Facebook question: don’t bother

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Jeff White

I still find it hard to believe that Facebook is still lacking in most areas when it comes to the synergy between their desktop and mobile app.

Asking questions on Facebook is a great way to engage your audience. Whether it’s via your personal or fan page, a little post asking a question is extremely engaging and a great way to receive instant feedback.

Facebook does have a ‘question’ button but in my opinion is still outdated and here’s why.

Below is a post from 102.9 Hot Tomato, the radio station I use to work for.

There is nothing wrong with this post. This is simply inviting the fans to be involved but the issue lies with Facebook’s mobile app.

Now lets compare that same post to the mobile app below.

P.S: The comment under the post is hilarious, my friend stupidly left his Facebook open, little security note for everyone out there haha

Ok, back to my point. So do you notice the difference? That’s right, there are no bullet points to select.

Ok, so perhaps the bullet points are on the next page? By clicking on the post you then are directed to this page, see below.

Still, no bullet points to answer. The key to social media – besides engagement – is the convenience for the fans. Already in this instance I’ve clicked on the post and yet the question is still not there, it’s only when I click on the ‘a question‘ in bold that I receive the bullet points, see below.

To me, this is a social media fail from Facebook. The ‘ask a question’ feature has been around for sometime yet with all the recent mobile updates Facebook has provided, they have continually ignored this area.

My tip for asking questions when posting on Facebook: Write a short post and ask the fans to either comment, share and like, don’t even bother – at the moment – creating an ‘ask a question’.

Your thinking when posting should always be “how will this look via the mobile app”. Like Facebook announced earlier this year, 68% of their members browse Facebook via the smartphone.

Twitter: @JeffWhite34
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[SURVEY] Using Facebook

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Jeff White

A few weeks back I decided to find out some information on the use of Facebook. I started a little competition and encouraged people to fill in a quick Q&A.

The questions we asked varied from daily use to how they interacted with brand pages. The sole purpose of the survey was to:

- find out what time of the day they check Facebook
- feedback for my clients actively using their Facebook page
- target best times to post for my clients

It was really interesting to see the level of activity of Facebook from the people surveyed.

Below are the results from the 108 people we surveyed:

The Facebook survey unearthed some interesting results.

The most interesting ones I found where:
- The amount of pages they follow: 10+ at 58%
- Viewing Facebook: 6-10pm at 56%
- Fans would prefer companies deliver their post: with humor + specials at 81%

Fans are certainly reaching out to brands via Facebook, something I was extremely excited to see. Now it’s a matter of brands putting together an effective strategy to turn these fans into buying customers.

Twitter: @JeffWhite34
Facebook: facebook.com/JeffWhite34
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How to: maximise Facebook posts

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Jeff White

Maximising Facebook posts is a common question asked by my clients and interested users.

There are ways like; promoted posts, sponsored stories, encourage friends, family and fans to ‘share’ and ‘like’, the list goes on. But there is one thing I’ve noticed that possibly could be a daily mistake and something we’re completely missing.

Lets face it, mobile phones are the biggest traffic of Facebook sharing and posts. Facebook recently stated that “68% of our users view and post from a mobile device”*. With this in mind we at White Echo did some testing.

Below is a post from Footjoy, this is how it looked on the mobile device, I’ve circled the link.

Facebook is an extremely visual platform. When you refer to the stats mentioned above for mobile interaction, you need to make the most of every post.

This post above from Footjoy – I feel – could of provided more exposure if they inserted a shorten link at the end of the post along with a big picture, let me explain.

We inserted a similar post to Footjoy for our client Mercedes-Benz Melbourne earlier today, see below [this is what it looks like on the desktop]

Then we deleted and along with the same link – shorten so we could track the click through – we inserted the URL after the post but inserted an image [this is what it looks like on the desktop]

With that now posted we went straight to the mobile app to view the post, see below

As you can see it dramatically improves the look, feel and is eye catching for the fans scrolling through their news feed.

In comparison, the previous post – without image – was up for 1 hour with no Likes. As soon as we posted this the page received a ‘like’ straight away.

Facebook already this year have added that they are constantly implementing new changes to their mobile app to allow it to be more user friendly including easy access to ‘liking’ pages.

With this in mind it’s important to keep up to date with the changes so you can maximise every post.

This slight adjustment will enable you to give every post every opportunity to spread without investing in promoted and sponsored stories.

The same can also be implemented for YouTube. Instead of adding just the link, capture a screenshot of part of the video or add a picture relating to the clip, insert picture along with a short message and of course the YouTube link.

So when considering what to post always have in the back of your mind “what will this look like on the mobile app?”

I hope this helps, good luck.

Twitter: @JeffWhite34
Facebook: facebook.com/JeffWhite34
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*source: Facebook newsroom

This is why I love social media

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Jeff White

A new app was launched by EA just recently and I LOVE IT.

It’s called Vue, this app is awesome and this is why I love social media.

In reading an article via Flipboard I noticed that someone had written a blog only 2 hours ago regarding Vue.

It was also surprising to read that the app was only available in Canada and Australia, I had to download it.

This app allows you to bring all your pictures posted to Facebook and Instagram to life in a short video.

The cool thing about it – that got my extremely excited – is you can login to Spotify, pick a song from your current playlist and add it as the soundtrack for the video.

I created my first video based on all the pictures I’ve uploaded from my mobile camera to Facebook.

Watch this video below and then go download the app, you won’t be disappointed.

Twitter: @JeffWhite34
Facebook: facebook.com/JeffWhite34
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It’s in black and white

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Jeff White

Let me say it loud and clear; What you say on social media is ‘black and white’.

I’ve made mistakes via social media, it’s what inspired me to learn more about this exciting industry.

When I first created my Twitter account – @JeffWhite34 – back in March 2009 I had no idea what to say. Then with a constant flow of tweets from Melbourne Demons fans I wrote what I thought was just between that person and me but only to find out it was public.

Whether I’m writing this blog, whether I’m writing to a friend or business via Facebook or if I’m replying to someone who has commented on my Instagram picture, it’s all ‘Black and White’.

What do I mean by this? Well it’s ‘black and white’ on the Internet. The ‘black and white’ theory is like writing pen to paper, it’s clear and hard to erase.

When watching the news last night I shook my head again at the use of social media.

With a new contract on the line, a former NRL Canberra Raiders player ripped up his new contract with the Brisbane Broncos via Instagram.

In a trial of comments under a picture he posted via the platform, the offer was quickly withdrawn from the Brisbane Broncos.

A 2 million contract now torn up because this player didn’t use common sense when using social media.

We all know the power of social media. I believe there still needs to be a consistent flow of education on the use of all platforms not only for professional athletes but also during the workforce.

Remember that what you say now might be insignificant but keep in mind what it might look like if common sense is not used for future references.

Many organisations across the globe are now viewing social media for potential employment. Whether the platforms are used well or inappropriately, companies view this as a way of finding out the true nature of the person they’re prepared to possibly employ.

It’s a shame that people have to suffer from possible life changing opportunities due to poor use of social media. In this instance with the NRL player were was the guidance from the players manager? Was the manager just focussed on the dollars and cents and ignoring the role of protecting his player? Education is a must.

Twitter: @JeffWhite34
Facebook: facebook.com/JeffWhite34
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P.S: Please don’t comment on the correction of my spelling and grammer haha

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