How to use Facebook for Social Media PR

sunrise_kailua_wavesBy Liz H. Kelly

To help you set up a Facebook account and promote your products using Social Media PR, below are 10 tips from Sunrise Road Media. The old advertising models are dying, and digital media offers a unique opportunity to share what you like with friends. This quick guide is for anyone who is new to Facebook and Social Media PR.

These social media tips are based on our PR and Marketing experience managing Integrated Marketing Campaigns at MySpace for key account advertisers, building campaigns for consulting clients, and going to weekly digital media expert panels in Los Angeles. If you want help with developing your Digital Media PR Strategy and ways to measure success, call us (310-795-1485) or email info@sunriseroadmedia.com for a free initial consultation.

Facebook 101 Tips for Social Media PR

1. Sign up for a free Facebook Account
a. To get starterd, choose a username that represents Brand You
b. Set up a custom URL that is tied to Brand You (usually your name)
c. Click on Profile to create your Profile Page
d. Your posts will now appear in Internet search results unless you opt out under the Account Privacy Settings. If you’re promoting a product, this extra exposure can be good news ( you just need to avoid sharing TMI on Facebook).

2 Profile page = your personal profile
a. The Profile includes a paragraph, photos, links to your website and your groups
b. Click on the Photos tab to upload your profile photos and albums
c. Add a fun Profile Photo that represents Brand You
d. Once you start going to events or parties, take photos of friends, and then tag them so the photo appears on their Wall

3 Home page = newsfeed page
a. Click Home to see your friend’s posts plus your posts
b. This newsfeed page is where your social media posts will be seen

4. Friends page = where you can add and view your friends
a. Have fun connecting with business, highschool and old friends who you have not talked to in years!
b. While you might not talk to your Facebook friends everyday, they can be your greatest asset for Social Media PR
c. To add a friend
- Scroll down to “Search for People” and enter the names of Friends, and then add them (add a personal message to your friend request)
- Add “Recommended Friends” in the far right column that are posted based on your other friend connections
- Accept Friend Requests that you receive and write a note back
- Use the “Find Friends” option that sends an alert to everyone in your email address book that you have a Facebook account

5. Inbox page = your Facebook email
a. To send a private email to a friend, click on their name, and then under their photo, click on “Send Message”
b. You can also use email to send messages to a group of friends as a promotion.
c. In your emails, provide valuable information versus sounding like an ad. Avoid being a spammer on Facebook at all costs.

6. Write on someone’s Wall
a. If you write a note on someone’s Wall, it will appear in the public newsfeed and on your Facebook Profile Page
b. If you want to send someone congrats, happy birthday or share something that the world would be interested in knowing, write on their Wall.
c. If it is a more private message (example, What time do you want to meet tonight?), then send them a message through the email option.

7. Status Updates – Tell us “What’s on your mind?”
a. Enter an update, and click Share to post in the Home page newsfeed for all of your friends to read
b. Write updates that are 1-2 lines with valuable information versus sounding like an ad
- Great post example – Did you know 47% of women over 50 are single? Come find out how to take charge of your finances at this Rich Woman event.
- Bad post example – You should go to this Rich Woman event in Hawaii.

8. Posts with Attachments
a. Attachments can offer references, links and help draw attention to your post.
b. Under the Status Update box, you’ll see icons for different types of attachments to your update.
- Photos
- Video
- Link
- Event
c. Write your post (1-2 lines) plus attachment, then click “Share” to have it appear in the newsfeed

9. Add Comments to other people’s posts
a. By adding comments, you’re showing an interest in your friend’s posts, and then they are more likely to comment on your posts
b. Encourage your friends to add comments on your Social Media PR posts especially to show an interest and buzz for your topic

10. Social Media PR versus Personal Posts
a. Your friends are on Facebook to hear about your passions, hobbies and thoughts – and are not really that interested in your promotions
b. Avoid over-doing any type of posts or your friends will remove you from their newsfeed (3-10 posts total per day is good)
c. For Social Media PR, you probably only want to post 1-3 promotional post a day, depending on what is happening (if you are close to an event, you can post more).

If you’re interested in learning more about Social Media PR or hiring us to help you with your campaigns for Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Digg, StumbleUpon and others, call 310-795-1485 or email info@sunriseroadmedia.com for a free initial consultation. We can help you build a strategy, create success stories and help you measure the results!

Happy Social Media PR!

© Liz H. Kelly, Sunrise Road Media - Smart Integrated Marketing, http://www.sunriseroadmedia.com, 2009