5 tips for better Facebook page management

Managing a Facebook page for a company is not easy as even if there’s no major problems or crisis we still need to keep the number of likers growing, managing their expectations, reward them, etc.

By being an admin of a few pages I’ve learnt that three elements are required in order to manage a page in a professional way; advanced FB knowledge, experience and creativity. Of course if you have a nice budget you can always find someone to manage for you (hint hint).

So here follow a few tips:

Do not post press releases – press releases are usually formal while FB is an informal place which requires different type of messages. If you have a release then adapt it to the style used on the page otherwise your fans will find it boring.

Content – Talk to your fans, talk about them, what they like, and use an appropriate tone. Define format, links and multimedia. And remember, your brand is what your fans say or think it is, not what you want them to think.

The importance of comments – the more likers you get the more comments you get, it's a simple as that. So ensure you reply to everyone and you’re always active both in opening discussions as well as participating in them.

Rhythm – posting two or three times a week is ideal as it gives time to all fans to comment as well as giving you time to prepare posts.

Timing – In Oman people are most active on Facebook in the evening/night, so that is when you should post as you’ll have high chances of finding your likers, current and potential ones, active.

Not rocket science, is it? With a little practice and common sense you can overcome any hurdles. Let me know if you any have tips to share.

100% guaranteed you will cry watching this!

Watch the clip below, it’s the story of two inseparable gallons of milk. Follow their tale from the factory to the fridge and beyond.

This brilliant short film about a love story between two containers of milk was made by Catsnake for Friends of the Earth as part of their campaign for half as much rubbish.

How sad was that?..:(...The message…? Recycle, and we will see a happier ending.

Save Energy Oman bangs its drum for the cause!

Remember Noor and the Save Energy Oman campaign last year? Well, I’m proud to say that little Noor has won a prestigious international award at the Drum Marketing Award 2011 for the Best Cause Related Marketing Campaign.

The Drum Marketing Awards are designed to reward and celebrate UK agencies that are excelling and producing excellent marketing strategies. Entries are usually judged by marketers from top brands including Easyjet, Umbro, Land Rover, HMV, Microsoft, just to name a few. 

The Save Energy Oman campaign, and the cartoon character of the white Arabian Oryx Noor, was designed by Navyblue (recently established in Oman) for the Electricity Holding Company. Check little Noor in action on this vid.

I've had the pleasure to work with Navyblue here in Oman and i can recommend them to anyone looking for a creative agency as the quality of their work is neat and classy.

Well done to our friends at Navyblue for developing such a cute and unique identity and grabbing this award!

(If you want to know more about Noor please see here, here and here) 

Nissan's gangsta ad ridicules Ford

The video below is a Nissan advertisement for the promotion of the Tiida. It is quite funny even though is in Portuguese. 

You will notice that the car in this commercial spot, surprisingly, is a Ford Focus, surrounded by rappers with gold chains and girls in bathing suits dancing in front of the car, all hip-hop style. Check it out...

In the advertising world poking a little fun at your main rivals is the name of the game, but has Nissan gone too far since there’s complete lack of any actual Nissan products?

The commercial revolves solely around the Ford Focus, and specifically its base asking price, which higher than the Tiida, and the two rappers, Ford employees, and bikini models drinking champagne and dancing provocatively around the Focus, explaining how they live in the lap of luxury by overcharging (ripping off??) customers. A little over the edge but definitely kind of funny.

But Ford isn't laughing. Its Brazilian unit has filed, and won, a lawsuit against Nissan's management for running this TV advert for improper brand use and unfair competition.

Top 100 Most valuable global brands

The BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands ranking analyzes the world’s leading brands and it is the most comprehensive annual ranking of brand value; it focuses on consumer-facing brands, rather than corporate brands (read this if want want to know about brand equity and measurement). 

The ranking shows the following:

• Apple is No. 1 with a brand value of $153.3 billion 
• Google ranked No. 2 the second most valuable global brand with a Brand Value of $111.5 billion, after spending 4 years at the top
• The top 100 global brands are collectively worth $2.4 trillion 
• Facebook enters the top 100 for the first time at No. 35 with a 246% surge in brand value 
• Chinese search engine Baidu is No. 29, up from No. 75 last year 
• Emerging market brands make up 19% of the top 100, up 18% since 2006

 See them all in the vid.

Top 15 most popular blogs in Oman

The number of blogs in Oman is rapidly increasing as more and more people are joining the blogosphere. On local blogs you will find a bit of everything, check them all out as one way or another all are really interesting and entertaining.

As of today on my blog roll I count 56 English blogs, many of them have not been updated for several months, while some others have just started (if you want to see them all click on “Show All” at the bottom of the blog roll).

I’ve done this Top 15 based on two factors; the number of followers shown on the blogs as well as their popularity, which is probably what counts the most:

1.      Muscat Confidential

2.      Muscat Mutterings

3.      Andy in Oman

4.      Dhofari Gucci

5.      Oman Travels into Oman

6.      Muscat Jet Driver

7.      Omani Cuisine

8.      Shy Rebellious Arab Girl

9.      How to live like an Omani Princess

10.   Susan Al Shahri

11.   Digital Oman

12.   Angry in Oman

13.   Sultanate Social

14.   MoOn Smile-English

15.   Blue Chi

Maybe I’ve missed some, if so let me do.

If you’re into photos I’d like you to check two really nice blogs; Oman in monochrome and Jamal Balushi, while if you're looking for any sort of health related tips and advice then take a look at Muscat Psychologist.

Lastly, the latest bloggers who very recently joined the Omani blogosphere are Sara Fida and Tan Net 101.

UPDATE:

I totally forgot to include Stand-Alone, a very popular blog which would easily make it to the top 10. Thanks for letting me know!

The importance of replying on social media

Has it happened to you that you posted a comment on someone’s profile or blog and you’re ignored?! I find amazing how many people, and companies, using social media don’t reply when someone comments on their posts or statuses. 

If I comment on some brands’ pages I expect to be at least acknowledged. 

Ignoring someone might equal to ignoring a customer and therefore lose him and potentially many others.

So here are a few reasons why replying is a must:

• People want to feel that someone is listening 
• If someone has taken the time and effort to write a comment, say thank you, it shows good manners.
• By responding you are building a relationship with them and they’ll keep coming back 
• If you respond they are much more likely to remember you/your business 
• By responding they are more likely to comment again 
• It makes them feel special 
• It builds your online reputation 
• It shows that a real person is monitoring the media, not a robot! 
• It encourages others to comment, knowing that they will get a response 
• It makes it look to others that you care (don't you?!)
• You don’t know who their friends are and who is their circle of influence to make or break you
• It makes you look like more of an expert in your area
• It shows that you aren't all about the sell

Sometime people might ask difficult questions or leave tricky comments, so think well before replying. Having said that make sure you reply in a timely manner.