Officially checked attending a Social Fresh conference off my list of always wanted to dos! After going to the one in Tampa the past few days, I know for sure it won’t be the last one I attend either. I met many talented individuals that impressed me with their knowledge and passion – some I know will become very good friends.
Besides laying the foundations of some lasting friendships, I can describe what I learned at Social Fresh in these 4 takeaways:
1. Facebook ads are fundamentally different from Google ads. (from the Facebook Ads – How to, Tips, & Tricks session by Justin Levy)
While Google ads focus on targeting keywords and location to attract clicks, Facebook ads focus on a user’s lifestyle and their friend recommendations. Identify what your target segment would have in their profile (age, interests, likes, etc.) and use that information to filter exposure to those who would be most likely to click through.
2. “Like Gating” increases conversions on Facebook Pages. (from the Facebook Page Building: Tabs and Add-ons session by Ty Downing)
One of the best ways to use the tab features in Facebook is to set up a “like gate.” Users that haven’t liked your page will be shown a special tab and restricted access to all the other tabs you have set up including the Wall. The tab should encourage users to like the page and describe what features they can expect when they do. “Like Gating” prompts users to like the page in order to access deals, enter contests and other information you want to reserve for just your fans.
3. Companies need to focus on rewarding all individuals for checking into location based services. (from the Relevant Ideas Delivered Everywhere: Incorporating Location Based Services into Content Strategy session by Mike Schneider)
Most companies still don’t understand how to reach customers through location based services. They don’t offer any specials or if they do, they focus on the “major” (that’s exactly 1 person) and ignore the many others that go out of their way to check-in. People that check in jump through hoops to spread the word to their social networks that they do business with you. The least you can do is provide everyone with a good deal that makes them feel like a valued and included customer.
4. Nothing will ever replace face to face interactions.
That doesn’t mean that online connections are some how less important. The internet and social media bring people together with common interests that might have not otherwise met. I’m very lucky to have met the friends and mentors I have through Twitter. But, there is something to be said about sharing an experience with someone else. You both come out of it with shared memories and a reaffirmed sense of camaraderie that you just can’t get anywhere else.
Miss out on the action this time around? You can still get all the Social Fresh Tampa decks over at Slideshare. Definitely worth taking a look at.
