I have a “dirty” topic of blogging I want to talk about today. It’s something that has been bothering me, (and a lot of other bloggers), for a while now. So I thought, why not talk about it here to hopefully help us lessen the issue, because there are ways we can. So here goes.
Social media in blogging has become a driving force for most of us bloggers. Of course, this does not mean social media is the ONLY source. Fab You Bliss has a huge readership of people who have either bookmarked us or read us through one of the many feed readers available. And given the way social media is moving, we couldn’t be more happy about the fans who come directly to us.
However, if you’re a blogger and you’re not using Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, StumbleUpon and Instagram, you’re probably missing out on a huge amount of traffic that could be coming your way.
The social media “thing” many of us in the blogging community have been struggling with is Facebook.
Facebook is one of the most widely used social media platforms in the world. And while most of us use it everyday for business or pleasure, (or both), Facebook itself has been changing – most notably over the past year – so what was once one of our biggest traffic referral sources, (a wild animal we loved beyond belief), has now become a caged bird with clipped wings.
Facebook has become a “Pay-to-play” environment. No longer are us bloggers able to reach ALL of our fans, fans we worked hard to get. Nope, with the algorithm changes Facebook has made over the past couple of years, we are lucky if even 5% of our followers see our content. How sad is that? We worked hard to gain the followers we have, and we continue to. So only reaching a small percentage of them unless we pay, is quite frustrating.
It is a sad state of affairs. But it is what it is, right? It’s the way things are going, so don’t be surprised if other outlets start doing the same.
But this post is not meant to complain about it. Instead, I want to talk about what can be done about it and how all of us can get better results without having to pay.
The latest changes within Facebook have been put into place to encourage people to share and converse “within” Facebook. It makes sense, Facebook wants you to stay on their site as long as possible. So they’re rewarding bloggers whose posts get shared and re-shared by “showing” their posts to more of their followers. It’s a complicated puzzle, but what I’ve found in experimenting is the more interaction a post receives on Facebook, (especially within the first hour it’s posted), the more likely it will be seen by more followers.
How awesome is that? Easy and FREE!
This means that when even just a few fans “Like” and “Share” and “Comment” on posts on Facebook, more of your fans will see the hard-worked content you and others have put together.
So how can we make a difference with this?
Simple! If you’re a blogger:
* Encourage your fans to interact more on your Facebook business page
* Post the BEST content possible to get the interaction you’re looking for
And if you’re a photographer or vendor who has weddings or shoots featured here on Fab You Bliss or other blogs within the industry:
* Be sure to engage with the blog’s Facebook post as soon as possible. That means sharing, liking and commenting on it and encouraging others in your community to do the same. Doing so will help allow more of the blog’s fans to see the post, which obviously will benefit you in the long run.
So, long story short, if you can’t win with Facebook learn to play their game!
Thanks for stopping by!
I have to confess that I was excited to read this post. I have a long-standing love/hate relationship with Facebook and paying to promote your content can drain your bank account pretty quickly. But I completely agree with you and have noticed that my most popular posts on FB are ones that have had a high amount of interaction within the first hour. Plus your advice for other photographers/vendors to share/comment the posts is a must-have tip!
Awesome insights. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! I genuinely had no idea that there were ways to work around the lack of exposure since FB changed. Much love for sharing this!
Facebook is so exhausting ! Thanks for the tips I really need help in that department.
I have a “dirty” part of blogging to talk about in today’s Fab You BIZ post… http://t.co/LqRsA7wVum http://t.co/s9LCnwL7B8
I am at the verge of giving up on this thing called Facebook! These days i see myself gearing towards Google+ more than Facebook. The tip you have for vendors is perfect, that way there is interaction and more people get to see the posts.
I love that you are offering a solution to this instead of just complaining. Great statement, “It is what it is!” I love your attitude! Thank you for your encouragement:)
You’re so sweet! Thank you for such a nice comment π Made my day!
Awesome insights: If you Can’t Beat Facebook; Learn to play their game http://t.co/3SMaunT7zV via @fabyoubliss
Great post! Facebook’s ever-changing rules have made me really focus on Google+ instead! π
Fab You BIZ: If You Canβt Win With Facebook Learn To Play Their Game http://t.co/Yu2bxO4Gps via @FabYouBliss
Photogrs & vendors, its really important 4 u 2 like, comment & share posts on FB if u r featured on a blog. Heres why http://t.co/LqRsA7wVum
This is so helpful, Stephanie! I had been in a bit of denial about this at first, but now I really notice the lack of exposure when personal friends who are fans mention they never see my posts. The post likes correlation is so good to know. Google + is encouraging, so I like to spend more time there. BTW, I use StumbleUpon,too but don’t see a lot of engaged visits there either. I’m wondering if others find that too…
So sad but true! Thank you for getting the word out!
Smart tip from @FabYouBliss: Fans & vendors, it’s important to like, comment, share posts on FB quickly. Here’s why: http://t.co/2PnBQwOBRj
Great tips! Facebook really does feel like a bird with clipped wings! Kind of sucks. Okay, scratch that – really sucks! Want to know what else sucks? I love Pinterest (always have, always will), but I totally hate it that they decided to give some accounts followers – the algorithm changes awhile back made it so that no-name or barely known Pinterest users became flooded with new followers over night! Want to know how they did it? They simply suggested certain accounts to new users in sign-up. And I’m sure they meant well, but it just sort of irks those who had to work hard for their followers π Okay, rant over. I still totally love Pinterest, but I simply wish these social media platforms would stop messing with things.
Excellent post Stephanie! Some great tips in here. Facebook has definitely been a big poo lately.
Great tips! I did notice the changes. Thanks for your insight.