Facebook and other internet sites

[gesso]

Anyone used these social sites to promote their businesses. I was searching face book a while ago and was amazed at how many framing companies world wide that were on. I realized that it may be a good way of promoting a business esp if you don't have a website

I put mine up a while ago open to the public (i think) another networking idea?

http://www.facebook.com/

search for ; riverside framing norwich

[Bill Henry]

I have heard that several Grumblers have a presence on FaceBook, but I haven’t been able to check them out.

First, you need to be a member to do any looking, so I wonder how effective it would be for businesses. At least, I think you have to be a member. I’ve had several people invite me to look at their profile, but haven’t been able to get on without signing in … or, I’m missing something.

Second, from what I understand, the data you need to submit when signing up isn’t necessarily private. They can use it for marketing. I get enough of that already.

Thirdly, I have the (perhaps mistaken) bias that FaceBook is for giggling teenagers who have to tell their friends how awful their parents are treating them and, “Don’t tell Marsha, but Ollie has a crush on Leslie” is the norm.

[gesso]

1 YES you need to sign up, (just like any site) if you leave your profile public anyone can view world wide

2 I haven't seen any additional email (spam) etc but you can add or leave off info you dont want shared like any site.

3 If you do visit facebook (Im afraid you will have to sign up to do that)!
You will find a hugh collection of other groups (175 MILLION ACTIVE USERS) the Giggling teenage element are a small fraction.
Don't forget this is a world wide community and that includes institutes, organizations ARTISTS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, etc.

I'm sure its not for everyone but in times that are facing us..............and its FREE

[The Tabmaster]

I'm on Facebook all of the time (under me, not the company). Its great (or not so great depending on who it is) for finding old mates and school friends. I've never seen a reason to use it for business and can't understand how it would help. I think the only benefit for framers would be the groups and have a group thing going on...maybe someone could do a Jolly Good Framer group???

[gesso]

yes I agree the main benefits are more on a individual level It just seemed to me another way of getting your services out there. And maybe with the group idea, being able to give easy updates on what you were upto, new lines , a more social way of keeping your customer base informed.
( Don't get me wrong, I'm not sure of the benefits either, still working on that one )
There maybe limitations as far as business is concerned but I think is't a market place where you have a possibility to increase your company's profile, especially were groups are concerned, introducing your company to relevant local groups (artist, etc) for instance.

[Bill Henry]

You might wish to do a search on the Grumble to see what other framers' experiences are.

I tend to be a pessiment, but some of the folks on there my have had positive experiences and may be able to offer suggestions.

[gesso]

Being not the ordinary framing company I find it hard to relate to other framing company's. I tend to tread a lonely path however,....My mind isn't made up with this method so I've put a stat counter to work and ill report back if there's any noticeable increase in hits. In the meantime there are an amazing amount of professional arts related groups on there so (not that its my place to say but ) you might want to at least alter your perception that facebook is swarming with those nasty little critters (my description not yours) collectively called teenagers.

[Keith Hewitt]

I am surprised how many Grumblers of a certain vintage are on FB

[Lianne]

We've only just set up a Facebook group for our business, but we figured for all that it will never bring in much work, it's free so even if just one person comes to us with a framing job from it, it's been worth it!

The same goes for Twitter, although I think that the Twitter audience is a little different that Facebook up to now. I think it's easier to keep Twitter updated and direct people straight to our website or show images of our work that it will be keeping Facebook up to date enough to make anyone interested, but time will tell!

Li

[katlazy08]

It's a funny one... Facebook can be fantastic for some businesses, but not for others.

You can do very targeted advertising (without having to set up a Facebook account as a person), selecting people between ages x - y, who are male or female, who are interested in art, photography, etc... but I think if you plan on creating a page or a group, then you've got to think about what value you are giving to people you're trying to entice...

I don't think 'Hello I'm on Facebook is enough', so thinking of things that would be useful/interesting/funny for people.

What things have you seen companies on Facebook doing that you thought was a good idea?

K