You’re a blogger. You have a Facebook fan page. You want to interact on Facebook by posting on other fan pages. But you wanna do it right so you attract new fans instead of annoying other people. Right?
Tagging other fan pages and posting on fan page walls are both great ways to interact with other bloggers and companies. Plus, these tactics often times bring new people over to your fan page.
Last week I shared some ways that you shouldn’t engage on other Facebook fan pages because it makes you look self-centered and spammy.
This week, we’ll talk about the flip side.
If you read nothing else in this post, remember this: be genuine. No one likes you tagging their page to tell them about your latest sale or posting a copy and pasted “I liked your page. Please like me back!” on their wall.
Instead try these non-spammy ways to engage:
Ways to Tag Someone’s Fan Page
Tagging is a brilliant marketing tactic when done well. Why? Because when you tag someone’s page, you show up on THEIR wall as well as your own. It builds your blog’s brand awareness and gets you in front of some new eyeballs. While their fans can’t comment on your post from their wall, they can click on View Post to go to your fan page. Here’s a post where SITS Girls tagged my Momcomm fan page. This is what it looked like on my page:
Some bloggers and companies disable letting others post on their wall but they are in the minority. Overall, tagging is a great way to get noticed on other pages. Just don’t abuse the privilege.
So what are some ways that you can effectively (i.e. non-”spammily”) tag other Facebook fan pages?
Share Someone’s Blog Post on Your Page
As bloggers, we read LOTS of blogs. Sometimes you comment on a truly good post. Sometimes you retweet it. But do you share their post on your fan page at all? Do it and tag their fan page! While a retweet only gets seen by your followers, tagging gets your fan page name on THEIR page. Plus, bloggers love when you share a post of theirs with your readers as it drives traffic to their blog.
Ex. The other week, SITS Girls did an awesome challenge with Lynda from Digital Woe to help bloggers learn more about photography. I shared a couple of them with my readers and tagged both SITS and Digital Window.
Promote Guest Posts
Tagging fan pages also comes in handy for guest posts. Let’s say that Suzy wrote a guest post on your blog. When you promote the blog post on your Facebook fan page, tag Suzy’s fan page as well. Their fans will appreciate knowing about it.
You may be wondering why you’d do this because Suzy will surely be promoting it herself on her fan page. While that’s true, it’s always nice when someone else does additional promoting for you. I try to do my post a while after I see theirs so they aren’t back-to-back.
Same thing goes when YOU guest post on someone else’s blog. You can say something like “I’m over at Blog XYZ today talking about my favorite writing tips.” And then share the link.
Give a Shout Out to a Brand
Brands love it when you tell your readers how much you love their products. Why? Because it’s digital word-of-mouth marketing. It’s more authentic then THEM telling their fans how awesome they are.
You can do this in many ways but don’t forget to tag the company’s page if they have one.
Tell your readers how much you love a product.
Ex. “I just picked up some Burt’s Bees sugar scrub the other day and it made my skin so smooth!”
Tell your readers about a company you just discovered.
Ex. “Have you seen the capes from Baby Pop Designs? My son would love one of these!”
Ask your readers for advice about a product.
Ex. “I’ve heard so many people talk about the Dyson vacuums that I’m finally taking the plunge. Which one should I get?”
Ways to Post on Fan Page Walls
If you’re doing this for the sake of getting your fan page out there, be sure to change your account settings to “Use Facebook as [your fan page name]” while you post on other pages. There’s nothing wrong with posting with your personal profile; it’s just that most people won’t recognize you by your full name (unless that’s your blog name, of course). If you go into your fan page, you’ll see a place to change this:
I usually change it back once I’m done; otherwise I don’t see my friends’ updates on my news feed (it’ll just show your fan page as your main Facebook page).
So, what are some ways you can genuinely post on other Facebook fan pages?
Leave a Comment to Their Post
This is most obvious way to do this is to interact with them on their posts. If a blogger asks their fans a question, answer it! If a company links to a post, comment on it from their fan page! We all strive for interaction on our fan pages and the blogger or company will appreciate it.
Ask the Blogger a Question
If you have a question for the blogger and you think it’s something that others can benefit from, ask it! If it’s a more personal question and is specific to you only, shoot them an email instead. You can do this with brands as well.
Ex: “In the post you wrote the other day, you were talking about cloth diapers. We’re thinking about doing cloth. Which ones do you recommend?”
Give the Blogger a Compliment
Not in a stalky type of way. And PLEASE oh please don’t just say “I love your blog!!!!!!!” As I mentioned in the beginning, go for genuine comments that you put a little thought into.
Ex. “So-and-so introduced me to your blog. I really loved your post about XYZ.” or “Thanks for writing that review about ABC. I just picked up one for myself and love it!”
This tactic also works with brands too so don’t be afraid to do it every once in a while.
And there you have it. A bunch of genuine, non-spammy ways to tag and post on other Facebook fan pages.
Speaking of Facebook, have we connected yet? You can like my Facebook fan page right here.
Are these tips helpful? Have you tried any of these before?
Momcomm gives blogging chicks practical, can-do tips for writing, blogging and using social media (and sometimes a snarky rant).
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I'm a mom who loves marketing, photography and all things social media. I have two boys whose claim to fame is that they were born on the same day... three years apart.
Twitter: racheldrechsel
says:
LOVE this post! I’m off to try it out! ; )
rachel recently posted..this weeks giveaway
I’d love to hear how it works for ya!
I have to tell you something. I had no idea about tagging til just now. *hangs head in shame*
In other words? SO HELPFUL!
Thanks for this and for the work with SITS!
Mrs. Jen B recently posted..Spicy Olive Pasta
It’s a relatively newer feature so no head-hanging allowed! Glad you found it helpful!
Twitter: SensibleMoms
says:
Ah! How do I tag? Obviously a little remedial.
Need it broken down for me.
Sisterhood Of The Sensible Moms recently posted..A Spoonful of Sugar
Twitter: SensibleMoms
says:
Just saw your reply to another reader. I get it now!
Sisterhood Of The Sensible Moms recently posted..A Spoonful of Sugar
Twitter: EverythingEvie
says:
“I love your blog!!!!!!!” ….LOL No seriously, I love both your blogs. This one provides great info for peeps just getting started, those who know nothing about SEO or social media ….or those lazy people (who shall remain nameless) who are marketers in real life but sometimes need a wake up call to improve their personal blogs with stuff they do at work!
Eve recently posted..Can’t We All Just Get Along
Thanks, girl! It’s been so fun getting to know you on here too! I’m jealous you’re getting to a BBC though– awesome!
Twitter: JennAtFFP
says:
great tips. I’ve tagged before but I don’t do it regularly. Just another reason I should!
Jenn@FFP recently posted..Today Show Jill’s Steals n Deals May 3rd Addition
Twitter: AndreaUpdyke
says:
Great tips for using FB effectively! I have been having more conversations over there and I think it has really helped me connect with my readers!
Andrea (Lil-Kid-Things) recently posted..Happy Mondays DO exist!
I had no idea how to use Facebook as my blog. Now I’m feeling extra super duper smart this morning!
Hooray for super duper smarts!
Thanks! This really helps as I start to better strategize my Faceboook page. I’ve gotten a few spamy type posts on my wall. I usually remove them. Is that the best course of action?
I remove mine. I try to picture someone new coming to my wall and don’t want to be what they see, ya know?
Love these tangible ideas! What a great resource — heading to share and tweet it.
Janice (5 Minutes for Mom) recently posted..Libre Tea Glass for Mother’s Day
Twitter: CouponsCrafts
says:
Great article! I’m fairly new to blogging and also participated in the UBP. I admit I’ve done some of the things mentioned because that’s what the majority was doing, so I thought that’s what I needed to do. I agree that quality is more important than quantity and will start looking at things from that perspective.
This is such great advice! I agree its a wonderful way to get your name out there & connect with others!
Tina @ Life Without Pink recently posted..Tips To Get Kids To Wash Their Hands
Twitter: bodysculpter
says:
Thanks for this great post. The advice is simple, easy to follow and makes perfect since. I am actually going to put your ideas into practice as soon as I get to my computer. I don’t know why, but I can’t tag from my phone, but it’s gpoing on my to-do list–to tag.:)
Carol Dunlop recently posted..Coupons- Eat Healthy on the Cheap
So, silly question, but how do you “tag” a fan page? I know how to “tag” photos, but not sure about actual pages. I got the “share” part down, but had no idea you can tag, and I’m not sure I know how to do this…do you have a minute to send me in the right direction?
Thanks!
Twitter: bodysculpter
says:
@rockstarmomlv, you put the @ sign in front of the page you want to tag and then just start typing the page name. For instance if you do momcom’s fanpage, you woud type @momcomm by the time you get the m-o-m out, it will appear in a small window and you will be able to click on it.
Carol Dunlop recently posted..Coupons- Eat Healthy on the Cheap
I, too, love this post. It’s so . . . post-y.
Nah, really, your words are just what I’ve been needing as I try to find my way through the (extremely) dense blogosphere. So, so happy I’ve discovered you, your multiple web personalities, and your big ole’ brain. Thank you, Obi Blog Kanobi.
Big Hips. Open Eyes. recently posted..Thats So Inappropriate
Great post and awesome suggestions!
Twitter: Samkj27
says:
This is some of the most useful and practical advice about blogging and Facebook fan pages that I’ve seen so far. Thanks for posting – I will be keeping all of these tips in mind and using them selectively on my own Facebook page!
Samantha recently posted..Guest Post- Top 7 Family-Friendly Vacation Ideas
Twitter: Moomettes
says:
What a wonderful way to pay-it-forward sincerely, without being so in-your-face about it! What I have found out is that first you have to “Like” the page, before you’re able to @ {name of fan page} to get it to show up as a hyperlink.
So it’s a win-win all around!
Cindi @ Moomettes Magnificents recently posted..Serendipitous Sunday Giveaways Linky – May 15
Twitter: katlupe
says:
This post is excellent! I am bookmarking it today so I can refer back to it. Such good information for the blogger. So simple yet, so many things I haven’t thought of or took the time to do. Thank you!
katlupe recently posted..Growing Something!
Twitter: fromtracie
says:
These are such great tips!
I need to utilize my fanpage more, and I think putting the focus on interacting with some other pages/blogs/brands (in a genuine way) will help me do that.
Tracie recently posted..Do You Read the Last 10 Pages of the Book
Twitter: JameeTMiller
says:
I am so glad I stumbled (literally using StumbleUpon) back to this post! So incredibly helpful! I am really trying to focus on building up my fanpage so this helps a lot. Do you have any suggestions on how to boost interaction on FB? I really want to be able to engage my readers more but not really sure how. Everything I’ve tried up to this point has kind of flopped.
Twitter: MommyWhereAreU
says:
Hi Melissa:
I just found this post and so happy I did. Also went back to read “Comment Vomit: The Facebook Fan Page Edition.” I am enduring a lot of this stuff on my page and have been struggling with how to handle it and not be considered bitchy or snooty. As a very new member of the mom blogosphere, I cannot tell you how much I value your posts.
Cheers to you and MomComm!
So will anyone come to my Facebook fan page now?
It’s been so fun getting to know you on here too! I had no idea about tagging til just now. So incredibly helpful!
As someone who finds Facebook as confusing as trying to read Chinese; your blog will be bookmark so I can come back to it time and time again!
Your advice is spot on! What social media is just that being social; it seems to me that what works best in gaining and keeping friends will work just as well in blogging land. Be nice, share, and speak well of others!
Thanks for the compliment, Patty. And you’re so right about what works in SM land. Be a good person and treat others as you want to be treated. Goes a long way!
Twitter: findyoursimple
says:
I do all of these things but still have a question – I always write under my blog name rather than my personal as it is my identity in those contexts. I have seen negative comments (not directed straight at me) from some bigger sites that hate when bloggers comment using their blog name – they want their own community to be with people by name. Fair enough, but i still use my blog name as it serves us both – i am known as Home life Simplified (and always sign off as deb xx) and my comment appears on my wall so some of my fans see where I am hanging out. Is it bad form to do this?
Deb @ Home life simplified recently posted..Grateful for old friendships (and technology)
Hi Deb! I have to say that someone saying that has got to be the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. I just wanna shake those people and scream… does it really matter?! That blogger is getting engagement, plain and simple. If they want to start dictating the type of comments, they’ll just annoy people and discourage people from commenting. It’s like Starbucks telling you how you should have your coffee. Can you see this really irks me? Haha.
Twitter: findyoursimple
says:
Thanks – i tend to stay off their page to avoid issues (and only post on rare times i can’t resist) but it started making me wonder what others were thinking when they see me comment. A few people have asked me how i sustain great facebook growth and it really comes down to a combination of engaging the people I have on board + being smart about how and where I comment and tag. I am genuine and do not do anything to manipulate, but I am not going to pass up an opportunity to engage where my people/audience hang out…and I usually offer up good comments and information sharing that is helpful. Thanks for putting my mind at ease.
Deb @ Home life simplified recently posted..Grateful for old friendships (and technology)
This is still a great post, thanks! I have got this linked to my Facebook for blogging post too today, well done!
Twitter: 1
says:
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I’ve truly loved browsing your weblog posts. In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write once more very soon!
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Twitter: WhatYouAllow
says:
Great info. I am guilty of sending someone a message that I liked their blog.
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