Friday, July 29, 2011

Custom URLs for Facebook and Google+ the easy way

Having custom URLs for your spots on social media is very easy to do and makes it easy for you to share and of course, easy to remember.
The best thing, of course, is if you use the same user name, then all your places on the web show up across the board when someone searches for you.
How to set a custom url for some places is not as obvious as others.  Twitter for example, uses your user name so it is done for you.  Here I will cover a couple of the more elusive ones, namely FaceBook and Google plus.

Google+
There is one spot I found that makes getting your own custom URL a breeze.  Check out  gplus.to  Carefully pick your name.  I recommend using YOUR name.  Google+ is planning on business accounts as well in the near future, so you will want to reserve your business name for it.
I can be found at http://gplus.to/SusanLeak

FaceBook
For your personal account, first log into Facebook.  Then go to: 
http://www.facebook.com/username/ or to http://apps.facebook.com/personalurl/ Both will help you set your user names.
CAUTION!!! Choose carefully - for you can not change once it is set.
Find my personal one at : www.facebook.com/renagades

For your business page, you will be given the chance to chose one when you set it up.  Once you receive 25 fans, it should allow you to use your chosen name.  If not, go to http://www.facebook.com/username/  
and set it.
AGAIN! CAUTION! You can not change the name, so choose wisely.
Mine are found at:
www.facebook.com/renagadesmusic and www.facebook.com/2wolvesdj

One other point I would like to stress - Profiles are important! (Read : Your Google Profile - what does yours say )  Fill out your profile as much as you feel comfortable with.  Add your background, achievements, yes.... brag a little!  Your profiles are meant to help others in their decision of whether or not to deal with you.  So, as a seller, use this to sell them your most priceless item .... you and your reputation!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Google Plus Profiles - what does yours say about you?


 Google profiles have been around for awhile, and has always carried some importance in online presence and branding. But with the addition of Google Plus to the crazy world of social media, the importance of a strong Google profile has taken a new meaning.

Google is the number one search. The term 'Google me' has become mainstream. When someone searches for you, they will find all the places you have been online, any comments you may have left on blogs etc, any pictures, videos you may have posted, and anywhere you have a spot on the web, from Facebook to twitter to, of course, Google. And Google, preserving their power of the web, will be showing the Google profiles prominently.
So, what constitutes a good profile?

Some tips:
Fill out as much as possible
Not saying you need to add your street address or phone number, but adding where you live, and have lived, your name, etc is a no brainer.

Fill out a little Intro
Tell people some of what makes you, you. Use the editor and add links.

Occupation and Employment 
If you work for a company, and prefer not to let world know where, leave blank. But if you are in business for yourself, this is vital . Do not leave blank, or get all cutesy here. Unless you are a psychic medium by trade, "I see dead people" is not an occupation. Nor should you put employed by "Yo Momma" if you're not a babysitter. I recommend coming across as professional as possible.

Links
Anyone who uses the internet for business in any way needs to add as many links as you can. All the marketplaces are supported, along with the other social media hot spots, so again, a no brainer.

Add a profile picture
A Good one. again, if your business uses the web to reach the masses, you need a good picture or logo even. It should be reflective of your style. But, unless you sell costumes, I don't recommend the one of you dressed as a poodle.

And if you think you can keep your profile private, like on Facebook, think again. As reported by Mashable.com, Google already has announced that private profiles will be deleted soon, so make to effort now and get looking good .

Feel free to visit mine :