1) YouTube has updated their design to integrate (like other Google properties) with Google+.

2) Facebook has updated their insights (analytics) improving content effectiveness tracking.

3) LinkedIn added group demographics statistics to better understand the quality of each of its groups.

4) FourSquare has created its own button for publishers. The button is aimed at supporting retail websites.

5) Facebook increased status updates to 60,000 characters.

6) Google is replacing the account black navigation bar with a new drop-down menu.

What would you add?

Insights are statistics designed for administrators to visually see how well their posts are doing.  The system has multiple indicators such as  the size of the purple circles (seen below) indicating activity related to the page posts.  Administrators can also review the weekly total reach and the average number of people talking about the content on their page.

Clients often ask me what does the new metric people talking about this mean on Facebook.  The answer is the number of people who have shared your posts or have taken an action related your page over the last seven days.

Individual posts are also listed with information related to how well they performed.  Metrics found in the list include reach referring to the number of people who have seen your post.  Next are engaged users who have clicked on your post.  The third statistic is talking about this representing the number of people who liked, commented or shared your post. Last is called virality the total number of unique post views divided by the number of people  who have taken action (talking about this).  All the metrics are based on the following 28 days after a each post is published.

Facebook displays demographics such as age and location of the people who like your page.  They offer graphs related to reach, how people found the Facebook page and how often people return to the page. Additional metrics include page views, unique visitors and what pages or tabs they land on.

Facebook has added a new series of metrics related to check-ins.  If someone checks in to your business location through Facebook,  the system will now display helpful statistics. The statistics include the visitors age, location and if they checked in via the web or mobile device.  Unfortunately, Facebook will only show statistics for businesses who have a minimum of 30 people checking in per week.  Another aggravating Facebook limitation.

Don’t get caught up in every statistic.  Look for trends that will support the growth of your page.  Use the demographic information as a guide confirming that you are attracting the right people to your page.  There isn’t enough demographic information to answer all of your questions, but it is a good start.

In the past Facebook insights have not been as insightful as I had hoped, but they are improving.

Rosh

What is organic growth?  I consider it growth without additional promotion needed. This includes adding new followers without recent action or posts.  When you post an update such as information, photos, videos or links, the update travels through your followers’ news feeds. This often prompts and encourages more followers.

Early in the process it usually takes more activity, such as the use of other social media to gain additional followers – until the page reaches its critical mass.

Critical mass is different for every client, but 100 seems to be the average.  Some companies are more engaged with the their community than others. If a business has a popular webpage or famous brand name, the growth process happens much faster.

At what point did your Facebook page take on a life of its own?

Rosh

• A) Twitter Photography Galleries
• B) Google +1 now shares with Google +
• C) Record traffic in July on Facebook and Twitter (Facebook hits 1 trillion page views per month)
• D) Is Facebook running scared? – updates look like Google Plus features
• E)  Facebook just announced plans to abandon the “Places” feature inside its mobile application, having location information become just a standard part of mobile status updates.

• A) Learn to tell your story well
• B) Say hello to more people
• C) Test Google + button

5) Action item: Review your Facebook privacy settings.

If your goal is to develop relationships than focusing on a few blogs is the way to go.  If your goal is search engine optimization (SEO) than the more blogs you comment on the better.

Blog quality plays a role in SEO.  You want to comment on blogs highly regarded by Google. The best way to find such blogs is to use Google search.  Once you have found a few blogs as a starting point -  follow the blogrolls and links to other valuable blogs.

If you wish to develop relationships through blogs then look for quality blogs with few comments.  Before you engage too deeply review past posts to see if the blogger is responsive.  A good blogger will respond to comments.

Comments are not the best indicator of the quality of the blog.  A blog with a lot of comments can mean multiple things.   Some bloggers are great networkers while other bloggers write great posts that encourage engagement.  I believe being highly active in the social media encourages participation with your blog more than quality or expertise.

Comments are also good for driving traffic and introducing your expertise – keep humble.

Commenting should be thoughtful.  We (Synectics Media) often comment on various blogs for SEO purposes, but we have a policy.  If you have nothing relevant or of value to add to the conversation – don’t comment.

Rosh

The answer to the question depends on your target.

The main general difference between Google and Facebook is that  Google AdWords target search results and Facebook targets demographics and interests.  Both are valid methods of advertising.

Few people list their interest as the law unless they are a lawyer.  If someone is searching for a lawyer specializing in Real Estate law than a law firm targeting search with AdWords is a smart move.

If the advertiser is targeting lawyers – than Facebook may be the best advertising avenue.  You can target the 12,120 people who Facebook lists under Lawyer in the United States.  More key words such as law or legal would increase the number of prospects.

The Facebook ads we have managed for clients have worked well to drive traffic and convert to sales.  Like websites the better and more targeted the landing page the better the conversion rate.

If you use Facebook as your landing page a custom Facebook page using iFrames is worth your consideration.  Earlier this year Facebook opened up their system to iFrames giving marketers, designers and developers new opportunities.

Gateway pages are also a good option if your goal is to increase the number of Likes on a Facebook page.  A gateway page requires the visitor to like the page before they can get to the goodies on the other side.  Targeted Facebook ads leading to such pages seem to be effective.  More data is needed, but the case studies seem encouraging.

Facebook Ads will work if you have great headlines to attract the clicks and a valuable well presented relevent offer on the other side.

Rosh

• A) tumbler passes WordPress.
• B) Google image and voice search.
• C) Twitter integrated into new Apple ios (no Facebook).
• D) Google Calendar appointments.

• A) Forget the coffee.
• B) Give them a title.
• C) Let them have fun.

5) Action item: Get an intern!

This button may be found the next time you check into your favorite retail location via Facebook Places.  The new button gives you the opportunity to offer your thoughts behind the recommendation.  A good tip for your friends is always nice.

The recommendation will show up in your news feed for your friends to view.

Rosh