What is a Facebook Page? Should you have one?

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What is a Facebook Page? Should you have one?

A friend of mine asked earlier about Facebook Fan Pages and Facebook Groups. I gave him a quick list of what I had so he could go check them out. Our conversation was "wall to wall" so I thought I would post it here so it would be exposed to all.

Currently I have 3 different Facebook Fan Pages :

Mike Mueller: I started this Page as a way to better promote upcoming events I’ll be speaking at, classes I’ll be teaching, or really anything related to the business side of my life.

Join the Mike Mueller Fan Page

Mueller Maps: This is just to showcase and demonstrate my Google Map Mashup I call “Mueller Maps ”. If you are not familiar with the concept, it’s a great way to embed video directly onto a Google Map. Best of all, it’s easily updated by adding a row on a spreadsheet.

Join the Mueller Maps Page

AreWeConnected.com: I realized after starting the first two pages, I had not yet created a page for this website. The website itself needs it’s very own page. This is a place where everyone who comes by the site and signs in using Facebook Friend Connect will be directed. Think of it as a home on Facebook for AreWeConnected.

Join the AreWeConnected.com Page

As you can see, each is built to serve a slightly different purpose.

Then there are The Groups too…

Bay Area Social Media Group: This started as a thought. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could have regular local meetings where anything and everything Social Media could be discussed? No agendas, no underlying hooks – just simple roundtable discussions. Join the Bay Area Social Media Group

RE Blog World: Last year, the RE community joined the new media community in Las Vegas for Blog World. It was a tremendous success. I think the RE people surprised the regular blog people with how advanced they were. 2009 will be more of the same. To stay on top of the event just Join the RE Blog World Group

I would be honored if you joined or became a fan of each and every one.

This post brought to you courtesy of Mike Mueller.
Feel free to ReBlog or ReTweet as you like as long as you credit the source (him).
Did you know? He's for hire! He builds Blogs, Graphic Images and Widgets and Facebook Pages and besides… He knows lots of really cool stuff.

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Posted by Mike Mueller on 03/22/2009 09:40 PM

Comments (63)

Facebook Pages & Groups in the Sales Strategies / Tactics Channel

facebook pages

Originally posted at: Mike Mueller - Builder of Engagement: What is a Facebook Page? Should you have one?

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63 Comments on What is a Facebook Page? Should you have one?

MAR

2009

I really like the new changes on Facebook. Most important to me is that non-members or members who are not logged in can now see my business pages. True there are over 50,000,000 US adults who are members of Facebook but with the new changes now 200,000,000 US adults now have access to my pages!

Great idea. I love Facebook. It is a quick way to get caught up on everybody-Dinah Lee

One of the agents in our office told me she did not get anything from FaceBook so she was going to forget it. That night I ate a Cheddar's and a girl from the newspaper told me she had been following me on FaceBook and noticed I had a lot of new listings. You just never know who's reading & watching. I told our agent and now she is convinced to start working it a little more. Thanks for sharing your sites.

Ken - That's right! I'm also playing with the SEO aspect of Pages. Another simple aspect is that a Facebook Page can better separate your BIZ identity from your personal and that's one of the biggest complaints I hear. "I'm afraid of Facebook because now that I'm a professional, I don't want my Beer Guzzling, Face Painting friends posting old pictures of me" Even though you can control that in the privacy settings, a Facebook Page also controls that on it's own.

Connie - Love that story! I admin and setup a few clients FB Pages. Having a Facebook Page also means you can drive your message to a very targetted audience in the form of an Ad. The demographic controls are fabulous! Oh, and thanks for becoming a Fan!

Mike I will have to do some more work on my facebook pages, I primarily go there as a social thing, with so many other blogs being the business side on social media. But I guess everywhere we go should be self promotional.

Mike, I'm still trying make time to learn/expand my Facebook presence. Thanks for the tips.

Mike - We be connected now. I just "fanned" up to you and got connected.

Blog and post your listings on ActiveRain. Use the application to link your blogs to Twitter and use the Facebook application to have Twitter remarks posted on Facebook. You can also link your Twitter remarkd to Myspace. This is a lot of exposure. You can also have your ActiveRain blog appear on your business page of Facebook.

Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/roykelley REO agent in Montgomery County MD

Christine - Awesomeness! We be. : )

Roy - You can but I'll politely argue with you a little on this. I found your wall on Facebook. I see what you've sent there. My question to you is this, "How is this engaging to your potential clients?" If it works for you, so be it. Just sayin...

Good stuff indeed. I just joined facebook as of January...I'm still learning a lot.

Mike, thanks for helping reinforce the importance of the online presence. There are days that I think I just don't have time for Active Rain, much less Facebook. Thanks for keeping me on track.

As more real estate agents and businesses see the value of Facebook Pages and Groups, I think we'll also see new jobs created like Social Media Manager or Online Strategist. I agree there is a lot to be gained from a strong online presence, but the best use of a top producer's time will always be taking listings or writing/negotiating offers - hence the need to outsource social media.

I've really liked Facebook as a way to connect with people I've known for years (plus a few new friends). I've found it to be a really personal way to stay connected and it results in referrals because past friends are thinking of you. Twitter is more of a little party, a way to connect with a big group and have some short, interesting conversations. I've found that Facebook is more for referrals from old friends and Twitter results in relationships with other Realtors and business-to-business referrals from them.

I need to expand my use of facebook! Grat post!

Many worthwhile comments. It's important to determine ones strategy for the use of different apps. On a snippet from rets mention was made about the correct use of FB, twitter... Not just posting what you're doing & listings. I'd like to hear more.

I'll be digging deeper into this. There's always ONE MORE way to get your presence out there, isn't there? Thanks for the tips!

BTW, I've sub. to you. Good stuff!

I 'fanned' you... I'm wondering about a fan page... I don't know that I want fans... but then I'm thinking I should have fans. I know that I need to amp up the business side of my presence.

I have to learn more about how to use facebook. So far, I really like it, but I am not utilizing it to its full potential.

I love FB and LinkedIn! Just started using Twitter, too. Now I just need to pull it all together so each site works as part of my "team." Thanks for the info and guidance!

Mike, you started your own fan club page? Well, I started my own fan club page... and made myself the first fan. Of course this was partially my sarcastic humorous mockery of facebook, but it actually gave me some positive publicity among my friends, distant friends, and other facebook "friends."

Hi Mike -- I really like the video mashup on the map, very cool.

Mike - good post...I am still discovering the need of social networking and FB is on my list...at least I got to the first page...so many things not enough time...

With smiles,

I enjoy Facebook but not really from a real estate standpoint, I am on so many other places as a Realtor, it's a place where I can just have fun. I am not sure if that is wise an would like to know your opinion. Thanks!

Larry - No worries, we're all learning.

Vickie - Really? Nah...

John Novak - I love ya! Are you just trying to create job openings for me? ; )

Gretchen - ahhh, but with a facebook Page you can also bring a little more "BIZ" to the table.

Marian - Did you go to RETS? Did you see my friend Reggie and his FB and Twitter presentations?

Lane - I've never been too comfy with the term "Fan Page" myself. It's just what FB calls it and we shouldn't get to hung up on the term. I've always prefered Groupies anyways - LOL!

I've been building alot of Fan Pages for Agents lately. Now, instead of sending their potential clients to their personal site, they are sending them to their business site (Fan Page). The one thing they need to remember is to feed the Fan Pages as well. It's a complete paradigm shift for most, as far as FB is concerned. Now as an added bonus, FB is updating walls with Page updates!

I was waiting for the new pages and should do some work this week on this. Thanks.

I love Facebook. But that's because I am cleaning house in Pirate Wars. Muwa ha ha haaa! LOL. Oh wait. You actually work there? O_O

Brian - I did. Good for you! I subscribe to my own blog as well : ) The impoartant distinction in starting a "Page" is that it is or could be a seperation of personal and Business. You still have to be engaging to others though.

Chris - Mueller Maps? Cool, eh? Can I build one for you?

Russell - I'll repeat my comment to Brian above... "The impoartant distinction in starting a "Page" is that it is or could be a seperation of personal and Business." If your clients are in FB why shield yourself completely from them. A properly setup Page allows you to reach them while still keeping your personal at a distance.

Shane - Yup! And let me know when you do.

Lisa - Pirate Wars? I've pretty much deleted all the "fun" applications. I did issue my very first Poke the other day. It was probably also my last. A very large group of us simultaneously poked Kelley Koehler at the same time for her birthday. No I don't work for Facebook. I work for you! (or whoever hires me) ; )

Interesting Note: many people have commented - yet few joined any of the Pages... hmmmmm

Mike, I also enjoy facebook, but need to further investigate how to utilize for the business aspect while still enjoying the personal use

This is fodder for another post but here's what I'm seeing...

This is my tracking from ActiveRain...

And this is what I'm seeing in Facebook...

For the next FB post I wanted to show the magic of that "View Insights" link.

MAR

2009

It looks like I still have a lot to learn about using Facebook. Thank you for the recommendations.

Hi Mike, Thanks for sharing! I've looked at all 3 of your pages and they're cool, but I'm feeling a teensy-weensy bit overwhelmed with all this. Just when I finally got used to Facebook (I'm not exactly a newbie, as I started Nov. of '07), soon thereafter, format was changed. No problem, I can keep up with this stuff, which I did. Months go by, change again in the inner workings of social networking technology and now?? I'm trying...I'm really trying to keep up with it all! That said, I'm now at the point of getting ready to add a business page on FB.

I completely understand what you're saying in regards to what you're seeing from tracking on Active Rain vs. actual numbers on FB. Here's the truth, Mike: I'd like to join your pages, yet I'd probably rarely look at them because I'm inundated with and consistently learning the intricacies of other social network platforms (including FB)! Guess I'm still getting my feet wet when (sometimes) one should just jump in with their clothes on? =)

Mike, I just became a fan of yours by Join the Mike Mueller Fan Page I need to check our your other pages. Right now I am in the absorption mode and feeling that I need to slow down alitle and decide where I need to devote my time to. I do need to fit in some hours of sleep.

My time goes from Active Rain to Linked In to Facebook to Twitter to Twitpic to my blogger.com blog and I work at a Real Estate Buyer's only office as well as being an active Avon Representative and also an Ebay seller. I need to evaluate and prioritise my life. WHEW!!

I started in FB for professional reasons but it quickly turned into social...too many friends found me. :)

You don't actually post to FB, do you?

Mike, I have kind of been on the edge of Facebook. Not sure of the reason for it. I think you've convinced me (and some of the comments) to give it a more serious try.

Ok, I gotta spend more time on my Facebook page. So much to do, so little time. Thanks for the great stuff here.

Mike, my personality is pretty much the same at work and at play so my clients would not be surprised by anything out of the ordinary. I am not exactly my Dad's realtor Thanks for the advice!

Facebook pages? I just started on FB and now I learn about multiple pages? Am I ever going to catch up? Thanks for the blog.

I view face book as a wey to keep in touch with friends....not for profession use as a Realtor. My 14 year old daughter is on face book daily, chit chat with other teens, not for my purpose.

Portsmouth NH Real Estate

Carin - That's ok. I was musing more to myself. It's confusing but when you Fan a Page that doesn't mean you have to keep going back. You never have to go back at all! All it means is that updates in that page will now show up in your Wall stream. That's all.

I'm going to do a FB only giveaway later via the Pages. Those who get word of the giveaway will be those that joined one of my pages. They'll see it on their Wall. Not those that are only my friends (I'm testing the dynamics of pages). And, you don't have to be someone's Friend to be a Fan of their Page. Confusing, eh?

Patricia - Did you know the #1 growing demographic on Facebook isn't your 14 year old Daughter (or mine)?

It's 50 Year Old Women!

And the Men are not too far behind! The fact is, we work with people we like. Strictly going by the numbers, wouldn't you want to get the most endearing content (touchpoints, the stuff that makes me learn more about why I might like you) in front of the most people who may want to buy or sell a home in the near future (or know someone who does)

BTW: I am also friends with most of my 14 year old daughters friends.

FaceBook seems to have exploded in recent months. I suspect they are looking at the competition, i.e. Twitter and making some serious changes. I still find it a little baffling though...so much going on.

Oh duck, here comes a sheep flying through the air!

Facebook, like all other networking sites, is great but...

Be *extremely* careful. Like the rest of the internet, there are bad people there. The may want to spam you and your friends. They may give you a nice little "free" application that secretly records all you keystrokes and passwords and sends then to Russia or Nigeria.

You may get a message to look at a cute video; next thing you know your PC has the "KoobFace" virus and is a slave to some bad guy who turns your machine into a spam generator and you don't even know it.....

Hi Mike: These are great ideas for how to use Facebook for business. When I first got my real estate license I started a group called "The Lady of Realty" because that's my slogan, but now I think starting a Facebook page for my business would be even better. It's on my to-do list!

Have a great day,

Anne Rains

Facebook was the first social networking site and I have expanded from there. It has changed a lot since I joined once I got acclimated to the changes I realized the changes were nice, but at first I was very hesistant.

I'm still working on using theses tools to help my business, I'm in no way a master, but I continually keep working!

Kristen

Mike - I am a fan of facebook for many reasons, and think it is an excellent social networking site to connect with others. I have found that many in my social sphere are reading my blogs which I have linked to FB.

I really need to look into Facebook more.

I think that both FB and Linkedin are fantastic tools, the only problem is that you actually have to use them. I'm getting there. :)

Linda Just

FACEBOOK & LINKEDIN - I'm on both and link my blog as well!

I've had inquires through these networks - no business as yet!

Facebook got me my last listing AND a new buyer this week.

Mike - I have been very pleased with the Facebook changes, too. Our JCKC radio page is much more prominent and easy to find now!

I have actually gotten several leads from Facebook (no business yet though) and people I know around town have mentioned some of my listings I posted. It is very satisfying to know my efforts are paying off and people are actually reading my Facebook. I am going to Bookmark this post for further reading later.

This is a major social networking medium for the coming years. If we are going to a cocktail party we should make the best of it, right??

I love the Google Maps Mashup! I just became a fan and will come back to learn more. Thanks for sharing!

Mike- Just Fanned you on your fb sites. Very cool. I have been on fb for about 2-3 months now and wow has this become a hot button lately. Can you say My Space is dead? Face Book has become a necessity in this market of social networking sites.

I am going to watch this and see what comes along. Haven't gotten any leads yet but you never know.....

I love facebook, This is a great post.

That was very informative, Mike. You have a great way of explaining the "why" of the "what".

Kathy

I will be doing a 'Fan Page' in the near future... I also have LaneBailey.info that I need to tweak out for some purpose. I bought it... I guess I should use it.

MAR

2009

Great post; lots of good comments too. I just did a business page; although I think they are now called Fan pages and posted an event. Not sure I could do it again though!

I cleansed my database in January and just on a whim, I looked up the ones I was planning to delete because they didn't respond to any newsletters or emails like so many of my database clients do. Over 75% of them were on Facebook and became friends and now am in constant dialogue with them.

I just read a post by Colin Clark at indyawesome.com about how soical media can grow your business. I believe just by being on facebook and posting relevant information (i.e. $8,000 buyer credit) and being human will bring people to you when they need a realtor.

Ok, I made a page... I have to tweak it out a little bit. I also started playing with LaneBailey.info. Geez, making me work...

MAR

2009

Mike, I'm really looking forward to trying the embedded video in a google map. I can think of some great applications for that, especially in my blog posts. thanks so much for the great ideas.

MAR

2009

Yep! You need one. I have one but not getting the most from it yet.

APR

2009

Mike - The more I read posts like yours, the more I learn about social networking and what some of these sites are capable of. Thanks for sharing your insight about Facebook.

JUN

2009

Great post. More people need to know about these pages, as opposed to personal profiles.

I touched on this in my last post as well: Facebook Could Care Less What You Think Of It

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Mike Mueller

Walnut Creek, CA

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