Archive for the ‘Facebook’ Category

We don’t need a map.  That’s what my van full of friends told me as we left Erie, PA and headed to Niagara Falls, Canada for a Christmas shopping extravaganza on a cold December evening in 1996. I ALWAYS travel with a map. I almost spoke up, but, I thought, “These ladies are locals and they’ve made this trip before.” Three hours later, we were circling a Canadian lake in a small, unknown town laughing all the way but without a clue how to get to our hotel. Soon, a Canadian policeman graciously came to our rescue and escorted us–with lights twirling–back to a major road that my friends recognized!

We did make it to the hotel without a map, but I ask you, Did we need a map?

How about your facebook page visitors? Do they need a map to do business with you on Facebook?  If you ask them, they would say, “We know how to get around facebook, write a comment on a wall, Like a page or post a status update.” But, do they know how to do business with you on Facebook?

Facebook, by default, lands your visitors on the Wall tab. While everyone knows how to read a wall and make comments, it isn’t always easy to drive business from there. In fact, your business is going to be influenced by the last comment posted. Even if it is a positive comment, it is typically a supporting business message rather than a core business message.  And, worse, it could be a negative comment that is viewed before you post a business-building positive response! 

The solution is to drive the user experience (and first impressions) with a custom landing page. Don’t leave your visitors circling the FB wall unsure of how you serve them. Show them the way. Change your default landing page from the Wall to a custom tab.

I’ve changed my landing page on facebook.com/socialmediaexplained to the Welcome tab. 

On the Welcome tab, I:

1. Welcome visitors!

2. Share my core message, the mission of Daystar New Media, Inc.

3. And, provide information with links on how I can be of service to my FB guests.

Visitors will still make it to the wall to read the comments and interact with you which is a valuable experience for them.  But, that experience will come after you’ve provided them a map on how your business can serve them.  

Page visitors might eventually get this information without a custom Welcome tab, but providing one will save them time and the need for a police escort!  

You can do this too.  Here’s how:

1. Go to your facebook page and click the Edit Page link on the top left column. (Page Admins only will have the Edit Page link.)

2. Click Wall Settings to expand options

3. Under Default Landing Tab for Everyone Else, select the landing page.

Next week, I’m heading to Cleveland, OH to meet up with the Erie, PA friends who took me on my most memorable shopping trip ever.  I’m bringing the map!