Facebook gets younger… is this a good thing? How parental control software can help.

Daily Worldwide - Kids On FacebookMy recent post was on Internet and Facebook addiction, as specifically relates to teens, tweens, and pre-teens. In the article, I cited a recent study showing that there are actually millions of users under the age of 13, which is the cutoff to join the site. Well, in a move that can either be looked at as “if we can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em,” or an effort to help create a safer environment for those 13 and under, Facebook owner Mark Zuckerberg has decided to allow kids 10-13 to have profiles on the site. These youth profiles will come with more restrictions and precautions, the Facebook brass promises. Zuckerberg and co. rationalize the move as wanting pre-teens to be able to use the site as a “study tool”. Color me dubious.

Ultimately, kids who are on the site either have their parent’s consent already, or are savvy enough to do it under the radar. And really, all’s it takes is a fake birthday, and voilà , Facebook profile. So, while some are viewing this as a good thing by Facebook, I don’t know that it will have much of an impact on the online safety of the kids. They’ll still find a way to work around the restrictions, which is more of a reason for parents to continue to stay on top of their kids’ online activity.

I also want to look at the aspect of social networking in general for kids, and the plusses and minuses. Well, I’m not really sure there are any plusses. I suppose one could argue that it could be used as a study tool by allowing student’s to easily chat with each other, create groups to share information, and just communicate in general with their fellow students. There is certainly some validity to that, however, I personally don’t believe that Facebook, or any other social networking site for that matter, are the right tools for that. They come with too many other pitfalls, distractions and all around bad stuff. And as an adult who uses these sites, I know what a time waster than can be!

There’s also the danger of “Facebook Depression,” recently commented on in this terrific article, Five Ways Parents Can Fight Facebook Depression. One thing the author recommends is banning social media altogether, which can certainly be difficult, but not a bad idea. This is one place where littleye parental control software can be a great benefit, because you can create your own safe filter as well as block specific sites. With younger kids, this is probably an easier thing to accomplish, but with older pre-teens, you may get some conflict. That’s another reason I enjoyed the article noted above, the author emphasized communication above everything, and after all, that’s what it’s all about. Try our parental control software and let us know what you think!

Article for Daily Worldwide & Computer World

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Are Social Networking Sites Making You Money?

Social Networking Sites -  The Hidden Pot Of Gold

 

What I find hilarious is the fact that so many marketers have been saying screw Google and have been crying because they lost all their precious traffic.  Some marketers have loudly switched to doing their ppc campaigns via Facebook.
What’s sad is the fact that right now people are spending a fortune learning the “secrets” (as if there really are any secrets left online) to learn how to use social networking sites  in their marketing.
The reality folks is in about a year or so Facebook will realize what Google has realized. Most marketers are full of shit! OH YA I WENT THERE, and as such Facebook will also start eliminating people from using their advertising because the truth is —-> (It is not about the marketer, it is about the consumers. )  Unfortunately like in all things it only takes a few bad apples to ruin it for the bunch.
I remember the days where you could throw anything up in Google Adwords and bid on any keywords and it  have it only cost a few cents. I was even using Adwords when words like NETWORK MARKETING cost 1.25 a click.  I also learned how to get that cost down to about 20 cents a click, but still over time I saw more and more people exploiting Adwords and taking advantage of the system kinda like people are taking advantage of Facebook now.

 

While I am all for using paid advertising methods, I believe most people are not using these types of sites correctly.  Facebook and Twitter have been raved about for years , this has led most people to just spam their business opportunities. This is not the way to get people to join your business online. The best use of social networking sites is to develop real relationships with people.  Most people aren’t taking advantage of what social networks have to offer.
For Example: Think about how many people on Facebook and Twitter that don’t have blogs.  You will be hard pressed to find anyone who uses these 2 social networking sites effectively who doesn’t own a blog. The reason is because blogging isn’t easy its hard and people don’t like hard. However it is the stuff the most people won’t do that separate winners from losers.
We aren’t talking about rocket science we are talking about blogging. GET REAL there are 12 year old kids blogging. There is no excuse under the sun why a person can’t afford $10 a month on a self hosted blog and learn how to blog.  If you aren’t blogging you should really reconsider doing an online business.   Most people shouldn’t be marketing online anyways, most people should get a job.


I know I sound negative, but I would rather scare someone away from online marketing and save them thousands of dollars in wasted time. I know they are out there because I talk to people almost daily who have spent a fortune online and still have empty pockets.
I spent thousands upon thousands of dollars online, but I love the industry and I love marketing to me I look at all the money I have spent as an investment in my education.

Social Networking Sites -  The Point

Like many of you I was convinced that social networking sites was a way to get people into my business. The thing was I really never understood the connection. At first I viewed it the way I viewed ppc,  “just drive as much traffic as possible to my business offers” the thing is these types of sites don’t really work that way.  People are on these sites because they like to communicate and establish relationships with people.
I created a little site that you can use to build your social following in 3 of the biggest social networking sites online.

Source : http://profitonknowledge.com/social-networking-sites/are-social-networking-sites-making-you-money/

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Cool Design Shoes for Facebook and Twitter Lovers

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Facebook vs. Twitter

I’m not at all thinking about quitting Twitter or stopping to recommend it. Twitter is a valuable social media tool that I wouldn’t want to be without. There are, however, many reasons I prefer Facebook over Twitter, and have switched my primary social media site from Twitter to Facebook.

Facebook vs. Twitter

Here are 16 reasons I like Facebook more than I like Twitter:

Easier for Group Discussion - Facebook discussions and neatly threaded and hashtags are unnecessary.

Rich Functionality - Facebook supports applications, events and instant messaging. Facebook also enables photo, video, link, page and event sharing.

More Powerful Lists - Create as many Facebook lists as you like and use them to manage both communication and privacy.

Better Private Messaging - No automated direct messaging on Facebook. Therefore, your private messages and updates are more manageable.

Less Spam Abuse - Facebook fights spam more effectively than Twitter.

News Feed Optimized for Relevance - Facebook uses edgerank to prioritize our Top News feeds. Optionally, we can choose to view Twitter-like Most Recent News, as well.

True Networking Site - We can create deep online connections with our friends, and we also discover friends-of-friends. Facebook messaging  is a good alternative to email, too.

Website Traffic - In 2009 when I focused on Twitter, I  received 7,834 visits from Twitter with average time on site of 2:10 minutes. Not bad. However, in 2010 when I turned my focus to Facebook, I received 5,134 visits with average time on site of 3:07 minutes and a larger number of blog comments. Facebook visitors tend to engage more than do Twitter visitors. That’s better website traffic.

Less Incentivization - Twitter has become very much about follower counts. People typically follow with the expectation of being followed back and unfollow if that doesn’t happen. Fans and friends on Facebook are much more authentic.

Real People - Facebook is mostly used by real people, while Twitter is mostly operated by robotic software called bots.

No 140 Limit - Facebook allows more than 140 characters per status update,  more than a 160 per bio, and more than one website link per account.

Much Greater Membership - I’m more able to find the people with whom I want to connect on Facebook than on Twitter.

Members Visit More Often - Facebook members are said to log into Facebook more often than Twitter members into Twitter.

Easily Manage Multiple Business Accounts - I can manage multiple Facebook business pages without logging out and back in, and without using third-party desktop clients.

Business Pages are Mini-Websites - Facebook business pages are mini-websites with a landing page and additional pages.

Off-site Integration - Like buttons and like boxes extend the reach of Facebook to blogs and other websites outside the Facebook domain.

Source :  http://online-social-networking.com/tag/facebook

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FACEBOOK FOR BUSINESS TIP: Migrate your ‘friends’ into ‘likes’

I often get asked how to grow numbers – fans and ‘likes’ – on your Facebook Page. There are a slew of techniques you should use on an ongoing basis (for example, well-placed social media icons on your website/blog, in your email signature, and on your marketing materials, to name a few), but one that stands out to me the most is growing your numbers through your personal profile first. Use your personal Facebook profile as a bridge to your Facebook Page.
I hear a lot of people talk about their hesitation to open up their personal accounts to people they don’t know. Listen, if you’re on Facebook to do business, it’s important to understand that your target market does not want to be approached for business first. In fact, I dare say that no one wants to be approached for business first.
People aren’t coming to Facebook to meet their accountant. They’re coming to Facebook to connect, reconnect, and engage with others. They might meet a person who happens to be an accountant and then decide to do business with them, but most likely, potential clients that find business connections have done so because they connected on a personal level first.
This is the crux of social media – the ability to connect and relate to one another first and foremost. Those similarities and interests bring us together and business leads are developed through this organic process.
There are no shortcuts or ways around it. You can’t automate your presence and drive business leads to your site. You either get it or you don’t, but one of the main reason most corporate brands don’t do well using social media is because they don’t have a personality.
My suggestion: clean up your personal profile. Get rid of anything that you think is too much information: pictures of your kids (if you deem this too much information), negative personal details about your life (going through a divorce, you hate your ex-husband’s new girlfriend, etc.) and include bits and pieces of the real you (not the “you” with your skirt over your head drunk in Barcelona), but the essence of who you are: male or female, books and movies you like, and music you listen to – for starters.
Add people as friends to your personal account first. Get to know them, compliment them on their site, and ask them a question about themselves. Then, once a month send out a blanket invitation to all of your friends to invite them to your Page. Don’t pounce on them when they first become your friends. Give it time. Be patient.
When I’m working with a new client, I explain this slow process to the clients so they understand I am not a fairy godmother with a magic wand. This process takes time.
Before Pages existed, I built up my personal profile to include pictures, videos, and descriptions of my interests and activities – my garden, my dog, my kids, my love of beer, my neighborhood. It’s easy to get a sense of who I am when you take a look at my personal profile.
I make it a point to wish people a happy birthday and comment back when people post to my Wall. This is what I mean by engagement. Social media is not the new fangled way to make money, but rather, a new fangled way to meet people.
When Pages became available and after I created my own, I sent out an invitation to my friends list through my Facebook profile and had 400 fans in one day. That happened because I established a relationship with them first – built up some trust before asking for their click.
Asking people to skip over your personal profile and proceed straight to your Page doesn’t work as well. I’ve seen many folks send out return messages after I’ve sent them a friend request telling me that they have too many friends and can’t take on anymore, but to join them over on their Page.
Uh… I don’t think so.
I want to get to know you as a person before I join you over on your Page. I don’t necessarily want to know about your latest business venture but I would like to know basic personal details about you if I’m friending you on Facebook.
And I realize Facebook has a 5,000 friend limit for personal accounts. The notion is that anything over 5000 should naturally migrate over to your Page. And yet, it doesn’t always work that way. The numbers don’t add up as well when people skip over your personal profile before being introduced to the “business you”.
I’m not suggesting opening up the flood gates and letting any ol’ person in – rather, develop a criterion, a standard of who you want to friend. If you’re a brick and mortar business in New Jersey, find your city’s Facebook Page. Assuming they have one, friend those people on that Page. Most likely, they are New Jersey residents and/or have ties to the community. You can’t add them directly to your Page, but you can request their friendship and add them on through your personal profile. Eventually you can migrate them over to your Page.
Use your personal profile to grow your Page. Look at your personal profile as an addendum to your professional Page. Infuse your online presence with your personality and business leads will be generated through these efforts.
Remember, automation cannot do this for you. There are no shortcuts in social media. Take your time. Social media is a 401k plan and not a lottery ticket.
For more ways to grow your numbers on your Facebook Page check out: http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/10-ways-to-grow-your-facebook-page-following/.

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Facebook Friends - 5 Easy Steps to Grow Your Friends List on Facebook

Social media is effective, it works and does not cost anything. So, definitely worth investing some time and efforts into it. The most popular site on the whole world wide web is Facebook.
People on a Facebook are dealing with people - so its worth knowing that simple ways of communication, like rumours, fun, photos, links, etc. work very well. There are a few simple steps on how to grow your Facebook friends list in a simple and fast way.
STEP ONE: create a personal profile of who you want your Facebook friends to see - a lawyer, consultant, property professional or simply a joyful and positive person. If you want to be seen as a professional, from time to time provide your Facebook friends with quality information, show them how they would benefit from dealing with you.
You might want to post pictures of family, to tell everyone what a fantastic weekend away you had. People will identify with you and will want to know more. Be nice, consistent, proactive and responsive, comment on your Facebook friends pictures, on their posts, links and photos.
STEP TWO: Identify Your target market or niche and join different pages and groups within that target market or group - it might be geographical, might be gender oriented, etc. Search for groups that have specific words in them: interior, website, model agency, etc.
As I live in Ireland, I will give a few examples: Ashford castle fans page, Dramoland castle fan page - those people most likely visited place at least once and guess what - those are expensive places to stay, so visitors might have money for your product or service as well. Blackrock town near Dublin has even 2 groups created. There are some fun groups, like "I'm from Ireland, but more importantly I am from Dublin" - most of people in this group are from Dublin - 32.000 members and growing - what a fantastic place to get new Facebook friends and followers that live in the neighbourhood.
STEP THREE: leave posts on those groups and pages walls. Do not advertise, write something interesting and catchy, then people will get interested in you, will go to your profile and will add you as their Facebook friend, also they will look through your profile, will visit your website - this is a free traffic for your business.
STEP FOUR: Join as many groups as you can. You can be a member of 300 groups and 300 pages on Facebook. Alternatively you can also visit your target groups and pages, look through people's profiles and add them as a friend. That is effective, but more time consuming.
STEP FIVE: Interact with your new friends. Add a personal welcome message once they join you as your new Facebook friend on the site. Send an email telling them what your interests are. Look through their profile and wall and make comments on their posts or links.
Facebook is currently No.1 website on the internet in most countries with Google being the most popular search engine. So, best of luck with growing your Facebook friends list - a great potential in promoting your business through this powerful social media site. Have fun and enjoy!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3923932

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How to Earn Money From Facebook

Facebook has become a social networking phenomenon that started just with college students but now has expanded to all types of social groups. Much of Facebook users are so addicted to this website, they spend hours exploring and using different kinds of social applications. Like the television, people are spending more and more time in front of their computers - surfing the web or trying out new applications on Facebook.

Like with more popular media like the television, radio or print advertisements, Facebook also generates advertisements that go with their applications. You can apply the same concept - make a product and sell it. So, how do you do this with Facebook? Here are ways to get your profits running.

Sell your product.

If you already have a product, you can sell it on Facebook - most especially if your service or product caters to the 18 to 35 year old group. For example, if you own a twenty-four hour pizza place, you can put up your page with your company profile and your products. Some college students that go online during the wee hours of the night might actually crave for pizza.

Or if you have a bookstore, you can put up a page asking people if they want to order a book online for a significantly lower price compared to other online bookstores. Know your consumers and find ways on how to get in touch with them. Join groups or causes so your presence would be more visible.

Make your Facebook page interesting.

A lot of people also browse Facebook looking for interesting content like causes to support, funny stuff or photos that are worth taking a look at. You can start thinking of ways on how to make your page interesting, so a lot of readers would go to your profile page.

You just have to put an advertising space on your profile page. Then, find advertisers that would be interested in putting up their ad banners on your site. If your page is about books, maybe you'd like to get in touch with Amazon. It would be logical, of course, to get advertisers that are related with your actual content.

You don't actually have to sell anything on your Facebook page, you just have to put up advertising spaces once you get the traffic rolling.

Create applications.

Facebook is so popular because of the various third-party applications it offers. First of, you should know what the market demands. What applications do Facebook users want? Most users are between the ages of 18 and 35 so it is understandable that most Facebook applications would be mashups between music, video, applications that are just for fun or their profiles. Applications would range from free gifts, to horoscopes, to trivia games, personality tests or graffiti walls on their profile pages. These applications are viral - meaning it can spread in a matter of minutes! So, a lot of people can be using your application minutes after it has been launched. That would mean that you can sell advertising spaces on your application.

If you don't have the means or the money to get your application up and running, you can sell your idea to companies like Bay Partners or get developers to help you with it.

Copyright (c) Althea Marie Tan. If you are interested to know more about how to use Facebook and to earn money from it, visit Facebook Social Ads [http://facebook-social-ads.net]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thea_Tan

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