No doubt about it, people are concerned about the uncertain economic times we find ourselves in. More specifically, their own job security, continued business success, and the value of their investment and retirement portfolios.Everything and everyone seems to be at risk. Indeed, these are uncertain times, and for many people, there is a great deal of anxiety over this economic turmoil. Many people feel powerless and are at a loss to cope. There are however ways in which you can thrive in the midst of all this uncertainty. Here are several simple ideas I would like to suggest you consider that may help you weather the current stormy seas our world finds itself in right now.
Take a media fast.
Don't listen to the radio, watch the television news or read the newspapers. This may sound a little over-simplified, but the truth is the media amplifies the inherent fear people have in this situation. Most of what goes on in the media is hype and overstatement. The media business is based on creating an overstated, sensationalized point of view. I am not suggesting that the media does not accurately report the facts. I am simply suggesting that the media amplifies the insecurity of the situation, and in many ways, is a distorted and biased lens that does not support a more balanced and neutral assessment of our current circumstances. It is far better for you to trust your own inner wisdom about your financial circumstances and not let any outside influences breed more uncertainty in your life. Do yourself a favor and go on a media fast.
Think about others, not yourself.
Uncertainty and fear drives people into an isolated point of view. A more useful approach is to focus on the areas of your life where you can be of value to others. Find ways to help instill confidence and light into people's lives. This shifts your energy into a more useful vibration and puts you in a place of wisdom and service. Others will sense your confidence, steadfastness and contribution and this will take the focus off your own worry. In turn, you become a source of inspiration to others and the value you bring to them increases.
Focus on current opportunities and forget the future.
There is no future out there. Everything that is happening is happening now. There is always room, in any situation, for a better idea. Think about how, in your current circumstances, you can create new opportunities to do things differently. You might find any number of things to improve in your present situation that will set you up nicely for when things turn around-which they inevitably will do. You may take this time to learn new skills, develop greater financial disciplines, align your life priorities in a direction that serves you. This puts you in a position of strength and removes the illusion of weakness and powerlessness. There is always opportunity in every circumstance. Your power to create a result resides here and now. Forget the future.
Focus on creating more rewarding relationships.
In uncertain times, it is natural to worry about the commodity of our jobs, products, and businesses. We may put a great deal of worry into how vulnerable and replaceable we may be. In uncertain times, it is more useful to strengthen your relationships with people- your employer, your customer, your family, your community. By putting energy into the practice of strengthening all your relationships, you will add greater value to the people around you. In turn, the value of what you have to offer the world is increased.
Focus on what is available to you now, not what's missing.
Uncertainty has a way of putting your focus on lack and limitation. When things adversely change around us, we tend to fixate on what is no longer available to us. A more useful strategy is to put your focus on what resources are available now. What skills, talents and inspired ideas can you use right now. Resourcefulness is a great discipline in times of uncertainty, and the results prove more powerful when things turn positive again. You have, whether you know it or not, all the resources within you to prosper no matter the outer circumstances. This idea is very empowering and puts you in a higher state of mind to be inspired to think of better, bigger ideas about creating value. Work with every resource at your disposal and your confidence and faith will grow.
You can't control anything, don't waste your precious energy trying.
Regardless of what is happening in the world, you can't control people, places or things. You can, however, control your responses to the events in your own life. Everything is a choice. Choosing to respond in a manner that serves you is a useful skill. There's nothing like adversity to sharpen this life skill. In any circumstance, everyone has to make a basic decision: complain and bitch, or engage life with more creativity and ingenuity. It is always your choice. Life will always be full of surprises, twists, turns- it's always going to be something. Change just is. In the light of your own inspired thought, you will soon recognize the freedom of just letting things outside yourself be and trust that, underneath it, all is well.
Always be in gratitude.
This is the most important strategy you can employ in tough, uncertain times. No matter how bad it is, there is ALWAYS something in your life for which you can be grateful... start with the fact that you are still alive and able to play the game of life! A feeling of lack and limitation cannot exist within a mind that is focused on being grateful. Gratitude is an amazing tool for your best thinking to emerge and your results to transform your life.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Endless Possibilities
Direct selling which involves over 60 million people around the world will be at the center of discussions during the direct selling conference and adjoining exhibition in May 2008.
With part time work now becoming legal in Dubai, direct selling can give many people the opportunity to earn extra income, especially women and students.
Direct Selling also known as Multi Level Marketing, is the sale of a consumer product or service, person-to-person, away from a fixed retail location, which has become a large part of the economy in many countries. In Japan, sales through direct selling reach $22.4bn annually, while the US holds the record with $30.47bn.
"Direct Selling is a multi billion industry, which has not been exploited in this part of the world. Bearing in mind that 85% in the business are women, I think we will have considerable interest from women here", comments Niousha Ehsan, Marketing Manager, Direct Selling Festival.
Market leaders in Direct Selling like Forever Living Products, Avon, DXN, Tahitian Noni and Sisel International, in UAE are joining hands to support this movement. The exhibition helps the Direct Selling industry to prosper and accelerate the growth by increasing the stature and credibility of direct selling companies and associations here in the region.
The Direct Selling Educational Institute (DSEI) has been set up to "promote the industry, establish professionalism among direct sellers and create a regulatory framework for government approval," said Poorya Montaseri, the organization's founding director.
During the conference industry experts such as Professor Charles King, Tim Sales, Dr. Ellie Drake and Benjamin Tan - Founding member of Direct Selling Association of Singapore will discuss opportunities and will provide sales, marketing & personal development trainings for interested entrepreneurs in the Middle East who want to join this growing industry.
Direct Selling Festival, scheduled to be held from 17th to 19th May 2008 in Dubai will unveil the infinite opportunities of this new world of Direct Selling and explore how the industry is going to change the lives of thousands in the coming years.
Direct Selling is gaining momentum throughout the region as a legitimate and profitable way of doing business and has already been successful in stabilizing the grass roots economies of many countries.
With part time work now becoming legal in Dubai, direct selling can give many people the opportunity to earn extra income, especially women and students.
Direct Selling also known as Multi Level Marketing, is the sale of a consumer product or service, person-to-person, away from a fixed retail location, which has become a large part of the economy in many countries. In Japan, sales through direct selling reach $22.4bn annually, while the US holds the record with $30.47bn.
"Direct Selling is a multi billion industry, which has not been exploited in this part of the world. Bearing in mind that 85% in the business are women, I think we will have considerable interest from women here", comments Niousha Ehsan, Marketing Manager, Direct Selling Festival.
Market leaders in Direct Selling like Forever Living Products, Avon, DXN, Tahitian Noni and Sisel International, in UAE are joining hands to support this movement. The exhibition helps the Direct Selling industry to prosper and accelerate the growth by increasing the stature and credibility of direct selling companies and associations here in the region.
The Direct Selling Educational Institute (DSEI) has been set up to "promote the industry, establish professionalism among direct sellers and create a regulatory framework for government approval," said Poorya Montaseri, the organization's founding director.
During the conference industry experts such as Professor Charles King, Tim Sales, Dr. Ellie Drake and Benjamin Tan - Founding member of Direct Selling Association of Singapore will discuss opportunities and will provide sales, marketing & personal development trainings for interested entrepreneurs in the Middle East who want to join this growing industry.
Direct Selling Festival, scheduled to be held from 17th to 19th May 2008 in Dubai will unveil the infinite opportunities of this new world of Direct Selling and explore how the industry is going to change the lives of thousands in the coming years.
Direct Selling is gaining momentum throughout the region as a legitimate and profitable way of doing business and has already been successful in stabilizing the grass roots economies of many countries.
Twelve differences between those who dream and those who act
Twelve differences between those who dream and those who act
1.Wanna-be's obsess about ideas. Entrepreneurs obsess about implementation. Don't get stuck in Analysis Paralysis. Look at what the top income producers are doing and copy them. No need to re-invent the wheel.
2.Wanna-be's want more web traffic. Entrepreneurs focus on sales conversion. Use a marketing system that closes the sales FOR you! You do not want to be a sales person. You also want a system that will do this for your new members as well, giving you the ability to earn ridiculous amounts of residual income.
3.Wanna-be's focus on positive thinking. Entrepreneurs plan for multiple contingencies. Positive thinking is important but you are not a Jedi, yet. You cannot move things with your mind or conjure money out of thin air. Positive thinking will only get you so far. You must have Positive thinking combined with specific, targeted action.
4.Wanna-be's want to get on TV and get "famous." Entrepreneurs build their businesses and their list. Let the ego go. Your only goal is to make as much money as possible as quickly as possible. This will inspire others to do the same.
5.Wanna-be's seek a perfect plan and wait for the perfect time. Entrepreneurs execute and take action when they see an opportunity. Entrepreneurs accept educated risk and are able to make big decisions quickly once they have all the information. Make a decision and take some risk. No successful entrepreneur accomplished any significant by playing it safe!
6.Wanna-be's wait for their lucky break. Entrepreneurs take responsibility and create their OWN circumstances.
7.Wanna-be's fear looking stupid in front of their friends. Entrepreneurs willingly risk making fools of themselves, knowing that long-term success is a good trade for short-term loss of image. Don't listen to your friends and family-They are BROKE. They have zero credibility as far as financial decisions are concerned. Surround yourself with people who have results and do what they do. This is the only way to fast track your wealth.
8.Wanna-be's shield their precious ideas from harsh reality, postponing the verdict of success or failure until 'someday.' Entrepreneurs expose their ideas to cold reality as soon as reasonably possible. Don't be afraid to look stupid. That is just ego screwing with you. One way to know you are on the right track is when you lose anything in common with all of your brokes friends and family. They don't count, unless you want their results! PERIOD!
9.Wanna-be's put off practicing basketball until they've got Air Jordan's. Entrepreneurs practice barefoot behind the garage. Stop waiting for the perfect time, the perfect opportunity, the perfect situation. Take decisive action now and stop procrastinating.
10.Wanna-be's believe what they're told. Entrepreneurs do original research and make their own decisions. Do your due diligence and follow you gut. It will rarely lead you astray.
11.Wanna-be's believe they can do anything. Entrepreneurs use systems and technology to solve the variables that most people struggle with.
12.Wanna-be's think about the world in terms of COULD and SHOULD. Entrepreneurs think in terms of IS and CAN BE.
You can have it all if you really believe you can. Figure out who you are, what you want, and stop settling for less!
Contact Linda on 0433544328 OR Anan on 0427011003.
OR visit our website at http://www.highway2wealth.info
1.Wanna-be's obsess about ideas. Entrepreneurs obsess about implementation. Don't get stuck in Analysis Paralysis. Look at what the top income producers are doing and copy them. No need to re-invent the wheel.
2.Wanna-be's want more web traffic. Entrepreneurs focus on sales conversion. Use a marketing system that closes the sales FOR you! You do not want to be a sales person. You also want a system that will do this for your new members as well, giving you the ability to earn ridiculous amounts of residual income.
3.Wanna-be's focus on positive thinking. Entrepreneurs plan for multiple contingencies. Positive thinking is important but you are not a Jedi, yet. You cannot move things with your mind or conjure money out of thin air. Positive thinking will only get you so far. You must have Positive thinking combined with specific, targeted action.
4.Wanna-be's want to get on TV and get "famous." Entrepreneurs build their businesses and their list. Let the ego go. Your only goal is to make as much money as possible as quickly as possible. This will inspire others to do the same.
5.Wanna-be's seek a perfect plan and wait for the perfect time. Entrepreneurs execute and take action when they see an opportunity. Entrepreneurs accept educated risk and are able to make big decisions quickly once they have all the information. Make a decision and take some risk. No successful entrepreneur accomplished any significant by playing it safe!
6.Wanna-be's wait for their lucky break. Entrepreneurs take responsibility and create their OWN circumstances.
7.Wanna-be's fear looking stupid in front of their friends. Entrepreneurs willingly risk making fools of themselves, knowing that long-term success is a good trade for short-term loss of image. Don't listen to your friends and family-They are BROKE. They have zero credibility as far as financial decisions are concerned. Surround yourself with people who have results and do what they do. This is the only way to fast track your wealth.
8.Wanna-be's shield their precious ideas from harsh reality, postponing the verdict of success or failure until 'someday.' Entrepreneurs expose their ideas to cold reality as soon as reasonably possible. Don't be afraid to look stupid. That is just ego screwing with you. One way to know you are on the right track is when you lose anything in common with all of your brokes friends and family. They don't count, unless you want their results! PERIOD!
9.Wanna-be's put off practicing basketball until they've got Air Jordan's. Entrepreneurs practice barefoot behind the garage. Stop waiting for the perfect time, the perfect opportunity, the perfect situation. Take decisive action now and stop procrastinating.
10.Wanna-be's believe what they're told. Entrepreneurs do original research and make their own decisions. Do your due diligence and follow you gut. It will rarely lead you astray.
11.Wanna-be's believe they can do anything. Entrepreneurs use systems and technology to solve the variables that most people struggle with.
12.Wanna-be's think about the world in terms of COULD and SHOULD. Entrepreneurs think in terms of IS and CAN BE.
You can have it all if you really believe you can. Figure out who you are, what you want, and stop settling for less!
Contact Linda on 0433544328 OR Anan on 0427011003.
OR visit our website at http://www.highway2wealth.info
29 lines to make you smile
1. My husband and I divorced over religious differences. He thought he was God and I didn't.
2.. I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.
3.. Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.
4.. I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.
5.. Don't take life too seriously; No one gets out alive.
6.. You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.
7.. Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
8.. Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
9.. I'm not a complete idiot -- Some parts are just missing.
10... Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.
11.. NyQuil, the stuffy, sneezy, why-the-heck-is-the-room-spinning medicine.
12.. God must love stupid people; He made so many.
13.. The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
14.. Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.
15.. Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
16.. Being 'over the hill' is much better than being under it!
17.. Wrinkled Was Not One of the Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew up.
18 Procrastinate Now!
19.. I Have a Degree in Liberal Arts; Do You Want Fries With That?
20.. A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
21.. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance.
22.. Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere!
23..They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken.
24.. He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless DEAD.
25.. A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand times the memory.
26.. Ham and eggs...A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.
27.. The trouble with life is there's no background music.
28.. The original point and click interface was a Smith & Wesson.
29.. I smile because I don't know what the heck is going on.
Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends!
Life is too short and friends are too few!
2.. I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.
3.. Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.
4.. I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.
5.. Don't take life too seriously; No one gets out alive.
6.. You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.
7.. Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
8.. Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
9.. I'm not a complete idiot -- Some parts are just missing.
10... Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.
11.. NyQuil, the stuffy, sneezy, why-the-heck-is-the-room-spinning medicine.
12.. God must love stupid people; He made so many.
13.. The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
14.. Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.
15.. Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
16.. Being 'over the hill' is much better than being under it!
17.. Wrinkled Was Not One of the Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew up.
18 Procrastinate Now!
19.. I Have a Degree in Liberal Arts; Do You Want Fries With That?
20.. A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
21.. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance.
22.. Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere!
23..They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken.
24.. He who dies with the most toys is nonetheless DEAD.
25.. A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand times the memory.
26.. Ham and eggs...A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.
27.. The trouble with life is there's no background music.
28.. The original point and click interface was a Smith & Wesson.
29.. I smile because I don't know what the heck is going on.
Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends!
Life is too short and friends are too few!
Search Engine Optimization Techniques and Tips For Google, Bing, Yahoo
SEO Internet Marketing firm provides 9 free Search Engine Optimization techniques and tips for Google Caffeine, Yahoo and Bing.
Online PR News – 16-March-2010 – Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Optimization firm provides nine free techniques and tips for maximizing your SEO Internet marketing efforts for Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Including the impending full launch of the Google Caffeine infrastructure and algorithm update. Each of these free tips and techniques are firmly grounded in Best Practice SEO methods and applicable to all major Search Engines and include both on site SEO and off site SEO.
The following free tips and techniques are being provided by Irbtrax SEO Social Media Internet Marketing. To view additional articles and releases related to Search Engine Optimization visit:
SEO-Search-Engine-Optimization
To view additional articles and releases related to Google Best Practice SEO methods visit:
Google-Caffeine-Updates
1. Review your Meta Title and Description Tags (MTDT)- Your MTDT are very important due to search relevancy and accuracy of site indexing. Clear, concise, and informative Meta Tags produce higher ranking SERP's.
2. Review your sub MTDT- It’s also important to evaluate your sub MTDT to ensure they are accurate, concise, and relevant. Accurate and effective sub MTDT can often rank higher than your primary landing page Meta Tag.
3. Your Title Tag should contain one of your most important keyword search phrases. Be sure it‘s the proper length or it will be truncated.
4. Your Description Tag offers you a chance to clearly and concisely explain what you offer and why people should visit your site. Including a quantifiable benefit or selling point will help reduce click-through. Reducing click-through will result in more traffic. More traffic will result in more leads or sales.
5. Optimize and update website content on a regular basis- Content should be relevant to a site's theme, products or services. It’s also important if this content clearly written, concise and contains proper grammar. After all, your website is a direct reflection of your online image. Keep in mind that content contained graphic images cannot be read by Search Engine spiders.
6. Analyze and improve your Site/page download times- While it's not yet clear how much emphasis Google or other Search Engines are placing on site down load times what is clear is the following: Slow loading websites frustrate visitors. Frustrated visitors look elsewhere for their needs. They will back click off your website and visit your competition. Resulting in a poor conversion rates and lost leads. Keep in mind that many searches are now being done by I-phones. Many I-phone connections tend to be similar to 56K dial up services. Performing a Y2K technology test is highly recommended.
7. Provide fresh and updated website content- Fresh and updated content reflects a site that's not stagnant. Your visitors and Search Engine crawlers take notice of this activity. Your audiences search trends change so it's important to monitor them and change your content to reflect this. Failure to do so will leave the door open for your competition to gain higher Search Engine Results Pages (SERP's).
8. Include only Quality outbound links in your website- There are high quality and low quality outbound links. High quality outbound links are links that are relevant to your website's core subject or service. Avoid link exchange offers (cross linking) that don’t relate at all to your business or service. Also avoid paying for multiple inbound links that are submitted to obscure sources around the globe. Indications are that these practices can result in your site being penalized by Search Engines. Your website should contain high quality outbound links that educate or persuade your visitors. This will increase their Time On Site and lead to more conversions.
9. Create Quality inbound links- Avoid 'link farming' at all costs. This practice can result in your website being penalized. The most effective and highest rated links are those that are created organically through articles, Social Media platforms, press releases, human edited industry related news or resource sites.
For additional details on how your company can its SEO efforts for the Major Search Engines including the impending full launch of Google Caffeine visit the Irbtrax website displayed below the 'Media' section of this release or view:
http://www.irbtrax.com/Google-Caffeine-Updates.php
Online PR News – 16-March-2010 – Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Optimization firm provides nine free techniques and tips for maximizing your SEO Internet marketing efforts for Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Including the impending full launch of the Google Caffeine infrastructure and algorithm update. Each of these free tips and techniques are firmly grounded in Best Practice SEO methods and applicable to all major Search Engines and include both on site SEO and off site SEO.
The following free tips and techniques are being provided by Irbtrax SEO Social Media Internet Marketing. To view additional articles and releases related to Search Engine Optimization visit:
SEO-Search-Engine-Optimization
To view additional articles and releases related to Google Best Practice SEO methods visit:
Google-Caffeine-Updates
1. Review your Meta Title and Description Tags (MTDT)- Your MTDT are very important due to search relevancy and accuracy of site indexing. Clear, concise, and informative Meta Tags produce higher ranking SERP's.
2. Review your sub MTDT- It’s also important to evaluate your sub MTDT to ensure they are accurate, concise, and relevant. Accurate and effective sub MTDT can often rank higher than your primary landing page Meta Tag.
3. Your Title Tag should contain one of your most important keyword search phrases. Be sure it‘s the proper length or it will be truncated.
4. Your Description Tag offers you a chance to clearly and concisely explain what you offer and why people should visit your site. Including a quantifiable benefit or selling point will help reduce click-through. Reducing click-through will result in more traffic. More traffic will result in more leads or sales.
5. Optimize and update website content on a regular basis- Content should be relevant to a site's theme, products or services. It’s also important if this content clearly written, concise and contains proper grammar. After all, your website is a direct reflection of your online image. Keep in mind that content contained graphic images cannot be read by Search Engine spiders.
6. Analyze and improve your Site/page download times- While it's not yet clear how much emphasis Google or other Search Engines are placing on site down load times what is clear is the following: Slow loading websites frustrate visitors. Frustrated visitors look elsewhere for their needs. They will back click off your website and visit your competition. Resulting in a poor conversion rates and lost leads. Keep in mind that many searches are now being done by I-phones. Many I-phone connections tend to be similar to 56K dial up services. Performing a Y2K technology test is highly recommended.
7. Provide fresh and updated website content- Fresh and updated content reflects a site that's not stagnant. Your visitors and Search Engine crawlers take notice of this activity. Your audiences search trends change so it's important to monitor them and change your content to reflect this. Failure to do so will leave the door open for your competition to gain higher Search Engine Results Pages (SERP's).
8. Include only Quality outbound links in your website- There are high quality and low quality outbound links. High quality outbound links are links that are relevant to your website's core subject or service. Avoid link exchange offers (cross linking) that don’t relate at all to your business or service. Also avoid paying for multiple inbound links that are submitted to obscure sources around the globe. Indications are that these practices can result in your site being penalized by Search Engines. Your website should contain high quality outbound links that educate or persuade your visitors. This will increase their Time On Site and lead to more conversions.
9. Create Quality inbound links- Avoid 'link farming' at all costs. This practice can result in your website being penalized. The most effective and highest rated links are those that are created organically through articles, Social Media platforms, press releases, human edited industry related news or resource sites.
For additional details on how your company can its SEO efforts for the Major Search Engines including the impending full launch of Google Caffeine visit the Irbtrax website displayed below the 'Media' section of this release or view:
http://www.irbtrax.com/Google-Caffeine-Updates.php
How Facebook overtook Google in the US – and why your business needs to act
Businesses must take notice of recent figures showing Facebook overtook Google to become the most popular site in the US during the last week and establish marketing campaigns on the social networking giant, a social media expert has suggested.
The most recent figures from Hitwise show Facebook secured 7.07% of hits in the United States during the week ending March 13. While it has previously become the most popular site on certain days, such as Christmas Eve, it is the first instance in which Facebook has overtaken Google for an entire week.
The internet search giant, comparatively, has fallen to second place in the rankings for the week with a market share of just 7.03%.
The social network recorded an increase in hits of 185% year-on-year, compared to Google's rise of just 9%. However, the statistics did not include hits from Google's other sites including YouTube, Google Maps or Gmail.
Matt Tatham from Hitwise told news network CNN the milestone was "definitely a big moment for Facebook, even though they beat by a small margin". He also added that "people want information from friends they trust, versus the anonymity of a search engine".
The announcement from Hitwise has caused some analysts to encourage businesses onto Facebook, saying it is a thriving marketing platform and more companies need to get on board. It comes as more and more SMEs are utilising Facebook as a campaign driver, information network or even shopfront.
Con Frantzeskos, digital strategist at DDB, also says he encourages businesses to use social networks such as Facebook but says they must think carefully about their plans before making a move.
"Businesses must have a reason for being online, and we would define that across three areas: education, engaging or entertaining, or a mixture of the above. Just ask yourself the questions, are you using your website as a hub? Would you use Facebook as an alternative website?"
"You also have to ask yourself what type of content you're putting up there. Is it specific? Why or why not? How will you create the content that goes on there? Think about every single thing you put on the Facebook page and how it relates to the overall business. Don't think of the website and Facebook as separate, think of them as different channels to market that are connected."
Frantzeskos says Facebook fan pages are incredibly powerful tools for marketing, providing analytics breakdowns as powerful as rival sites. But he also says there are certain things a business must consider in order for their page to really take off.
"It's different for every business, but for a Facebook fan page you need to think about whether you are reflecting the original website or making something different. Think about whether you want specific content like video, or whether you'll refer back to the original website. Be careful about the content that's going up there."
"Additionally, keep in mind that fan pages have a long, long lifespan. If you're running a campaign about something, and the campaign changes, it's impossible to change the fan page name and it would be hard to let people know that it is obsolete. Assume everything you are building on Facebook is for the long-term."
Several companies including computer manufacturer Dell have managed to establish Facebook fan pages as another revenue source. Frantzeskos says this is a viable path, but businesses need to ensure buying products on Facebook is as easy as possible.
"My strong advice would be that you make it as easy as possible for people to buy. If they are on the site and can't interact with anything, it's extremely difficult. Remove the barriers to people interacting or buying, and if you can't do that, at least link back to the original site or ecommerce platform."
Patrick Stafford
The most recent figures from Hitwise show Facebook secured 7.07% of hits in the United States during the week ending March 13. While it has previously become the most popular site on certain days, such as Christmas Eve, it is the first instance in which Facebook has overtaken Google for an entire week.
The internet search giant, comparatively, has fallen to second place in the rankings for the week with a market share of just 7.03%.
The social network recorded an increase in hits of 185% year-on-year, compared to Google's rise of just 9%. However, the statistics did not include hits from Google's other sites including YouTube, Google Maps or Gmail.
Matt Tatham from Hitwise told news network CNN the milestone was "definitely a big moment for Facebook, even though they beat by a small margin". He also added that "people want information from friends they trust, versus the anonymity of a search engine".
The announcement from Hitwise has caused some analysts to encourage businesses onto Facebook, saying it is a thriving marketing platform and more companies need to get on board. It comes as more and more SMEs are utilising Facebook as a campaign driver, information network or even shopfront.
Con Frantzeskos, digital strategist at DDB, also says he encourages businesses to use social networks such as Facebook but says they must think carefully about their plans before making a move.
"Businesses must have a reason for being online, and we would define that across three areas: education, engaging or entertaining, or a mixture of the above. Just ask yourself the questions, are you using your website as a hub? Would you use Facebook as an alternative website?"
"You also have to ask yourself what type of content you're putting up there. Is it specific? Why or why not? How will you create the content that goes on there? Think about every single thing you put on the Facebook page and how it relates to the overall business. Don't think of the website and Facebook as separate, think of them as different channels to market that are connected."
Frantzeskos says Facebook fan pages are incredibly powerful tools for marketing, providing analytics breakdowns as powerful as rival sites. But he also says there are certain things a business must consider in order for their page to really take off.
"It's different for every business, but for a Facebook fan page you need to think about whether you are reflecting the original website or making something different. Think about whether you want specific content like video, or whether you'll refer back to the original website. Be careful about the content that's going up there."
"Additionally, keep in mind that fan pages have a long, long lifespan. If you're running a campaign about something, and the campaign changes, it's impossible to change the fan page name and it would be hard to let people know that it is obsolete. Assume everything you are building on Facebook is for the long-term."
Several companies including computer manufacturer Dell have managed to establish Facebook fan pages as another revenue source. Frantzeskos says this is a viable path, but businesses need to ensure buying products on Facebook is as easy as possible.
"My strong advice would be that you make it as easy as possible for people to buy. If they are on the site and can't interact with anything, it's extremely difficult. Remove the barriers to people interacting or buying, and if you can't do that, at least link back to the original site or ecommerce platform."
Patrick Stafford
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