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!

Be my Friend? - Why to friend or follow within Social Media

This week once again, the do's and don'ts of social media has come to the forefront of my life. I addressed the issue for bands and musicians in 7 tips for Bands on my other blog - Renagades Music. Actually the tips there can be used by all, even those in eCommerce. This here is to address a big issue within social media that still need addressing or clarifying.

To Follow or Not to Follow
      call it what you want - Follow (Twitter), Friend (MySpace and Facebook) , Like (Facebook), connect (linkedin), the question is WHY are you following them?

1. I know Them through other websites
2. I know them personally
3. I want/need more friends ( Followers etc) and need them to follow back
4. I need for them to buy - promote - or otherwise help me succeed
5. They are Famous
6. I like what they say and what to hear more

Really the only correct answer is number 6. I know, you are saying WTH?? (What The Heck??). But it is true. Whomever you persue - you better like what the say. At least, respect what they say or do. Now, not saying not to accept a friend request, or not to follow back etc anyone that approaches you, what I am saying is when you initiate the friendship, etc, you are saying, "I like what you offer - tell me more"

For Example - I am all about music - I sell music - I promote musicians - I have a DJ and Karaoke Service. If you follow me, expect alot of music related stuff and fully expect me to tell you what is up with the musicians I promote. Know that , among other things, I am going to chat about music. Now, I will chat about tons of other things, and offer up anything I think my friends and followers will like, and I will help them promote up their things too, but my main focus is music. So the choice is yours, like music, love music - follow. I will friend you back.

Now, I am not saying don't friend your family, real world friends etc - By all means do. They should know you well enough to know what you are like, and still like you anyway. But for expanding your reach in promoting yourself, or your business, reach out to those that you are actually interested in.

In Social Media, often it is not what you carry to the table, but what it is you walk away with.

Social Media, a dog, and a dumb mistake - Bonanza Social Media Lesson

It was something I was just going to let go by the wayside.  People can and do make mistakes.  But once it goes almost viral on facebook and becomes a hot issue with people I consider strong sellers and social media experts, I felt it was time to address the issue.

First of all, Social media is a term referring to spaces like facebook, twitter, MySpace, etc where people can interact with others in a social setting online.  A Social Media representative is someone whom handles theses accounts for a company or a celebrity, or anyone else that wants to hire someone to handle one or more of those online accounts.  Social Media is one of the fastest growing ways for a company, etc to spread the word about something, whether it be a a product, music, or in this case, a marketplace.  There are Social Media Reps and there are the wannabes.

My take of the issue at hand is the fact that a company has hired someone to represent them as there social media representative that gave what many would consider a rude response to a friend request on his personal facebook account.  Now the person making the request knew this was the reps personal account, because the rep put his personal facebook account out on the companies website, in doing so, basically gave permission for friend requests. It being his personal account, he does have the right to accept or deny the request in however he chooses rude or not.  But, as a representative of a company, does he always represent the company?  In a way, yes, especially in any social setting when all or part of your job is interaction with the public. Online or off.

Two people I hold in the highest regard in the world of online sales and social media,  John 'colderICE' Lawson and Phaedra (Perkins) Stockstill (@ the Boutique and The Bonanza Boardroom ) have an in-depth discussion on this.  You can listen to it from colderICE Blog.  I agree with many of their points, and is well worth a listen. One main point is the line between of WHO you are, and WHO your work for is often intertwined.  This is true in many aspects of business and in many businesses.  On a personal note from one of my businesses, Renagades Music, I have had the same discussion with musicians and bands that everyone from the frontman to the soundman is often representing the band at almost every minute of the day.  They need to walk a finer line than the every day Joe.  And when you hold yourself out as a Social media specialist, as the Rep in question has, now you need to be 'on' in your social media persona 24/7.

Now the one point I disagree with the points made in the above recording is the fact that the person making the friend request has a picture of their dog as their facebook picture, and the question was raised about whether or not its appropriate.  I personally have my personal picture, but I have friends that use everything from their kids, to their dogs, to their logo.  Personally I don't care.   And personally I fully understand that many, especially online sellers and businesses use logos or one picture across every spots on the web, doing so, establishing the brand they want and the image they chose to be associated with.

In conclusion it is very important companies, no matter whether they handle their own company, band, etc social media or you hire someone to handle social media to tread carefully.  Once you send something, post something online, it can ether  work for you , or it can tarnish the image you try to establish.  Words hard been known to go running across the web.

You have been warned ..... Renagade 
Visit Russ Kawecki Facebook thread for background information about this issue

Tornado 2010 proves online friendships are real

People who are not in the world of eCommerce or active online just don't understand the friendship and the bonds made with people we may never even have a phone call with much less meet. But don't ever think the friendship is not the real deal.


On April 25, 2010 we got hit with a tornado. Luckily the damage was mostly to the vehicles and little to the house, but the big beautiful old trees around the house where all uprooted or snapped off.

We were very lucky, It was an EF4 with 170mph winds. It had to be off the ground otherwise house would have been gone. Still the feeling of having your property damaged in such a way and the helplessness and despair is no less.

Well since the last message I left on Twitter was Tornado watch .. bad weather . got to go, the day before, Once we got the phone temporarily hooked up and called in some of the best 'real world' friends for help (and coffee) I called Kat, (Gypsytrading on twitter, gypsygirl on Bonanzle) whom I have to say is one of my dearest friends.


All I wanted to do was to let her know what had happened and so she could let people know I was OK, just was going to be off line for a while due to power, phone lines down and major cleanup.

Well she did. And my circle of friends online that I hold dear let go with an outpouring of love and prayers that .... well... words could never describe.

And the daily phone calls from Kat " Gypsy" and John "Shake and Bake Trading" were a great comfort as well.

The handful of 'real world' people whom came and helped, or came by to check on us we deeply appreciate and love them, they are our 'family', and although I have always felt close to my 'cyberworld' 'family',  my hubby, Steve, never fully understood it until now.

We are both so grateful to each and everyone of you. Steve said, " You do have some wonderful friends, good friends online. They ARE like 'family'"

Yep, now he understands.

Yep, you all truly are.

Thank you all ....

 

Renagade
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property before the storm

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property now

                      













Visit my Facebook page www.facebook.com/renagades  I will have more photos posted there.