest blogs in the business have found that their monthly Facebook reach is now significantly higher than their website visitors, so reposts of relevant articles from the archives can help convert your social media followers to website traffic and keep them engaged.

4. Use Responsive Design

Mobiles and tablets use is on the rise – in fact, it is anticipated that they are quickly going to eclipse desktop and laptop as the primary way people access the internet and are already the dominant social media medium – so being “mobile friendly” isn't enough. It is essential that your blog or website loads quickly and above all else has functionality on any device so that when your followers click your links, they can read your post and comment/interact with your page.

5. Post Relevant Content Often

The Facebook news feed moves quickly so only checking into your page once or twice a week may not be enough to capture the attention of your audience. Multiple posts a day are recommended for maximum impact and engagement. Make sure you vary what you're putting out and have a balance between your own content, topical conversation starters and other fun or relatable pictures, stories or memes.

Knowing how to best utilise each social media platform to get the results you want can be confusing but one of the most important things to remember is to be strategic, but also to be yourself. The interactive, highly personal nature of Facebook makes it a great way to not only share your latest content, but also share part of your personality and have some fun with the people you're trying to connect with.

What’s your best tip for growing your blog’s brand on Facebook?

Logging Off from Facebook

Photo credit: rahuldesai.com

Ever since I have been a member of Facebook, I got hooked to it. Initially, I used as a gaming platform because it was entertaining and it relieved my stress. I seldom sign off from Facebook since I joined and only on rare occasions that I temporarily went on hiatus because I was on vacation or probably there was no connection. So you can say, I live, breathe and have Facebook for breakfast, lunch and supper.

It is strange that I don't feel as enthusiastic as I was with this social platform. Oh, don't get me wrong. That is the common ground for me to catch up with family and friends. It is just that, these days, my time and energy spent in Facebook is getting lesser and lesser which I think and feel is a positive thing.

Today, I decided not to check my FB account. I want to enjoy my weekend like I did pre-Facebook time. Although it is just a few, short days, I think this is the right opportunity for me to do other things aside from checking my FB.

I can do my crafts, read a new book, exercise and just have a fulfilling rest and relaxation with my family here. It is not often that I stay away from the social media but I guess, as you get older, other things seem to matter most now like that actual time that you have to use it for something you have been pending to do, or actually go out and smell the flowers, run at the park, walk my dog, learn a new language and so much more.

This weekend, I am completely off Facebook and I am starting to like that idea. I may just do this every weekend then. So, don't be surprised if I didn't read your status nor liked it nor even shared a wonderful picture you have posted. I am just taking this off from FB to focus on ME.

Re-connecting With Old Friends

Who said Facebook is bad? Well, not me! I can be biased too you know. I just appreciate Facebook more now that I have lessened my gaming time and focus on socializing and connecting with family and friends. And very recently, I got to reconnect to close friends I have lost contact with when I left the Philippines.

I am very glad that this social network site is running and able to connect people all over. I know others still don't like Facebook. It depends on how you use it and how you set your privacy settings. I have set mine closed for friends only so other people cannot view my profile just like that. You can be secured in Facebook too as long as you check your privacy settings regularly.

I do not glorify Facebook though. I am just glad that it can act as a channel to bridge the gap of long-lost pals and family members. It is also a great avenue to use when you need to communicate to them in one go, aside from the email of course.

I am so happy my close friends found me here again. It is so nice to relive the happy times and go forward knowing that this time, they are there to move with me. Happiness!

Don't Jump Into Conclusions

Well, I have a very funny thing to tell you. My daughter is a friend of mine in Facebook. And please don't judge me for allowing her to have an account. She is a smart and sensible kid so she knows who to accept in her friends' circle in Facebook. Okay, going back to what I am supposed to tell you. I can actually view her posts in my wall and there was one she just posted few minutes ago regarding how she got home safe and that her friends left her in the school bus and she hear the teen-aged boys calling her name and saying malicious things. I don't know the whole story but I left some comments in her message trail and asking her friends as well to tell me if the boys don't stop teasing my daughter. And then I paused and thought for a while? Was I over-reacting? Did I even bother asking my daughter the full account of the story behind the message? Or was my daughter just sending out coded messages to her friends? Whatever her reasons are, I decided to ask her.

In all honesty, I am not really someone who jumps into conclusion or quick to judge like some people I know. So, I asked my daughter if someone was harassing her in the school bus. She said none so I asked why she wrote something like that on her wall post. Then she started laughing. She told me she was just listening to the teen boys' conversations and she as shocked that she had to share it to her friends. GASP!!!

Upon hearing that, I almost wished the ground I was standing on would open up and swallow me alive! I was getting ready to go "fight-mode" and then good thing I asked her. 

So, lesson learned - never, ever jump into conclusion. Or better yet, never, ever meddle with your kid's affairs. I am so mortified.

This Blog Has A Page In Facebook

It's a first! I have never created a page for any of my blogs in Facebook. A lot of my blogger friends have done this already and I am a newbie at this page thing. Alas! I have decided to spread my horizon and reach out to more audience in the blogosphere.

So if you're blog-hopping or simply browsing the net and spending time in Facebook, why don't you check out my page and "like" your stay there :)

Time-Out from Facebook

It already came to a point where I am feeling a wee tired of opening my Facebook. I only do it these days to check who's online, for personal messages and what's happening to my family and friends. Apart from that, I have lessened my playing time drastically.

I just want to get my life back pre-Facebook where I used to do a lot of stuff - healthy and enjoyable stuff like going to the park, walking my dog, meeting friends and a bit of shopping. I got hooked on Facebook for sometime and dropped my activities all together so I could dedicate my time playing. I know, it's bad and I had to put a stop on it.

So, I'm having a temporary break from Facebook. Not a total fasting but minimizing my usage time to an hour and the rest is spent for what is truly essential.

A Surprise in the Mail

Gone are the days when people wait for the mailman to deliver something special from the post. I remember when I was a kid; I always waited for the mailman to deliver some letters from relatives and friends from far away land. I would wait with bated breath on the arrival of some great news and goodies through the snail mail. However, times have changed drastically. Most people don't send stuff anymore. They email or chat but never write the old school way.

Well, today is different. Just when I thought that the snail mail is going extinct; I received a very pleasant surprise from the mail and it was from my dear friend in NYC!

DN sent me a hand-stitched picture of a little girl flying a kite with a quotation. It is so beautiful. I showed it to my colleagues when I opened the parcel. They loved it and I loved it more!!! I was gushing like the little girl I used to be waiting for something good in the mail. She also enclosed a card with a very touching caption. 

I am really thankful for the gift of friendship and to know the fact that we have never met in person yet and we both feel the connection. We are like kindred spirits, sisters from different mothers, great pals of long ago and yet, we only met through Facebook.

Thanks DN! I am so happy and very touched by your generosity. I told you before, you didn't have to bother with anything. Your friendship alone is a great gift in itself. You are a wonderful person!

Too Much Information

Using Facebook and other social network sites is so enjoyable. We get carried away on the status bars and  games and comments. We even posts pictures and videos of special happenings in our lives.

I am guilty on some accounts but not to the extent of divulging so much information for the world to know. I am posting this to share important tips on what "not" to share on Facebook and other social media sites. Reasons out weigh the need to be buddies with the people in the social media sites. For one, your personal safety and protection should be your utmost concern. Second, too much info about yourself and your activities poses high chances of getting hacked or your identity be stolen. Also, many employers now seek social media sites to check on applicants so beware on posting angry status, dissing remarks on colleagues and bosses and uploading pictures and videos of  something you will not like others to see.

Here are information you should not divulge in public:

1. Birth date
2. Birth place
3. School/Universities
4. Location
5. Mobile contact details
6. Pictures and Videos (these you may want to keep to a minimum or something you will not be embarrassed to show the world)
7. Unnecessary comments and remarks (you be the judge...)

Set up your privacy settings according to your preference. I have set mine to just allow "friends" to view my profile and pictures. As of this writing, I have already edited my profile in Facebook to show only the general information. I have also removed "friends" who I really do not know nor have spoken or communicated too.

Well, these are just measures as precursor to safety and protection to take to avoid any hassles or worse, major problems in the future.

Private Video Scandal

I have just finished watching a TV program in our Filipino channel a while ago. The story was about a disgruntled boyfriend who uploaded his and her girlfriend's private moments. It didn't stop there. The boyfriend made the video public and was forwarded to all the girl's families and friends in Facebook. Let's just say that the video is very, very sensitive and should be for the eyes of both the involved only. Unfortunately, there is now a twist to the saying, "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." In this case, "a man scorned."

I have nothing against Facebook having the option to upload photos. My concern is that, doesn't Facebook view the videos uploaded before actually letting it get published live on the site? Just a thought.

Another thing that irritates me to the core is the fact that people will do stupid things like having their "intimate moments" recorded on video. What is worse is that, the girl consented and now she filed a complaint. I understand the trauma it has brought her. Imagine looking at the faces of the people who loves and cares for you and all of a sudden it goes tainted just because of a video.

I do believe that people have the right to say no when they don't want to. Sometimes, it's just foolishness presiding over sensibility, or more so, lust over right conviction. We can always refuse such act because it is an invasion to our personal space and privacy.

I don't understand why a lot of people do this kind of thing. Makes me wonder, are there so many frustrated actors/actress out there searching for their fast ticket to fame? I would say fast all right, very fast ticket to SHAME. Tsk-tsk-tsk. Come on girls (to all the ladies out there who are contemplating of having their private moments recorded for "posterity"), be clever! If you don't want to be the subject of ridicule and shame, then say NO. It is that simple.

Increasing Unread Emails

Unbelievable! I have 744 unread mails as of this time. 744! That is a hugeeeeeee number and it will take me days before I can actually clear my mails.

I have already set my Yahoo account to filter mails according to categories and senders. Family and friends' mails go to one folder, sponsored post requests for my blogs go to the other, fashion and health have their own folders and other stuff remains in my inbox for further sorting. Yup, I have this crazy habit of going through my mails like a forensic scientist. I just don't want to miss anything. However, lately I have been slacking a bit. I cannot bear to think that I have missed so many mails already. I am so preoccupied with my daughter's studies, husband's and four-legged diva doggie's demands, shattered career dream (see my post on this one), paid posts, Facebook requests, and Glee TV marathon that I missed checking my mails.

I don't know which ones are still valid in my emails. I think I have to dedicate a certain time to accommodate this task or else, I will be inundated with mails.

Where is a Lifesaver when you need one?!?

Annoying Types of People in Facebook... Are You One of Them?

I love playing in Facebook. It is the only stress-buster I know that works. Apart from the games that I enjoy there, I get to chat with my family and friends and reconnect to long-lost childhood friends and relatives from far-flung places I haven't seen in ages. However, I know there should be a decorum set for using Facebook. I think some people just go over-board. Then again, it's their page so let them do their thing, right?

Anyway, I don't mean to hurt anyone by posting this. It is for sheer fun and information. Also, this has been forwarded to me by a friend via email.

9 Annoying Types of People in Facebook

1. The Gamer - The invites and updates will never stop.
2. The Event Coordinator - They invite everyone to everything.
3. The Desperate Marketer - Their idea of marketing on Facebook is to spam all their friends with "become of [whatever]" requests. Usually, [whatever] is either themselves of a paying client.
4. The Horrible Photo Tagger - They will tag ANYTHING regardless whether or not it is something you want your family or co-workers to see.
5. The Rash - This fellow will follow you in Facebook and will comment on everything you do.
6. The Quiz Taker - You'd think everyone has gotten sick of this by now.
7. The Passive Aggressor - They post well-rehearsed retorts without mentioning anyone by name.
8. The Infant Profile - They use their kid as their profile picture. It is supposed to be cute but to some it is a bit disturbing.
9. The Filterless - They post updates about everything, even when it is something you would never, ever want to know.

Okay, there goes the list. My personal opinion on this is that, I think the list is too rigid to accept people as they are. So, if someone wants to post updates on his or her wall that you don't want to know? It is her or his wall anyway. There is always this "hide" option in Facebook. I get tagged on photos of "me" but when I check, those are photos of shirts, bags, shoes and what-have-yous being sold by friends in Facebook. I just try to ignore them if the goods do not actually fill me with interest. There is always the option of turning the other cheek and not be bothered.

I think, these 9 Annoying Types of People in Facebook are the reason why Facebook is more interesting and fun. Don't you think?

Girls Talk - Childhood Friends

I have plenty of childhood friends. In fact, I recently reconnected with them thru the help of Facebook. See, I told my husband that Facebook has its good points ;)

There are too many to name and I don't want to name names for the sake of not hurting other's feelings if in case I forget to mention someone.

So, most of my childhood friends are in my Facebook. Even one of my friends way back kindergarten is now my renewed friend in Facebook. Thank goodness for Facebook!!!

Re-focusing On Life's Priorities

I have been a slacker lately. Being a wee lazy is not inherent of me. I am always up and about (except for my frail immune system). My previous routine, before the addiction to Facebook started, involves waking up early, doing stretches, jogging and eating healthy breakfast. When I say healthy, that means, sunny side up cooked using olive oil, plain toasted fibre bread and steamed veggies.

It has been a while since I had that healthy and hearty breakfast prepared. My breakfast these days are mostly prepared in haste and they are fried! What happened to healthy living?

Then there's this Facebook mania going on. Prior to getting hooked on Facebook, I was just doing normal things a mother and a wife would do to her family. Facebook has taken over most of my spare time. I cannot complete anything anymore. My husband is already complaining about my addiction to the games I play in that social platform. I guess most of you will be able to relate with me. Who can resist being a "mayor, hotel heiress or a farmer" of your own town, hotel and farm? Who can say no to "millions of fake money" given by friends? Who can resist the yummy treats given by family and friends in Facebook all for free without the exorbitant price tag of a fine-dining cuisine and loaded calories? Only in Facebook! In reality, you can't even get close to that! Apart from that, playing in Facebook is stress-busting for me. Initially it was until it took over my life. It's the only place where I can get lost and forget life's worries and mundane trivialities.

I am beginning to wonder if slacking becomes me. I know it will not do me good to procrastinate. I really need to change my habits and perspective to be able to commit to my goals in life. I am not getting any younger.

So, I will lessen my Facebooking (notice how I turned that word into a verb?)for the time being. Scrap the binge-eating. Toss the excess worries where most of the time, the issues at present do not even warrant much attention. It's just me being Ria. Move more, get myself involved in activities. Meet people. Laugh more. Worry less. Just have fun. I have been serious and wayward at the same time so I think my focus should be geared to what would make my life happier and healthier.

I don't want to make promises I cannot keep. Let's just see how it goes with my re-focusing plan. It's already the 3rd month of the year and I am not even close to my goals in life.

It's about time.

Girls Talk - Fave Pastime

I have to say, my favorite pastime is my arts and craft session. I am more geared to tinkering on polymer clay and making handmade cards.

Second favorite thing I do is blogging and I am glad I did this, otherwise, I wouldn't meet lovely people like the ones in my blogroll. You all know who you are :)

Apart from the above, I guess you can squeeze Facebooking (verb for using Facebook all the time...LOL). I am so addicted to it that I ask most of my friends and relatives to add me up. So pips, add me up!

Want to know more of other blogger's pastime activities? Check out Niko's blog.