Intelligence you can count on

After a hiatus, the Look Before You Leap series is back with a couple of additional installments.  If you missed the first part of this self-guided course,  you can read the introduction.  You can also read all previous posts in the series.

Welcome to the sixth lesson in our “Look Before You Leap” series.  Our intention is to help you immerse yourself in the content that makes up the Social Media universe.  In addition to reading about particular topics in social media, we encourage you to get involved – either as an observer, or even better, to dive right in and participate in the conversation.  You’ll quickly see how information spreads, how it is used, and why it should matter to your business.

Today’s theme in Social Media Monitoring is Facebook.

Reading Assignment:

Please read over the following articles about Facebook:

• Getting Started with Facebook for Companies and Organizations
• Levi’s Uses Events Marketing for Sales Promotions
• Facebook discussion thread:  “Does Netflix even monitor this board?”

After reading the articles, answer the following questions:

1. In March 2009, what percentage of Facebook users were over the age of 35?  Do you think this percentage has  increased, or decreased?  Does this make Facebook more or less relevant to  YOUR target demographic?
2. Describe the differences between Personal Pages, Public Pages, and Groups.  What should you use for your corporate page?
3. What are some of Levi’s social media marketing goals, as evidenced by the promotions on their Facebook page?
4. How quickly did Netflix respond to the post on its discussion board?  Do you think the answer was appropriate?  Do you have a strategy for responding to concerns posted in the social media space (Facebook or otherwise?)

Practical Assignment:

Visit Facebook.

If you are not already a Facebook member, sign up.  YOU CAN AND SHOULD RESTRICT YOUR PRIVACY SETTINGS.  Go to top right corner, drop down Account, choose Privacy Settings, and adjust all the options to “Only Friends.”  (unless for some reason you prefer another setting).

Become a fan of FPinfomart by going to the FPinfomart Facebook page and clicking “Like.”

FPinfomart Heartbeat Assignment:

What Facebook content is available in Heartbeat?  Will YOUR Facebook posts show up in Heartbeat?  Why or why not?

DID YOU KNOW?  You can manage your Facebook public pages from within FPinfomart Heartbeat.  Add content, interact with your followers, and get detailed metrics about who is participating in conversations on your Facebook pages.

Congratulations, you’ve finished the sixth Look Before You Leap lesson!  Many people believe that Facebook is strictly a personal tool.  You’ve now increased your understanding of why corporations should get involved with, and monitor, Facebook.