MEMBERSHIP MATTERS
Poke a
Friend
by Kelly Hilmer
www.atra.com
I
t should come as no surprise that
Google is the #1 Web site ranked Posting on your wall is a simple
on
Alexa.com. Listed along with
UnderstandIng the
way for sending a friend a message
Coca-Cola, Microsoft and McDonald’s
Facebook FeatUres
such as “Happy Birthday, John!” or
to name a few, it’s one of the top ten “Want to go fishing this weekend?”
most recognized brands in the world, It’s a public post so be aware that every
according to the
InterBrand.com Web one of the friends of the walls you post
site. Descriptions from on will see what you type on their wall.
Although I’m a regular Facebook After your customers have become fans
user, fan of many and friend to more, Wikipedia of your Facebook page, post a simple
I was still surprised to see Facebook thank you on their wall to let them
listed as the #2 Web site ranked on know you appreciate their business.
Alexa.com. news Feed
Alexa is a great tool for searching News Feed highlights information
the internet based on popularity rank- that includes profile changes, upcom- status Updates
ing. Users download and install the ing events and birthdays, among other Facebook has a micro-blogging
Alexa Toolbar in their internet browser updates. News Feed also shows conver- feature called “status updates” (also
which then tracks where they go and sations taking place between the walls referred to simply as “status”) which
compiles the information into rankings of a user’s friends. allows users to post messages for all
based on the number of hits to each This feature allows you to stay their friends to read. In turn, friends
site. in touch with events and serves as a can respond with their own comments,
To receive such a high ranking on reminder to post events and relevant and also press the “Like” button to
the Alexa Web site is difficult to say the content about you on the site as well. show that they enjoyed reading it.
least. Again that brings me back to the Check your News Feed occasionally A user’s most recent status update
Facebook ranking on the Alexa Web and stay on top of the latest news and appears at the top of their profile, and
site. Number TWO! I knew Facebook events from your friends and groups is also noted in the “Recently updated”
was popular and I knew it was a great that you belong to. section of a user’s friend list.
tool for connecting with people, but I A typical status update is about
didn’t know it was as high up on the what you are doing or where you are
rankings as it is. Wall going. WARNING: Be careful not
Based on this information, incor- The Wall is a space on each user’s to post the same topics throughout the
porating Facebook into your business profile page that allows friends to day. Redundant updates are annoying.
would be beneficial. However, updating post messages for the user to see while Nobody likes to hear about every meal
your status, becoming a fan of a group displaying the time and date the mes- you ate throughout the day. And while
and making friends are just a small part sage was written. One user’s wall is it is good to post things about your
of what Facebook is about, and to some visible to anyone with the ability to business or your work, keep it personal
people these terms are as confusing as a see his or her full profile, and differ- as well. If you are all about selling
foreign language. Learning some of the ent users’ wall posts show up in an your business, it will become clear to
basic terms would probably be helpful individual’s News Feed. Many users use your friends and they will “hide” your
before you get started. After I explain their friends’ walls for leaving short, updates or worse yet, remove you as a
some of the features, I’ll explain how to temporal notes. More private discourse friend.
use them in your business. is saved for Messages, which are sent
to a person’s inbox, and are visible only
to the sender and recipient(s) of the
Message, much like email.
50 GEARS January/February 2010
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