Why are these called plugins?

While with WordPress you typically download the plugin to add it to your site, these are codes that are called plugins. Plugins are actually “mini programs” which is why Facebook developers call them plugins. In this case however, you are simply going to get a code and add it to your website.

Are they adaptable?

All of the plugins allow you to change the width. This makes it easy for you to add to your sidebar or to the main page or anywhere you want it. Most all of the plugins allow you to change other options to make it fit your unique site needs so you can make it fit.

What types of plugins do they offer?

There are currently 8 different plugins available.

• Login allows readers to login to Facebook.
• The Like button is quickly being added to sites both big and small.
• Recommendations can show your readers what they might like on your site.
• Activity Feed shows readers what their friends are doing on your site.
• The Like Box shows readers a live stream of your Facebook Fan page.
• Facepile shows your readers which of their friends have already joined your site.
• Comments allows for comments anywhere on your site.
• Live Stream is great for live events so they can share their activities and comments in real time.

Which Facebook plugin should I use?

Just like the features of each plugin depend on your particular needs, so does the plugin that you need. Most sites would recommend that you add the Like Button after that it is up to your website. If your site it too cluttered with gadgets and gizmos you readers may avoid it, yet with popularity of Facebook, you want to make certain some of it is offered. This will help build your popularity in a word of mouth format.

By the way, see the box below this post?  Yes, that’s a Facebook plugin called the activity feed.  And does anyone want to learn how to add the like button to each post?  And how I added the activity box to the posts?  The problem is, it does take going into your CSS code and I want to provide what YOU want

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MJ Schrader

Or how can I get linked to social networking sites?

For a website or business this is how you can create viral growth. With each person who comments, recommends or likes your website on Facebook, there are several people who see that. Some will visit your site. Some will visit and recommend, and some will even recommend your site simply because someone else recommended it.

What should I do?

The key is to help your readers share your website. Add a social bookmarking plugin to your WordPress posts. Sociable and Sexy Bookmarks are quite popular. By visiting the Facebook developers site you can create a “like” button that you can add to your widgets to be ever present reminder for readers to “like” your website. Encourage readers to share by asking. Yes, it really is as simple as asking them to share the site. By the way, please click the like button on my website.

Why is this important?

With these tools, your readers can make a public statement about your website. These typically offer a link, to your website or post. When someone shares this information it becomes a post on their social networking site wall, it becomes an item that can be searched, and on Facebook it becomes part of their profile. Imagine your website flashed across several profiles. Each profile could bring you several people, viral advertising. Best of all this viral advertising is free.

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MJ Schrader

Tomorrow will cover how to add Facebook to your blog WITHOUT PLUGINS!!! (Yes, you can do it!)

What is Facebook?

First you need to get an understanding of what Facebook is. This site is a social networking site. Thus it allows individuals to network with those they know and sometimes because of various connections, people start networking with those they do not. The conversations shared, pictures, videos and other media made available through the network is called social media.

Why is that important?

When people see someone commenting on the same items, there may be a connection made, even a friendship. The people on Facebook share information to connect with friends and in this way they connect with new friends. You may notice two friends who do not know each other suddenly become connected because of you and their similar comments on your posts.

While it may be strange that people become connected this way, it is as it always has been.  The difference is now people connect online.  Before social networking, people mostly had to connect in person.  Now, people who have similar interests, like similar items, may choose to connect.  They will also alert one another of things they find interesting.

So when someone sees something like the above on a friend’s site they might just check it out.  This way people share what they like and others can know in case they might like it as well.

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MJ Schrader

Tomorrow will cover “Why Do I Need Facebook?”

The advantage is this gives you more exposure which can increase your blog followers

Today is going to cover some steps to implement.

Add the NetworkedBlogs app to your Facebook.

From the new page, click the Add a new blog.

You will need to verify your blog. There are 2 ways to verify your blog. One get friends to say you are the blog author, which has the advantage of getting friends to subscribe and get you started towards the 20 followers. When you have 20 followers you will be listed as blog on networked blogs.

The alternative is that you copy the html code they give you and paste it somewhere on your blog. You can paste in a text widget on your blog.

If you have a fan page, visit your fan page and click the + sign. This will allow you to add a new tab, from the drop down select Networked blogs.

You can also repeat the above step on your profile.

Now your blogs will automatically post to your wall.

If you want to add a specific post to your wall click the Networked Blogs button under the status box. Then select the post you want.

To add the widget, just click widget on your blog profile page.  Select the widget you want, you have two choices.  Then select all of the code in the box.  Then go back your blog and choose widgets under appearance.    Then pull a text box over to your sidebar and paste the code into the text box.  Your widget should appear.

This will help you get more website traffic which will help grow your business.

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MJ Schrader

Keeping your family safe from people you do not know is why you need Personal Settings for Facebook Privacy.  Since you also want to remember (plus simplify your settings) how you know various people use Setting Up Lists on Facebook.

Today as Freebie Friday is going to cover tools to get your Facebook set up for maximum growth for you, your website and your business.

Facebook Fan Pages, this was mentioned earlier in the week with Fan Pages to Get More Traffic, but it bears repeating.  Create your fan page now.

If you already have a blog, get the Networked Blogs App.  Every person who follows your blog with Networked Blogs will see your blog in their feed.  It also makes it easier to post on your Facebook.  Once you get 20 followers you will be listed on Networked Blogs making your blog easier to find.

If you have a Twitter account, then Connect Twitter to Facebook. Every time you update your fan page, your Twitter will be updated.

And finally once you have 25 fans on your Fan page, update your Fan page name.  It takes the long Facebook web address and shortens it to http://facebook.com/LoveRockstar.

With these tips your fan base will be sure to grow.

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MJ Schrader

Tomorrow: One last look at Facebook.

Now that you have a fan page, you’ve set up your lists and privacy settings it is time to start branding you and your blog or business. Remember the number of people on Facebook is an incredible amount. There are all sorts of people, blogs, businesses, in a wide variety of styles and formats. You need to brand yourself so who you are becomes a recognizable persona.

Be consistent.

Decide on your branding strategy. Analyze how you want to be seen on Facebook and other social media sites and stay consistent to that image. Stay with the image and build it. This includes choosing links and names on media sites that is consistent with that image.

Import

With Facebook you can connect with your email accounts, and IM accounts to get contacts you already have. These are already people you know, so you can add them to your Facebook network. Also these connections may help you grow even more.

Update your status.

When you go weeks without updating your status, people wonder if they are following someone or a ghost. You can use your lists to send a personal status to friends and another status to other contacts. Use these because you want to stay in front of the public eye. Use these methods to help grow your business on Facebook.

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MJ Schrader

Tomorrow: Freebie Friday Facebook Tools

This video will explain how to set up lists on Facebook.  You can set lists up as to where you met your friends, how you know them, or what access level you want to give or whatever.  The people on the lists do not know what lists they are on, so no need to worry.

You can set your privacy settings to grant access to lists of people or by a person’s name.  Alternatively you can deny them access.  You can also set up or deny lists of chat access.

In case you do not catch it on the video, your friend list is by clicking account in the top right and then edit friends.  On the next page you can create lists or go to the left and choose a list to edit or delete.

Hope you enjoy!

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MJ Schrader

Settings:

Go to the far right, if your monitor is not wide screen you may have to use the slider button at the bottom of the page to see Account.  Under account you will see Privacy Settings.  Select and click.

From here you can set up who sees what on your page.  While you can choose recommended, you probably want to customize it.  At the bottom of the table choose customize settings.  Personally, for the settings of everyone, I make them friends of friends.  Their friends of friends suggestions I limit to friends.  And the Friends only setting I reduce to certain lists.

Lists will be covered tomorrow.

ON ALL OF THESE, you can choose custom which allows you to select lists or people who can see things or those people or lists who are restricted.

Beneath the table (look at the image above) select Applications and Websites, Edit Your Settings.  here you can change your settings on applications and websites on Facebook.  First scroll down to Instant personalization, then edit settings.  This shows your information on partner sites, while they say no information is shared, for many this is not a preferred situation.

Uncheck the box at the bottom of the new page.  The click back to applications.   Now the rest of the settings are personal preference.  If you want you can turn off public search which will show you on search engines, but people will still be able to find you on Facebook searches.   You will want to check each of these, and see what settings they have and then set them according to your needs.

Back to Privacy.

Now scroll back to the top to Basic Directory Information and view settings.  Here is where you can change if people can find you on Facebook and change other settings to fit your personal needs.  Most of these I have set for Friends of Friends.  Everyone can find me because I do have a business.

Then you can click Preview my Profile, this is where you will see things set up under custom.  So you can select a name you restricted or a name you granted more access.

Hope this helps!

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MJ Schrader

Tomorrow: Lists

Thursday: Photo Albums

Bonus: Personal Setting VIDEO!!

What might you keep safe?

Pictures of children.  Your address.  Your phone number.  Pictures of you and your family at the fair.  It depends on you and your family and everyone has different reasons.  I know someone who has a foster child she must keep safe.

Enter Facebook Fan Pages.

These do not require your readers to have a Facebook account.  Information on the site will only be what you want as public, the same with pictures.  You also do not inundate your friends and family with business posts and updates.  Send an email to all your fans through Facebook, you can send them updates or whatever you need.

Now create Your Fan page or visit my Fan Page!

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MJ Schrader

Tomorrow: Personal Settings for Facebook Protection

Wednesday: Video Wednesday Creating Lists.

What is the benefit of social networking?

Years ago business owners networked in Lion’s Clubs, Rotary and other clubs, yet this was not available for everyone, and did not help owners of specialized businesses who needed clients around the world. This is the greatest benefit of Facebook for business. Now you can reach people down the street and around the world who need to know about your business.

How can I use it to reach potential clients?

You can share your business products, who you are and bits of you as a person and as a business person. This allows people to see you as more than just a business. Typically people are connected with people of similar interests so when one person notices your business and likes it, either by clicking the button or mentioning it, their friends will see that. The friends who have similar interests are going to want to know more. This helps grow your business.

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MJ Schrader

Tomorrow: Facebook pages