Rinforsideweb Blog

Keeping Track Of Your Favorite Facebook Pages Via RSS

Lasoi Mukuru — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 03:52:53 +0000

For those of you who haven’t heard, Facebook has added a new feature that allows you to subscribe to your favorite pages via RSS. The “Subscribe via RSS” option has been around for a little over a week now and can be accessed via a link on the bottom left side of Facebook pages, just below the profile picture.

Similar to RSS feeds for sites and blogs, the Facebook RSS option allows you to stay up to date on the latest happenings revolving around your favorite pages without necessarily having to login into Facebook. This is made possible by a feed reader or news aggregator, from where all updated wall posts can be read.

Users whose access to Facebook is restricted by their employer or school can take advantage of this option to sidestep the restriction and read new content via the feed readers.

Previously, Facebook pages could only be subscribed via SMS, but now we can see some pages offering both SMS and RSS options. Don’t be alarmed, if there’s no option to subscribe via SMS, not all pages are showing this.

How to subscribe to Facebook Pages using Google Reader

Step 1: Login into Facebook and go to the page you want to subscribe

Step 2: Locate the “Subscribe via RSS” link (bottom left side below profile picture). Right click on it and copy link address

Step 3: Login to Google Reader and click on Add a subscription

Step 4: Paste the link from Step 2 above and Click Add

And you’re done!

Now, you’ll be able to read any update made to the wall of this page. That simple!

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Twitter Introduces The New Follow Button

Lasoi Mukuru — Tue, 31 May 2011 23:56:08 +0000

Twitter has just launched a new follow button that allows readers to connect with you on the network without having to leave your website. The new button only requires a single click for a connection to be made, thus making it easier for readers to follow you. This will definitely play a huge role in boosting your popularity on the network as well as your site’s readership.

Image courtesy of Twitter blog

Readers will largely benefit from this new function to follow up on their favorite websites as well as many other interesting pages they stumble upon. People who prefer to review Twitter profiles, before following them might not be very welcoming to this new feature. However, Twitter is quick to add that it will also be possible to see the profile and the latest Tweets of your preferred account by clicking the username next to the button.

So far, more than 50 websites have already added the new follow button to their site and I’m sure many others are on their to doing the same. The process is quite simple and won’t take you more than 20 minutes to configure your Twitter follow button. You can configure the new button here.

You can learn more about new follow button on Twitter’s official blog.

Will you be switching to the new button? Let me know in the comments below…

You can also connect with me on Twitter for more updates on this.

Twitter Now Allowing Users to View Other People’s Timelines

Lasoi Mukuru — Fri, 27 May 2011 00:35:19 +0000

Twitter has just launched a new feature that lets you navigate through the “following” pages of people you follow. The announcement came a few hours ago in the form of a tweet that read…

Thanks to this new feature, you will now be able to view people being followed by a specific user you follow. And follow them if you want. You can also view their recent tweets to get a clue on what their interests are, and whether they’re worth following.

Mind you that all this information is being made available to you on a single page layout, unlike before where you had to open a profile in a new tab to get more details.

Let me show you exactly what I mean….

In the above scenario, I’m viewing Twitter from the profile of one of the best people I follow namely @KellyeCrane and When I click on her “following” page, a list of people she follows is populated.

Now, if I want to follow @emhorton1 and click her on the left side (list of people followed by Kelly Crane), her profile will be displayed on the right side together with her recent tweets.

This will give me an idea of the kind of things she’s into, which will help me in deciding whether to follow her or not. That simple!

So…. What do you think about this new feature? Are you going to incorporate it in your Twitter strategy to grow your following? Let us know in the comments below.

Special thanks to @KellyeCrane and @emhorton1 for the image.

If you liked the post, kindly Follow us on Twitter for the latest happenings about social media.

Spice Up Your Blog With Twitter Tools

Lasoi Mukuru — Thu, 26 May 2011 02:55:27 +0000

Just like a wood grilled salmon stake brushed with sweet and spicy glaze makes an irresistible treat, so will your blog when integrated with Twitter. Readers love to share good content on popular networks such as Twitter, as well as connect with the people providing it. And the easier you make it for them to do that, the more likely your blog will go viral on the network, as your following increases. It’s the blogger’s recipe for success!

Here are 5 kick ass tools to connect your blog with Twitter:

1. Twitterfeed

A preferred choice among many bloggers, Twitterfeed allows you to automatically update your Twitter stream from your blog’s RSS feed. Such that, any time you publish a new post, it will automatically show up in your Twitter conversation. You don’t have to do anything. And to make things better, you can customize the format of your tweets to make them more buzzing and interesting to your followers. How great is that!

2. Twitter Buttons

Twitter buttons is one of the easiest, yet most effective ways to promote your Twitter profile. It helps you create a badge that directs your blog readers back to your profile. No programming knowledge is required to use the service. All you need to do is to enter your Twitter ID, choose from the many designs available and a code for the button will be generated automatically. Copy and paste the code on your blog and you’re good go. That’s simple…!

3. TweetSuite

TweetSuite is a WordPress plugin that utilizes the Twitter API to provide you with a variety of options. First, it displays all tweets that link back to a popular blog post via the Most-Tweeted widget in your sidebar. You’re also provided with an assortment of widgets to choose from, where each serves a different, but valuable function in displaying your recent Twitter activity on your blog. Secondly, TweetSuite presents you with an opportunity to help your readers share content by means of a “Tweet This” and “Retweet” button. Finally, you can also automatically update your Twitter status with your latest blog entries. Now, tell me that doesn’t sound good

4. Twitter Widgets

Twitter Widgets allow you to display your latest Twitter updates on your blog. They also offer additional functionality by letting readers reply, retweet as well as follow you on the network through the text links. This could just be the kind of thing you’ve been looking for to increase your popularity and build a massive following on the network. Perhaps the best thing about widgets is that they’re compatible with any blog, and thus quite easy to set up. They can also be easily customized to match the background of your blog.

5. TwitThis

TwitThis is a very user-friendly way to help your readers share their favorite posts on Twitter. The service allows you to add a share button to your blog by simply copying and pasting a code in your HTML or in the blog’s template. Now, readers can have a field day sharing and spreading word about your business to their many followers.

That’s all for today!

I know there’re many other tools out there that can effectively been used to achieve to integrate your blog with Twitter.

If you know of any such tool or have been using one, kindly share your experience and together let’s help others.

Finally…

If you enjoyed reading this post, please help us spread the word… Subscribe to our RSS FEED & Follow us on Twitter

HOW TO: Display Twitter Followers on WordPress Blogs

Lasoi Mukuru — Mon, 16 May 2011 18:02:03 +0000

Kindly allow me to share an amazing WordPress plugin called Twitter Fans. This wonderful plugin allows you to display your twitter followers as a widget on your blog’s sidebar, where readers can easily follow you on the network. Similar to the Facebook fans widget, it displays the number of followers, their avatars as well as a link to follow you on Twitter.

If you’re a Twitter addict like me, you’ll immediately fall in love with this plugin. Not only is it simple to install and use, you can also customize its look to fit your blog. Let me show you …

To set up the plugin you’ll first need to login into WordPress. Once you do that, click on the Plugins tab –> then click on

Search for the plugin by entering it’s name (Twitter Fans) -> and click on

Then click

Activate the plugin

Once it’s activated, proceed to the Appearance tab -> click on … and look for Twitter Fans among the available widgets. (You’ll find it on the bottom right side)

Drag the Twitter Fans widget and drop it on the sidebar. You can opt to customize it or not (whatever works for you). However, don’t forget to add your Twitter username. When you’re through -> click on

Done!

Now you can head over to your blog to confirm whether the set up was successful or not. If the widget appears on your blog’s sidebar, then congratulations! It’s okay.

If it doesn’t, then seek further assistance from the WordPress plugins directory.

If you have any other issues with the plugin, please contact the developer.

What Now For Old Facebook Groups?

Daniel Wambugu — Tue, 10 May 2011 23:09:40 +0000

It seems we’re yet to see the last of the Facebook Migrations that kicked off early last month. This is after the social network revealed that ALL Facebook groups created using the old groups format would be archived.

They will now be upgraded to the new groups format, which took effect early October last year. It is not yet clear when the actual archiving will commence, so far all we know from the alerts issued on the admin pages of most groups is that it will be going on for the next few months.

Administrators of old groups can expect to be notified of the upgrade any time from now. This will come in the form of a message at the top of the group’s page with a link requesting them to “Upgrade This Group”. Group members will also be privy to this message with an option to ask the group’s admin to upgrade. The link will however not be visible to groups with low recent activity. Such groups will automatically be archived.

Although most of the old group’s features will be available in the new format, not everything will make it over to the upgraded group.

Things that won’t be available in the new group include:

Recent news
Group officer titles
The information box located under the group feature
The group network
Members of your old group – You can still add new members by clicking “Add Friends to Group”

However, if you upgrade your old group without having to wait for Facebook to archive it on your behalf, then group members will not be disappear. They will be migrated to the new group.

Things that will be available in the new group include:

Group photos and Wall posts
Group discussion threads, which become wall posts
The group description, which can be found at the top of page when you click “See all” members in the new group.

Kindly note that ALL old Facebook groups will eventually be archived. If you opt not to upgrade your group, you will lose the benefit of migrating with your group members. The same goes for groups that do not receive an upgrade message

Facebook has even gone further to remind you that groups are for sharing information and not for promoting your business. If you’ve been doing that you might want to switch to a business Fan page instead.

That’s all for now!

Stay tuned for a follow up on this, same time next week! We will be looking at how to leverage new groups for even better results.

Will You Migrate Your Facebook Profile to a Fan Page?

Daniel Wambugu — Mon, 02 May 2011 22:39:57 +0000

Businesses that have been using Facebook profiles instead of fan pages might now want to take advantage of the recently launched Facebook Page Migration Tool.

This tool allows you to covert your existing Facebook profile to a business fan page, and your friends to fans, with just a simple click. However, let it be known that this tool has no undo feature and once you make the move, there’s no going back.

While many Facebook users welcomed the change, some are still skeptical, and the decision to migrate has not exactly been an easy one to make. Luckily, this dilemma is one that can easily be solved by looking at the pros and cons of migrating.

Pros

1.Avoid violating Facebook’s terms of service (TOS) – for those of you who don’t know, using a personal profile instead of a business page for your brand violates Facebook’s guidelines and could get you banned for such.

2.Fan base – For starters, all your friends will be converted to fans (no need to start building your fan base from scratch). Secondly, there’s no limit as to how popular you can become with Facebook pages, unlike profiles, which are restricted to a maximum of 5000 friends.

3.Branding – Facebook pages allow you to develop a business personality and create associations, which go a long way to extend your brand.

4. Increased functionality – Features associated with Fan pages such as the iFrames, additional tabs, ad campaigns and the ability to post & comment on other pages as your brand make it easier to promote your business to customers.

Cons

1.Data loss – Only your profile photo will move with you during the migration. Any other data including your wall content, photos, profile information, applications as well as everything else you’ve accumulated on your Facebook profile will be lost. Luckily, Facebook’s Help Centre shows you how to download your information, which prevents this from happening. I’d recommend doing this first, before starting the process.

2.No friends – since all your friends will be converted to fans, previous privileges such as adding, accepting or viewing friends profiles will no longer be available.

3.No friends equals No chat – This will be a harsh reality for companies that love to initiate conversations with their clientele, as they will now be required to do it somewhere else, maybe groups.

4.Custom URLs & Applications will be lost – The vanity URL associated with your profile fades away once you migrate and a new one created for the Fan page. Applications have also been reported to disappear during the migration process

So, whether you decide to do it now or later, what matter’s most is that you do what you think is best for your business. Incase you’d like to add something or share your migration experience, kindly do so in the comments below.

P.S: If you liked the post, you can always Fan us on Facebook, and we’ll be sure to provide you with more informative tips.

Url Shortening Will Not Harm Your SEO, Says Google

Daniel Wambugu — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 23:15:17 +0000

Google’s Matt Cutts recently confirmed that using custom urls does not in any way harm your SEO. This revelation came as a relief to many users, mostly bloggers, at a time when Google now factors in social media links namely Twitter and Facebook during rankings.

In a new video posted to Google’s Webmaster Help YouTube channel, Matt goes ahead to explain that Google treats custom url shorteners just like it does any other 301 or permanent redirects, where the pagerank and anchor text follow through to the final destination.

He further goes on to state that most credible url shorteners like bit.ly and goo.gl work similar to 301 or permanent redirects by allowing web pages to be accessible from multiple urls with pagerank being passed on to the redirected page. Hence, no need for worry.

As for the Twitter web pages, most of which have a nofollow link and thus do not pass pagerank, all is not lost. Matt was quick to add that these links still add value through social promotion and people will still be able to find out about them, possibly through a data feed

All in all, Matt concludes that using custom urls should not present any concerns from an SEO point of view.

So, if you’re an avid user of Url shorteners like myself, then it’s all systems go!

7 of the Best Tips for WordPress SEO

When and How to Use Facebook Groups

Lasoi Mukuru — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 07:30:16 +0000

Facebook groups come in all shapes and sizes. They allow users to message members, post information into the newsfeed, and start discussions on hot topics. They also serve as a strategic way to get in front of a target market.

Individuals may use groups to section off some of their personal friends and family – allowing just certain people to see some of their posts and photos. Business owners on the other hand use them to network, create communities, and offer targeted information to clients and prospects.

There are three types of groups in Facebook: Anyone can join an open group without the need for approval. Closed groups require approval before a person can see the content whereas secret groups are by invitation only and cannnot be seen by other Facebook users.

Many Facebook users who form groups will now automatically add people to the group without permission. Most users consider this spamming so think twice before inviting people by the masses. You don’t want to upset users who will inevitably unsubscribe from the group anyway.

If you automatically add group members, be sure that they are interested in the group’s content. Simply adding people for numbers sake won’t win you any new friends online.

Treat a group as you would one that meets face to face, providing credible leadership. You can host weekly community calls, provide content and topics of information, and participate in the discussions. Don’t email your group members more than one or twice a week. Too many emails may be ignored with some members blocking/unsubscribing from your group.

Utilize the group chat, group doc, and all the other fun features to make the group experience worthwhile. If you respect your group members, chances are they will hang around and become even more interested. If you spam them and constantly sell your services, they’ll likely ignore your posts and swear never to buy from you!

If a group no longer serves your needs, be sure to bow out gracefully. Delete the group if possible to prevent spammers from taking it over.

Tips on Choosing Your Target Customer

Lasoi Mukuru — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 18:32:30 +0000

For businesses, targeting the right prospects can mean the difference between success and failure. This is especially true for start-ups and small businesses looking to turn a profit. Just as clothing items clearly state a particular size on the label, every product or service has a specific demographic group that will be most interested in it. That group of people comprises your target market. You therefore must conduct some market research to determine your sales demographics and establish a target audience.

Here are a few tips to guide you…

Don’t assume

Too often, small-business owners assume they know what their customers want before they do their homework. Be sure to research all areas of demographics of people who may be your potential customers. Their age, sex, family status, ethnicity, occupation, socioeconomic background, geographic location…any relevant thing you can think of. Consider all those who would tend to want or need your product or service.

Organize your data

Record and group as much information as you can until you feel satisfied with the level of research you have accomplished. You must then review it and try to group the certain people into groups hence forming your target market. You’ll probably come up with more than one group but this will give you a basic outline as to what your marketing plan will need to consist of to reach these groups.

Study your competition

Since your future customers are currently buying from someone else, use your competitors as a research tool. Study your competitors’ marketing strategies and how they use them to generate revenue for their business. If you pay close attention, you’ll gain a general idea as to who they are trying to reach giving you an indication of whom you should be trying to reach as well.

Find the perfect match

Figure out what kind of customers are the most strategic to help you reach your goals. Do you need a lot of people who buy a lot, or people who buy across an entire service line? Is your ideal customer a business or an individual? Are they rich or middle-income? Are there any geographical barriers? Identify as many traits as possible so you can narrow down your niche.

Make Use of freebies

The internet is full of free resources that can help you identify your market. Join forums and discussions that would interest potential clients to find out what and how they think. Write and submit articles to prove your expertise. You may also consider purchasing some secondary research information to get background information on industry size and competitor market share.

Ensure your market can sustain you

Make sure the target market identified is big enough to support your business. If it’s too shallow, then it’s just a matter of time before you have to close shop.

More than ever, today’s consumers don’t like to be grouped with everyone else. They like to feel special–so be sure you understand your target market. It will make your strategies for designing, pricing, distributing, promoting, positioning and improving your product, service or idea easier and more effective.

While all this may take a little extra effort, entrepreneurs who aim at a small target are far more likely to make a hit.

Please share any other tips you have on choosing the right target customers in the comments section below.

Lasoi Mukuru is the Editor-in-Chief of Rinforsideweb blog. Armed with an MBA, she enjoys working with early startups and helping small business owners take their business to the next level using practical strategies. She can be found on Twitter at @lasoimukuru