Toledo Internet Marketing & Social Media Blog
Blog maintained by Hi Octane Solutions
The Facebook Posting Sin: Overposting
Let’s focus on the keyword “building relationships” when discussing Facebook posts. Meeting people online on social media sites such as Facebook should be viewed the same way as if you’re meeting someone new at a local coffee shop. Most people get to know the other person at their own pace. After time and when trust is earned, they will begin to share and promote their ideas and or products.
The Online Social Butterfly
Have you ever met someone that loves to talk endlessly (AKA: social butterfly)? Some of these individuals have attention deficit tendencies and can talk about anything forever and ever. Some other individuals are just conceited. These type of individuals can be annoying. When a business posts 2-5 messages every day on Facebook, they are doing the same thing! They’re being that salesperson that annoys everyone. After time, everyone will ignore that business! Don’t be that business that pushes away Facebook fans.
What a Facebook “Like” Really Means to Your Business
Getting a Facebook “Like” is an extremely powerful achievement. When your Facebook page gets “Liked” it opens the door for your business to reach out to your customers at any time you choose. However, it can be your worst enemy if you overwhelm your customers with too much content and overly-promotional material.
As an example, let’s say a customer named Jana Smith likes our Facebook Page for Hi-Octane Solutions. Every post that we put on our Facebook page will also be seen on Jana’s news feed. In addition, all of her friends on her personal page can see the posting. Let’s say Jana has 300 friends. Theoretically, that means 300 people would see our post on her page. Since all of our postings are radical and fantastic, Jana’s friends would “Like” our post as well. Next, our posting would appear on Jana’s friends pages. Then, Jana’s friends of friends would see the post too. Wheewww. Hopefully you can follow that?
This is why social media is so powerful. However, how would Jana and her friends feel if we posted 2-3 messages daily about our website design discounts? We would annoy Jana to the point where she would either ignore our posts or “Unlike” our Facebook page. If Jana were to “Unlike” our page, we would lose that opportunity to reach out to hundreds of people on Facebook. That is why it is important to remember that your Facebook followers are human and do not tolerate salesy messages.
Facebook Posting: How Much is Too Much
The staff at Hi Octane Solutions have been using Facebook since its launch in 2004 and have seen many competitors, potential clients and professionals fail at building relationships with their customers on Facebook. The common reason why their Facebook Marketing strategies fail is because of over-posting and content that did not engage their followers.
Source: MarketingCharts.com: Overposting Drives Away Facebook Fans
You’re probably asking the question; how much is too much? The direct answer is it depends on the type of business (as a rule of thumb, limit your Facebook posts to one to three every week). For example, a restaurant in Toledo, Ohio should limit promotional postings to one or two times each week. If you want to be more aggressive with your Facebook postings, avoid promotional material. Promote local events and brainstorm ways to incorporate these events with your place of business.
Here is an example of a post on Facebook for a restaurant in Monroe, Michigan. We made a posting about the opening day for the Detroit Tigers. We wrote, “Looking forward to the Tigers opening day? Watching the game and enjoying good food and drinks with our closest Tigers fans. Remember, parking, hot dogs and peanuts are free”. This message was posted a few days before the event.
Tragically, other companies would take a completely different approach. They might write something like this. “ Watch the Tigers game at (Name here) and enjoy hot dogs for $3.00 and beer for $1.50. Special only lasts on the Tigers opening day”. This company posted this message daily five days in a row.
Which approach do you think received more user engagement? Hopefully you said the first approach. The second approach would receive little or no user engagement. It may even turn off Facebook followers completely.
As I digress from the topic of this article, treat your Facebook postings as if you are walking up to each one your customers face to face. Would you just ramble on and on about a sale or actually try to get to know the customer?
Using the restaurant again as an example, ask them if they are a Tigers fan and invite them to come in to spend more time with them. Next, depending on the type of responses you receive, talk about the specials you offer. However, that should be after you have some type of engagement with the customer.
Sorry if this sounds redundant, but I want to make sure my point is clear. Over posting on Facebook is like throwing twenty sheets of promotional brochures in your customer’s face right after you had a heartfelt handshake. This does not sound like a friendly business owner does it?
No one wants to be subjected to this. In addition, Facebook followers can simply “Unlike” a business page to avoid this awkward and annoying encounter. It is ok to be a “social butterfly” online. However, don’t be that social butterfly that everyone wants to shoot down.
If you want to focus more on promotional advertising on Facebook, use Facebook Ads for that. Growing your list of Facebook followers can be challenging, however give it time and a little trial and error. There are no direct answers on how many Facebook posts are too much. However, the answer will be clear after time. When users are “Liking” and commenting on your Facebook posts, you are headed in the right direction. When you stop seeing user engagement and a reduction in “Likes” you know you not using the right approach.
We would like to hear from you! List your experiences on Facebook. What have you discovered to be too much Facebook posting? How did you know you crossed the line with your Facebook followers?
Hi Octane Solutions is an experienced website design and social media marketing firm in Toledo, Ohio.
Posted by: Brennan Deitsch
Twitter Ads Available to Toledo Small Businesses
Twitter Ads Are Finally Available to Toledo Area Small Businesses
That’s right! Twitter ads are finally available to small businesses! Before, only large corporations were able to advertise on Twitter. However, as we close upon March of 2012, thanks to American Express, small businesses can now tread the waters of Twitter advertising.
Twitter has made an agreement with American Express to allow the small business industry advertise on Twitter. The only catch is that advertisers need to be American Express card members and merchants based in the U.S. In addition, American Express will give you $100 in free Twitter advertising for the first 10,000 businesses that sign-up!
Why Twitter Advertising is Important to your Small Business in Toledo?
The simple answer is to gain more followers for your Twitter account and to extend the reach of your Twitter campaign. However, it is up to you as an advertiser to build relationships with your new customers. Let’s make this even more simple; adding followers on Twitter will not get you more sales leads. Getting relevant followers for your Twitter page is step one. However, the quality of the interactions you have with your followers is the most important part of your Twitter advertising strategy. Twitter does not allow much room to write your messages, so make them count!
Hi Octane Solutions is an experienced Social Media Marketing Company helping Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan small businesses understand the what, why and how of social media in 2012.
Posted by: Brennan Deitsch
How to Create a Like-able Facebook Fan Page
How to Create a Facebook Page for your Business
In case you were stuck in a well for a long period of time, Facebook is the hottest thing to hit the world since the invention of jean shorts. Unlike jean shorts, Facebook is a social trend that is here to stay and Facebook pages look good on anyone. In case you don’t believe me, picture a 50 year old guy wearing jean shorts with a t-shirt that reads "My ex-wives thought I looked sexy". It seems everyone has a Facebook page in 2012, and if you were to admit to a group of friends that you do not have a Facebook page, you would get many raised eyebrows.
At this point, we are going to assume you understand the power of Facebook as a tool to build awareness for products or services. At this point, you also need to understand that an individual Facebook page is different than a business page on Facebook. If you are confused of whether you have an individual account or business account remember this; individual accounts allow you to add people as friends and business accounts only allow people to "Like" your Facebook page.
Facebook Business Page Personal Facebook Page
Step 1. Navigate to Facebook.com . Before you login, make sure your screen looks similar to this. .png)
Step 2: Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the hyperlink: Create a Page.
Step 3: Select the type of account you would like to create on Facebook. 
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Here, you will choose whether you are a local business or place, a company, organization, nonprofit, institution or band. You have to pick one of the categories to proceed to create a Facebook business page.
Step 4: Complete the Form to Become "The Facebook Administrator"
The screen that follows will ask you to fill out a form if you do not already have a Facebook account. If you already have a personal Facebook account, Facebook allows you to log in using the same login credentials as your personal account. Facebook will allow you to become the administrator of the business page you are creating. As an administrator, you are allowed to manage the content on the Facebook page. However, you cannot add people as friends as an administrator.
It is also worthwhile to note that Facebook administrators can add people from their friends list as administrators. Keep in mind that anyone that is added as an administrator can alter your Facebook business page. If you accidentally add a user as an administrator on your account, you might end up with indecent pictures on your Facebook news feed.
Next, simply click on the "Sign Up Now" button and you have the basics of your Facebook page set up. Your Facebook business page should look like this:
Now, the fun can really begin. Upload your dazzling business logos and or banners. Update your business information such as your contact and location information. Start writing some content that will engage viewers to like your page. Do not focus solely on how many likes you have. Concentrate more on writing good content that makes your viewers think. The likes will eventually come. In addition, stay tuned for our article all about Social Media Page Optimization.
Creating a Facebook page for your business is crucial to achieve success. Hi Octane Solutions offers customized Facebook page designs that will make your Facebook business page stand out from the rest of the crowd.
If you are comfortable wearing jean shorts, I wish you all the luck. However, your competition is already thinking outside the box and is actively engaging with their customers like never before. Facebook is a marketing trend that is never going to fade.
*Hi Octane Solutions is not associated with any jean shorts company. Are you a jean shorts fan? Like them on Facebook.
Posted by: Brennan Deitsch
How to Use QR Codes to Market your Business
QR Codes: The New Marketing Tool for Businesses in 2012 and Beyond
The other day I was at a local retail store in Toledo, Ohio waiting for my wife to pick out a dress. As I tried to avoid using body language to express my boredom, I noticed a woman scratching her head and staring at a promotional display. As I tried to focus in on the display I realized the woman was looking at a QR code marketing display. The directions read "scan the QR code and you will be automatically entered into a contest". The woman was extremely excited about entering the contest. I am not sure what the prize was, but I feel that if the prize was a sock she would of still jumped up and down. Just when I started to lose my attention, the woman tried using her cell phone to scan the QR code. The only problem was the phone she was trying to scan it with was not exactly new technology. In fact, I think I had the same cell phone in 2005. Holding in any trace of laughter, I watched the woman continue to frantically wave her cell phone over the QR code as if her phone could perform magic. The woman then walked away with embarrassment. While the woman was never able to enter the contest for a pair of socks, it started me to get some ideas to write about on QR codes. It also made time go by faster as my wife tried on half of the store.
What are QR codes and How can They Help Market your Business
QR codes are similar to bar codes. Both can be used by retailers and distributors to track inventory and various product information. However, QR codes are two-dimensional, therefore they can store much more information. To be precise, thousands of alphanumeric characters of information. The ability to hold more information and the ease of use makes them practical for small businesses to use as marketing tools.
When you scan a QR code with your iPhone, Android or other camera-enabled Smartphone, you can link to content on the world wide web. Next, you may have the choice of activating email, instant messaging and connect to the internet and social media pages.
While QR codes may be somewhat new to the U.S, Japan has been using them for over a decade. Most important to you as a business owner is QR code marketing. As an example look at the image on the left.
As with this example, an user can simply like a Facebook page by simply scanning the QR code. That is what QR code marketing is all about. It is an new and easy way to build relationships with your customers. Like the retail store example I used in the beginning of this blog, businesses can put promotional displays with QR codes that allows customers to easily enter contests or simply learn more information about the company.
Other uses of QR code marketing:
- Marketing brochures.
- Sides of vehicles.
- Product tags.
- Online Social Media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
- Restaurant menus
- Ticket stubs
- Sales receipts
- Business cards
QR Codes could also link to:
- Directions to your business using sites such as Google Maps
- Allow customers to fill out application forms
- Coupons, discounts, sales and any other promotion.
- Customer feedback forms
- Online contests
That is only a short list of ways to use QR codes for marketing purposes. With the constant improvement in technology, there could be many other ways to market your business using QR codes. There are programs that generate QR codes with integrated analytics that can be found online. In conclusion, make sure you find the right QR code company to manage your QR code campaign. Look for a company that is experienced and is able to listen to the needs of your business.
Want to learn more about QR code marketing? Feel free to ask us questions below in the comment section.
Posted by: Brennan Deitsch
Why Facebook Marketing Is Important to Toledo Restaurant Owners
Marketing your Toledo Restaurant on Facebook
Attention all restaurant owners in Toledo, Ohio. Are you craving to improve the overall customer experience and improve your sales? Have you considered using Facebook as a marketing tool to help grow your restaurant business? If not, have no fear because the power of social media is still new to many people. While there are nearly one million registered users on Facebook, many restaurant owners do not know or understand the benefits of using Facebook to market their restaurant online.
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The benefits of using social media platforms such as Facebook to market your restaurant online are improved customer satisfaction, improved customer service, improved customer relationships and the ability to use traditional forms of advertising to create awareness of special discounts or rebates.
Example of the Benefit of Facebook Marketing for Restaurants
Many years ago, it would take time to research the exact cause of the decline in customers. It could be poor customer service, bad location and of course; bad food.
Starting a few years ago, technology and human nature has been combined to create a monster. To be more specific, it is our human instinct to be social. With the invention of Facebook, it has made it even easier to be social with friends, family and other businesses, or in this case; restaurants.
For example, let’s say Bob just opened up a new Italian restaurant in Toledo, Ohio. Bob is an experienced business man and has some great recipes to share with everyone in the Toledo area. Bob had some respectable results in his first week of operation. However, after three months he notices a drop in customers.
Bob then decides that his next marketing strategy will be to find out what his customers actually think about his restaurant. He hired an professional Facebook marketing company and began to see some gradual increase in sales.
Customers were able to check into their Facebook page use their mobile phone and comment on their experience. No matter if the restaurant reviews were negative or positive, the comments on Bob’s restaurant Facebook page were extremely useful. In addition, customers shared their experience with their other friends on Facebook. Considering, most Facebook users have at least fifty friends, the amount of exposure of Bob’s restaurant tripled. If Bob did not implement some type of Facebook marketing strategy for his Toledo based restaurant, it would have failed. Why did his Facebook Marketing strategy work so well for his restaurant? The direct answer is customer engagement.
Tips to Market your Restaurant on Facebook
- Respond to comments or questions on your business Facebook page. Never let a comment on your page go unnoticed. It will not solve anything by ignoring negative comments. Always try to resolve the customers problem.
- Honesty is a virtue. Treat people online the same way as if you just shook their hand. Never try to hide negative reviews or lie about your restaurant. Most customers understand that people make mistakes and they just want someone to listen to them. If proactive action is taken to resolve the problem, that customer will visit your restaurant again.
- Avoid overly promotional messages on Facebook. While it is acceptable to post promotional messages on your Facebook page once a week, marketing on Facebook is not the place to constantly overwhelm your followers with advertisements. Facebook business pages should only be used to educate and engage the public! Remember, all someone has to do to stop following your restaurant news feed is click on "Unfriend".
- Images sometimes speak louder than words. The general public loves images. In today’s busy lifestyle, many Facebook followers would rather look at pictures of some of your restaurants appetizers or meals. Make sure the images you post on your Facebook page are professional looking as it will represent your business. If you think your steak is truly mouth watering, prove it on Facebook.
- Share other news too. Even if it slightly unrelated. Don’t be afraid to post local events and news. Facebook can be a great networking tool too. Therefore, it is important to remember to follow a "give and take" philosophy.
- Be the life of the party. Don’t just add generic content to your Restaurant Facebook page. Allow your restaurant to shine by showcasing your personality and overall culture of your restaurant. Add creative and insightful content that encourages your customers to join the conversation.
In conclusion, Facebook can be used to market any restaurant in Toledo, Ohio if the correct steps are taken. The entire staff at Hi Octane Solutions hopes you found these quick list of tips for Facebook marketing for restaurants helpful. Managing a Facebook marketing campaign for restaurants can be time consuming, so make sure you find the best Facebook Marketing Company for the job. We would love to hear from our readers. Feel free to comment below!
Posted by: Brennan Deitsch
Why Toledo Business Owners Should Take Email Marketing Seriously
Email Marketing Services for Toledo Business Owners
Most Toledo business owners rely on email for a good percentage of their communication. Most have embraced the fact that email is simple, fast and reliable (it is also free)! So doesn’t it stand to reason that if most business owners are using email for daily communication that they should be using it to promote their company’s products and/or services? You would think that should be obvious but it really isn’t.
Let’s consider the fact that "most" small business owners are overloaded with responsibility, leaving them little or no time left over to focus on marketing tasks, let alone email marketing. "How can I possibly fit one more thing into my work week?" The answer is quite simple. Delegate some of your workload to someone else, give up an hour of sleep or outsource it to an email marketing professional (internet marketing company). You need to find the time or means to use email marketing!
Promoting your products and services to your clients or potential clients should be a top priority. Statistics everywhere show that it costs 5-7 times less to keep an existing client than to retain a new one. Email marketing is so cheap! It usually costs less than a decent meal at a restaurant and sometimes less than a fast food meal! There are so many ways that email marketing can benefit your business that would take the better part of a day to list them all.
Do you think you can find the time to squeeze in some quality email marketing time? How quickly do you think that hour of time will take to pay off?
Posted by: Hi Octane Solutions staff