Grab Your Facebook URL Before Somone Else Does!

How funny. Facebook must have heard me telling everyone how annoying and particularly ineffective their idea of not giving us the ability to create our own username was (i.e. www.facebook.com/myname vs. www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=12345678). I wonder if anyone actually made business cards with the above address on it....Hmmm. Looks pretty spammy to me.

Or, maybe the fact that a third-party application was invented to help provide at least a somewhat better alternative (http://companies.to/mellottmarketinggroup/ ) and Facebook finally caught on. (See my previous post.)

Either way, it's going to be exciting because tomorrow at 9:01 PM PST/12:01 AM EST you will be able to grab and assign your own unique username to your facebook URL. I remember doing this when I signed up for MySpace in 2005. Why did it take so many YEARS to figure out and adapt? You got me.

So why is this a big deal and why should you care?

Well, for all the Steve Smiths and Jill Jones out there and others who have common names, it will be a mad dash to literally be the first, and only, person to get their chosen name. Or even Steve or Jill alone. It's also a big deal for people and/or businesses who have a branding strategy already in mind. Once you assign the name - it can't be changed. Facebook is pretty strict with making sure you are the person or company you say you are, so this will definitely be enforced. They have already created steps to take if your trademarked or copywritten identity is taken by someone else. They've also prevented "squatting" - where people try to scoop up popular domain names and sell them later for cash. Facebook usernames will be non-transferable. GO, Facebook.

Here's what they don't tell you in the articles you may have read. The following applies to Administrators who run a Facebook Page:

1. If you're ready to go grab www.Facebook.com/Marketing or whatever generic word that describes your business, think again. They won't approve it. Bummer, huh?

2. Do you have under 1,000 fans? If so, your username won't be approved. This is something that people are ranting and raving about. I am one of them. Make enough noise, and we may get the attention of the powers that be.


Creating your new Facebook URL will be a huge opportunity for companies to build their online presence. As a Marketing Coach, I highly urge you to take a look at your strategies for PR, Marketing and Advertising and make sure you have a great plan. I am a big stickler for your brand image to remain consistent. This applies to your URLs. Try to keep them as close as possible, and remember - you only have one time to make a first impression!

Overall, it should be an interesting Friday night.

Post in the comments what your chosen username will be!

Create an Easy Link to Your Facebook Account

Ever been frustrated when you want someone to add your Facebook account and they can't find you or your company's Page when they go searching for it? Drives me crazy.

This is difficult because Facebook does not allow you to have your own designated URL. For example, MySpace allows you to choose your own URL - i.e. www.myspace.com/whateverIwant. Mine is www.myspace.com/kmellott.

Facebook makes it a little messy, if you want my opinion, although there is always a brilliant third-party application that someone has created to make our lives easier. And I found it!

Simply add the application to give yourself a more clean-looking URL. Mine is
http://companies.to/mellottmarketinggroup/

This is available for companies, celebrities, or regular groups or profiles.

Check out this quick-fix here and your issues will be solved:
http://apps.facebook.com/webaddress/

Hope that makes it easier for all of your adoring fans and clients to find you on Facebook! Getting there shouldn't be the most challenging part!

Tweet, tweet!

For the laugh of the day:




Are you tweeting enough? It's like working out - the more you sweat, the better results you get. Put in the time and you'll be glad you met so many great new people!

So Easy To Promote!

My Act TV :: Talent Broadcast Network

Posted using ShareThis

Don't click quite yet, but take a look at the above link. What do you think it means? Why am I posting this? Well, I had to share another example of how powerful social networking is becoming for different people.

This link leads to a video of my boyfriend performing at a recent event we hosted. As a professional entertainer/vocal coach in Los Angeles, his singing was captured in HD quality video and uploaded onto a site used to promote creative talent. So, what's the big deal about a guy singing, you ask?

The coolest part about discovering this new company, My Act TV, that just launched a few weeks ago, was the brilliant and EASY ways they installed to share this video with others.

Right underneath his video is a link that says "Share This." By clicking on it, another window pops up which gives you 45 different social networking websites to post it to. Yes, I counted them - 45!! My blog (Blogger) was one of them. After selecting the "Blogger" link in this window, it asked me for my log-in name and password. Only a click of the "Post" button, and then - BAM! - off it went. I came here to log-in and write about how cool this feature was.

For this company, the more exposure their artists receive the more exposure their company receives so it's advantageous for them to have every sharing site available. Makes sense, right?

It's the little - and convenient - things that I love. :)

Why Use Social Networking?

I made a fun, short little video for my website (www.MarketingMakesMeSmile.com) and wanted to share it.

By the way, are you using YouTube to promote your business? Your competition is! Ask me for some tips or stay tuned to this blog and my YouTube channel for more to come.

Enjoy!

Twitter Tip Of The Day - Your Bio

Check out these easy tips on how to create a bio that gets people to read it and most importantly - remember you. Want an example? Check out: www.twitter.com/keri_mellott

For more info on using Social Media for your business, jump over to www.MarketingMakesMeSmile.com and sign up for more FREE and easy tips!

Twitter Exec Goes to Iraq

Interesting article. A handful of Social Media execs are traveling to Iraq. Your thoughts on bringing Social Media into Iraq to help them grow as a country? The main objectives are to "build upon anti-corruption efforts, promote critical thinking in the classroom, and scale-up civil society, among other goals."

I'm glad to stay over here and teach people how to use social media instead, thanks. Wow. That could be an intense job that would definitely take my "Smile" out of Marketing! Hope they're safe. I'm blessed and grateful to be typing from the safety of my home, and not in a war zone.

BUT - it is cool how "small" our world is becoming b/c of social media, though, isn't it?

Social Media - giving a loud and powerful voice to anyone who chooses to use it. How are YOU using Social Media?

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/04/21/iraq.twitter.technology/

From Zero to Hero in No Time Flat!

Here's a prime example of how powerful the Internet and viral marketing can be!

Susan Boyle was just a unknown single lady living with her cat, Pebbles, and she has now performed for more than 14 million people (as of this posting) and that's just from this one video channel.

I also love watching this video because it reminds us how we shouldn't judge a book by a cover. Talent comes in all shapes, sizes and ways. Further, NEVER give up on your dreams! Susan had been wishing to sing in front of a large audience since she was 12 years old. A big congratulations and hug goes out to a remarkable 47-yr-old superstar in the making!!

Twitter Founder Speaks

Co-founder/creator of Twitter, Evan Williams, is a genius. He also created this here very blog site, aka Blogger. Smart guy. He talks in this video below about following your hunches and starting side projects (good hunches he had, right?). He helped create the amazing microblogging site that I've been raving about lately, Twitter.

Which side projects are YOU starting on? I believe there's a $100,000 idea inside of everyone.

Evan speaks at TED seminar about how Twitter got started and why:

Twitter Words Defined

DM, #, twitpic, Fail Whale, microblogging, followers...

Wondering what all that Twitter lingo means?

They are very helpful to understand if you want to get the most out of your Twitter experience.

Check out this cool website to get all your answers. Your word not on there? They'll add it! Or you can ask your friendly Social Media Marketing Coach (that's me!) and I'll go to work for ya, too.

Hope this clears up any confusion. Resources are so valuable and cut down on your time and learning curve.

http://twittonary.com/

Tweet, tweet, ya'll!