Facebook can be a blogger’s Best Friend

We talked about Pinterest and hopefully you are organizing your boards and Pinning your posts.

Now it’s time to talk about Facebook! FB is my #1 referral to my blog. I know there’s controversy out there about people not seeing posts and all the changes Facebook put us through with the introduction of Timeline.  Ignore all that. Focus on what you have control over. Your page and what you post.

Just like Pinterest, you have to make your Facebook page welcoming to those who might pop in to visit. Just like your home. Or a party. Yeah, Like a party. This is Social Media after all. If you have a button for your blog, use that as your profile picture. Get people used to seeing your logo, everywhere. When you make comments, on Pinterest, on Google +, on Twitter, and Yes on Facebook. Think of any big company, they all have logos and they put them everywhere. You do the same.

Next is your Cover photo-this is what will get all the attention, draw the reader in to look around a bit more. You can be lazy like me and create a collage of a few of your favorite photos, I made mine with Picmonkey. Be sure to add in a description with the link to the photo or photos so people can find those recipes.

They know all about blending their logo into their photos and it looks wonderful. They change up their cover photo every so often, but always it draws the eye and makes you drool. BTW, This photo is of their Fresh Strawberry Pie Triffle. Just makes me want to grab a spoon and dig in.

The next thing to focus on is Your ABOUT section.

The very first thing in your about should be your web site link. Don’t make people go looking for it. The whole point of using Facebook is to drive fans to your site. Make it easy. Yes you want to list it in your profile as well, along with your e-mail, Pinterest, twitter and whatever else, but put it out there, in front for everyone to see and click on.

Also, include your first name. You’re developing a relationship, it’s nice to know who you’re talking with. I love when someone leaves me a comment like “Joan, this sounds wonderful” Or “Joan, I just want to eat my computer screen.” I know that either the commentor is someone who knows me or someone who took the time to look at my About section. Either way, they cared enough to address me and are probably a faithful fan. They feel like they know me, just a bit. I like that.

Now that you’ve got your page set up. You need to start posting what you’ve made and want to share.

Please, please, please, SHARE A PHOTO and not just a link.

Everyone loves a pretty picture, that’s why Pinterest is so popular. Post your photo, make a few remarks about it, then add the link to the end of your comments. I promise, you will get more reactions, likes and comments on a photo than just a link. I think, and I have nothing to back this up but my own observations, Facebook ranks photos higher than links or even just plain commentary. Therefore, they get seen by more people.

Facebook has introduced a few features I love. The first is SCHEDULING POSTS.

See that little clock in the lower left corner? No longer do you have to be on facebook at just the right time to get the most views for what you post. This is huge if you want to have a life outside of blogging and facebook. If you are going on vacation or know you’ll just have a few busy days where you may not get on to facebook until close to midnight, your posts can still show up when you’d like them to. Facebook even lets you see what the post will look like so you can make sure it’s what you wanted to post.

Here it is! I know that at 4:20pm on Tuesday, I’ll be busy with the kids after school. But anyone looking for snack ideas will see my Chocolate Banana Smoothie pop up on their wall. Then Tuesday night after everyone’s in bed, I can pop on facebook and respond to any comments.

Once you’ve posted something to Facebook, hopefully a photo, In the upper right corner you’ll see a star and a pencil. Click on the pencil and your very first option is Pin to Top. Click and Done. Anyone snooping around your page, and I hope everyone else is out there snooping like I do, will see your current favorite post.

How does Facebook work for you? Is it something you use? Is it driving traffic to your site?

Oh, one last thing, If you’re just setting up your Facebook page, make sure you like the name of your page because after you get 200 fans, you can’t change your name. I learned this the hard way.

Next week, I’ll tell you about Sharing is Caring on Facebook.

Breaking News! I’m so excited! Ashton from Something Swanky and Dorothy from Crazy for Crust have put together an Online Blog conference! I’ve always wanted to attend one but time and money can be an issue.

They solved both issues, be sure to check it out, the dates are Oct 22-24, 2012, just click the button or here at Online Blogcon 2012 for all the details.

I’ll be linking up at a few of these great parties.